Summer Vacation, Days 73 ~ 77

Days 73 ~ 77

Saturday, August 1

We packed up & headed to Wisconsin. Jim worked in the morning, so we got a late start, and stopped for lunch before getting on the interstate. Once there, we made a Walmart run. And then I spent an hour washing and prepping the fresh fruit & veggies, boiling eggs, making iced tea, etc.  Jim got pizza for supper. 

Sunday, August 2

Sunday morning found me sitting by the lake with a cup of hot tea & a breakfast sandwich. Aaah! 

Church was oh, so good!  During the sermon, the pastor quoted Oswald Chambers: "The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else." 

Lunch at an old-fashioned diner.  Afternoon of beach & fishing. 

Monday, August 3

We arrived at the waterpark just after lunch and left just before supper. I did the lazy river three times and rode one waterslide (perhaps the last one I will ever ride in my life!). Jim found a seat in the shade and read "Age of Opportunity." LM made friends, two girls & their homeschooling mom. One of the girls asked if we could share info so they could have a play date. Alas, we live hours away. Made it back to the WI house in time for LM to go to VBS!!

Tuesday, August 4

After a nice breakfast out & time for LM & me to walk the streets of the resort town, beach & fishing were the themes of the day. Of course, LM was at VBS from 6-8.30 ... and sad she would miss the last three days. "I made a friend, Mom!" Yes, of course she did! 

Wednesday, August 5

We left around 8.30 and were home by noon. A pleasant ride home. We all were tired! 

But we kept going ... Jim to PT, then BK to the farm, then LM to tutoring, and then BK to a youth group swim party. 

I didn't keep notes of our time there but sprinkled into our days there, in addition to the beach & fishing, were:

• lots of requests for mac & cheese (including for late night snacks),
• naps,
• Boxcar Children, 
• bicycle & scooter rides, 
• trips to the ice cream shop,
• lots of reading for Jim & me, 
• and in general - REST - big picture windows, mature shade trees, quiet street, open windows, box fans, & simple meals.  

Staying for four nights is exponentially more restful than two trips of two nights each.  

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #92

891. safely through another week

1 Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way;
let us now a blessing seek,
waiting in His courts today;
day of all the week the best,
emblem of eternal rest.

2 While we pray for pard'ning grace,
through the dear Redeemer's name,
show Thy reconciling face;
take away our sin and shame;
from our worldly cares set free,
may we rest this day in Thee.

3 Here we come Thy name to praise,
let us feel Thy presence near;
may Thy glory meet our eyes,
while we in Thy house appear:
here afford us, Lord, a taste
of our everlasting feast.

4 May Thy gospel's joyful sound
conquer sinners, comfort saints;
may the fruits of grace abound,
bring relief for all complaints:
thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
till we join the church above.

892. calming music

893. such a fun summer swim team

894. safely through the first week of unstructured summer vacation (!)

895. older women to speak truth to me

896. peers to share each other's burdens

897. fun book series in which I could escape

898. we ate this week, even though I was out of practice with cooking, after a week with relatives in town

899. spending a half hour of respite with Jim's 96 year old dad & his wife

900. watching the Lord arrange plans for the coming week

Summer Vacation, Days 54 ~ 60

Days 54 ~ 60

A Week with Relatives in Town 

Monday, July 13

8:15 AM swim practice, Facebook Marketplace pick up, drive-through second breakfast, Walmart, ALDI, drive-through lunch, home. 

Jim had PT from 2 to 3. Then I made the rounds here in our town of the post office, the library, and the gas station.

Cleaned the kitchen and cooked supper while Jim’s brother and nephew brought in the Facebook marketplace purchase…

Tuesday, July 14

While LM was at 8:15 AM swim practice, I went to an 8:30 AM lab appointment and then ran an errand before picking her up at 8:45. We came home and she slept until noon! 

