Life 2019

And just like that... Abe is off to kindergarten.

Just kidding. It hasn't been easy or fast to stay home with these monkeys but I'm very glad I was able to. We have shifted into a new mode of life this year. Goodbye to cute playdates, preschools, and rest times... hello to marathon days of waking kids up at 6:30am and going hard until lights out at 8pm.  I always assumed I'd be back at a full-time job at this point in my life, but the joke is on me. 

We are one month in to having all three kids in school. Sounds easy, right? The first week Abe was only able to go half days...the second week we evacuated for Hurricane Dorian...the third week I spent in doctor's offices catching up on appointments...and this week Jean-Margaret has been home all week with the flu. 

Don't get me wrong, I realize I will have more time this year (and hopefully more sanity) but so far it has been nice to have the flexibility of being available for the kids (especially with Evans's unpredictable work/travel schedule). This year I'm excited to accomplish my to-do list without feeling like I'm zooming through life at tornado speed all before a noon preschool pickup.  Now that we have a new puppy (Welcome, Letty!) my days are full of exercise, meal prep, errands, chores, school volunteering, puppy playing, laundry, carpooling, keeping the family calendar somewhat organized, helping with church, playing tennis, helping with homework, and answering about 1,000 kid-related emails and texts per day ;-) I have slowly transitioned into a morning person and I'm attempting to savor these non-glamorous-yet-necessary demands of "staying home" and the consistency and stability it provides our family. Luckily I get to paint about 2-3 commissions per month, so I'm able to break up the monotony of home and carpool. I'm learning to appreciate the hour or two of "rest" I get when the kids are all in school and feel like it has been hard-earned!! I am not sure how any mom of three young children manages a full-time job and have major respect for those who do. 

We have somehow ended up with three incredibly active and athletic children. I am trying to emphasize (especially to Van) that academic motivation is just as important as being fit. He is determined to make the honor roll this year (and quarterback) and I'm proud of his drive to keep playing guitar, practice golf, soccer, tennis, running, and basketball. Whew! And thats just one. Van is a super healthy eater (favorite snack: grapes & red peppers). He is reading more than ever and puts a ton of effort into school. Fourth grade isn't easy! We are looking forward to celebrating Van's 10th birthday by taking him to Pinehurst (just Evans & me) for a golf weekend (his request). 

Jean-Margaret (has opted to use her full name these days) and is also playing soccer this year. She is a fast little runner and still flipping and cartwheeling through the house. She enjoys kayaking (and tends to row too far away for my comfort level). She loves to read and could not care less about math. She is learning to play piano and spends every spare second with Letty, her cute little buddies from school, or indulging in her vivid imagination.  She had a hard time saying goodbye to Sophie girl but I was so proud she was brave enough to stay in the room to comfort Sophie in her final moments. She has really grown up a ton over the summer but her personality remains spunky. She's lost almost every single front tooth (top & bottom) and I love seeing her toothless grin. 

Abe won his first race this summer-- clocking in a 8 minute mile (leaving me in the dust). He loves to swim, is learning to play the ukulele, and on his first tee ball team. Kindergarten so far has been a breeze-- he has known his teacher for a while and feels very comfortable at a school where all the big kids know his name and give him high-fives in the hallway. He's still our most "spirited" child and Evans and I try to embrace the highs and lows that come with big love and big tears.  He is very aware of how much attention his siblings get and expects the exact same for himself (and luckily he's not afraid to speak up).  While its bittersweet to watch him start school, I have given him so much over the past 5 years-- I know he is very ready for a full day (and so am I!)

While I sacrifice having a full-time career to help raise the family, Evans sacrifices his time to support us all. He works so hard and I am proud of how much he has accomplished in his career, all while being a present and sweet daddy. One of our favorite parts about having the kids in school is our standing Friday morning tennis date after they go to school. Dates have changed quite a bit, but I'm not complaining as long as we get a few moments to be grown ups. On the horizon, there are a few travels we'd like to take... a trip abroad, out west, and a family camp together.  

Living near the beach has become ingrained into our daily lives and our very being. When Sophie died, all we could possibly fathom was spending a day on the boat to reflect on her life while feeling the beauty of the ocean and sky wrapped around us. Hurricane Florence taught us how little we value our "things" and how much we value each other and our safety. Every morning I try to walk on the beach and soak in the goodness that this life has provided for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.