Suddenly Six!: These Summer Days

I realize that I haven't written since my birthday, which was 2 1/2 months ago.

The reason:

A) Physically, I really have not had a moment to spare since March to be alone to do some real writing and reflecting.

B) Emotionally and Mentally my head space has been all over the map, cycling from grief, disbelief, anger, sadness, and hope at everything that is going on in this world right now and what it means for the future.

C) The months have literally slipped past me. Without the normal routines and activities, the weeks seem to dissolve into the next.

For example, it is August 1.

Usually by August 1, my heart swells with anticipation as I start seeing all the back to school supplies and backpacks in the store.

The beginning of school is one of my favorite times of year. I love the "fresh start" feeling and the energizing school routine.

I love seeing my kids so excited about the new grade they are about to enter and the friends they get to see again.

However, as I walked through Walmart the other day, adjusting my mask, the sight of these things ignited that pit in my stomach, the same feeling I've been getting over and over again since March.

It's a mix of disappointment and anxiety and total grief.

School will be on line in the fall, and my head is spinning.

But to focus on something a little more positive,

here is a little recap of some of the things we've done during the summer months.

There is too much summer to go through each memory and story; and frankly, my creativity and passion is low.

So, I will just post a lot of pictures from the past months and hopefully capture some of it.

To start it off, my Mom and Aunt Robin flew out for a visit. We spent the week out and about, doing as much as we could.

But first, we started it off with much needed haircuts.

We had SO MUCH FUN visiting the baby goats and chicks at Portland Goat Parties!

We picked STRAWBERRIES!

In June, we spent a week in Black Butte with John's side of the family. Biking, swimming and playing seemed almost normal there, and it was really refreshing.

It was so nice to swim in a real pool...

and enjoy ice cream with the cousins!

Beautiful Black Butte

One of the highlight was watching the boys catch frogs.

Then, my best friend from high school and her husband and three year old son came to visit for a few days from Chicago. My kids quickly learned to love Auntie Abbey and Uncle Jeff. Evelyn loved caring for Jude, their son.