We dropped her off at the grandparents at 12:30 and went to Jim’s two week post-op appointment, and came home via some of his distant fields to scout them on our way home.

While I went to the pharmacy, he visited with his dad and brother and sister-in-law. 

Home in time to pack some snack bags and go to a relay meet. LM and I arrived at 4:45 and were home by 8:30 or 8:45 PM. It was HOT!! Two more mornings of swim practice. Jim ate supper at his brothers’s with 9 family members. 

Wednesday, July 15

Morning swim practice and a stop by the thrift store (Vera Bradley purse for me). Jim’s brother took him to PT and stayed to visit a while. 

After lunch LM and I went to the orthodontist’s office south of us for a 10-minute appointment and then picked up a Walmart order  

For dinner we gathered at Jim’s dad’s with 12 family members. Portillo’s was on the menu. Yum! 

Thursday, July 16

Morning swim practice- the last one of the summer!  Jim had PT early afternoon. At 5:30 we took a taco bar and homemade tres leches cake to Jim’s dad’s to feed 12 for supper. Playing Trafalgar rounded out the evening.

Friday, July 17

A designated sleep-in day, but our AC stopped working so I was up early;) Thank the Lord that the air conditioner repair man could come within a few hours! 

LM and I (& 4 other relatives) had a fun girls’ lunch out at the tea room. 

As soon as she was packed for the swim meet, I left her at home with Jim, and I drove almost an hour to pick BK up from camp. An aunt picked her up and took her to the swim meet - sheer chaos as it was an eight team end-of-summer championship! 

I dropped BK off at home, and he and Jim ate supper at Jim’s dad’s with several relatives, while I went to the swim meet and worked medals.  Home around 9 PM.

Saturday, July 18

Up early for the 8.15 AM end-of-summer championship meet for the older swimmers. BK's relay team earned two 1st place medals, and he dropped time and set a PR for his individual event.  And that concludes our fourth summer of summer swim! Our team was undefeated this year, and won the championship!  

LM & I took naps most of the afternoon!! BK had a couple friends come over to play pool & ping pong.

At 5.45, I picked up our order at a nearby fire station's pork chop dinner and took it to Jim's dad's, where 13 of us ate supper.  

Sunday, July 19

After church, we met at a pizza restaurant with 11 relatives. Yum!  Afternoon naps & rest time at home before meeting back at Grandpa's for sandwiches, veggies, chips, and cookies... and, of course, another game of Trafalgar!

It was a good week!

Summer Vacation, Days 48 ~ 51

Days 48 ~ 51

Tuesday, July 7th

Left at 7.50, dropped BK off at the pool, dropped LM off at day camp, picked BK up, and home by 9.40. 

Tidied the kitchen (counters, table, dishes, laundry), since I was gone ALL DAY yesterday. Sat down to rest. :)

For lunch (& supper & lunch & supper tomorrow) ;) a friend brought the most delicious beef stew, salad, berries, and bread. 

At 1.40 we left for PT & while Jim was there, I took BK to a friend's and went to the pharmacy.  Home at 3.15.

Left at 4.30 to pick up LM. Took her to the grandparents' with her supplies to spend the night. Then went to the swim meet, where I did ribbons.  Home at 9.30 PM. Whew! 

Wednesday, July 8th

Gone from 7.40-9.45 AM to take LM to day camp and run two errands.  Then I had Office Day! I paid paper bills. I paid five medical office bills that had come by text (not my favorite, because I want a paper trail), for both us and my mom.  I scheduled or re-scheduled 8 medical appointments.  

BK worked at the farm during the afternoon. (Translated: I drove to the farm twice. This summer is my driving era for sure!)

LM begged to stay at camp later than I had been picking her up, and this is the only day that worked. I was gone 6.45 - 8.15 picking her up.  Zzzz. :) Prayerfully, next year she can stay at camp!

