New Seasons, New Rhythms

Good bye, summer (hello darkness, my old friend). I actually love the changing of the seasons and the beginning of fall. This summer in particular was a sweet one, but it felt insanely short. Can I get an Amen? My three older boys finished up the school year mid-June, and just five days later the whole family packed up the car and headed to the Adirondacks to spend the next 17 days at Young Life's gem of a camp, Saranac Village. Andrew had a work assignment there and we went as a whole family. We came home July 3rd, celebrated the 4th, resumed chemo on the 5th, recovered that weekend and then started our summer on the 8th. At least it felt like the start since we were home.

We spent our summer swimming in the pool and going to the beach, which always involves lots of swimming, surfing, boogie boarding and sand in our snacks. We spent a lot of time outside, playing lawn games, riding bikes, grilling, working our way through the ice cream menu list and gardening (turns out I gardened a bit too hard this year and have been trying to catch up on weeding ever since).

My eldest went off to WyldLife summer camp in NY for the first time and had the time of his life. My husband traveled for two more weeks of summer camps with Young Life. Family visited from out of town, and that time was filled with great meals, games and tubing down the Saco River. We visited with family in Rhode Island, and then went to church family camp for a weekend, where an arm was swiftly broken (that third child). Our dishwasher broke and was rendered useless for a few weeks, save for its use as a drying rack for all our hand-washing. Basically, we entered our pioneer era.

As August came to a close, the start of the school year was hot on its heels. This year my youngest started Kindergarten. I now have all four of my sons in school for the first time and I am not well. It is just me and my bunny, Mochi, at home now. Ok, I am doing well now, but let me tell you, I was pretty sad that first week of school. I missed my people so much! Now, as we approach our fourth week of this new school year, we are falling into better routines and rhythms. By about one o'clock each day, I hit a point where I sigh dramatically and state, "Ok, that's enough. My boys can come home now".

With everyone at school this year - I now get to work for myself full-time, for the first time, since starting my business in 2010! Andrew and I married in December of 2009 and I worked at a cafe in town for the first year. During that time, I launched my business and worked towards being a potter full-time. I left my job at the cafe and to pursue pottery for roughly nine months before Noah joined our household. Then we continued to have our bi-annual baby while I managed to work one day a week in the studio.

My last baby is off to school and my one day a week has turned into five. I can honestly say I have adored being home with my children all these years, but I also love our local school community. And I love the new opportunity I have to work, create, and continue to build my business while they are off learning and playing! Many would say, "you could always homeschool". I actually tried that once back in 2020 and bought the obligatory Birkenstock sandals, but that is a story for another time. (They are actually quite comfortable, but personally give me ick when paired with a dress. I am sorry, but that is just not the right shoe for the fit, and I will say no further on the issue.).

Happy September! Here's to a new school year, new work, new studies, new adventures, new schedules and hopefully a lot of laughter along the way!