Summertime blues...

 

...with a few growing pains. 

There are many stages of parenting, just as there are many stages of kids and growing up. The only constant in these stages is change. Right now with this Boyen Bunch of mine, it is certainly the summer of change. Each of my kiddos is facing some sort of change, some more dramatic than others, but each with a taste of independence and challenges. It's definitely been a different summer than we have experienced before. You would think at the ages of 17, 18, 22, and 24, the kids would need me less. Ironically, as their independence grows, they have each needed me more than in the summer of their younger years. 

Bailey has moved back home in preparation for returning to Texas Tech (fingers crossed) in the Spring semester to complete his degree in music. He loves golfing and took us to hit some balls the first week of summer. Lorelei isn't a fan and said she'll stick to diving. 

Savannah has had a bittersweet return to San Antonio, where she's gotten her own place and a big girl job at Trinity University doing her Post-bacc work in the Department of Neuroscience, as a Research Assistant studying aging in capuchin monkeys. She's definitely going to miss Austin and college life. She's slowly reconnecting with old friends, and finding her way here in SA. She's super excited one of her college besties, Aparna is here too for Medical school. 

Jonas started his summer with his high school graduation. He is headed to UT Austin in August. He's been to orientation, worked out his financial aid, got a fellowship with a non-profit, and is already nearly 40% done with his degree, thanks to AP, UT On-Ramps, and Dual Credit courses. He's starting right into his major and anthropology courses. He's living in the honors dorms and is getting super excited. 

And our baby Lorelei is a Senior. She got her driver's license, spent six weeks in physical therapy, practiced with club diving all summer, and is ready for all things Senior year! She is stronger than ever! Plus well rested, as she spent most of her summer sleeping! 

She had the best PTs! 

The one thing we have done a lot of this summer is moving! And we aren't done yet. Savannah and Bailey are both finally settled. We drove to Austin twice this week alone to get the last of Savannah's things. 

Mission "Save the Couch" was a success last night! We literally drove back to Austin just for this couch that they got for free last year, but Savannah didn't want to part with it after all. 

We celebrated birthdays, played outside, ate tons of food, and had plenty of hanging out going on too.  

Birthdays...Brieley turned 16.

Savannah turned 22.

My sister turned...well, that's for her to share. 

Our pool time has been less than in years past, but we have still been several times, with plenty of friends in tow. 

Lorelei's been driving herself to diving this summer. The one night I joined her, she finally went off the 10 meter! It was impressive. 

We've had a ton of doctor's appointments this summer too. I think it drives the kids a little crazy how I document everything, but they are good sports, especially Lorelei. 

Summer entertainment comes in all sorts of forms: puzzles, ping pong, tennis, gym time, happy hour, gaming, shopping, and plenty of puppy time!

Tomorrow is August 1st, which means it is time for the summertime blues. It's funny, it takes me most of the summer to get used to having no routine or schedule. I even struggle a bit with a little sadness, mild depression, and boredom. The guilt from not doing enough, watching too much TV (We rewatched Breaking Bad!), and being unproductive in general, creates a weird sense of anxiety in me. When I finally get settled into being okay with it all, it's usually time to head back to school! It happens every summer. We aren't going on vacation this summer either, which makes me a little sad. No particular reason, other than too many schedules to coordinate. I'm hoping for a getaway over winter break this year. 

Hopefully, none of you are suffering from the summertime blues and are savoring this last month of summer. 

Happy August friends.