What I Learned on Summer Break

The signs are imminent that Summer vacation is rapidly coming to a close. We wrapped up our final day camp today. The children have enjoyed time with old and new friends as they explored art, music, basketball, baseball, dancing, cheerleading and VBS. I have enjoyed a bit of a break to take care of the ever present 'life stuff' without a 6 armed octopus with me.

I realized yesterday as we managed a trip through Target with everyone walking and not in the cart AND an excursion to a home accessories store with lots of fragile things without incident that this Summer has brought a great deal of maturity for my children. It almost made me forget the giant glass snowglobe that we shattered in Walgreens at 8am one morning last week before VBS. (A friend of mine asked why on Earth Walgreens had snowglobes out in July anyway and I replied...they don't anymore.)

With no other Summer programming scheduled and a newlywed babysitter, the next 20 days promise A LOT of quality time including two brief trips (with children) to exciting locations. I am thankful for friends and family who have gorgeous scenery to share! I am actually looking quite forward to these last few weeks of quality time, just enjoying the children.

I have also learned some great lessons this Summer about keeping my priorities straight. I am an order girl. During the school year I rarely leave the house without every bed made and an empty sink. This Summer I have let things slide a little more than usual...including my laundry room--EGADS! And while I admit it has made me involuntarily twitch on occasion, I do not regret it.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled about getting everything back on track. I purchased my new MomAgenda yesterday and felt a strange exhilaration as I cracked open its clean empty pages and started filling in Fall dates--including normal weekly activities like working out and meeting with my accountability partner. I am anxious for time to get closets organized and restore some order to my home...but I wouldn't trade the time I have shared with my little people for anything in the world. I really adore the way God has created them and how He is growing them. What fun to have a front row seat as it all unfolds!

He has grown me this Summer as well. I have been without makeup and in messy ponytails more. I have been in meetings less. I have stopped feeling quite as guilty about chicken fingers. I have taken deep breaths more and raised my voice less. I have tried to really listen to what my kids are trying to tell me--and become increasingly frustrated when they don't do the same for me.

Most importantly, I have realized that while my skin isn't nearly as smooth and tight as it once was, I am strangely more comfortable in it...and that has had a positive impact on my relationship with my family. I am not complacent, but I am content. I am a blessed woman...not perfect, not without concerns, struggles, insecurities or heartache...but blessed. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am grateful. I am where God has put me for this moment in history and my lines have fallen in pleasant places. (Psalm 16:6 NIV)

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." Matthew 5:5 The Message