The days pass by and I'm really trying to enjoy them. I'm trying to keep my phone in the car to stop acting as if everything is urgent. Because the only urgency I have in the summer is to enjoy these kids of mine. It is hard to believe that in two weeks, one of them will hit double digits. I swear I remember her birth as if it was yesterday...
Last week we found ourselves at the neighborhood pool early each day. Nessa did her first private swim lessons--who am I kidding? Her first ever lessons! We skipped the mom and me ones last summer because whenever she was in the pool, I was with her--and she was comfortable so I didn't see the need paying money or spending the time with an instructor. Worked well for both of us as she willingly went into the pool each day and loved her teacher this year. See, sometimes mommy really does know best! She loved the water. She mastered the crab walk and blowing bubbles; however she could have taken or left the whole going under water thing, but my brave girl never cried.
And I videotaped way too many minutes but I like this one because it served as evidence to dad that although she didn't like going under water, she did it. And she did it well, my girl.
This week I've found myself with a couple hours a day while the kids are enjoying VBS with many of the kids from our GMG group. It feels foreign to me, this whole having time to myself thing. I realized that even though Nessa was in school two days a week, I occupied those hours working in the classroom or facilitating book club/prayer group, so I never ran my errands kid-less. I'm amazed at how much I've been able to accomplish kid free. . .but I'm so used to doing everything with them, I feel like I'm trying to get too much done instead of just enjoying the me time. Tomorrow I am enjoying some me time with friends, so I am looking forward to it. And Friday Ernie is off so we will enjoy some us time kid-free. All is right with our world.
Mean mom still has the kids sharpening up on their skills and they love me for it...at least that's what I tell myself.
The park has been good to us. The heat has been bearable and I must admit that one park date lasted seven glorious hours. Glorious because there was no fighting or complaining or crying. I think that is a world record for us.
Another day water balloons kept them entertained.
And our life wouldn't be complete without more dentist or doctor appointments. However the lungs are clear so that was a great visit to receive the news!
Drama concluded with a banquet complete with certificates, trophies, and an evacuation because the fire alarm went off for a half hour. Fun times, I tell you!
And finally, the kids were surprised with a gift from grandpa. To say they are thrilled is an understatement.
Oh, to be a kid again--I used to have a play house that I just loved in the back yard. I am so excited the kids have this creative space to retreat to--which means they will definitely want more time at grandma and grandpa's house. Camp Sausedo should occur. Just saying, dad: )
And today, a few of us met with the principal about character education and building our school community. I'm still praying my Anything prayer, trying to be still and really listen to His spirit, fill my days with fun and laughter. . .and completely enjoy the extraordinary summer days that are flying by.
It finally happened. . .with all the stress of the last week, my body succumbed to either a cold or a sinus infection. The last two days have had me with droopy, achy eyes, a runny nose, a dry cough, and an achy body. . .but this pales in comparison to what we could have been dealing with due to Ernie's accident.
He is home now, and we ventured to Los Angeles yet again to have his bandages removed. The skin grafts took and now we just hydrate with vitamin E, and keep clipping off the skin as it lifts. He still can't drive or lift heavy objects or apply too much pressure to his hands, but he is definitely on the mend! Praise be to God!
I was struck with a thought about community as we drove home from the hospital today. As much as I am trying to become more a part of our church community, the truth of the matter is: our church is big--so big in fact that not many people probably know about Ernie's accident nor his injuries. Probably none know how exhausting the daily commute was. Nor do they know how my kids were bounced from grandparents to friends as I trekked out to see my husband on a daily basis. To be fair, I didn't call anybody at our church. I mean, really, I don't even know who you would call--I show up to teach my class on Wednesday nights and church on Sunday morning--there's not a whole lot of "community building" in between. Do I fault my church? Do I fault myself? Shoulder shrug. I simply don't know.
Then there is our school community. The places where two of our children go to school, a community we have belonged to now for five years. It has been a community in the making as well. Contributing to this community didn't come naturally to me--but luckily a year ago, the PTA president asked for my help with something and I accepted which led to other opportunities to help and serve. Since then, both Ernie and I have joined the school's technology committee to help ensure our kids have access to what other schools in the district have. It has been a blessing to get to know the parents of the children who attend school with our children.
Fast forward to the accident. . .when I finally had my wits about me to write and share the miracle we had experienced, one mom took that as an opportunity to organize and bless us with nightly meals. These women and men who have stepped up to bless us have been lifesavers. After the second night of meals the seven year old said, "Mom, why are they bringing us food? YOUR hands aren't hurt." Astute observation, too true. But someone understood the daily commute, the stress, the disorder that felt like our life and did something about it. We are all extremely grateful for that.
What it has done for me specifically, is open my eyes to the fact that my "community" is wherever Jesus is in action. Any time we have the opportunity to serve and shine Jesus' light, even if it seems insignificant. Do it. Purpose to lend a hand when you can. A trip to the grocery store, walking a kid to school, a meal, babysitting, making a cake, stopping by, it doesn't matter what you do. JUST DO SOMETHING.
The only way to build community is by loving in action. Love like Jesus did. Serve like Jesus did. Pray like Jesus did. . .and do it all in gratitude for the blessings he has bestowed in your own life. Be His hands and feet. Do something. Anything. Serve. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit. serve the Lord."--Romans 12:10-11
