Slow Down
/I have officially been on summer break for a two weeks today! I have to say, I now understand the benefit of working for the school system. Even if my paycheck is pro-rated I finally understand how amazing it is to get the whole summer off and get paid for it. I haven't even gotten sick of the kids yet...I mean that is miraculous in itself!
I had an interesting experience last week. Eli, Lilah Jane and I were leaving Kroger on our way to Emery's last ball game. I was in a huge hurry as usual and I began to back out of my parking place without looking behind me. Now I will admit that I have been known to be sort of a flighty driver, driving over curbs, hitting the bank things in the drive through and forgetting to check my blind spot (see earlier post entitled Dough head). Eventually I look, just not prior to rolling backwards, which was the case this day at Kroger. Much to my surprise, and theirs, I almost backed over a friend of mine. (sorry again Brittany) Actually I almost hit her boyfriend...oops. I texted her immediately and apologized and explained I was in a big hurry and she said "slow down! you've got all day" Then she very graciously added a smiley face but I imagine she probably was not too amused with me.
This experience opened my eyes to something, I don't really have to be in a hurry for the next 8 weeks. Now I don't want to be late if I have appointments, I hate being late, with a passion, but neither do I have to rush around, rush home to get the kids fed and in bed at a decent hour because they don't have to wake up early. I can take my time driving, getting gas, cleaning & even cooking. For those of you who don't know I clean sort of like someone who is on speed. I frantically clean and if you get in my way look out! Not this summer! I am going to do my best to slow down and actually enjoy my time off, my time with Matt and my time with the kids. Even as I type this there are three baskets of laundry waiting to be folded, I am on the deck watching the kids play in the blow up pool! Crazy!
By far my favorite activity of this summer so far has been the return of my coffee dates. I don't have to rush to work right now so I can enjoy a nice cup of coffee with my man. A close second is running
and not
This new found freedom allowed me to sit down with not one, not even two but three amazing people yesterday to enjoy some good face to face talking time. My day started off with a special coffee date with this lady....
she is always gorgeous but this photo was not taken at Panera yesterday in case you were wondering. I steal pictures from facebook, it's true, I do. Lanetria is my friend, we can talk for hours and we did yesterday. Just sat and talked. Amazing! It's nice to have a friend that knows where you are and encourages you to keep moving forward! I love her!
THEN after a quick kid pick up, Cooper, LJ & I went out to Burger King, the one with the really amazing play-set, and met up with these lovely people.
I proceeded to spend another two hours sitting and catching up with my friend Shelley. It was awesome! I wasn't in a hurry at all!
FINALLY, Matt, LJ, Cooper and I (the twins were with grandma) met up with some old friends...
Brandi and Andrew have been friends since 2003. We haven't spent any time together in so long, but as with all good friends it felt like no time had passed at all. We spent another 2 hours at Chick-fil-a.
This is not a normal day for me but what an amazing day it was. I am so thankful for the job God provided for me and the opportunity it affords me to spend my summers doing what I love most, building relationships with people.
The kids hanging out at the Dentist...
Most importantly I think the last two weeks prepared me for this morning at the Dentist, with all of my children. I was calm, cool and collected. For the most part, even when Lilah decided to start calling me "big booty".
If I can encourage you with anything it would be this...slow down, talk to people and enjoy your life. Also look behind you before you back out.
