Tough kids 🚲
She said she was “drifting” and this happened. Good thing Grandma & Grandpa had their first aid kit with them!
Tag: COVID-19
Someone remembered
We received these flowers and a DQ gift card from friends who chose to remain anonymous. (I have a hunch as to who sent this kind reminder, but will leave it at that.) We are planning to bring DQ to the cemetery on Sunday. It has become our “thing” when we go to visit Astrid’s grave. (I had mentioned this to one of my friends – hence my hunch.)
Three people (including my hunch) have acknowledged to me that they know this week is likely a difficult one – leading up to my due date of 8/23. I’m so grateful they have been willing to mention that reality, say Astrid’s name, and allow me to truly share how I’m feeling – no sugarcoating. I’m extremely thankful for the people in my life who allow me to be real and authentic.
Music and tears
I’m finally taking a break from cleaning. I’ve kept busy vacuuming, moving furniture, cleaning and resealing tile grout, and washing the kitchen/dining room floor. (Jake took the kids up north for another Saturday of fun at the lake.) My current Amazon Music playlist is blasting throughout the house and it’s making me cry. I suppose it’s my fault; I picked the songs. As I get closer to what should have been my due date, I’m finding myself feeling the big emotions again. Ugh. Grief sucks.
Here’s what’s hitting my heart tonight:
Great night for a ride 🚲
Jake took the three older Shecklets to meet up with his brother (who is in town visiting).) the five of them went biking and according to the kids – had a blast!
Back to school…into the unknown!
When I told a friend we were heading into the unknown today (back to school) she replied with the song from Frozen 2 ❄️.
I took the Shecklets to the back to school supply pick up this afternoon. It was strange to be welcomed by teachers in masks and face shields but good to see familiar faces (at least part of their faces 😷.)
This year is going to be one like no other. We’re all going to need a lot of patience and grace. Hopefully that combination along with some determination and flexibility, (and a lot of prayer!) we’ll make it through.
Our back to school pictures were very unique this year. It’s also the final year of all four Shecklets attending the same school. It’s hard to believe it is Shecklet #1’s last first day at DVA! 🧨
Another cabin day
We spent the third consecutive Saturday at Nissedalen. This time we had friends join us from their weekend place. They came for dinner and water play. The kids were excited to have their friends to hang out with.
Shecklet #2 was able to spend the night with these friends at their camper near the river. Among the assortment of fun things he got to do some wakeboarding.
Rose hunt 🌹
I took the kids on a rose hunt in a local suburb. We tracked down over half of the 20 statues scattered throughout the city. It was fun to see the different ways that the artists used paint and other mediums to decorate the 3D canvases.
I don’t have many photos of just me with the Shecklets individually, so I made sure to capture them today.
Apple pie 🍎 🥧
We were the recipients of a homemade apple pie tonight. Our friend’s dad is a gifted pie baker and he made one with his grandsons today – for us ❤️🍎❤️. So delicious!
Another day at the lake
We’ve been fortunate enough to make several trips to Nissedalen this summer. Today is the second Saturday in a row that the kids have spent the majority of the day in their swimsuits being pulled behind a boat. They are at such a great age for having fun in the water and playing independently. (I spent most of the day watching them from the shore – in the shade.)
No photos of the day, just memories I’m keeping in my head. I hope the kids are able to do the same <3
Visiting my baby
Today is a hard day. I’m missing my baby something fierce and the tears are falling hard.
Jake and the other Shecklets are at Nissedalen for the day. (Cousins Day 2020, but with reduced attendance this year. Thanks COVID.) I just didn’t have it in me to fake a smile and pretend I was ok today. One of the things my therapist is challenging me to do is look for ways that I am advocating for myself. I guess the argument could be made that this is one of them – I can grieve how I need to grieve and allow my family to spend the day as they planned. It does make me sad to not be with them – I love watching the kids in the water.
I decided to make a stop at the cemetery and spend some time reading with my littlest Shecklet. My MIL made the sweet suggestion that I bring a favorite kids book and read it by Astrid’s grave. I brought two favorites – one that makes me cry and one that makes me laugh.
Sitting next to my baby’s gravesite, I’m finding a little joy amidst my tears today.
