Summertime…vacation, family, relaxation.

Summer has always been my favorite time of year. As a homeschooling mom of seven, schooling for the last 25 years, I’ve always appreciated the down time of summer. It’s a season of fun and relaxation, both at the same time. No real agenda and no strict schedule. Our ‘happy place’ is the Outer Banks. I’m so thankful that our kids have had the opportunity to experience the laid back beauty that I did as a child. Whether we are kayaking or jumping waves in the ocean, skim boarding, knocking around a volleyball, or building sandcastles, there’s never a bored moment. When not on the beach, we love a friendly, cut throat game of cards, jigsaw puzzles, or just sitting on the porch catching up and talking life with Grandad. In the afternoon, we love to take long walks on the beach, visit Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, head to Oregon Inlet to watch the fishing boats return with their catches, and visit Bodie Island Lighthouse (where I spent much time as a child). Jockey Ridge and the Wright Brothers Memorial still are special attractions. The Surfin’ Spoon and Seagreen  Gallery have become new traditions for us over the last few years.

Although we have a few weeks of summer left, it’s about time (or a bit past due) for me to finalize a plan for the upcoming school year. I can’t believe that I will only have one kiddo left to school. Some would say, “Six down and one to go”. And that’s true, but I truly feel like being a mom, including teaching at home, is what I was fashioned for. I LOVE it and am so thankful that I’ve had this beautiful opportunity. So as I begin thinking of biology and math, American history and reading lists, it’s not so bad.

This season is also a time of reflection and remembrance. From newborns who were totally dependent, to toddlers who wanted to be independent – I loved that time of being a mom. Elementary school aged and learning to read and write, rollerblading and riding bikes, playing dress up and playing in forts – I loved being a mom. Middle school brought more independence, more friends and sleepovers, learning more about cooking and camping, volley ball teams, dirt bikes and go carts – I still loved being a mom. In more recent years, kids have been working at camps and corn mazes, at a great Ninja Warrior parkour gym, construction and landscaping sites, restaurants and more. We’ve had youth groups, volunteered for various things, participated on awesome mission trips, and have been a part of a home school co-op… and so much more. And, I still love being a mom. Now, our family is starting to spread out. Our beautiful daughter and her husband live out of state, our oldest son has found his niche in the computer software world, our next ‘child’ has recently moved out and is loving her independence, and the last four boys, at various stages of life, are living at home.

As I reflect and remember, I am so very thankful. As I read back over my thoughts and words, I realize it’s very positive. None of the hard and painful trials of life even began to enter my thoughts tonight, yet our family has not lacked for hard times. We learned and grew through those times, and maybe that’s why my memories are so sweet. Life is not easy. It can actually be downright hard. But from experience, I believe that we have a choice as we journey. We can look for lessons to be learned, for even the thinnest threads of good, and grab a hold of them.  That doesn’t mean we forget; that we don’t hurt; that we don’t grieve. But if we grab onto the hope and love and promises that I believe God has given us, then the hard stuff begins to fade and hope and peace and joy stands out.  Cling to them. Because if we only see the bad, we can easily become bitter.
The good life. Loving God and loving others. Does this sound foreign to you? Message me…I’d love to hear from you; Do you agree? Please respond and let me know why – what an encouragement your story may be for another.