Seven Things for June

this is my summer era

One // I pull a wagon out to the strawberry fields as I watch the kids’ little heads bounce ahead on the tractor ride. They are delighted, waving back at me through squinted grins. I feel lighter just watching their joy, pulling my wagon filled with space for the fruits of our labors. We listen to the owner of the farm gently share tips and tricks for us to find the best strawberries. I get lost in filling my own basket - the way a deep, red strawberry hides, the sound of it snapping off of its vine as its sweet promise. I giggle as my kids ask, “can I eat one more?” and like a child, I indulge in one myself. It is sweeter than I could have dreamed. Before long, sweaty, red faces grin at me - “We’re done!” and I’m schocked that in just thirty minutes, we’ve collectively picked almost 30 lbs of strawberries. We head home for the hulling and mashing and jarring and dreaming of what we can create.

Two // I’ve been letting go of running - running for a pace, for pride, for what I once was. I traded in runs pushing a double stroller, chasing my younger self, for jogs that turn into coaching sessions/patience testers/how many scooters can I carry/walk-then-sprint-then-jog-backs. I swim laps in the pool - and I do it poorly. I put on children’s goggles and Jason smirks, shaking his head. Kids with flippers pass me by - I laugh in spite of myself, and wonder if I should add a swim cap to this chic look.

Three // Early morning rising to be productive - or not. The sun and the birds are my alarm clock. I pour a glass of iced coffee from the Toddy, froth some cream with vanilla and coconut sugar and pour it over ice. A couple of books in hand, I cozy into a patio chair. Sometimes all I do is notice - the sounds of the birds, the soul warmth the rising sun brings, and the comfort of Jason sitting with me in the quiet morning.

Four // I place a Target pickup order, and the thing I’m most excited about is a garden knee pad. I mean, it is definitely *not* a crop top. I’m fully committed - excited even, for the first time - to daily weeding and watering. I procrastinate otherwise daunting tasks and I’m more thank okay with it. When I put the seeds in the ground, my faith was frail. I had to wonder, will anything actually grow from this? I spend weeks checking multiple times a day for growth - first sunflowers, then zinnias, cosmos, and poppies. Isla and I try our hand at dahlia tubers. After about three weeks, I learn we put it in the ground wrong. We dig it up and replant and finally, we see a sprout. Isla’s eyes widen and a grin grows - but she insists I check my gardening app to be sure. Celebrations ensue when we confirm we do have a baby dahlia. I continue being abundantly blessed by what my faith could not have grown. Carrots, zucchini, kale, tomatoes, and green beans push up through the dark, messy place. I notice rose buds coming in and when I bend in close, I meet my new enemy - rose aphids. It is nothing a little neem oil can’t handle, and I think to myself rose aphids are the maximum level of drama I can handle this summer. Things are never perfect in the garden, but there are surprises, beauty, patience, resilience, and quiet growth that I have an unsatiable hunger for.

Five // Bed times are later and inconsistent. Read alouds and meaningful conversations, more frequent. On instagram, I don’t exist. I make a home for my film camera - where it’s easier to reach for and click away. I pick it up daily, to see the beauty and remind myself there are no ordinary moments. Every day, every moment, I can lift the veil and see what extraordinary gifts I am living. I think about all the “only x amount of summers with your kids!” messaging. I remember laying in a hospital bed during the dreariest spring I can remember, and wondering if my vision would come back, wondering what caused it, feeling the brevity of my life for the first time. I am not promised x amount of summers. I am not promised tomorrow. I cannot believe I get to live this summer to the fullest. What a gift.

Six // Charles is falling in love with baseball. He’s tried several sports and this is the one, with much patience and hard work, he is beginning to love. He’s bummed when he misses practice or a game. He practices at home, and asks to watch the Twins’ game with Jason. Only more fun than watching Charles learn to love baseball is watching Jason love it too. He does the books at games, he heads to Play it Again Sports for a catcher’s glove, a hitting stick, a batting helmet. He takes meetings in the car to race home for baseball. In dark seasons, these very Sandlot-esque baseball nights are the oxygen in the room. After the kids are in bed and the sun is slowly setting, I look at Jason, collapsed next to me on the couch from another hard day. “Do you want to have a catch?” His eyes light up, and we spend the rest of daylight enjoying the thump of the ball into a glove together.

Seven // After an evening swim, I remember it is nigh time to wash my girls’ hair. I begin scrubbing Isla’s hair. “Is it hard being a mom?” She asks. The way I doubt myself makes me think I must not be doing a very good job. I push that thought away and reply, “It is, one of the hardest things, but it is also the best thing I’ve ever done. I always wanted to be a mom, and it is harder and better than I ever could have imagined.” I pour warm water over her head as its tilted to the ceiling. She smiles. “Me too, you know why? Because then I can also be an illustrator and write books for my kids.” Her confidence in how being a mom means you also get to be something else, something wonderful, catches me off guard. I smile back. “You will be such a good mom and illustrator. I love that idea. Maybe I should write a book for you kids.” Quickly she replies, “well you kind of do, mom. Because you work for Coffee and Crumbs, and help tell stories.” Her eyes sparkle as she confidently says “maybe I will work at Coffee + Crumbs just like you!”

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Speaking of Coffee + Crumbs, have you checked out the Summer Collection? It is a work of art. Bookmark it on your phone browser and savor it all summer long!

Little luxuries of my summer

plastic pool side cups - my mom was visiting and mentioned how fun it would be to have these for various pool side drinks - I picked up eight and didn’t realize how much I would enjoy them.

this swimsuit cover up - I’ve had one in black since last year and I’d like one in every color

I’m swimming more for cardio, and I’m considering these adult swim goggles - did I mention I’m having a hot mom summer?

A link free recommendation

I still remember my mom plopping me on the kitchen counter. I’d rip open a red packet of Kool Aid - it’s artificial fruit fragrancing the air, I’d dump it in. Scoops of sugar from her pampered chef pale yellow measuring cups - then stirring that large burnt orange tupperware pitcher with a big spoon. A summer pitcher is a simple delight - enjoy the hunt at a garage sale, thrift store, or antique store for one you love.