Summer fun

This summer I am not working at camp. After two summers dedicated to the staff and campers there, I needed a summer off. 

A summer to spend with my kids

With my husband, 

A summer to make memories

I am making dinners, packing lunches for day trips, sitting by the pool, building projects, and redecorating the house.

I am spending time with my children like I haven't before. 

I am able to help my family make a safer and more fun playground for my moms school, my work, but also my heritage. 

We still have a lot of work to do, but it is amazing what you can get done in a few days. 

I also got to go on an adventure with some friends to the cape:

And swim together with the kids

We are getting to go to the movies, arcades, and the zoo with friends

And I have time to work on me.

To work out, to play,to read, and to just be still.

 Time for the kids to picnic, and for me to plan, and to go on vacations, and to just be. 

So enjoy your summer with all you got! Go swim, run, play, build, cook, read, and relax! 

Enjoy it!

~Melendy 

So, what are you doing this summer? 

The end...

This school year was a whirlwind. And we have been so on the move, that writing has taken a back-burner. 

The end of the school year was chaotic, entertaining, emotional and a relief. 

We had a wonderful experience at BCa, and the fact we are not returning is bittersweet. Seeing empty halls was strange, but I know the Lord has a different path for us. 

So, for the end of the school year the boys were in a production, 

Caleb was in the spelling bee...

I took my students to Old Sturbridge Village

Steve had a birthday 

Aaron graduated kindergarten

We had our end of year piano recital

Even got a picture of all 6 of my parents grandchildren:

Then we had field day

Track banquet

The last full day of school and awards for Caleb 

All three did so well

And even since school, 

A good bye...

But a new beginning...

Time with family, running races, being together...

I am learning a new job, and the boys are prepping for the Junior Olympics. Steve is running a Spartan Super next week, and I have a half marathon in October I need to be ready for. 

Also a new nephew to photograph

Even in the end, there are new beginnings and I am so grateful for the time to appreciate them! 

When the dad is away, the boys will play...

I want to start off by saying that I am not at all upset that my husband has a job, nor am I upset that this job causes him to need to travel. I understand that sacrifices need to be made in order for a family to survive in the current economy. This is just a tired momma telling her story....

Ok, daddy is in Miami right now. He left today and he returns tomorrow. A normal Wednesday is daddy wakes up early, goes to swim, and then to work. The boys may see him after work, but he has been at a bible study the last few weeks, so, it is not improbable that there would be a day where he wasn't home. Well, daddy thought it was good to tell our boys that he was going away for a day. While I appreciate his honesty, here is the problem: he says " I will be back on Thursday morning" and the boys hear " cool, dad won't be home, so we can do whatever we want!" And I hear " hey boys, I know your mom loves it when you completely do the opposite of what she says, it makes her filled with joy, so do that for the next day or so. Ok?"

Lost in translation

That is what I will blame it on. We are lost somewhere between here and there. I am with my boys most moments when they are not at school. I am the wallpaper to them. I exist, but it doesn't mean much. So, even with me sitting at the table, dinner becomes screaming, throwing food/utensils, and all out mayhem. So, due to that, tonight was the night that the boys broke mom. It is official, and that is ok. So after I screamed for a moment, I put them to bed, read the bible verse for today (interesting, Jesus in the temple kicking out the merchants. The prayer lesson was on asking God to help us overcome our anger...ok, I hear you God) I kissed them and told them something positive about the today, and then, I took a shower. Seriously, a five minute shower, and three times a child was in the bathroom with a "problem". The glue had not finished drying on my cracks, and I came unglued again. I talked them and me down, and they went to bed.

A trip outside to the yard with the dog revealed the sky, and I broke down in prayer...I need to find my center, and I needed that bible verse tonight to remind me that my own anger can be overwhelming at times for myself, so I need to remember, to stay calm and trust in God.

The oral of this is, the next time daddy goes away, instead of telling the boys he won't be home, maybe he can just kiss them a second longer, and say see you after work. It wouldn't be a lie...

Juggling anyone?

I was recently asked how I juggle being a mom to three boys, a wife, and a full time student.

I have to say, it is not easy, however, it is doable!

I am blessed to have three beautiful boys. I love every moment I am privilege enough to spend with them, and I realize that those years will be few. I decided a year ago, that I needed to do something with my life. I needed to be a role model, to help others, because it was truly what I loved doing. Helping others. So, I took a course that would certify me to be a teachers assistant.

I loved it!

I enjoyed getting good grades again, and I decided rather quickly to register for the fall semester, full time. I took five classes last semester, and spent a lot of time away from my children. I earned a 3.94 gpa, and I was happy. Christmas break came and went, and now, I am taking four courses this semester. I am struggling a bit in one of my classes, but I am excited to say I qualified for honors and can do an honors project this semester.

Now, the juggling act. I spend each afternoon after school doing homework with my boys. I learn what they are interested in, and we spend time doing those things together. I make sure to have fun time with them. I plan ahead a lot, and I am not perfect at it. I have an amazingly supportive husband, and without him it wouldn't be possible for me to do all of this. I also sing in a group, and one of the classes I am taking is a long term goal, and that is sign language, so I am learning a new language as well.

It is not always fair, I know I am not giving 100% to everything all of the time, and I do feel guilty at times. I pray that my boys see the value in my school so that the time I am not with them will be times that they can plan for when we are together. I pray that I am an inspiration to them. I pray that the difference I can make in the future will be as meaningful to them as time with me now. I pray I am not making a mistake.

Now, I still have a long road ahead, and I know it will not be easy, however my long term goal is my Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology.

So, if I can do it, anyone can!