Going into the final stretch of summer and the kids are all very content with the more chill day-to-day vibe routine. Days are balanced with both activity and downtime, something that is always out of balance one way or another during the school year. No question early summer mornings and the long sunlit evenings in Portland are incredible. We don't take advantage of all of them but even just knowing they are there feels good.
Grateful for all the fun moments this summer and very aware of the big moments that have happened to each of the kids as well.
The big moments you ask?
Lily started her first regular job working at a neighborhood restaurant. She also had a really great week in North Dakota at volleyball camp with the team - making her desire to play volleyball for UND even stronger. She also got to play at Nationals with her club volleyball team for the first time.
Paul made a big decision that's been on the horizon for a long time. Baseball and tennis are both spring sports in high school, so he's known that he would have to decide which to prioritize as he heads into ninth grade. Paul decided to stop playing baseball after 5 years of club baseball and focus on tennis. He is also already practicing with the Lincoln x-country team and is busy trying to run his goal of 30 miles a week. He's also Nate's height now.
Elise crushed it on her trip to Germany with me and my sister. No question I was nervous about how she'd do pitted against her aversions to crowded public areas, eating at restaurants, dealing with lots of transitions, and days of not knowing plans in advance. She surprised me big time on how well she did overall. What I know I’ll remember most, closest to my heart, is watching her fall even more in love with Germany. Seeing her become more curious about the language, her heritage, and already wanting to go back is something that chokes me up in a good way.
Even after 5 years of being back in the corporate working world, I still find myself pining for those stay at home mom summers with my kids. It's ironic that my summers are my busiest time for work. I know my kids don't want me around as much like they did the 10 years I was home but being witness to their lives and supporting them more than I do now....well, those thoughts are hard to delete.
The trip to Germany was seven years in the making...or maybe seven years overdue. I'm a little embarrassed I waited that long, especially considering how much I love it there. Other than COVID, I don't have a good excuse.
Heidelberg is like a first serious crush. Munich is my first true love. And Portland? Portland is the reliable, fun friend.
The time I spent in Munich being pregnant with twins and raising three kids under three shaped me in ways I didn't fully appreciate at the time. Going back reinforced just how deeply that chapter is a part of who I am built on my own heritage and time spent there growing up. It also made me realize I want to experience more of Germany again. I love the little community of friends (lifers) we met there.
Leaving Munich was harder than I expected and I knew it would be hard. What made it easier was spending time with our awesome relatives in Stuttgart and sharing Heidelberg with Elise for the first time. Watching her experience a place that means so much to me, well that's a big perk of being a parent.
Having my sister there for most of the trip was a dream come true. There were moments when we saw things differently, but that’s also part of what makes her my best friend. She tried to keep me grounded and encouraged me to focus on enjoying Munich as a fun trip together while I was also carrying deeper emotions about Germany and the dreams I continue to have tied to it.
I do love that about her; there’s no pretending or telling me only what I want to hear. She keeps it real, and that’s one of the reasons I trust her so much.
Here's a drop of pictures to showcase the recent moments.
