Well, summer is here.
Don’t look at the calendar to confirm that fact. But look at the flip flops gathered by our back door. Notice the faint smell of charcoal ashes from the grilled hot dogs. There’s a pile of dirty, damp beach towels from our weekend at the lake awaiting their turn in the washer. No alarm sounded this morning. And we picked more strawberries this morning.
Relief and freedom fill the air around here.
We spent this past weekend celebrating summer’s beginning with my family at our lake house. We ate good, laughed much and soaked up the sun. The kids swam and jumped off the dock and chased each other through the grass and into the house. We grilled two dinners in a row there and another when we got home.
One of my favorite moments came after we all washed the lake off our skin: We gathered in the living room to play Game of Things. My 10-year-old niece Milla, 7-year-old daughter Cate, and 5-year-old nephew Jaxson played with us. And they got it. Their answers made sense and they got on to the jokes that started in previous rounds and carried on throughout the game.
I realized then and have continued to since: I’m in a different season of mothering. And this new summer season is showcasing that.
Hello, summer – both the literal season and the figurative one I seem to have waded in as a mother. Of course, my boy is the kind who jumps right in. Regardless, this is where we are.
Neither of my kids actually nap anymore. Some days Ben ends up falling asleep while looking at books in his bed, but we’re in a season of not planning that … or even really counting on that. Quiet times are still going to happen for my soul’s sanity. Cate will likely read, play with Legos, or watch a show on my old iPhone. Ben’s quiet usually involves looking at books or playing with Legos.
I don’t carry diapers or wipes in my purse {although I shouldn’t ditch wipes completely!} and I have two usually willing helpers in stores and restaurants. There are more questions, but there is more conversation that leads to understanding.
I encountered some frustrations yesterday with this growing independence – a battle of wills, if you will – but I like seeing my kids growing up. They make me laugh and they keep me coming back to God. I want to raise kids who love Jesus and are independent – not in a selfish way, but in a way that allows them to see needs and problem solve and help care for those around them. Many times I see that we’re getting there.
Like summer, I welcome this new season in motherhood. I want to soak it in now because I know it won’t be like this for long.
And, really, it’s a fun place to be. The water is nice. Come on in.
I’m linking up this story with Lyli Dunbar’s Thought-Provoking Thursday.
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Oh, this is so lovely, Kristin. You are so beautiful in how you make space for fun, for laughter, for play. And this lake house of yours is obviously overflowing with love. Bless you as we kickoff summer! (My kids are in school for two more weeks . . . but we're almost there!)
Your comment is so sweet, Jennifer! Thanks for the encouragement. Happy (almost) summer to you!
Fantastic! May your life keep up being filled with laughter and moments of great wisdom by the work of your children, and may you and your family have a great summer!
A friend in Christ,
Anders
Thank you!
Makes me want to go to the lake and have a cook out!!! So glad to see you enjoying summer already!!!!
I'm obviously a big fan of summer! And the lake is the perfect spot … well, right, after the beach, which isn't happening here in landlocked Kentucky. 🙂
I love how you were able to combine entering the new season of summer and the new season you are entering as a mother. Very nicely done. At first you took me back to the days of the summer home we had in Wisconsin when I was growing up… oh, how I loved the summer at the lake. And then I could identify with those seasons our kids take us through as a mother. Some I approached with hesitation but each brought joys. Never did I imagine enjoying so much the season of being a mom to adult children. Most of all, I love that we never stop being their mom. 🙂 Much love to you. xoxo
There's a lot of comfort in knowing we're always a mom. It's so encouraging to have friends like you who have been there with younger kids. I never expected to love the lake like I do. I've always loved the ocean so I thought lakes were secondary to the wide-open oceans, but God has since given me lots of joy at the lake, which is good living in land-locked Kentucky. 🙂 Hope your week is off to a good start. Love you!