life

Transitions, routines & rhythms

August 31, 2021 by Kristin Leave a Comment

We are all about transitions around here right now. After two and a half weeks of school, we’re all still finding our footing in routines and rhythms.

But here we are, figuring it out with a kindergartner, sixth-grader, and high school freshman. I am thankful they’re all on the same campus because that makes my mom taxiing easier.

Rachel is getting used to all-day school five days in a row. Ben has multiple teachers and classrooms, an email address mostly for Google Classroom, and a locker for the first time. Cate is officially a high schooler and has a schedule that gave her choices for the first time.

We’ve got some new rhythms in our daily life, but I know we are just getting started and more routines will come. We will add soccer practices for two kids and church small groups.

Before school started, I felt like I made a million decisions as a school board member and a mom. Then, of course, we had some disruptions even getting school started. We closed on our second day so many of our teachers could go to a funeral for a former student at our small school.

That same day off of school, Ben started feeling poorly and had some symptoms we thought could be COVID. Most of his class was then quarantined. He took multiple rapid and send-off COVID tests over the coming days, but he never tested positive and started feeling better after a few days. I’m guessing an unnamed virus struck.

Cate still has antibodies from when she had COVID in February, plus she’s fully vaccinated now. Rachel missed a couple of days while we were waiting for Ben’s tests results.

Now that everybody seems healthy, we’re trying to make the most of this new season. I’m recognizing my availability. I can show up for people while my kids are at school. I can tackle the neverending to-do list, help my husband, and catch up around the house. Honestly, I’m taking life one day, one thing at a time, and praying I’ll see where God wants me to step next.

My favorite part of this new school season has been hearing Cate and Ben talk about shared moments in Upper School, where the middle and high schoolers have a shared house system, some electives, and recess time. They’ve talked about kickball, Knock Out basketball games, and funny things that have happened in their hallways. Cate even helped Ben with some math homework the other night.

As I was making dinner one evening last week, I caught a glimpse of my two oldest sharing a table and I whispered a prayer that their shared experiences in school this year will create a deeper bond. Their youngest sister will certainly be watching them — in the hallways at school where she’s quick to hug and right here at home where we all belong together.

*****

What’s this season look like for you? Of course, we held onto summer this past weekend with some time at the lake, a homemade slip-and-slide with friends, pool time, and sunkissed, bug-bitten skin. But we know we’re also transitioning into whatever God has for us next.

Deep waters & wastelands

August 19, 2021 by Kristin 4 Comments

Responsibilities and decisions were overwhelming me last week. I was simultaneously mourning summer and celebrating the new season upon us. Friends were quarantined. Other friends had trusted me to pray for the hard things they are experiencing.

Even in the midst of overwhelm, I decided that my kids and I needed a fun day. So we headed to Paducah, about an hour away, to do some shopping, eating, and jumping.

I didn’t expect to get teary while browsing home decor in Hobby Lobby. I saw Isaiah 43:2 on a sign and needed that encouragement.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. …”
— Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

Then I wanted to read the context of the verse and remembered I already loved Isaiah 43, which talks about God being our rescuer and redeemer. Verses are 18-19 are especially among my favorites:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
— Isaiah 43:18-19

I had a moment with God — the One who goes with us into deep waters and does new things all in our wastelands — as I stood in Hobby Lobby, hoping my kids didn’t run too quickly down the nearby aisle of mirrors. I read multiple translations of these verses. I prayed for my friends. I reflected on school board decisions I was part of making as we try to begin another weird school year. I thanked God for being present, even where I wasn’t expecting to be encouraged.

After Hobby Lobby, we went to Vertical Jump, so the kids could burn some energy on the inside trampolines on a very hot day that included a heat advisory. I revisited our school board group text and then sent some clarifications, confessions, and compliments. I texted two best friends my unfiltered thoughts because I’m an outward processor and they’re good to me.

Yes, I got teary again while the kids jumped. I wanted to start reading a new fiction book as an escape, but I kept thinking about Isaiah 43.

Do not fear.

I have redeemed you.

You are mine.

I will be with you in deep waters.

The fires won’t burn.

I am the Lord your God.

You are precious.

Revealed.

Saved.

Proclaimed.

Your Redeemer.

The Holy One.

Do not dwell on the past.

I’m doing a new thing.

Way in the wilderness.

Rivers in the wasteland.

The overwhelm subsided because I filled my head with true, good news. I remembered promises. My perspective shifted. I thanked God for leading me on a fun day with my kids and being present with me in my own mental deep waters.

Oh, and yes, I bought the Isaiah 43:2 sign that was 50 percent off.

Taking a [spring] break

April 13, 2021 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I needed a change of scenery. After a year with a lot of days at home, I wanted to see a different backdrop to our everyday life. So we went to St. Pete Beach for Spring Break last week. So did a lot of other people.

We planned the getaway in February when we were in the throes of covid, quarantine, snowstorms, and my mother-in-law staying at our house while recovering from heart surgery. I knew then my girls, who gave up their spaces, deserved a treat. I knew my boy needed different ground on which to roam. I knew I needed an adventure and my husband needed a break from his work, which has been incredibly busy even in a weird year.

Greg went hunting two times. We all went to Busch Gardens one day. My girls and I went shopping one morning. But mostly we hung out at the beach, moved to the pool, and then went out for seafood. It was a welcome routine that looked different from our life in landlocked Kentucky. Plus I read three books. (See more about those here.)

I thought having covid restrictions would make Busch Gardens more enjoyable, but that wasn’t the case. It was crowded and took us more than an hour just to go through the temperature check at the front gate. And then we waited almost as long for pizza and chicken fingers lunch. We had to buy admission tickets in advance, so the crowd couldn’t have surprised Busch Gardens. But somehow it seemed to have. Many concession stands weren’t open, which meant the lines were long at the dining options available. And I’m going to wait a while before having to wear a mask at an amusement park again.

Even so, we had a good day at Busch Gardens. The lines for rides really weren’t that bad, other than the Cheetah Run roller coaster, which we would have wanted to ride had the wait not been nearly two hours. I particularly loved Cobra’s Curse (which we all went on) and also rode the thrilling Kumba with my big kids.

I didn’t cook all week, which was a good plan because our hotel kitchen was teeny tiny. But, goodness, we ate well so I’m going to tell you more about that. Unless noted, the restaurants are in St. Pete Beach.

Hurricane at Pass-a-Grille Beach — My shrimp tacos were good and there’s a rooftop option with great views.
Caddy’s — We met my cousin Jen here and I ate coconut shrimp. It was a family-friendly place and the kids’ food was served on a frisbee.
Shell’s Seafood — We ate at the Tampa one after we went to Busch Gardens and we all enjoyed our meals.
Snappers — This is a little more upscale food-wise than our usual, but we still wore shorts & T-shirts and loved it. Greg and I really like the different food choices. I ended up getting Coconut-Cashew Crusted Mahi-Mahi, which was delicious! The kids’ pizza and grouper were also good.
Crabby Bills — We loved the casual waterfront atmosphere. There’s an outdoor, rooftop option too. The hush puppies were really good.
Ice & Cream — We went there three nights in a row to enjoy delicious homemade ice cream & some unique flavors. I ordered Dreamsicle in a waffle cone every time.
Fo’ Cheezy Twisted Meltz — The girls and I happened upon this when we walked from our hotel to the Corey Avenue Shopping District so we stopped on our way back as it was almost 11 am. It’s a fun restaurant with tasty sandwiches.

Our break was welcomed and enjoyed thoroughly. Of course, we were glad to get settled back in at home for the last six weeks of school, soccer season, birthday season, and whatever other ordinary adventures come our way.