Anna's Summer Work

This is the third summer Anna worked at ESY (extended school year). ESY is a summer school program in our town for children who have an IEP (special education) or are in IB (intensive behavior). It helps them to maintain the progress they made during the school year, not just academically but social and emotional progress as well. 

When she first took the position 3 summers ago I was excited because they were 'regular' hours -- the retail summer jobs seem to have different hours every week and it made planning and dinnertime tricky for our family. This was daily M-F so we had our weekends as a family and for that I was so grateful. We would be all together for dinner. That made me happy too. 

But what I didn't know was the ESY would change the trajectory of her path. God used it as a tool to lead her to where she is headed now -- school psychology. 

You see, she fell in love with working with those kids -- the ones that needed extra. The ones that needed one to one help. She loved learning about what made them 'tick' and how to best support them. It was the perfect marrying of her psychology degree she was working on at Holy Cross with the next step she was trying to figure out. 

And God made that very clear. 

(here is a post Anna wrote a while back about letting God lead her on a path) 

So this summer Anna dove straight back into ESY and gave those kiddos all she had. I know that God used her in a mighty way and will continue to as she is led in the future. 

Here is a post from her first year. 

Here is a post from her second year. 

 

Today I

Today I got up and lifted weights. I biked for 15 minutes. I made my darling daughters their favorite breakfast, pancake puffs. I had my prayer time and read the Bible and a few short devotionals. I showered and got ready for the day. I did laundry. I ate a snack. I 'went to' (online) conference called A Story Formed Home (Sarah Clarkson - she's amazing). I went to my school to work a bit in my classroom. Anna met me there after an appointment to help me. Most of my anchor charts for the first 5 or so days are made and Anna put name stickers on some of the folders. (not all of the folders have arrived yet so the rest will have to come later). We came home and I decorated the kitchen for autumn. It turned out so cute. I love it so much and am so glad I did that room early because it makes me happy to be in there. Then I had a physical therapy appointment. I came home and Scott and I got dinner on the table. We ate outside on our porch. I love that about summer! Then Scott took Abigail to drive (she has her permit) and I went on a 2.53 mile power walk with a weighted vest with Anna. Then I finished cleaning the kitchen and showered. Tonight Scott and I have to purchase my next two grad school classes (I'm getting my +30 after my masters). We have to talk through Abigail's important doctor appointment tomorrow so all the paperwork is all set for college and then I have to add 30 more things that are swirling in my head to my to do list.  

This is what August is for our family. It's still summer but we're not sitting around. There are things to be done and the clock is ticking. I am so thankful for my list so I don't forget anything and for Scott who (although I'm not sure believes it) reassures me it will all get done, mostly. 

Tomorrow I have to be in the car for over 2 hours to pick Abigail up at her camp job, bring her to a dr appointment for college and then back to her camp job. 

August, you can be exciting (decorating for autumn, the changes coming up for our family, getting my classroom ready) but boy oh boy you can be tiring too! 

Meanwhile farm fresh tomatoes and cucumbers make me oh so happy! 

Fairfield Day

We try to give the girls an 'experience' present for their birthday and Christmas now that toys are way in our past. So this past year both for Abigail's birthday and for Anna's they got a "day in Fairfield" which is their college town. Abigail will be going there for the next 4 years and Anna for graduate school for the next 3 years. 

Today was a perfect weather day. Sunny and 72! Perfection. 

When we got there, there was a farmers market on the town green -- didn't know but were so happy about that, so after lunch at the famous Firehouse Deli, we meandered around the farmers market and then the stores in the cutest little down town. 

We drove through the college of course! Then we walked on the beach. 

And then had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant before heading home. 

What a fun day together! 

August!

Today Scott popped into school with me. It was the first time since I've been back since June 13. I've never gone back this early. Ever. But I've been feeling like there is a lot going on for the rest of August. I'm not stressed and there is still time to enjoy summer and my family but still a lot with Abigail going off to college! 

So we went in just to get the furniture in the right paces: desks, bookcases, all of the things that we fit into my tiny closet (lamps and such). And all of the furniture is done. 

It actually feels so so good to have that done. I have at least 3 more times I'll go in before the first day of school: one day with my team to unpack all of the supplies, one day for me to label everything, one day to copy, plan and get it really all set. But I'm in a really good place for now which means I can really enjoy my summer days that are left. 

So thankful for my husband who put together a new cubby/shelf unit for me! 

 

Summer Evening Hike

Last week after dinner instead of Anna and I going on our 2.53 mile power walk (me with a weighted vest on) we decided as a family to hike to Hubline tower.  The start of the tail is just about 8 minutes from our house so it's really convenient and really it's fun! We've done this hike so many times over the years -- carrying babies in carries on our backs, toddlers holding their dolls, all of it. (Here is a post with some of those pictures) 

My favorite is when we are all together! 

