Our new Friday routine

Since the kids and I are home every day together, we have to come up with fun little things to do here at home. For the last 2 weeks on Friday, we have filled the pool up in the morning, gone on a long walk together, and then come home to "swimming" in our kiddie pool. It helps break the monotony of video games, computer time and TV. This week we had some tension because of a dispute over who would carry the water, but it only affected the first mile or so of our walk. (!)

There was also a little tension when we got home when I realized Kathryn had NOT turned the water off to the hose when I asked her to (and she said she had). So water had been running freely from the hose for about 4 hours before we realized it. I'm going to try very hard not to think about what my water bill will be next month. It is outrageous in a normal month, so there is really no telling what this will cost us! Oh well - lesson learned. Kathryn is not quite ready for independence in that respect, and I would benefit from a little bit of checking behind her.

Anyhoo - here a few pics I took Friday. Nothing fancy this summer, I'm afraid, but they don't look like they're suffering!

Overload...melancholy

I'm feeling a bit melancholy tonight.

Do you ever get overloaded with causes? There are hungry children, children without parents, persecuted Christians, homeless citizens, abused animals, endangered animals, animals dying in the oily muck in the waters of the Gulf Coast. There are untold numbers of organizations founded upon research for a myriad of just awful diseases, affecting young and old. There are men (and women) on street corners with signs asking for money to live. There are companies taking advantage of citizens and giving them substandard, even dangerous, food and water, and citizens asking citizens to stand up! Fight for better!

It all gets to be a bit overwhelming. I feel sympathy for all included in these issues and so many others I just can't list, but, if I allow myself to get involved in all of them, where will that leave me? Will it make any difference in any of the causes? Because I am sure it would devastate my soul to not be able to affect any change. Some amount of filtering must take place, I guess, for us to function in this world. It could be like when you go outside, you don't notice every little thing you see. You notice only things that seem different or unusual. The things that break through the filter. If we tried to take everything in at one time, it would, I don't know, overload our minds or something.

Most recently I was asked how I can eat meat knowing how animals are mistreated in the production of said meat. Honestly, that is the very least of the concerns in my over-concerned brain. If I were to go "all in" for any cause, it would be to put food in the mouths of babies dying of malnutrition or providing clean water for so many who have none. Of course I will do neither of those, other than in prayer. The truth is, I am only able to live my life, to the best of my ability, helping those I can help and praying for those I can't physically help. I just don't know that there is anything else one woman can do. I do know my heart often hurts for a world that is hurting in so many ways.

Like Mother, Like....Son?

Just in case you didn't notice on your own, Julian now has his own blog:
The Life of Julian .

Be sure to visit him and leave him lots of comments! You will need a log in, so email one of us to let us know if you didn't get an invite.

A nice walk in the woods

The kids and I took a nice walk through the woods on the trail at my school. I packed a picnic lunch, and although it was a little early when we got to the halfway point, we enjoyed our lunch just the same. We played "I spy" and laughed and talked. It was a really good morning. Before we left the house this morning, I filled the kiddie pool, hoping the water would heat in the sun while we hiked, so it is now time to go splash and play!

Jason is 34!

On Tuesday, Jason turned 34 years old. We celebrated at home with a nice dinner, some thunderstorms and homemade coconut cake (complete with 34 candles and one to "grow on"!). Happy birthday Jason!

Summer school and more summer school

Tonight I finished my "pedagogy of social studies" class. While I am not happy that I have to be in school during the summer, I knew I would have to take at least 2 summer classes to finish the program within 2 years. I will begin "educational psychology" in a couple of weeks and then my summer begins. At least my 3 weeks break begins! After that short break, the fall semester begins, and it looks like I'll have more than a full course load again - 16 hours! Maybe 12 hours, but I am still waiting to hear from my advisor about which classes I definitely need to finish my degree. That will be my last semester, after all and I don't want any surprises when it comes time to start student teaching in January!