Thursday, July 9th

Left at 7.45 to take BK to swim practice, LM to day camp, and then pick BK up. Telehealth appointment, took BK to the farm, spent an hour on the phone trying to get my daily meds from my Chicago doctor delivered correctly, picked BK up, & then went to his hair appointment. Home for less than an hour. Dropped BK off early for the swim meet. Picked LM up from day camp & took her to the grandparents to spend the night, while I went to the swim meet, and worked ribbons, arriving home at 9  PM. 

Friday, July 10th 

A friend rode with me on my morning drive so we could visit while taking LM to day camp. She got to go early today (in time for breakfast!) so I could be home in time to get Jim to PT.  Quickly cleaned the kitchen, did some laundry, made iced tea, and cooked some chicken I had thawed. 

Afternoon errands - bank, gas, medical supply lending library, dry cleaners, Dollar Tree for greeting cards, CVS, a scone for me :), Walmart (for flexible ice packs), and picked LM up at 4 PM. She can't wait to go to camp next year!! :) 

Summer Vacation, Day 47

Monday, July 6th

Today deserves its own post! I mentioned that Sunday after lunch I filled up the gas tank, and noted that that was foreshadowing.

What did I do today? Today epitomized my driving era!

8 AM LM & I left for Bible camp (40-45 minutes away), where she is attending as a day camper this week!! [Yes, I will be making that one-way trip 20 times Monday - Friday.]

From there I drove to Jim's orthopedic clinic to exchange his broken cryo cuff knee cooler for a working one! 

Then to ALDI & Walmart (including swim meet snacks).

Stopped at the hospital in the next farm town to purchase a DELICIOUS lunch of brisket and cheesy mashed potatoes in their cafeteria. 

Home at 11.30! 

I put groceries in the fridge, served Jim lunch, made a to-go dish for myself, and left again! 

After backtracking 6 miles to drop BK off at the farm, I was late for my 12.30 oil change & maintenance appointment. Boy, did I enjoy those 2 1/2 hours! :)  Lunch, hot tea, music in my ears, and a relaxing book to read. :) 

I arrived home just before 4, and had time to help Jim with a few things, before I picked BK up and brought him home. 

I left immediately to pick up LM. We drove through drive-through, and then took the wrong exit so had to turn around, and were home around 6.30. 

I think that was enough for one day. ;)

Summer Vacation, Days 45 ~ 46

Days 45 ~ 

Saturday, July 4 ~ Happy 250th, America!

The children went to the parade with relatives, ate lunch in the park, and rode some rides. I showed up for a late lunch in the park, and sat with Jim's aunt for a good catch-up. The children & I came home mid-afternoon and returned after 5, for chicken dinner served at the park.  While we rested at Grandpa's until time for fireworks, BK went back for some rides with their second cousin once removed, D. Then we watched fireworks at relatives' who live just outside town.  Watching fireworks is an exaggeration. LM ran around catching frogs with D, and BK "babysat" his little sister, while I chatted with one of Jim's cousins. They were making memories!

Jim stayed home, iced his knee, walked laps in the downstairs of our house, and elevated his knee.

Sunday, July 5

The children & I were gone from 8.30 - 1.15 for SS, church, lunch, and filling the van up with gas [this is called foreshadowing]. Jim was home doing what he did yesterday... Sigh... We had a leisurely afternoon and I was glad when it was bedtime. :)

Summer Vacation, Days 42 ~ 44

Days 42 ~ 44

Wednesday, July 1st

With a real feel temperature of 88*F, we pulled out of the driveway about 4.45 AM, and arrived at the hospital before 5.30. Home at noon, with a new knee for Jim! Hooray!

Grandma (& Grandpa!) took both children to swim practice, and then BK spent most of the day working on the farm. His aunt took him to youth group.  Grandma brought LM home around supper time.

