It's summer!

But put me in summer and I'll be a, happy snowman!

Welcome to summer!¹ The boys finished school last week and that marks an official start to our summer season, regardless of what the calendar says. The days are longer. The rhythms are different. The activities change: water, please, some water.

Summer has prompted a forward-looking reflection for me almost every year. Summer is slightly weird because we never seem to find a strong summer flow; we just keep fumbling forward. In every other season, we have to work around school: so much of our life is shaped by others and there is only a small part that I totally own. The summer, however, is different. We have rhythms and places to be, but summer always feels a teeny bit disjointed and like a free agent. I’ve learned to live with that discomfort and remind myself that it is normal. It’s good to have a break from a solid routine.

(Already, on Friday, I told a friend that I was very confused about what day it was and she said it was just “summer.” I think that might help me actually.)

Our summer break is ten weeks long. It’s a little over seventy days when you add in the end of the last week of school and the beginning of the first week. I already picked my own summer projects and the boys are all going to pick a project as well. I want to lean in with a lot of presence and plenty of space for growth and rest.

A Tip

I print a calendar for each month of summer and hang them on my office closet door. It helps me to see the whole summer laid out together. It’s a visual reminder of the rhythms that might not feel noticeable. I can see when we are too busy to add in something else. I can see how long it’s been since we’ve been to the creek or gotten together with friends. It’s a quick checkup.

Links

This chicken marinade
A paper plane or make it a slushy
My friend Kristel Acevedo’s Bible study is perfect for your summer.
This Bible project podcast series (this is 1 of 4)
I’ve started working out with Nourish Move Love (thanks to Lindsay). 5 stars.
I first read about Ruth Asawa in The Mother Artist and I was fascinated by this review. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see her show?
This apartment is beautiful!

Here at Becoming

I am only posting twice a month over the summer instead of every week. I have a pretty good idea of what our family schedule will be and I want to be realistic about what is possible and healthy. I might even take July off and repost some older work.² The Reflection Club for paid subscribers will be a weekly audio post. You’ll receive more information about that on the 16^th.³

What does summer look like for you?

1. Here in the northern hemisphere at least.

2. Just like I did last year.

3. Everyone will receive this information, in case you want to learn more and get in on the club.