Don't Call Me Julie

I look forward to the challenge of learning a new skill.  Sometimes I don’t even mind the time it takes to perfect it.

I enjoy solitude.

I love immersing myself in a project, working out every angle of the thing and seeing it to a successful conclusion.

I like to ponder, pray, meditate.

Sounds like just the kind of person who would go and fill her life to the brim with a husband and five busy children, right?  What was I thinking!

Alright, I absolutely adore my family, but this summer has been a doozy.  It’s not that summertime in Oregon is totally idyllic – we had our share of boredom there, too.  But at least with the mild temperatures you could usually send your kids to bike around the neighborhood, go play at the school playground, or just get out of the house, for Pete’s sake!  Here in Texas we’ve been largely house-bound because of the heat, and we’re getting a little batty.

I feel like Julie, the Cruise Director on the Love Boat.  What are we gonna do today, Mom?  Huh?  Huh?  HUH?!  We keep a dry erase board on the fridge door to list our daily activities, which comes in handy when – you know – you HAVE DAILY ACTIVITIES.  Lately someone has been scribbling little funny faces of people either dead or dying…presumably of boredom.  We’ve done the neighborhood pool thing quite a bit.  We’re at the library twice (at least) a week.  We try to do the $1 family movies, but the baby isn’t always such a good sport.

Just the other day we decided we were going to have to get over our heat intolerance, so we headed to the local park.  We started off chipper enough, walking contentedly around the park’s little lake, counting all the little squirrels we saw scurry by (my question:  do squirrels collect anything in Texas?  I mean, there’s no winter!).  After about 20 minutes, everyone’s enthusiasm began to wane.  Another 15 minutes, and we were speed-walking for the nearest bit of shade.  We made it all the way around the park, panting for breath at some picnic tables near the playground.  Three of the kids obliged the pull of the equipment and actually played for a little while.  That is, until big sister and I said ENOUGH! and enticed them back to the air-conditioned car with promises of ice cream.

We went back out yesterday (two days in a row!) and braved the putt putt golf course at the same park.  It was actually tolerable outside, since we were getting the outer wind and rain bands from Hurricane Dolly.

Is that what my life has come to?  Thanking God for minor hurricanes?  Oh goodness.

We have one full month left of summer, and I’m prayerful that we’ll make it.  I’m sure we’ll do some more swimming, and of course there’s the shopping for school supplies and clothes.  The library is still free.  Our first summer in Texas has been an education.  It just might end up that I have to rip the Wii remote or the computer’s mouse from my kids’ hands so they can attend the first day of school, but by golly, I’m going to let them do whatever it takes to get through these final days!

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

1. The Strangest Phone Call
2. Goal Call: The Highlights
3. Wordless Wednesday: First Call on Skype

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