Thursday, July 2nd

A friend's mom took both children to swim practice.  Leisurely afternoon (including a friend coming over to hang out with BK for an hour or so), and then at 4.40, I dropped the children off at a swim meet. A teammate's mom (who is a kind but firm lady; she is a school bus driver) was responsible for them. So thankful for our village!! I picked them up around 8.30 PM.  They both dropped times in their individual events, and BK's relay team won two blue ribbons!

Friday, July 3rd

A leisurely morning off of swim practice was nice. :)  But that means lunch came before I felt like it was time. ;) Jim had his first PT appointment, and felt worse afterward.  :(

Summer Vacation, Days 40~41

Days 40~41

Monday, June 29

Since BK got home after 11 PM last night, we let him sleep in.  I took LM to swim practice (where she was happy to have 3 ribbons waiting for her from last Thursday's meet!) and then to the orthodontist for her top expander, Take 2! 

After lunch, BK went back to the farm with Jim. LM & I worked around the house. She dusted. I did laundry, dishes, etc. 

At 3.45, we left for the pharmacy & then she stayed with Grandma while I went to my hair appointment. 

Tuesday, June 30

I was up early sweeping, mopping, vaccuming, and cleaning the downstairs bathroom.  In the past few weeks, I have taken three trunk loads to the thrift store, so the STUFF is much more manageable, but the dirt still comes. ;) 

Jim took the children to swim team practice at 7.45. My nurse arrived at 8, and was here until 12.50.  Once the children returned home around 10, she ran a day camp as well as running my infusion! She French-braided LM's hair, wiped up a spill on the floor, crushed LM's pills & dispensed them, suggested we watch a movie & have popcorn. She's amazing!

BK went to a friend's to swim from 1-6 PM.

At 4.15, I dropped LM off at the grandparents' with her swim bag & overnight bag. 

At 7, I dropped BK off at the farm with his swim bag & overnight bag. 

Jim worked late, feeling the pressure to get caught up on as much farmwork as possible.

Summer Vacation, Days 38~39

Days 38~39

Saturday, June 27

LM slept in. She had tutoring in the afternoon. We had family reunion at 5 PM.  Two of Jim's uncles went to heaven in the past year, and three of the cousins who usually attend were not there, plus several others who sometimes come. But there was still a sweet spirit. 

Fun fact: my parents attended this annual reunion before I ever did!  They drove out here with me one weekend about a month before our wedding.  The ladies of Jim's church had a shower for me on Friday evening, and we were to attend family reunion on Saturday evening, and drive home Monday.  Instead, Jim was in the ER Saturday evening, and ended up having surgery Monday morning. Whew! My parents had such a good time at the reunion, though! :) 

Sunday, June 28

After church, we met 15 others for a post-reunion pizza lunch! Home for a bit. And then a special prayer time for our nation at church, to celebrate America's 250th.  We drove separately, and I stayed in town to bring BK home after a youth group service project (8-10.30 PM unloading a U-Haul truck into a U-Haul storage unit). Talk about a late night! 

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #89

861. The orange orb coming over the horizon at 4-something AM when I rolled over in bed

862. The quintessential blue summer sky with tall white clouds out my side mirror, with tall greenish-golden grass framing the bottom of the mirror

863.  A sanctuary filled with small groups of people huddled in circles praying for our nation

864.  The lovely pasture I drive by 8-12 times a week with good-looking cattle grazing & resting

865.  Watching LM confidently walk into swim practice, swim cap on her head, swim bag over her shoulder. 

866.  Ease of doing laundry & ease of keeping our home clean, as I have decluttered more and more!

867.  Amazing way the Lord provided someone driving 700+ miles between a friend's hometown & here, so they could hand carry an item to said friend. 

868.  Finding "The Blessing Series," when I was searching for historical fiction about Norwegian immigrants to the Upper Plains

869.  A shared love of books & learning - one of Jim's cousins brought a book to me at family reunion, and the other recommended a book!

