These People: Life Right Now

It’s hard to believe, but school starts in a month here in Nashville! I thought it would be fun to do a little mid-summer update on everyone in our family. Ali Edwards does these periodically and I always enjoy reading those posts.

Matthew

• Is woodcarving up a storm these days. It is fun to see him so enjoy this creative outlet.
• Has embraced the summer as an opportunity to hang out with Elias more and take on some things at home (grateful for a flexible work schedule!)
• Took a 3-day retreat in the mountains to do some writing and soul care. (post coming soon!)
• Is doing a variety of writing work (another children’s book is in the works) and blows me away with his wordsmithing.
• Is the funniest person I know.
• Started a small potted garden this summer and is enjoying harvesting fresh vegetables almost every day.
• Is my biggest cheerleader and always willing to help me. A helpmate in every sense of the word. I’m really lucky.

Elias

• Turns 7 in less than a week. We are having a Minion party and he has taken a very ACTIVE role in the party planning. 20 boys are coming for a Minion Field Day complete with water balloons. It’s not my most creative party (lots of store bought Minion stuff, but it is going to be SO fun)
• Is loving camp. About 60% of the summer he is enrolled in a variety of summer day camps and he has really loved them all.
• Has a neighborhood best friend. It has been so cool to see his new friendship grow. He wants to go play outside with his friend all the time.
• Plays so well with Adeline. They are so close. Lately, their favorite activity is to play outside with the hose.
• Is so sweet to Ezra. He is always willing to hold him, play with him and gets him to laugh very easily.
• Loves Pokemon, Minecraft, Star Wars and Legos.
• Is my device junkie. Would play on the iPad or watch shows for hours if we let him.
• Says he is going to be a scientist or a police officer when he grows up.

Adeline

• Just turned 4 and is still talking about her fairy party (post coming soon)
• Has emotions that swing faster than anything you see in Inside Out, with Happy and Angry and Sad constantly battling. But we take it one minute at a time and remind ourselves it is just a stage.
• Is very independent about most things. She likes to pour her cereal and do things herself – even if that means shoes on the wrong feet.
• Is very cuddly at bedtime. I curl up in her bed often and am smothered by hugs and kisses as I stroke her sweet head.
• Loves to wear her hair “like Cinderella” and have me polish her nails. She’s a girly girl, but loves to play hard too.
• Is going to play soccer again this fall. She cried when Matthew told her he wasn’t going to coach. She loves her Daddy.
• Loves all things Disney Princess and My Little Pony.
• Says she is going to be an artist when she grows up and colors every day.
• Adores her brothers.

Ezra

• Is six months old!
• Is mastering sitting up and can do so for several minutes at a time.
• Will not sleep in a crib. Prefers sleeping in his bouncy seat, despite the fact that he is going to be too big for it soon. He started out sleeping in it because of reflux, but has grown out of that. (I welcome any suggestions here! His teachers at day care are working on it too. He has not slept more than 45 minutes in a crib… Mercy.)
• Is always smiling.
• Loves Adeline and Elias and always brightens up when he sees them.
• Got noticeably excited last week when I picked him up from school.
• Is pushing up a lot while on his tummy, but no crawling yet.
• Is very interested in toys.
• Loves jumping in his exersaucer, often screaming with delight while he is in it.
• Doesn’t have any teeth yet, but is drooling a lot.
• Is just starting his first foods this week and is not a fan.

Me

• Am still trying to figure out the balance of being back at work and doing all my other things.
• Am SOOOO excited about The Fringe Hours being available this week at nearly all the Target stores in the country. (Big giveaway coming tomorrow)
• Loving Instagram and find myself publishing there multiple times a day. (Follow me?)
• Excited about my first book club gathering next week to discuss All the Light We Cannot See, as our June date was postponed. (It’s 50% off on Amazon!)
• Missing Project Life and hoping to get back into it when things slow down a bit in August.
• Wanting to get back into taking barre classes, but finding it challenging with nursing, day care drop-off/pick-up and my work schedule. Looking forward to August when some things in our schedule will change and make it easier to go work out.
• Needing to reset my eating. Have slipped into a habit of whatever is fast and easy, which isn’t always the healthiest of choices.
• Grateful for a full, beautiful life.