Summer reflections...

I've thought about blogging daily. Seriously...everyday I compose a post in my mind. I promise myself that, "today I'm actually going to write it out on the blog and not just mentally in my head!" But then, the day goes on, our adventures, and routines, and practices, and camps happen, and living life becomes more important than recording life.

Social networks like Facebook and Instagram almost remove the need to blog for memory keeping sake. That was sort of my original intent with blogging...a journal with photos of my life...my extraordinary life. I can quickly add moments in photos and words, to FB and the like. Blogging requires more thought, insightfulness, and reflection. Something I'm not always mentally up for. You see for me, writing is like opening a window into my heart and spirit. I'm not always as happy or together as FB and Instagram show. Those moments are small parts of the big picture. Don't get me wrong, my life is really quite fabulous, but certainly not perfect. Writing in my blog means I have to be in a certain frame of mind...and lately I just haven't been there. I felt my blog, although pretty good in my mind, wasn't exactly going in the direction I had hoped. It hasn't always been insightful and reflective.

Tonight, at this moment I was inspired to write. This evening is nearly perfect (amazing weather for July in Texas!). I'm sitting on my favorite quilt in our wonderful neighborhood park. The kids have been begging to come. Last night they held a movie at the park here. It was simple and wonderful. A great summer memory. They wanted to come back tonight to play. So I blew off cooking dinner, grabbed the blanket, a ball, some drinks and snacks, and headed here. We have the whole place to ourselves. I played for a while with kids... at the putting green and a bit of sand volleyball. Now they are content just being goofy, hanging out, playing basketball (with a volleyball!) and enjoying each other's company. Everyone getting along and playing together, while I write on my quilt, in the cool breeze, watching the sun go down on another summer's day.

Here are some moments from Saturday night's movie night and from tonight.

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Feeling a little salty...

It may not look like I'm feeling a little salty in this picture, but I was. It's June, and summer vacation had just started. All the chaos of May had me feeling a little tired, and I was experiencing what I thought was mild back pain from sciatica. I had noticed a few spots on my back and leg that looked like bug bites. Savannah was over, and we were about to head out to the pool when she noticed a crazy rash on my leg. She FaceTimed my mom, who said it looks like shingles?!?! John didn't agree and thought there was no way. Savannah insisted I go to urgent care. What do you know...I did have shingles. As soon as I mentioned how busy my month had been, that I was a teacher, had a Senior graduating, etc. The doctor said stress is one of the biggest causes of shingles. I was lucky this sweet girl of mine made me go get checked out. I was able to start meds and caught it early. I did not have time for shingles! Hence the saltiness. That same week was Lorelei's high scho...

The days are long...

...but the years are short. I've always loved the saying. One of my favorite authors and podcasters, Gretchen Rubin, is credited as the original author of this quote. I always think about it when another year passes. This year was fast and furious, as I have found all the years to be since my kids became teenagers. It seems like every time I turn around, there's another graduation, major milestone, or life achievement by one of my kids. 2024 had a high school graduation, college graduation, three moves from home to college, from college back to town, from across town, back to home. And the dust hasn't completely settled yet. Gretchen Rubin has another saying now that her kids are grown. Instead of an empty nest, she calls it an "Open Door." I love that too. My door will always be open to my kids and their friends, as it seems like there's always an extra somebody at our house too. It's one of my favorite times. Thanksgiving break brought some new friends ...

Relax...

January came and went, (even though it felt like forever.) February is nearly over. I haven't felt like writing, sharing, or posting. Nothing secretive or special going on, I've just been living in my own space and moments. A new year feels precious and extraordinary, even if winter feels hard, I want to savor these cozy moments. The next six months will be challenging, as I face more milestones with my Boyen Bunch. These last two months have been a time for me to brace myself for the excitement ahead. Once Spring break hits, the rest of the school year flies by, and before we know it...well, you know how that goes. By the end of 2025, my nest will be empty. I'm not a fan of the "new year, new me" concept, because I am a continuous work in progress. I can't start over every year. But the one thing I know I need to work on is relaxing . That's why this year, my word of the year is to relax. This blog post is a prime example. I give myself a deadline ...

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Mother

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