870.  The coffee shop around the corner from swim practice. ;) [They serve great tea!]

Summer Vacation, Days 33 ~ 35

Days 33 ~ 35

Monday, June 22

BK was in our room, dressed & ready for Jim to take him to CEF camp at 6.30 this morning!! LM, on the other hand, was still asleep when I woke her up at 11.15 AM! Translated: I got half the garage cleaned. :) A trash can is full, and so is the trunk (with donations). We did not go anywhere all day, though we should have gone to the library to return an overdue book. :-/ 

Tuesday, June 23

We might not have gone anywhere yesterday, but we were hardly home today! From 7.45. AM - 9.15 PM, LM & I went to:

• swim practice
• errands in our town (library, post office, drop off hand-me-downs)
• home for 2 hours including a warm bath for LM
• fast food
• orthodontist appointment
• Sam's order pickup
• city library (to return playaways & enjoy the library!)
• Aldi
• gas
• home for 30 minutes or so,
• drop off a load at the thrift store, and
• a home swim meet.

Whew! 

Wednesday, June 24

7.45 AM found us heading out to swim team practice. We were home by 9.45, and started working on straightening up the downstairs, putting things away, sorting laundry, returning things to the basement, etc.! We took a one-hour interlude to go to the last summer reading program at the library (Fun Day!), and then we worked on clearing all the piles and boxes in the dining room. 

Along one wall 6-8 bankers boxes I brought back from Tennessee two summers ago were stacked up - archives, desk drawer contents, photos.  Plus the table held papers to file - my mom's receipts, ours, and a year's worth of papers for BK & LM - IEPs, test results, hearing tests, vision tests, etc. And once a table has piles on it, it accumulates other miscellaneous piles! 

Needless to say, I threw out a bag of trash, and filled half the trunk with donations for the thrift store.

Jim was home for about an hour for an early supper - fried chicken! - and then went back out to work as late as possible.

Summer Vacation, Days 27 ~ 29

Days 27 ~ 29

Tuesday, June 16

As LM & I were driving to swim practice, the heavens opened, some parts of that town had hail, and there was quite a bit of lightning.  Obviously swim practice was cancelled (at the last minute).  I parked under a gas station canopy during the worst of it.  

We filled our time by going to a coffee shop, having a treat, and playing games and reading books from the shelves there. :) 

Then LM went to Reading & Math camp for two hours, while I walked around the town. 

A quick trip to Walmart to get her new bike!! (A year after she really needed one ...)

Stopped to see Grandpa & Grandma. 

Rested. 

And then we left at 4.30 for a swim meet.  She dropped 8 seconds in both events! (Yay for fall/winter swim!) We were home by 8.45, since she only had two events. I sat with friends, and she lived her best life having a picnic with her friend & another girl. Honestly, at swim meets, I rarely see her! 

Wednesday, June 17

As LM & I pulled up for swim practice, a mom walked out and announced that practice was cancelled due to a tornado watch. Deja vu! We went to the coffee shop to wait until reading camp. After we ordered, and she changed clothes, and found a coloring book, I opened FB and said, "We're going home." The storms had already left destruction in their path and were headed our way. 

So she missed reading & math camp today also. Although she did have tutoring this afternoon.  

We are thankful to the Lord that both the morning storms & afternoon storms passed us by.  Others were not as fortunate...

Today was the day that I discovered that my Fitbit will buzz & congratulate me if I reach 20,000 steps!! I cleaned house all day! :) (Alas! Not the dusting, floors, and bathrooms.) It feels good to take out bags & bags of trash, to wash bed clothes and blankets galore, to fill the trunk yet again with donations for the thrift store, and to list some STEM activities on FB Marketplace. 

BK's youth group returned to civilization tonight for a meeting in a town, so it was good to receive some proof of life from him. :) The Youth Pastor also posted a video of a game, and it was great to see BK's smile! 

LM wrote out her schedule for tomorrow: 

• Swim team
• Reading Camp
• Riding my bike
• [Watching] Pollyanna

It's always good to have goals! 