A Mommy In My Pocket

I'm so proud of Abigail and the work she has chosen to do this summer after graduation. She's a camp counselor. She's working with littles as I call them; 5 and 6 year olds I think. She is also a bus monitor so that means I don't drive her to the camp (yeah!) or pick her up at the camp (yeah!), just to the bus area. She's at camp from 8am to 4:20 every single day (except for our big relaxing trip to FL and one upcoming to VT)  Boy does she ever come home tired! And dirty! I'm so grateful for good jobs for my girls this summer - work that matters, that is with children (my dream come true for them) that is hard and rewarding at the same time. (More about Anna's summer work soon) 

In this picture we are in our 'playroom'. I'm at my desk where our family calendar and computer is and she is resting on the stairs (covered in dirt - dirt on her cheek, the whole shirt too) while trying to work out what matching ottomans to buy with her freshman year roommate. (and carpet, and sheets, and dorm room headboards) 

I can tell in her demeanor that this communication, while exciting, makes it "real" that she's leaving. Last night she said she wanted to pack Scott and I in a bag and bring us. It reminded me of this book I bought so many years ago when Anna was 3 and about to go to preschool. I read it a million times to her. 

Hang in there with all of the camp days and all of the evenings getting things sorted with your roommate (so seems so sweet); it'll all work out darling. 

Our Anniversary Weekend ~ It Only Gets Better

In catholic church theology marriage is defined as a sacrament instituted by Christ, signifying the union between Christ and the church.  It is a lifelong exclusive partnership between a baptized man and woman, established by mutual consent and ordered toward the good of the spouses, the procreation and education of children and the sanctification of the couple. It is a covenant, a sacred bond and public state of life within the church. 

It is no wonder that July 28, our anniversary feels like one of the most holy days of the year for Scott and I. 

Over the years we have had different kinds of 'days' for our anniversary. There were many, many when our anniversary was just with our girls doing something special and not the two of us alone. Those memories are so precious to us because our anniversary is simply the celebration of the day we started a family. Although we wouldn't become parents for over 8 years of being married, our wedding day was the official day we started a family. 

Recently, Scott and I find ourselves in a transition of life. Our girls are now older and that allows us to have the chance to celebrate a bit differently. 

This year we went away for one night to the cutest little town in Vermont. It was beautiful, peaceful, and delightful. But truly we could have been anywhere. We felt just so blessed, so in love, so close. I will certainly hold this past weekend with me all school year long. I am so grateful to God for our union, for our love, and for our sacrament. 

Here's a peek at our weekend: 

Saturday

We left home at 9 am and headed straight up. It's just about 1 hour and 50 minutes from our home, in southern Vermont. We were so happy listening to our anniversary playlist filled with song after song that makes us feel so happy! 

We text and talk about this moment all school year long, "can't wait to turn on our songs and hang out with you on the way to Vermont!" 💕

Navigation told us it was just 1:57 but we were there in way less than 2 hours. Perfect! 

Made it! Grafton Village, Vermont  Here is an article about this special place. 

Our first stop was the adorable Grafton Village Market (built in 1891) for lunch. I had a creemee (VT term for maple syrup to make things yummy) latte and Scott a blueberry lemonade. We split an amazing sandwich and sat up at the counter overlooking main street. Charming, wonderful, perfection! 

(texted our girls to ask them what waterbottle/laptop stickers they wanted) 

Then we just walked around that little village. We went into the library because they just make me happy. Here's a little peek. 

I especially loved the children's section - lovely collection of classics and lovely picture books. 

It was cozy and charming and made me want to move to that town for some reason. 

Walking around we saw a sign for an Open House so of course we went inside and toured. Could have bought it on the spot... but of course we can't buy a second home. It sure was fun to look! Then we headed to a little shop where Scott bought me the coziest sweatshirt for fall and winter to remember our special time. 

Next we sat outside the Grafton Inn (built in 1801) and just relaxed. 

There is so much to do in this tiny town and someday we will spend 2 nights so we can really hike and explore but we were little 'dressed up' for Mass in a different town and dinner later at the inn. So then we headed about 12 minutes to the town of Chester VT. This another special place to us.

We stayed in Chester for our very first one year anniversary back in 1997

then again with our girls 

then last year. 

Today we walked in some shops and then went to Mass. 

Then back to our Inn for dinner. Here's a little peek at our adorable room: 

Dinner was at Phelps Barn and was amazing! 

Late evening talking to our girls and hanging out in the rockers outside the inn. 

Sunday

Woke up to cozy rain and a country breakfast at the Inn in their garden room. Bright, happy, cozy, and yummy! 

After we checked out the girls begged us to not come home right away. So we went to the town of Manchester, VT to have lunch and shop. 

And we came home to the biggest happy daughter smiles, a "Welcome Home" sign on the door, and fresh baked cookies (and a fully cleaned up kitchen). 

H O M E  was a great feeling too and that night all of us back together was oh so happy. We all watched a movie. Rare for our family to sit like that for a whole movie and boy did it feel good! Scott and I had found all of the places from this movie (Funny Farm). The home is in Grafton (where we stayed). The town scenes are from Townshend, VT. We saw the green and all of it on the way home so it was fun to go home and watch the movie again. 

The girls did awesome! And had so much fun! 

Monday

On Monday it was our actual anniversary so Scott took another vacation day to spend the day at home together. After the girls were off at work, (that's a weird feeling I'm still getting used to), we decided to walk about 5.5 miles to our town center and back home. There is a paved trail off all the roads that we've never walked on. It was more lovely than we thought. 

We went to Hartford Baking Co in the center - split a scone and had a yummy iced drink before walking all the way home. 

It was the very best anniversary ever. I could pinch myself for the joy we share, the life and years we've walked through, the ups, downs, the hard, the hardest... all of it we've done together. I love this boy more than I could say. How it's possible to love him more this year after all of them but I do!