Hey y’all! It’s been a (literal) hot minute since I’ve set to pecking on my keys.
May took me down.
It’s the December of the spring. Just so so so much stuff going on–and trying to keep my head above water was no easy feat. Don’t throw me the life-preserver yet, however, as I grew one around my waist from the carb loading (I needed energy for the marathon, you carb snobs), and drinking <wine> (hydration, duh), and non-working out (but screaming at kids and running around in circles burns mega calories, no?) that took place over the course of this month. And from the looks and feel of it, I’ll be keeping this lovely inner tube around my waist for the duration of summer because my kids are home. And my husband works from home. And we have a dog that lives indoors. Living things are everywhere. Lots of breathing. We lack for nothing, except space and quiet and money (because kids EAT LIKE BEARS PREPARING FOR HIBERNATION IN THE SUMMER).
A lot has happened since then, so I thought I’d fill y’all in on a little bit of muh life.
I checked off a bucket list destination: IOWA. Oh y’all. Iowa. My oldest daughter is a member of one of two Odyssey of the Mind teams at her school. If you aren’t sure of what that is, it’s okay. I didn’t either (and am honestly still not quite sure I can adequately speak on it). A quick google search can reveal all you need to know about this problem solving escapade. Anyway, the two teams from her school both made it to World Finals, which means they both won region and state level competitions prior to winning this No Expense Paid Trip to Iowa for World Finals. It’s for sure an amazing accomplishment, especially considering they were both first year teams. Each of the teams competed their hearts out and were super successful–one team placed 19th (!!!in the world, y’all!!!) and my daughter’s team placed 6th. S-I-X-T-H. IN.THE.WORLD. I think I’m proud… But Iowa. The 29th state of our beloved Union. The people were SO nice, SO friendly, SO super helpful, and SO respectful (in other words, we had some culture shock. Sorry Albany, we’ve got work to do), but it’s a pretty blase’ place to be. I’m petitioning the OM (Odyssey of the Mind) board to move the World Finals to somewhere a bit more exhilarating, like, I don’t know, Vermont?, or Alaska?, or…Vegas?? But seriously, I’m officially an #OMMOM now, and I couldn’t be a minute prouder of these kids, and I’m thankful that fanny packs are coming back in style so that if we make it to World next year, I’ll fit right in and it should sit nicely on my May inner tube I’m prone to grow… Fly on freak flag, fly on.
I also had a birthday. That was nice. The gifts lavished upon me were: a set of new wrinkles, a hitch in my back, and a deflated balloon that may also be referred to as my bladder. I’ve never felt so loved. It’s such a cruel world– your kids get out of diapers and then you get in them. But alas, I’m alive!
And just recently we wrapped up Vacation Bible School at our church. You know how you aren’t supposed to tell untruths, and that’s Biblical…it is. But there is a blatant one told in that title. Vacation Bible School ain’t a vacation. It’s a trip. Which implies work. But I’ll tell you — it’s worthwhile work — these little lives that come are hopefully filled up with God’s love by the time they leave– because the volunteers and director are empty come Friday. There’s no greater joy than noon on the last day of VBS watching these kids grow in the love of Jesus. Seriously, knowing that each of these children are created for a purpose flat out gives me goosebumps. We have the privilege to guide and encourage them along a path that enables them to live Fully Alive for God! And that’s good. That’s very good.
So…that’s a brief little update and I hope to get some more words on screen sooner rather than later, but these kids though. They are currently yelping…
“I’m hungry” (after just eating breakfast) “I’m bored” (clean your room) “What’s for lunch” (you JUST ate breakfast, you gluttons) “Can I have some of that Halloween candy in the top of the closet you hid” (Didn’t I teach you not to snoop? Besides, that’s been gone since May) “I want a play date” (I birthed your playmates. Enjoy) “I want ChicfilA” (I want a new handbag, but I’m still paying for Iowa) “Can we go swimming?” (well yes, that counts as a bath, right?)
…which makes it hard to concentrate. I need a job. Away from all the cacophony.
Alas… I’m going to go make some pb&js and tell them to get their swimsuits on and I might jump in the pool with them…
Because I can float, y’all!
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