Summer...

Well, I made it.  Survived the last couple of weeks of school, watched Joshua finish up 5th grade (sob), wrapped up teachers' gifts, and kissed the hustle and bustle of the school year goodbye. 

Whew...I made it. 

For a while, I wasn't so sure.  I hate to admit it, but some postpartum anxiety and depression crept in about 2 weeks after my last post.  It wasn't too bad...I knew I just had to work through it, but there were a few days when the darkness hung over me like a bad shadow, and lingered long after the sun went down. 

The worst part was the week before Theresa's baptism.  David went to Joshua's Boy Scout meeting Tuesday night, came home, and essentially told me he was going on the campout that weekend. 

"WHAT???"

"Our daughter is getting baptized!  You CAN'T go!  How am I supposed to get everything ready for Theresa's baptism party???"

Oh man.  It was bad.  I yelled, I cried, I yelled some more, and I threw the laundry basket at my dear hubby.  He survived.  For about a day, I didn't think I would. I knew David wasn't trying to put more stress on me.  They really needed more drivers to safely transport the boys to the campsite, otherwise they would have to cancel the campout.  I just didn't want MY hubby to be the one to the rescue.  Dang it. 

The next day, I gathered up all my remaining sanity, and told myself to figure things out.  David's parents were coming on Saturday.  I knew they would help out...and they really came through.  I had already decided to cater in most of the food, but now I placed a bigger order, so I wouldn't have to make a thing except one salad that would take only 15 minutes.  David promised to be home in time to shower, change, and get to the church, AND wear sunscreen so he wouldn't look like an overcooked lobster at his daughter's baptism.  He did both...I know my MIL's sigh of relief when they pulled up Sunday morning was nearly as big as mine! 

Speaking of Theresa's baptism, it went beautifully.  She was the first of our children to have the full immersion baptism implemented by our pastor, and while she didn't really appreciate the water, it did make for the most fabulous photo.

See? :-)                                             Photo by Pat VanDeCapelle

Here's a few more pictures from that day.

 We had a great party at the house afterwards with my sister and her family, my uncle and his 2 grown kids, Grandpa and Grandma Reisinger, and the Nolte family. I honestly think other than our 10 year anniversary party we had 3 years ago, it was one of our best celebrations ever. Theresa hadn't slept hardly at all that morning, promptly crashed on our bed when we got home, and slept like a baby for 3 hours straight. She missed her whole party, lol. "It's my party, and I'll sleep if I want to..."

Whew...I made it.  I've said that before, haven't I? ;-)

Thankfully, all those dreary and dark cobwebs from the past month are pretty much gone.  Once school was over, and we had nothing going on (PRAISE GOD), we literally all fell into bed and didn't get up until after 8:00 AM the entire first week of summer vacation.  Well, Theresa got up a bit earlier, but bless her heart...she was actually able to take all her naps at home several days in a row, instead of catching a few winks here and there in the van.  How wonderful that must have felt to her!

I actually sorta started a new hobby too.  Rebecca learned how to crochet months ago from her cousin Mary.  Mary and her family (Peter, Stephanie, and the rest of their crew) were in town the first weekend of June.  While they were here, Mary taught me some crochet stitches.  I actually did crochet as a kid, but I'd forgotten the basics.  Once I figured things out, I started making those super cute baby beanies for Theresa.  And well...I made 5 in one week.  I told y'all we had nothing else going on. ;-)

Not pictured...a pink hat with a brown flower.  Every baby girl needs a pink hat. :-)

Of course, having a gorgeous little model doesn't hurt either.  The best part is, I can make the hats to match her outfits, not that I'm picky about that...why would I bother, right? ;-)

Cute huh? 

Anyways...this week the crochet is on hiatus while I run the older girls back and forth to art camp.  It's right by Gabriel's preschool, so I kept thinking it was over at 1:00.  It was actually over at 12:30, and I'd barely make it, because my mind was so set on the wrong time.  Yesterday, I leisurely went to the grocery store, and then went to pick up the girls.  I was just about there, when my cell phone rang.  The staff was calling me to see if was on my way.  Guess what time it was?

12:58. WHAT WAS I THINKING???  (Obviously, I wasn't).   

I got to the pavillion, jumped out of the van, and apologized, profusely.  The girls were fine...they had been helping the staff clean up, and were just finishing up.  So the staff really weren't put out, but still, I felt awful.  I can't imagine where my brain was.  It's not like me to forget something so important!

Gabriel and Theresa have been hanging out at home while Joshua has been at Boy Scout Camp at El Rancho Cima all week.  He'll be home on Saturday, and honestly, I haven't missed him as much as I thought I would.  But I can't wait to see him!  Email reports from the troop's Scoutmaster say the boys are having fun...some of them are homesick (I am sure Joshua was), but they are learning so much. 

I really hope Joshua was okay.  Josh is hesitant to jump into things, and often needs a good deal of guidance, instruction, and monitoring when he's in new situations.  Add in ADHD, and it really can be challenging for our son, especially since he doesn't have the reassurance of David being there.  There were times I am sure he was frustrated and ready to melt down, but hopefully he pushed through.  My biggest prayer is that he comes home and says, "I can't WAIT to go back next year" instead of "I am NOT going ever again."  'Cause let me tell you, he is going, every year.  It's the best thing for him.  He may think we're "throwing him in the deep end, " when truthfully, he knows how to "swim," and he just has to go for it.  You know what I mean?

I can't wait to see Joshua and say, "Hey buddy, you DID IT!"

Hmm...what else is going on?

Oh yes, I'm so glad summer is here.  It's hotter than...well, you know.  I don't have to say it.  And we're in the middle of a serious drought here in Houston.  At least our garden is alive and producing tons of beautiful tomatoes right now, so if you want to see what I'm cooking with them, click here.  Using home grown produce to feed our family and eating healthy always makes me feel good. 

Okay...that's the wrap up from the past 2 months.  We have VBS coming up next week, a weekend trip to San Antonio (so my grandparents can meet Theresa for the first time), Junior High Youth week, Choir Camp, and that's it.  Plenty of time in between to veg and do nothing.  Thank God for nothing!