But, here are some highlights from our summer, thus far. Lots of good stuff...and a few not so good things sprinkled in the mix.
We didn't take any family vacations although about half of us made it up to Indiana for Rainman's family reunion. We did a lot of hanging out and chatting on the back deck, swimming in the pool, and sitting inside in the air conditioning when it was too hot. Boring to some, but not to me. I was in heaven with all 6 kids home again (although, don't tell anybody, but sometimes it did get too loud and wild for me...sometimes they get along a little too well. ).
D-man got a summer internship in our county, so we got to see a lot of him.
Sometimes he even got to surprise us and come home for lunch in his spiffy big boy clothes!
He is starting his senior year in college and is planning to take the LSAT this fall because he is thinking law school year near.A-girl got a summer job literally the day after she moved home from college and didn't look back. She worked the whole summer.
We still got to see a lot of her this summer (and discovered one of the best thrift stores we have found down here in Georgia. They have 10 cent days!!!). She is starting her sophomore year in college and managed to get more scholarships this year than she did her freshman year!
L-girl went to tennis camp, went on a few mission trips, worked as a nanny this summer and sprinkled in a few odd jobs here and there. She was busy. We didn't see a whole lot of her! She just started her senior year in high school.
A-man is a freshman in public high school this year. He had a bit of an adventure this summer at a youth group pool party. He and one of his friends were playing catch with a baseball and A-man jumped for a ball over his head and caught it. When he came down, he found himself, impaled through his shoulder on a wrought iron fence post (in through his armpit - out through the top of his shoulder) Yes. Yuck! It was a first (and hopefully last) ambulance ride for him....and for me....I got there just as they were getting ready to pull away. Here is the miracle though - which a few of the doctors even acknowledged - no major arteries were struck - no major nerves - no bones. His surgeon said it was almost like everything important just moved out of the way as the fence post went in (like Moses parting the Red Sea). He had a few of the doctors look deeply into his eyes and say that they hoped he realized how amazing it was that his injuries were not much, much worse. It really is amazing. The medical bills have started arriving, so that is fun too. I just have to keep reminding myself that A-man is here and doing great.
S-girl was part of the church youth group this year so she finally got to go to the summer fun events and the mission trips. Seems odd that she is old enough for all that stuff, but she is. She even sent in an audition tape to be on a local kids cooking competition show. She wasn't selected, but if you know her at all, it was huge that she had the courage to put it together and send it. Huge. She just started 7th grade and is still at home (yay!). If things keep going the way they have with the older kids, I will only have her at home for one more year after this one. She is already a fantastic golfer, so I am thinking she will be off to play high school golf. I cannot believe that.
Poor V-girl was stuck at home with us all summer. She so wants to be one of the big kids. It really chaps her hide that she is too young for some stuff. She started 5th grade this year. I am so happy that I will have a few more years with her at home full-time. The adventures she and I will have...but, I think we will both be a little bit lonely!
Three of my extra kids left me and moved to Texas. I am equal parts sad and excited. Their dad had moved there for a new job and mom/kids stayed here for awhile while they sold their house and he got settled out there. I was so happy when the time came that they could go join him in Texas and be together again - but, man it hurts too. I have been watching the girls since they were about 3 months old (and the same with their little brother). It is hard to let go of being part of their everyday life.
I still have one of my extra kids left, but he will be heading to full-time school at his mom's school next year. Everyone is leaving me. (sigh)
We did manage to do a few things with all 8 of us this summer - which made me very happy. I know those are going to get harder to come by as my people keep heading out into the world to become their own people.
So that is our summer update. I am so ready for sweater weather, bonfires, hot chocolate, and boots....but it is still supposed to be in the 90s here all week. And, let's be honest, it is barely sweater weather here in January - but a girl can dream.
Posts
