Back in the saddle again

Sunday was a sweet celebration of the great dad that Andy is. After a good morning in church, Mimi treated us to a Deep South Sunday Dinner. We'll never tire of her "wackenbunkie" mac 'n cheese, hand-patted biscuits, field peas, and fried chicken. I've fried one batch of chicken in my life, and it wasn't too tasty. Thank goodness for moms whose mantra (on special occasion) is "to love you is to feed you"!

In between loads of post-vacation laundry, we watched Chasing Mavericks together on our new couches (where everyone finally has a seat). By a complete stroke of luck, this turned out to be a great inspirational movie on fatherhood and the amazing privilege of being able to walk alongside someone else in his journey. This is a great surfing movie about a teen boy who was mentored by his neighbor to surf waves far beyond his ability. What makes it even better is that it is based on a true story.

My favorite line in the movie is "There are all kinds of sons. Some sons are born to you, and others occur to you."

 

Today, it was back to reality, and the first full-on working day of summer:

the laundry was finished (eight loads), the healthy groceries were bought, the fitness classes were taught, the overdue library books returned, the crumbs swept, and the carpool driven. A went back to work. Packing lists and baseball bags were attended to. Water bottles were filled and wilted plants were coaxed back to life. Lots of small stuff in keeping the wheels rolling. The girls headed off on their mission trip. MJ went to Music camp, and B went to hitting (baseball) camp. There was not much moseying or sashaying.

 

 

The following encouraging video clip found its way to my inbox via iMom this morning. I appreciate their desire to remind moms of their high calling when the open expanse of summer means more organization and intentionality. Here is a (bogus) job interview for an "Operations Manager" (for the job of motherhood) that may make you smile.

http://www.susanme.com/would-you-take-the-worlds-toughest-job/

This quote reminds me, once again, that there is more to (my) life than myself.

From Chasing Mavericks

Images via Pinterest

 

In a scene in the movie where young Jay paddles out to the abyss to console his grieving mentor over the death of his wife, he adds, "then there is the fifth pillar...me"

On this first day of working summer, I am thankful for the people in my life that I can love and share life with, and in return, lean upon. I pray that I will love and serve them well in our journey alongside one another.