First Day!

First day of school!

1st and 6th grade.

Drew was far less nervous for school this year.

Tyler started MIDDLE SCHOOL!

It doesn't seem as daunting with the middle school

connected to the elementary,

but he has to move from class to class

and do fun things, like "change out" for gym.

I was happy (surprised) to learn they

don't use locks on their lockers.

Does this mean I can eliminate my

can't-remember-my-locker-combo nightmares!?!?

Batter Up!

 Drew has never met a sport he didn't like.

He tried baseball over the summer

and loved it ... some days for the snacks,

and most days for smacking the ball and running to bases!

 He took the game very seriously

and he was told several times he had a "great arm."

All of those backyard baseball games are paying off!

 He had a great coach, too -- DAD!

Tom has been coaching the boys in several sports 

and he does a fantastic job (i.e. lots and lots of patience!!).

Summer Memory

 When I worked with children in therapy, 

one of my questions was, "What is your favorite memory?"

I loved hearing answers, mostly because they were so simple.

Many of them were times that were blips on a screen,

yet stuck with the child forever.

My favorite answer was from a little boy who 

had been removed from his parents' care and would 

never see his biological family again.

His favorite memory was when his mom

gave him a piggyback ride.  Once.
His face lit up when he told me and I could picture
this wonderful, simple snapshot it in my mind.  

His mom engaging and giving him time.  

One evening after work I picked up the kids

from daycamp and we were on the hunt for a Tropical Sno supper snack!

Our usual spot was closed, so we ventured out to the mall.

We bought our treats and the boys followed a trail of ducks along the pond.  

At first I could feel myself wanting to hurry up and go home.

Spending time in the heat and high heels didn't sound fun at all.

I felt like I was wasting time, and then I sat and watched.

I saw the boys enjoying their sno cups and

marveling at the little fuzzy animal world in front of them ... 

laughing, pointing, running.

Hey, and no fighting!

Our evening was simple and it's something we've done in the past,

but it really bridged to my clients and talking about their

favorite times and how easily we can miss them.

We take them for granted.

We hurry or look ahead.

We get caught in our mind and lose sight of our heart.

We think of what we could be doing ... should be doing ...

and not be present in the life in front of us.

Summer Snaps

I keep hearing, "I can't believe it's August."

I won't say it.  It means summer vacation is coming to an end.

We've received teacher assignments and purchased school supplies.

The fair is around the corner and we are eating sweet corn nightly!

My niece is welcoming the camera -- yesssss!

 It wouldn't be a drive home without seeing

mini frogs jumping across the street.  Frogger!

It's better when they are safe in our yard ...

or in a jar next to Drew's bed : )

My Sweet Potatoes

 We have a lush greenspace in our backyard.

My boys love to explore on the trail and in the woods;

I use it for rich, full backgrounds!

My kids are usually declining photos and I can get

frustrated when they reject an idea or tackle instead of cooperate.

After a few photos I realize they really do

offer the best they can ... 

smiles and being their sweet, spirited selves!

 The photo below may one of my favorites of all time.

Drew kept asking, "Can I pretend to be scared of Tyler?"

Sure, anything to get you both laughing!

Lem'lade

I've been telling my kids stories about my Grandma Bean.

She had the biggest, most nurturing heart and 

she brought wonderful memories into my life.

She loved charades and to start off the game she would say,

"Lemonade, what's your trade?
Show me something if you aren't afraid!"

Doesn't make sense to me,

but hearing her say that meant one thing ...

she wanted to play with us!

The state fair is approaching and I"m already

craving a lemonade shake-up!

Lemons and SUGAR (and deep fried something-something!).

We found a lapse in rainshowers and whipped up a big batch 

of lemonade and limeade!

 If photographs could speak, this wouldn't say much 

because our deck is such a peaceful spot.

Tyler was busy squeezing (little brother was supervising)

and we had Goldfinches and Cardinals visiting our progress!

Write like nobody is reading ...

Easier said than done.

I knew when I began a public blog it would mean

this corner of my life would be open to the world.

Knowing this, I've kept my corner rather quiet,

as in I don't tell many people I even have a blog.
I have a handful of followers and it feels just right.

I document for own enjoyment (and memory!),

and I've been fearful that if I share with people I have this writing refuge,

I will have expectations ...
1.)  That they read it : )

2.) I may alter how I write based on who reads it.

I work in mental health and my role and relationship with clients

is very unique - sometimes confusingly unique.

It's a twist of a relationship with someone (client)

sharing their innermost feelings and thoughts with a person (therapist)

who shares very little about him/herself.

It's mind-boggling at times, but this is why it works!

Sometimes it feels odd to me, sitting in a living room-like

setting, my client possibly talking about the very same things I 

think about or struggle with, and have it not

fall into a conversation.  Of course it does at times,

and it's okay, but it can feel like we are both swimming against 

a tide of what feels natural.

Since I have a public blog, I've thought of the 

scenario of my client stumbling upon it.
How would I feel about it?

Nothing too jarring came up for me, 

until it happened.

Then I felt vulnerable, angry and scared.

Not in a way of putting me in danger,

but having someone "watching" made me very uncomfortable,

especially when this client said some hurtful things

related to my children and marriage.

Some clients find it so difficult to not have a reciprocal (you share, I share)
relationship in therapy.  They search and search for "answers" and bypass the
most powerful and most healthy route to obtaining information about me.
Asking me.

This scenario could have went very differently and potentially

blossomed into something deeply therapeutic.

Since it didn't, I chose to end my blog and begin again.

After the waves of unsettledness, I have a newfound sense that 

a new blog could actually be empowering.

A rock in my path isn't going to cause me to turn 

around or trip and fall.  

I will walk around it and move forward!