Reflections – July 2009

The month of July blew by us so quickly that I am having a difficult time recalling what we did. I know that we had fun, and that a few major events happened in our world. Those thoughts and memories are sitting just behind a wall that I am struggling to climb over. It has taken a lot out of me to sit here and write my Reflections of July, 2009. I know that a big part of the wall comes from the fact that writing this post means July is really over.

Closing the door on July means August must begin. August means the return of the school year is here, and that our lives are about to get very hectic again. August also means that the evenings are going to start getting cooler, and that the first frost is quickly approaching. Those thoughts make me sad and anxious. But, enough about August (I am sure it will turn out to be a lovely time), it’s time to focus on the joy July brought to us.

We began the month by celebrating the Independence of our country. Even though Steve and I both had to work, we were lucky enough that both of our jobs assigned us to work at the BB&T Balloon Rally that is held each year on the VMI Parade Ground. We spent two days eating delicious fair food, browsing the vendor booths and watching the balloons launch. Did I mention that we got paid to have all of this fun?

We also had a lot of fun that we did not get paid to have including: helping friends with their wedding reception, a trip to the Virginia Safari Park, evening walks and a lot of laughter. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Moanna was quite amused that her Daddy screamed like a little girl when the animals poked their heads into the car at the Virginia Safari Park . Nothing short of hilarious.

Moanna and I were able to spend more time together this month than we have in the recent past. We made several trips to the park, baked brownies, flew a kite, went to the movies and had a picnic. Having extra time with her allowed me to learn just how brilliant and mischievous she really is. I knew she was smart, but I quickly found that her intelligence was getting away from me. One day, I walked in on her stuffing money into her piggy bank that she took from my purse. In that same day, I also found her going potty, “all by herselfs.”  She did pee in the potty; she had bad aim and got some on the floor too. We celebrated her success with ice cream. She is continuing the potty endeavor in Maryland with her Grandma Annette and Papa Bob.

While Steve’s job has kept him busy and on-the-go, my job has allowed me to slow down for just a bit. The first part of July rolled along smoothly, and the end of the month brought the start of my vacation. The school year will bring a busy schedule back to my calendar, but plans and strategies have been put into place in hopes of keeping the beast tame.

Steve and I have continued to discuss and pray about what is next for our family. Some of these have been light topics of discussion, such as  how to make our home more like a temple, more like a retreat from the rest of the world. Other topics have been more intense, scary and exciting. We have been contemplating the big questions. What’s next? Where do we see ourselves in five years? Is what we are doing now going to get us to where we want to be in five years? What? Where? When? Why? How? Who’s on first?

August is here. August will bring Moanna home from her vacation in Maryland. It will bring us another wedding, more evening walks and I do not doubt that we will laugh a lot. I hope another adventure like the one we had at the Safari Park will kidnap us for a day.

I will sheepishly admit that I am not ready for August. I am not ready for the surprises and challenges that it will bring. I have not finished a lot of the projects that I told myself I would not end the summer without completing. I have not spent enough time with family and friends. I have yet to wear a bathing suit and go swimming. I’m really trying to figure out where where my summer went, and how to wring out what is left of it. There may only be a few drops left, but I am gosh-darn-determined not to let winter win that easily. Not this time. August, please be kind.

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