it ain’t all bad: summer recap part 2

Yesterday’s post is a bit incomplete. (You can read it here.) 

Marlee, a reader, left a comment which made me think, you know, I need to expound on why the summer was difficult, & why despite this, we did have fun, & it wasn’t all bad. (Thank you Marlee for your comment, & for providing me with the opportunity to think & share more.)

Awesome things about our summer:

• My older three kids were in swim team for the first time. (Remember this post?)
  They became strong, able swimmers & I loved watching them learn, progress, & have fun doing it.
• We went to the lake for a few days.
  This was our stay-cation vacation (the lake is only an hour away from where we live). We were sad to forgo our trip to see family in the west, but as part of our get-out-of-debt commitment, it just wasn’t in the budget this year. We stayed in a small cabin at a military retreat which offers subsidized prices for military families.
• We went swimming (most) every day.
  When we move from San Antonio, my kids will have to get used to the idea that swimming nearly every day from April-October isn’t what most people do.
• We spent a great deal of time at the library.
  One of my favorite things about San Antonio is our library system. There’s the main, downtown library, & then dozens & dozens of branches scattered throughout the city. We can check out & return books from any branch. They pretty much have anything you’d ever want, & they have some pretty spectacular programs for kids (my kid’s loved their reading summer program, where they earned a free brand new book).
• Joseph & I celebrated ten, TEN, years of marriage.
  Joseph & I often talk about how grateful we are that despite all of the hardships of life, the one constant, the one thing that we know we count on, is our relationship with one another. Our relationship has always been easy (really & truly), & I thank God every day for that I am able to share my life with someone who is not only my best friend, but someone who I respect & look up to as well (& it doesn’t hurt that he’s dashing & charming too).
• Tyndale!
  This little man brings us all so much joy it makes my heart want to explode. He’s going on 8 months (can you believe it?), & throughout the summer he delighted us with his smiles, coos, & all of the new tricks he’s learned (like sitting up, eating solids, learning peek-a-boo).

Other things about our summer that made it, let’s just say, not so fun & easy:

• I was rear ended in July.
  The weekly trips to the chiropractor & massage therapist have become a part-time job, one that has most definitely contributed in part, to me feeling overwhelmed. All the time spent getting treatment has disrupted our days & routines & made it more of a challenge to stay on top of housework, & just life in general.
• Cabin fever, Texas-style.
  So it’s hot in south Texas. Not just hot, but really humid which makes for some pretty sweltering heat. The kind of heat that makes you want to take a nap, stay inside, or both. Growing up in Washington state, the summers were hot, but they were the kind of summers where you played outside a lot. In fact, I think as a kid, from June-August, I spent most waking hours outside. Here, in contrast, unless you’re in a pool, or some other form of water, you’ll think twice about spending any more time than necessary out of doors during the summer months. This can lead to a little bit of cabin-fever & claustrophobia–you just want to get outside, but feel stifled by the crippling heat. This no doubt contributed to making the summer months more difficult.
• Suburbia is not for me.
  I’m beginning to realize that though I love many things about metro-living, I’m in desperate need of some green space, some fresh mountain air (I’m a borne & bred Washingtonian, after all). I currently live in the suburbs. I live in a subdivision, with an HOA (darn HOA’s). There are few trees, lots of cement, black top, & homes with small yards (not to mention Texas grass–which is a whole other subject altogether). You spend a lot of time in the car, in traffic, & indoors. This is very, very hard for someone like me who grew up with mountains, streams, & wide open, fertile spaces. I’m convinced I’m suffering from nature deprivation which only encouraged the summer blues.

And, one last thing.

I want to say my mother is not devoid of sympathy for hardship, & though she is not the most empathetic person I know, she has taught me this one principle that has helped me in all my years. It’s this–whenever you feel overwhelmed, down, or anxious, find someone to serve. Find someone less fortunate than you & figure out a way to help them.

I cannot think of a more valuable principle for finding meaning & purpose in life. So thanks mom (& love you).

P.S. I’m thrilled to be back to blogging.

I wouldn’t have stuck around this long if I didn’t absolutely love it. In fact, though my break from blogging was much needed, I got to the point mid-summer where I was like–I NEED TO WRITE AGAIN (writing, as with exercise & good food, is my Prozac). I’m a writer, & this blog provides the excuse I need to put my words out there.

Not only that, but I just think you’re spectacular, & I love interacting with you, learning from you–basically I’m honored that you’re even here giving me the time of day. So yeah, it’s nice to be back (& thanks for reading).