Four Girls Later

The start of every new school year always feels like a little bit of chaos, trying to get into a new rhythm after the relaxation of summer. However, the end of the school year and beginning of summer is what I’d consider chaotic madness. You’ve got the simultaneous culmination of ALL the things. Chapters closing. Summer plans being made.

Chilly mornings give way to long sweaty summer nights. Early bedtimes relax and make for slower starts the next morning. Sunday evenings no longer mean packing backpacks, preparing school lunches, and signing permission slips.

Summer can mean so many things for so many people. For some it means shuffling for child care. For long distance blended families this can mean orchestrating a summer visit. For military families this can mean PCS season. Child summer camps. Out of town guests. Travel plans. Down here in North Carolina our summers involve water in an effort to beat the heat!

Although I have learned to welcome fall and the start of a new school year, I am one that loves summer home with my girls! I love nights that we end up sticky from s’mores. I love pruned fingers and chlorine tinged hair that meant a long day at the pool. I love staying up late to all pile into bed for a movie and bowl of popcorn. I love all day spent in pajamas that meant an unrushed rhythm of the day. Anyone that really knows me also knows summer usually means my single favorite place in the world, the beach. I am just about certain it is impossible to not know that you are the Lord‘s beloved, while walking the shoreline with a cup of coffee as the sun rises. The common denominator in each of these activities is slower living.

So while i find myself in the chaos before summer, I am sharing my attempts for slower living right in the middle of now. Some of these I think I’ve done long enough to master and others I’m only just beginning.

• With the exception of sickness, we will be at church Sunday morning. This is not a ritual. This is not legalism. This is because I believe the single greatest week reset hack is to gather in an effort to know Him more.
• Sunday evening means packing all bags that are needed for the week: bookbags, dance bags, softball bag, golf bag, and I even restock the diaper bag. This helps to eliminate the last minute frantic search for irish gillies or softball socks.
• Sunday afternoon means a trip to the carwash. We vacuum, throw all the trash away, make sure all food remains are gone, and all the water bottles and articles of clothing are taken in!
• We join our friends for dinner every Friday and it is something my whole family looks forward to. After school, before that dinner, we pick one song for each of us and we clean until the four songs are over. Without fail my girls and I are motivated to work hard. It has become almost a game. You will be shocked by how much your family can get done in that small window.
• I went through my calendar and any appointment that is not time sensitive, I have rescheduled beyond the last six week push. This has made a little extra breathing room while the weeks are packed with all things end of school activities.
• While I have that calendar open… I schedule in a once a week rest day! If this just isn’t possible, I block off 1/2 days for rest.
• Lastly, I make a list of tangible things I would like to do during the week. Not me as mom or wife, but something Sara wants. The top of that list currently is getting to reconnect with one of my single favorite people. The person I would consider my longest friend. Its been far too long since I’ve gotten to hear about her beautiful life, and I know that one thing will fill me with tremendous joy.

I hope you find yourself loving the right now instead of waiting for the next thing. And while you’re living in that chaotic busy right now, I hope you find ways to slow down.

Shine your light.

Xoxo,

Sara