Summer's Bounty

My lilies are blooming, pee wee baseball has sadly come to an end and do you think my kids have been to the pool yet? Only for swim lessons. Bad Mom. Bad Mom. Yes, I know it's nearly the end of June. But tomorrow! Tomorrow, they finally get to partake in a dip. Oh, please let the sun shine hot and the rain stay away.

Tonight, we sat down for a meal together (at home) that wasn't made of concession nachos or hamburgers. It was, like, heavenly. I think we'll do it again tomorrow. Now we're sitting around, watching more baseball (sort of watching...one of us is watching anyway. The rest of us are kind of zoning with computers, IPods and books...) But we're all at peace because we're together.

And I can't imagine a better life at this very moment. Wishing you all the same relaxing moment.

Sentimental Summer

I've sure shed a lot of tears this summer...between the passing of my grandma and my dog, I can't seem to go a day without a dry eye. It's certainly made me reflective. Doug keeps asking me what I'm thinking about. Well. My grandma. My dog. My aunts. My cousins. My grandma. I put the quilt she made us for our wedding on the bed today.It doesn't at all fit, but I don't care. Of course, that made me me bawl like a baby. I pulled out the snapfish photos we received this week...great pictures of the dog. And my grandma. And my grandma with a dog...Niagara Falls down the cheeks...then I came across this photo on my nightstand as I was dusting and a big smile overtook my tears. My dad and my aunt Sandy. Look at that little fellow's spherical head! Look at Charlie Brown. And weren't my aunt's curls just so, so adorable? Of course, it made me a little teary. But in a good way.

Actually, the tears have been good. I love my family and have missed them more than I realize. It seems that I can finally rationalize a use for Facebook now that most of my family is on it. We can practically have a virtual family reunion. If only it reached out to the spiritual world...Grandma Shirley would be right there with us. :)

Molly

It seems I must say goodbye to a loyal companion of 16 years...most of you have met our dear old grounds keeper, Molly. A few days ago, in the unbearable Iowa humidity, before the storm, she decided to limp away to select her burial ground. She hasn't come back, and I find myself wallowing in a grief that I had a feeling was coming this summer.

Already I'll miss coming home to that wagging, trotting, drooling (is she actually smiling?) pet of mine every night. I'll miss how she made us laugh by playing tag with the cats. I'll miss how she reminded me to enjoy nature every time she started sniffing the air. I'll miss watching her utter joy of prancing with a left over t-bone in her jaw. I'll miss her on my walks. She's never missed one. Until this morning. And it was heartbreaking.

Goodbye, Molly. I love you, Girl. You were the best dog ever. No matter how many flower pots you broke.

Rest In Peace, Grandma

On June 6, my daughter turned 13. And my Grandma Shirley finally gave up her struggle against cancer. My Aunt Connie had a feeling Grandma was going to slip away on Alex's birthday...my grandpa died on Aunt Connie's 13th birthday. My great grandpa died on my Aunt Angie's 13th birthday. Strange how things work out that way. But even though we are sad and it still seems she was too young at her 82 years of age to die, we were blessed to have been touched by her goodness and vast love.

I love this photo of Grandma. See the mix of sweetness and orneriness in her expression? Hopefully that spirit will be carried on - in all of her kids and grandkids.

We love you, Grandma.

Hey Sister! Yo Brother!

Studying sibling relations has become a bit of a past time for me. Now that I've sort of been able to get past the pesky arguments, it's kind of fun to see how my (nearly) 13 year old daughter and 8 year old son can come together on a few topics...

=> Harry Potter. Although one prefers to read it and one prefers to watch it.
=> Star Wars. Although one lives it and one just appreciates Lucas's imagination.
=> Rock Music. They tolerate each other's playlists just fine, but I think one prefers the dirtier lyrics of Nickelback and the other prefers the strong female-led Paramore.
=> Art! Both of our kids inherited a recessive gene and have a great ability to draw and paint. (This assessment is coming from quite possibly the worst sketch artist in the universe.)

Don't get me wrong - there's plenty of of schisms in the household. Vegan vs Meat-eater. Food Network vs Cartoon Network. And of course, the never-ending "GIVE IT. IT'S MY TURN!!!"

But the similarity between Cole and Alex that makes me most proud is each of their ability to show kindness. This trait has been particularly exacerbated lately. Our family is going through a tough time with my dear Grandma dying of cancer. Many relatives are back and I have never been more proud of the kids and their show of affection to people they rarely see.

See this photo? I didn't even tell them to sit together. Just happened to catch them like that...It's where Harry Potter and Star Wars intersect...