sunday splash... the groundhog edition

Once upon a time, Groundhog Day was my favorite holiday.
Why? Who knows. But I did write a little article for our High School Paper (The Scituation) entitled Shadows of Spring in honor of that feisty groundhog, Phil.

So in the spirit of the {yester}day...

through the woods...

Yesterday had me content on the couch, in my pajamas, enjoying the Olympics. But I kept hearing a voice in my head saying win the weekend, it's not too late. With sleepy eyes, and not too much convincing in my voice, I suggested a walk to the swamp. I think it was met with the same unconvinced heart. But...

It was just what I needed, as it almost always is. The sky was overcast, holding off the heat, and as we made our way deeper into the swamp, we could feel the air cool just a little bit more. As we passed the trees with the red lichen, I took a few extra deep breaths, drinking that best air into my system.

It has been a tough weekend, with a traffic incident that has shaken me (everyone is okay) and wreaked havoc on my heart. Today it seemed just right to surround myself with God's beauty, a reminder that no matter what, He is everything... and has created everything I need.

three days that meant the world...

At Christmas, when I asked him what he thought about coming home for Spring Break, I was surprised that he already had an answer. It was a no, and a yes. He and his friends had already started planning a road trip... and the destination just happened to be our house. Other than the worrying about four college kids on the road from Iowa to Florida, I loved the plan.

He arrived late Saturday night with his three friends. I heard them pull into the driveway and couldn't help but run outside {and maybe jump up & down... a little.} He let me fold him into my arms, and I loved that he held on as much as I did. That alone was worth the miles.

They played in the sun for three days. The house was full, Laura was thrilled to spend time with her brother, and we really got to know Cam's new people. I knew he would choose good ones, but to actually meet them and see their friendship in action was a joy.

On their last morning here, everyone wanted to sleep in. Maybe Cam, too... but after a sleepy goodbye from Eric, and a second from Laura a couple hours later, he was awake when I wandered by his door. We slipped out of the house quietly, and headed for the safari road and a walk along the trail.

Our walk was short and slow... and maybe the best hour I have spent with him since the last time we took this walk. He had so much to tell me, and I just listened. As the details spilled out of him, his set in stone plans and his maybes, I held them close and savored each one. It reminded me of what I have always known... he is going places. In his own time, making his own way. I can't help but join in his excitement.

And then it was time to say goodbye once again. My face was smiling, my heart was aching.
But this is what I was made for. Raise him up, and let him go.

every ordinary day...

"It doesn't require a special day to express how much I love you...

every ordinary day is more special when I am with you."   -unknown

Reposting from 2013...

moving right along...

When he was this small...

tiger scout, first grade

it may have crossed my mind. Or maybe not. As he grew and became more and more involved in scouting, I had high hopes... that he might achieve Eagle Scout.  At the time I had no idea what it really involved, but with each new rank he earned, I learned a little bit more.  Today, he is standing on the threshold.

Over the past few months, he has been working hard, making lists, and making those items on his to-do list come alive. Eagle project proposal, check. Pancake breakfast, check. Donation letters, check. Thank you notes, check. Project, in progress...  


These posts now mark the miles on the path at the end of our safari road.  The logistics of getting materials and crews out on the twelve mile trail were tough, but this project has been important to him.  I know he is now at the point of just wanting to be done, but I think sooner than later, he will look back and he will fully know how much this experience means to him.

Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty...
I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life.
I have envied a great many people who led diffcult lives and led them well.

-Theodore Roosevelt 

friday letters...

Dear Friday Letters...
It's been a while.
I have had plenty to say, but sometimes I just think it, and forget to write it down.

Dear Disney World,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!  After riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before opening day I said okay, the rest of this trip is gravy!  And really, it was.  I had been watching to progress, and watching every website I could think of, waiting for the opening day announcement! I was disappointed that it would open after we left, but I held out hope for the 24 hour event... and by 8am, we had ridden twice!  You outdid yourselves!  This ride is fun and beautiful!