Thursday, June 18

Third time's the charm for swim practice! Afterward, LM had reading & math camp, while I ran errands.  Home to cook lunch, straighten the house, and keep pushing laundry through. 

I was ready for an afternoon nap!!

BK arrived home happy from the Upper Peninsula at 10 PM, long after LM was asleep and I was almost asleep.

Summer Vacation, Days 24 ~ 26

Saturday, June 13

EARLY morning wakeup call so we could leave at 6 AM ... BK packed in his youth-group-issued black tote with a yellow lid (so they stack in the trailer & are critter-proof in their tents) and the rest of us packed for WI.

We waited in the church parking lot for the prayer circle (40 trip participants; almost a 1:1 ratio!) and then we got on the road.  After stopping at Walmart, we still reached the house before noon.  We three had a leisurely afternoon of reading, beach time, and eating at the same lakeside restaurant where Jim and I ate on our second date. :)

Sunday, June 14

Church was really special, as always. I sobbed my way through, "Hymn of Heaven," by Phil Wickham. (Video here. Lyrics here.)  

And on that day, we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain"

Lunch. Naps or reading. Safari!! (That was a new experience.) Walking around a touristy town, and trying out a new playground. Jim got takeout for supper.

Monday, June 15

We slept in. I paid bills (work which I had taken with me). LM & I walked almost 3 miles on the shore path. I love our tradition! I don't think we did it in 2025, but we did it together in 22, 23, 24, and this year! Jim met us at the restaurant at the end of our walk (near the Red Park, where LM played after lunch). 

Another leisurely afternoon of read alouds, napping, and, at 5.30, packing.  Home shortly after 9 PM (with another Boxcar Children read aloud completed in the van!) and very well-rested!

Summer Vacation, Day 23

Friday, June 11

Today was spent doing what I seem to do the most ... driving.  The silver lining was listening to a newfound podcast: Working with Dan Doriani. 

LM had pony camp 40 minutes south of us from 9 AM - 3 PM.  At 2 PM I picked BK up from a friend's house 20 minutes north of us.  

From 9.30 - 1.30 I ...

• picked up meds, 
• ran into a friend (fellow special needs mom) with whom I never get to have a leisurely conversation,
• talked with her for a long time, and 
• packed like a mad woman.

Supper was fried chicken in the air fryer. My family deemed it a success! 

... and I fell into bed!

Summer Vacation, Days 20 ~ 22

Tuesday, June 9 ~ Thursday, June 11

Tuesday, June 9

It was 97% humidity when we woke up, so I spent swim practice inside at the coffee shop around the corner. :) I had just enough time to combine all our various calendars and belatedly fill out our master summer calendar. :) We had a leisurely midday, all happy to be home again.  (Although I did about five loads of laundry and got over 14,000 steps!)

LM's Awana group had an end-of-the-year water night at a local gravel pit. She has been anticipating this ever since BK first went three years ago! 

As I pulled out of the driveway to pick her up at 7.45 PM, I remembered what one of our neighbors said when we ran into each other at the hair dresser's.  Her husband came for a cut while she & I were both sitting in chairs, and she pointed out who I was to him, and added, "You know, we watch her go in and out of the neighborhood all day long." Sure enough! It was my 9th time in or out of the neighborhood for the day!

Wednesday, June 10

Up early for swim team pictures and a modified practice schedule (BK 8-9 and LM 9-10). A friend of BK's joined us for errands ... DG, thrift store, UPS store, Walmart, and picked up lunch (swim team fundraiser)... and a few hours at our house.

In the midst of their Nerf battles, goofing around, and video games, they also started packing BK for an upcoming youth trip.  The friend left at 3. 

While LM was at 4-5 PM tutoring, I ran errands in yet another farm town. 

Youth group from 6.30-8 (+ travel time). Another good but choppy day.

And a choppy night as there were lots of storms. Thankfully we were preserved from any tornadoes near us.

