End of Summer Reckoning

It's been a while since I've linked up with the Company Girls.  While I've missed the connections and inspiration, I needed to take a break and regain some perspective.  Earlier in the summer I was very gung-ho about what I aimed to do offline.  Somewhere between my high hopes and low moments is where I think most of our summer days were spent.

Puddingstone necklace my husband gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary

What we did and did not accomplish in June and July:
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• We did not pick strawberries, but my children did go out and pick fresh raspberries from the yard during our two week stay in Canada.
• My husband took two of my children to the "mammoth museum" while my eldest daughter and I went to a book club at the library.
• We made it downtown to the farmer's market on several weekends and bought local, ethically-raised ground beef.
• Found peach ice cream to make Summer Spice Ice Cream Sandwiches (recipe here), but did not create the healthy version.
• We did a few of the activities on the summer calendar from Thriving Family and attempted a fourfold approach to structure our days--for about two weeks in June.
• Attended my husband's best friend's wedding in Ohio and made a customized recipe collection for my dear friend in California, whose wedding I was not in since our friends chose the same date.
• Finally spent some time with my grandparents in Ohio, after being thwarted last December.  Not long after we left, my grandfather, who is 90, was hospitalized, so I treasure the moments we had in July.
• Had a fun vacation for the kids in Canada, but not much true rest for my husband and I.  (I was not expecting much of a vacation for myself with three kiddos in tow, but my husband really needed more of a break.)

What remains (in the next 30 days):

1. Read the New Testament and review my study of John
2. Re-institute spiritual disciplines for myself
3. Begin teaching them to my children
4. Develop and follow through on chore lists for each child
5. Remove excess clothing and goods from the premises (via garage sale, city mission, etc.)
6. Devise and implement a schedule for being online.
7. Celebrate our tenth anniversary in Kansas City while grandparents care for the kids.

Though refreshed from being away and enjoying natural beauty surrounding us last month, my deeper thirst remains unquenched.  I know the simple solution.  Draw near to God and he will draw near to me (James 4:8).  Only then can I become the woman I yearn to be.

How was your summer?  Have you been refreshed?