Dear Imagineers,
I love your imaginations!
The Festival of Fantasy parade was spectacular! And the costumes!!!  I think I might need one of those circus dresses...

Dear Buzy Bee Suz,
Thank you for driving out to safari road and the trail!  I loved sharing it with you and your family!  I wish you could have seen the baby gators, but seeing deer, owls and the BIG gator was fantastic!  I hope you'll come out again!

Dear Tanya,
Oh, my dear long, lost friend!  It was SO wonderful to see you, even if it was only two ten minute visits! Your family is beautiful, and your joy is always contagious!

And now... I'm running out to collect supplies for graduation gifts.
We have a five-party marathon tomorrow for these beauties:

when the blustery weather is on its way...

It was a day too nice to sit inside, at least after a while.  The sunshine was calling us to play while the couch beckoned rest, but soon... the bright sky won out.  I wished it cool, but that never works, even when your northern friends would willing trade a few degrees of negative for anything resembling warm.  And so we went, and sweated a little, as we enjoyed the safari road and all she had to offer...

I even ventured a little further than usual {not without fear!}

On this Monday, when the blustery weather is on the horizon, and we get news that it might be 19 degrees in northern Florida, I want to remember to count the gifts, and thank God for them.
-being awake to ring in the new year
-watching the Rose Bowl Parade, twice
-watching her face light up because her friend was there for a visit
-being fascinated by the little black snake in the tree {only because I was in the car!}
-a movie date for four before she left
-a long overdue dinner with friends who are family
-eric making it in time to give Laura a hug goodbye
-her safe trip back
-laughing at Cam when he said she's sleeping late today... even though we both knew she wasn't home
-a few more days of Christmas vacation
-mini golf and all the fun. and him pretending he was almost-falling to be funny
-a new calendar, ready to fill
-the engagement news from a friend!
-help putting away the Christmas ornaments {precious treasure!}

-a maybe last morning of the twinkling lights on the tree {but maybe not!}
-giggling over her name tag being wrong again.  but in a whole new way!
-a good day at work.  full. and busy.
-the clock ticking towards home.

only a few more minutes of summer...

Camden started back to band camp this morning.  I would have made him squirm for a picture, but I was running late for work, and he was far too quick to shout goodbye and head out the door.  Even though he has been driving since January, I felt strange that he was driving himself to camp, and that it doesn't matter when I leave work, he'll make it home on his own.  Weird, and wonderful.  And a little bittersweet.  He is half-way through high school... and each day he checks off the calendar, chips away at making the half,  three quarters...

I was glad the other morning, as Eric and I headed out for a walk, that Cam wanted to join us.  It seems it is my never-ending quest to spoil him with as much time as he will allow, and summer is slipping away...

As we walked the shell covered path, Eric jokes that he needs to train his eyes to spot the smallest things... so that he can be the star spotter next summer in Africa.  Camden is actually almost as good a spotter as his Dad... and my head turns right and left to see the baby alligators they are pointing out. 

Though they are small, I walk tall and narrow, and in the middle of the path... the mama must be near, and I picture her propelling herself from the waterway with her mouth wide, teeth bared.  When at last we made it to the boardwalk, my soul let out a sigh and I strolled with ease.  Butterflies flittered and grasshoppers rested still, with wide eyes.  Red bloomed in the wild and interrupted the green with an extra splash of beauty...

When we had walked as far as I was brave enough to go, and were looping back to the car I stopped and listened.  The loud buzz of insects had softened and I could hear a rushing rumble break the quiet.  Louder, closer... what is that?  And then we spotted the rippling on still water as the rain moved across the land and over us.  With a smirk Cam asked should we run?  But ever the Myth Busters fan, I already knew what he'd say if we did... so we walked, a little quicker, in the rain,  hoping that we were, in fact, staying just a little dryer....