Thursday, June 11

Swim practice at 8.15. (I went to a coffee shop.)

Telehealth appointment from 10 - 11.20.

Dropped BK off at a friend's at 3.40 for a birthday party! 

LM & I ate supper in the basement while Jim worked late and the storms rolled through. So thankful for protection!

Summer Vacation, Days 14 ~ 16

Wednesday, June 3 ~ Friday, June 5

Wednesday (Summer is not slowing down!)

BK & I left at 7.45 for swim practice. 

Jim & LM left at 8.45 for VBS. 

I did uninterrupted housework from 9.45 - 11.15! Made laundry detergent for the first time, cleaned out the laundry soap cabinet, and attacked the laundry "room" floor (a small pass-through from garage to house... ugh).

Picked LM up from VBS at 11.30 and visited with other moms. 

All three of us attended our library program, "Bingo for Books," from 12-1.

At 1.40, we left to drop BK off at a friend's home with a whole gaggle of soon-to-be 7th grade boys.

LM had tutoring 2.45-3.45. 

We picked BK up at 5.40 for youth group. (LM & I went to prayer meeting.) Dropped him back off at 8.50 at his friends' home.  (The other boys had gone to another youth group.)

So, today from 7.45 AM - 9 PM, I took a tour of six small towns around us. This is what summer days look like when you live in the middle of nowhere and have children who are old enough to have lots of friends & activities but are (thankfully!) too young to drive. 

Thursday

9 AM - dropped LM off at VBS 

Swung by the pharmacy to pick up this week's refills (6)

1.5 hours to work on housework and enjoy introvert time ;)

11 AM - picked BK up from his friends'.

11.30 AM - picked LM up from VBS

12-2.40 at the pool with friends from church. 

ZZZ

Friday

My nurse was here at 8 AM, and I was hooked up to an IV until almost 1 PM. 

Jim took LM to Grandma's, and she delivered LM to VBS and picked her up afterward.

BK was at the farm part of the day. 

This infusion went really well!!  I wasn't so exhausted that I slept during it. I wasn't fatigued after it. Thank you, Lord! 

I did more housework, LM & I ran an errand, I made my favorite meal for supper (salmon, rice, & broccoli), I shot some hoops with BK, and I made Scotcharoos.  Wow!

2026 Summer Vacation, Days 11 ~ 13

Sunday, May 31 ~ Tuesday, June 2 

Sunday, May 31

Could our day have been any fuller?! Everything with an * denotes a 25-35 mile drive.

*Sunday School + church

5th Sunday lunch afterward

*{brief stop at home}

*Graduation party

*Drop the children off at Grandpa's

*Small group

*Pick the children up

ZZZ

Monday, June 1

Well, Monday also was a full day! Hello, summer! 

7.45 AM - I took BK to swim practice. 

8.45 AM - Jim took LM to VBS.

9.45 AM - after arriving home & getting farm clothes, I took BK to the farm.

Then I read in our van in the shaded parking lot at the park. 

11.30 AM - I picked LM up from VBS. 

2.15 PM - Jim picked BK up from the farm & brought him home. 

3.45 PM - LM & I took BK 25 miles to meet the 5th & 6th grade Sunday School class to volunteer at a food bank (& eat at Steak & Shake).

9.20 PM  - Jim brought BK home. 

Tuesday, June 2

BK went to the farm while LM went to VBS in the park and I cleaned house.

After picking them both up, I had to go to the bank with my dad's death certificate (it's a saga) and a $12 unexpected check from a corporate settlement. 

After lunch, I ordered medication refills, answered e-mails, and read on the front porch. 80* with 27% humidity and a slight breeze was PERFECTION! 

I started my new book, "Picnicking with God," and read aloud 57 pages of Book 4 in the Boxcar Children.

Jim & BK brought the basketball hoop back from the farm (where it stayed all winter, since Jim can't park in our garage when the hoop is in our driveway).

