Hello hello! At long last I’ve emerged relatively unscathed from the chaos of finals, moving back home, graduations, weddings, and work. I’ve been wrestling with what to write about after such a long hiatus. I have a backlog of approximately 6 drafts, but every time I re-read them to post, the Lord would convict me of something or another and I’d have to just stop in my tracks and turn to the Word in prayer. While this has done great things in my heart, it’s not the best approach to writing. I think now, however, I may carry on without such an abrupt conviction from the Holy Spirit. (I’m not making any promises though!)
I guess the best place to begin would be to answer the question that I’ve been asked most often: “What are you doing this summer?” Such a simple question, but since my tendencies are to tell someone every single thing I’m thinking/feeling/doing/planning to do/thinking about planning to do, well you get the idea. The question becomes far more complex. I’ll do my best to keep it simple this morning, but know that I’m more than willing to elaborate if prompted. SO. The short answer is I’m working and spending time with my family. The coolest thing is that on one level I actually get to do both at the same time, but I’ll leave that for later.
As far as spending time with my family, this summer is the first time in a long while that all 5 of my sisters and I are together under the same roof. It’s been so much fun and I spend a great deal of time playing barbies with the babies, (that’s what we call the two youngest) watching The Big Bang Theory with one of my “big” sisters, (I introduced her to the show and now she can’t stop watching it. She’s a complete Sheldon btw, for any of you who may have seen the show before) working with my fellow “little”, and eating obscene amounts of ice cream with all of them. We’ve spent quite a bit of time reminiscing about days gone by, and it’s so much fun to fill in the baby sisters on things they missed before they were born. (Ask me to tell you the “club” story. Seriously. It’s ridiculous.) I mentioned getting to work with my fellow “little” sister, which brings me to a long and hopefully not too complicated explanation of my work this summer.
So 2 years ago, my best friend was getting ready to be married and she mentioned something at the end of May about how her soon-to-be father-in-law was hiring staff for a summer camp. I went ahead and filled out the application and was hired soon after. So summer of 2010 I worked all summer at this day camp. That fall during my freshman year of college I stayed home and went to the community college to finish my associate’s degree before transferring to a four-year institution. Because I was home, I was able to work at a before and after school program based out of the same place as the summer camp (and with a lot of the same kids). I worked there all year until last spring when I left to work at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a camp in PA that I’ve spent the past 9 years of my life attending. Since I worked at Summer’s Best I couldn’t work at the other camp, and because I transferred to UVA, working at the school program this past fall and spring was also out. No matter, my twin – a.k.a Abby – was at the ready to work at the program this past school year. Fast-forward to this spring. I finished my last final May 3rd. Which also happened to be the first day of finals. That was a little insane. I’d rather not talk about it. Although I did quite well though if I do say so myself. Since Fairfax county schools didn’t finish until two weeks into June, I was able to return to my old job for the first month I was home. I cannot even begin to describe to you how wonderful it felt to be back with my kids instead of catering to grouchy pool patrons which is what my job at school entails. I never feel more useful than when I get to serve and love on kids. School let out on the 15th and camp began this past Monday. What a week it has been. I already have a few dozen stories, but those will have to wait for later on this evening because right now I have to finish making cinnamon rolls, pack my lunch, and get ready to take my little ones to the Air & Space museum today! I can assure you I’m probably just as excited, if not more so than my kids.
If you managed to read all of this on only one cup of coffee I applaud you, it took me two to write this.
p.s. this song has been on heavy rotation this week. I know it’s not new, but I just love it. Especially the Spanish version.
