Ramblings from my Walk: Summer Holidays!?

I had this idea in my head that summer holidays meant rest, relaxation, taking it easy. Not so much when you have three very different children with very different desires in every moment of every day.

As a kid, summer was running around, playing “kick the can” and “hide and seek” into the dark hours of the night. It usually involved some sort of travel to somewhere far away from home. And more than likely there would have been a hotel stay somewhere. It meant running through the pastures and the gardens picking whatever we could get our grubby little fingers on without getting caught and then scolded. There were swimming lessons to be taken and bike ride adventures and camping in the back yard and watching meteor showers. Sleepovers and hiking and creek swimming and fishing.

This summer, for me, has been about taking and accepting opportunities to create great memories for my kids. One after the other, after the other, after the other. It seems as though June is but a moment ago and September is upon us in a few more days. I can remember wanting summer to go longer than it did. I also remember wanting to get back to school.

So when asked, “how's your summer holiday?” I think to myself, “holiday?” This momma hasn't had a holiday. The kids have. I hope it's been fun. I've heard a few, “this was the best day ever.” So that has to mean something. Right?

It feels like it's been more work than the school year is. Packing and unpacking and packing again. Heaps and heaps of laundry. Collapsing closets, yes closets - the girls' followed shortly after mine and I will be taking Ry's apart to fix it before it decides to attack as well. Play dates and water parks and gymnastics lessons for Ella who is determined to put herself through a coffee table trying to do cartwheels. Berry picking and jam making and sandcastles at the beach. Doctor appointments and dentist appointments and a couple of “please fix my back” chiropractor appointments.

But, and this is big, there have been wonderful visits with family and friends. Days of wonderful fellowship and evenings of laughter and shared stories. Pool parties - and a really nasty, five days later, blister-popping-skin-peeling sunburn. Wiener roasts with marshmallows and kids with sticks. Front porch visits with my grandpa. Crazy, out of the blue, summer lightening storms. Best summer ever – maybe. Or maybe just the best summer so far. Summer holiday? Nope, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

I am so grateful for the time I have with my family. Moments of unadulterated joy in all this busyness that is our life. I am grateful for the friends I am blessed with and the time that we've been able to share together through these last few weeks. God is good and I am grateful and blessed.