BK had a 5.30-8 PM water fun night with his Awana group. LM & I stayed home & got to bed at a decent hour. :)

2026 Summer Vacation, Days 8 ~ 10

Thursday, May 28 ~ Saturday, May 30

Thursday, May 28

• Swim practice. 
• I had a life-giving phone call with another adoptive mom during practice. We are reading a book on our own, then discussing it together & praying. Such a gift! 
• Visit with an out-of-town relative. 
• Hair appointment. 
• More visiting. 
• Farm for BK. 
• Telehealth appointment from 5-6 PM.

Friday, May 29

• Swim practice (usually it's M-Th, but this Monday was a holiday). 
• Thrift store ($5.25 for a pair of Sunday shorts for BK, two books for my Mom's birthday, a Starbucks tea tumbler, and a few more items). 
• Aldi. 
• Picked up subs on the way home, and then made a huge fruit salad.  
• Jim & BK came home for lunch, and it was nice to eat together.  
• BK worked on the farm in the afternoon, and 
• then the children and I went to the pool from 5.45-7 PM!

Saturday, May 30

• My first sleep-in of summer vacation! 
• At 10.30 we all left for our neighbor's visitation, funeral, and funeral lunch.  (He passed away almost 3 months ago.)  His earlier years had been at the Mennonite Church near Jim's childhood home, so the "old guard" was out in force at the funeral, and 
• we enjoyed catching up with several people.
• Jim, BK, and LM went to the farm in the afternoon!
• I rested (I'm missing my hour siesta on school days!) and prepped food.

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #87

841.  pleasant early summer weather (read: low humidity)

842.  inaugural visit to the local pool in the next farm town

843.  start of summer swim season

844.  start of the library summer reading program (& weekly events, such as the nature program)

845.  5th Sunday lunch at church (corn dogs + lemon shake-ups + lots of conversation)

846.  doctors, scientists, and medication

847.  seeing a friend the other day

848.  30 minute ride to & from small group with Jim ❤️

849.  running into friends & neighbors at a funeral

850.  lunch out with Jim's aunt

2026 Summer Vacation, Days 5 ~ 7

Monday, May 25 ~ Wednesday, May 27

Monday

Taking a zero refers to a thru-hiker (on the Appalachian Trail, for instance) taking a day of rest with no hiking.

We took a zero on Monday!  LM actually had a bug, so rested a lot. And I did, too.  Jim did not take a zero. ;) BK worked on the farm with him between lunch & supper, and after supper as well. 

Tuesday

First day of summer swim practice! LM had to sit out due to her bug the previous day, but BK was there at 8.15 AM! LM & I picked up groceries and got gas. This is the first year that both children have the same practice time, plus practice was moved up 15 minutes, so we were done by 9.15, and home by 9.40! 

I sent lots of emails trying to figure out how to find & then read the report cards.  

I had a lunch date (at the hospital cafeteria), so LM went to Grandma's and BK went with me. (Jim was traveling across the state to pick up a part.)

Wednesday

I walked during swim practice (my goal this year, since both children practice at the same time).  After swim practice, BK went to mow Grandpa's yard.  LM & I went to the nature center's program at the library from 12-1.  Then BK went to the farm.  I took a rest for 1.5 hours. Then LM went to tutoring. Afterwards, we picked BK up from the farm, and a friend of his up from the ball field (where his brother was playing). 10 minutes at home for BK to shower and for me to make grab & go suppers, and then we headed to youth group. The boys were there 6.45-8.15. Home at 9 PM! 

"Choppy days" is how my friend referred to her summer when her kiddos were this age. True! 

And, that's a wrap on the first week of summer vacation. I cannot remember when I was this tired.... Oh! Last summer. :) (When my deep fatigue led to multiple doctors appointments and a sleep study. I guess it turns out I just need school to resume. AND to figure out ways to get rest these next 11 weeks!)