Since I have stopped working, I have had a lot of free time on my hands, and I have spent some of this time reflecting on things in my life. I have been spending more time in the Bible and have been talking to God more than I have in years. It feels incredible!

One of the things I have been giving thought to is my online/computer time. Since Julian was born, I have spent that majority of my day in front of a computer. I have spent hours working and "taking breaks" on things I like doing - like Facebook, reading news, reading other blogs, etc. While I don't see that there is anything wrong with Facebook or online time in general, I do see that I have gotten carried away with it. I have made a habit of spending my free time on useless things when I could be spending time with my precious family. So I quit playing all of the dumb farming games that have taken so much of my time, and I am limiting myself to checking in on status updates to once in the morning and once in the evening. It is a struggle though! Who knew it would have that kind of hold over me?! I'm writing this blog to add some accountability (even though I know hardly anyone actually reads my blog) for my benefit. I've said it "out loud" which should help keep me on my plan.

I've also started a healthy lifestyle program again. I am not on a diet. I would not go on a diet. But, I have gained a lot of weight since starting at Greensboro College. With school and work and kids and other commitments, I just had no free time to exercise. But, I have nothing but time now, so it's time to do something about it! I walked 3.5 miles Monday, and 3.5 miles today. The kids and I are going hiking Friday morning, and I want to keep this schedule as closely as I can. None of my clothes fit, and I don't have money to buy new clothes, so, that is that. Time for change.

I trying to learn again how normal people behave. What do normal people do when they have free time? I am not so stressed and overburdened with stuff that has to be done that I can't think. So this is a question I am working on figuring out. I am really liking getting to know me again - but it's hard!

Waiting in line (and other reminders that the world does not revolve around Robyn)

I just read a friend's status update that talked about the frustration of being stuck behind someone with a large order at the grocery store. While I share her frustration, I have also been trying a new strategy for dealing with this kind of stressor. Instead of letting myself get mad, I remind myself how truly blessed I am to be able to hop in my family vehicle and drive less than 10 minutes to get to a grocery store. And within this grocery store are shelves and shelves of clean, neatly packaged, affordable food - food enough for everyone in my city. It has helped me humble myself in a sense, and works to help me avoid anger at least half the time (which is definitely an improvement!). I must constantly remind myself that I don't deserve to be first and my every want does not have to be fulfilled immediately. That is not God's purpose for my life. What may be God's purpose for my life is starting a friendly conversation with the person in front of me, sharing Jesus' love with him or her. Because I don't think Jesus would get as mad as I do. I think he may even help my new-grocery-check-out friend bag his or her groceries.

Field day for Kathryn

Today, Julian and Jason went to the beach for Julian's final field trip of 4th grade. While they were gone, I visited the school to be with Kathryn for her field day. It was VERY hot, but lots of fun! I was able to spend the whole morning with her, and was able to take her home a little earlier than normal. We went shopping together (just Walmart shopping this time...), went out to dinner together, did our nails together, and watched a couple of movies together. A real "girl day". I loved it and hope we can do it again sometime soon...I can't wait to hear how Julian's trip was (I am waiting for them to get home as I type this!).

I realized again today how blessed I am to be able to spend time with my children almost whenever I want to. I am so glad today that I made the choice years ago to be a Mom first and everything else second. I won't lie - it's been a struggle - financially, emotionally, even spiritually. But it was the right decision. No doubts.

Our first hiking trip of the year

We visited Hanging Rock state park. We realized we need to get back in shape after a hard day of hiking! We did find a new trail, which we will definitely re-visit. It is much less crowded/more private than the other trails there - right up my alley!

Building a porch, a dream come true!

As our monthly get-together, we helped Ronda repair water damage to her porch a couple of months ago. Honestly, Dad did most of the work, but we were there for moral support! and as always the little ones had a good time together...

Awana Grand Prix

They worked hard on their cars, and both ran well in the race. Julian won 1st place in design for his car.