Jeanie turns 8!

 Jeanie wanted a "zebra-themed t-shirt painting/minute to win it" birthday party. It was really fun and her favorite girls came to help her feel celebrated. I don't have the words to express how joyful and nurturing she is but "delightful" seems to capture her well. Often times she feels stuck between two high-energy, feisty brothers and she finds a way to get along smoothly with both. She can throw a football, paint her own nails, play the piano, bake muffins, feed our birds, surf, run really fast, adores her Letty, and loves to read all Beverly Cleary books. Happy 8 years to my favorite, favorite girl who is never short on kindness, resilient, tough and loving!! 

Van turns 10, Abe is 6!

 We told our kids that each child can have a getaway with just mom & dad (within reason) to celebrate their 10th birthday. Van said he would love to go to Pinehurst, play some golf, watch some football, eat good food, and try a real coke for the first time. Waking up on his chilly birthday morning to have coffee and chat with our newly crowned 10 year old was a special moment I do not want to forget. It was the first time in years we had a chance to just be with him alone...to filter all of his questions, dreams, and goals. At ten, Van has already outlined the majority of his future. He's designed his custom home in the everglades where he will drive a truck, have a few boats, be a professional sports fisherman...with a side of NBA playing, perhaps :) and of course playing his guitar. He is definitely pivoting from a child to a teen and while that brings some challenges with independence and boundaries he is an extremely good role model for his brother, sister, and friends. Van's soul is kind and extremely patient and I'm very proud of the young man he is becoming!

Abe is still our firecracker with a never-ending battery fully charged with energy.  At 6 years old, Abe is extremely spirited and passionate. His goal most days is to one-up Jeanie and Van, whether that means holding a plank the longest, running the fastest, having the most homework, or staying up the latest, bless his busy little soul. He's a terrific student, follows instructions, and loves school. My favorite memories of Abe this year are snuggling in his bed re-reading Mercy Watson books over and over and laughing together. I also loved watching him proudly graduate from kindergarten and winning the sportsmanship award. He still gives the tightest hugs.  For his 6th birthday, he wanted to have a sports party with all his buddies.We love you, Abe! 

2020.

I am so grateful October brings the rich flavors of a new season. 

My word of the season is "savor." 

I want to savor the hugs, throwing the football in the sunshine, baking chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, sunset strolls, reading with Abe every night at bedtime, Friday night movie nights, singing our favorite hymns alongside the virtual church broadcast, sticking our feet in the sand a few more times before its cold, lighting the pumpkin/honey/pine-scented candles, the aromas of sautéed onion and garlic on their way into a delicious soul-filling dinner, hand-writing sincere thank you notes, celebrating both boys' birthdays, watching Jean-Margaret fill the bird feeder on a crispy morning and chatting with the birds who visit, paddle-boarding across a peaceful waterway, listening to Van play his favorite song on the guitar, meeting a dear friend for wine, laughter and swapping tales of 2020, admiring the way a glop of gold paint can swirl around the canvas with a palette knife, watching our burnt orange mums start to bloom, noticing the the varying shapes and colors of the pumpkins, their stems, soaking in ALL the giggles...and sharing a perfect cup of coffee with Evans on the back porch or on a boat cruise.

Savoring the beauty of this season blooms from the despair and overwhelming complexity of 2020. I have a sincere thirst for indulging in all the senses and celebrating even the smallest moments life has to offer this fall. What keeps refreshing my hope in this world are these precious souls:

Van (5th), Jean-Margaret (3rd), Abe (1st)

The kids check temperatures twice daily, fill out three covid affidavits each morning, drop off at three separate locations, have A/B schedules for Van, wear masks all day, have socially distanced recess... (Van mentioned, for him, recess has turned into "the worst hour of the day"), zero sports teams or gymnastics...very few birthday parties.  It has been so inspiring to watch them tackle all of these obstacles in stride. 

I wonder how this will affect them emotionally down the road, or even next year. Will this all disappear? Will they feel increased anxiety in groups or without a mask? Will they miss having more time to play at home? We will go back to our "old life" juggling so many activities and sports? How will they remember 2020? Mom was super irritable and edgy? Mom was a superhero and homeschooled us on the fly? Will a new president set a new tone for their future? I'm not sure. But I do want to remember that despite the unpredictability of 2020 I attempted to remain steady, hopeful, and savor it all.