Monday, June 07, 2010

Redemptive Road

I love summer. If you know me or if you've read my blog for any length of time you know that it is my absolute favorite time of the year.

Last summer was not a good one. A week after school let out, my dad started having all kinds of health issues. Some were directly related to his pancreatic cancer, others were just weird and random. The days and weeks that followed were hellish. Summer failed to be a life-giving season for me and my family. Instead, it stole a lot from me. From us. It stole joy, fun, leisure, and it literally stole life.

My biggest hope is that this summer will be a redemptive one for me and for my family.

And if the weekend was any indication, I'd say we're on a redemptive road. Hallelujah!

Friday night we had our first weekly neighborhood Happy Hour. About 20 adults and 30 kids gathered in my neighbor's front yard. The kids played and had popsicles. The parents visited while sipping cold drinks and keeping an eye on the kids. Happy Hour stretched into hours, and a great time was had by all. John and I don't really love our too-small house but we absolutely love our neighbors. We're a close bunch and are always doing fun things together. Tomorrow night the gleeks among us are getting together to watch the season finale of Glee!

We enjoyed a super lazy Saturday morning. John made breakfast for everyone. Later, we did a little house work, a little yard work, and then John suggested we head to downtown Colorado Springs for some pizza at Il Vicino. It was beautiful evening so we ate outside on their patio (and evidently missed seeing some friends by mere minutes). The kids followed their pizza with some Ben & Jerry's, and when we returned home everyone (except me and my bum leg) hit the trampoline. I loved listening to my peeps play and laugh while the sun set. It was a perfect summer Saturday.

John preached at our church yesterday and I thought he did a terrific job. He always does. We came home and grilled brats for lunch then he and I took a nap while the kids watched television. We helped Will and Sarah get everything packed for camp this week and then we grilled again for dinner. It was another perfect evening to dine al fresco and so we did. Eating dinner outside is one of my favorite things about summer! Don't summer Sunday evenings have such a great feel? I sure think so!

This week is going to feel a little different with both Will and Sarah gone. Abbey says she's excited, and she is, but she's also a little sad too. She adores her brother and sister and they love her too. We have plenty of fun things planned for the little princess though.

I hope your summer is off to a glorious start as well!

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

Sounds wonderful. : )

Gretchen said...

Isn't it amazing that your summer is now appreciated more than it ever was? Wishing you lots of al fresco dining, and flip flop days.

Lauren said...

A. Can I please move to your neighborhood?

B. Can I be adopted into your family?

You remind me sooo much of the Cleavers!!! HAHA!! :)

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

< happy sigh >

I love summer.

Where are they going to camp? I went to Eagle Lake when I was about their age... :)

Carpool Queen said...

Summer Sunday evenings are my favorite for entertaining. I love to have people over to linger over dinner on the back porch and visit in the warm breeze until night falls.

Unless the mosquitoes are out.

Then it's not so fun.

Katrina @ Pics, Pages & Purls said...

I'm praying for you and your family to have a great summer! Full of adventure (not to much for your bummed leg). I miss the evenings in Colorado, here in Iowa it's nice but I was spoiled by those that you have in the mountains. I hope those kids of your enjoy camp and that you spoil that little princess of yours while they are away.

Unknown said...

I can feel your gratitude. Last summer WAS tough. So glad the start of this summer is going so well!

I used to love it when both my brothers went to camp. I called it "only child" week! ;)

Christy said...

Thanks for checking out my Simple Joys posts...Hope you have a great week with Abbey!

Andy and Wendy Ingram said...

We live close to Focus on the Family, so in the northern part of the Springs. We also have three kids and know the feeling when the two oldest go off ot camp and the youngest is left behind. We try to make it a special time with her, but in some ways she is just lost without her older sister and older brother. Ours are like yours, with the oldest being a boy.

We love this time of the year and this Summer is going to have more down time. Last summer our family went to Swaziland, Africa for a medical missions trip for a month, so this summer it is going to be much more relaxing. Our warm weather has just been glorious. I hope you knee is healing up quickly and blessings to you and your family this summer!!!!!!!

sanjeet said...

Wishing you lots of al fresco dining, and flip flop days.
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