Life has been very full this summer.
The picture above was taken from inside my house far away, but it’s what I want to most remember. Just how there is simple bliss found in creating space for life to happen.
I have been working hard on Allume, and when I’m not, I’m working hard at maintaining margin for my family. We are investing time and making memories. I know that I’m breathing more free.
My kids are thriving this summer and I think it’s due in large part to us striving to find a better work/life balance. When I work and have a sitter here (let’s not kid ourselves and think anyone could run a conference without at least a baby sitter some days) I focus on that. When she’s not here, I have been pretty vigilant about not working as much as humanly possible. (Which for the record, is much more possible than I’d convinced myself a few months ago.)
And then there’s the thing of where we live. We could be moving, or we might not. Who knows?! A few months back, we found 100 acres with a pond, barn, etc and it’s pretty dreamy. We have a contingency contract on it with the clincher being the sale of our house. If we sell, we’re moving. If we don’t, we’re not. It’s bittersweet for me both ways. The limbo is just a place I’m not thinking about right now.
We have been intentional this summer about spending good time with friends, with one another, and generally getting out to enjoy living. We took the boys camping and met up with my friend and Allume speaker, Kristen Howerton, and her family a couple of weeks ago and it was the most fun! We met at a festival that we (my family) honestly didn’t really attend because we really went to camp and spend time with the Howertons. We had a blast getting to know Mark & Kristen and their kids, who for the record, are a fantastic family! Within 5 minutes you would have thought that our kids had grown up together! My boys are still asking when we get to hang out again. (And before you’re confused below…the littlest fella belongs to our new friend Micah Murray.)
I broke out all my international jewelry, tied a scarf around my head, wore a long skirt, and got pretty dirty. People thought I was a legit hippie.
We have gone to the lake and to the beach.
Wind and water are good for the soul.
And we have had our fair share of projects at home.
Mostly, I have had a zillion things to write about, but have given myself the freedom to just not. Sometimes our “no’s” make way for more “yesses.” And when I’m old and gray, I feel sure that the things I’ll remember most, are the yesses that I say to the people around me…to the experiences we walk through…and to the moments I happen to capture on a front swing outside seen from behind a window of margin from within.
How are you spending your summer? And in the times that you aren’t planning, what are some of your favorite moments that have happened unexpectedly?
Logan, you so inspire me! It seems that I spend so much time trying to control my life that I’m missing my life. my kids aren’t small anymore (the youngest is 16) so really I’m in a different place, but the concept is the same throughout I think… create margin and enjoy the simple things, the things that matter – relationship. This applies to family, friends and most certainly God. Work is important too, it is just that sometimes we allow it to consume us. I don’t want to wake up one day and find that that is all my kids remembered of me….that I was a hard worker. I want them to remember that I was a fun friend, a compassionate parent, a support system, and a passionate encourage-er in the difficult times. Thank you for the reminder that these dog days of summer are so very short, and that it is the moments that we spend with those we love that will live on in our memories.
I love this, Logan! We are in the middle of our first summer as Empty Nesters… our Girlie is all moved out (thankfully – just down the road, almost literally!) and we miss her and she misses us and we are blessed that we still see her several times a week but it is an adjustment for sure. I am relearning to let Him be the boss of my blog and He has called me to step back a bit… to not just press on through to what is next but to allow myself to feel all the feels about the season we are in now. Some of my most favorite unplanned moments are so similar to the ones of summers past – cuddling with my girlie after a day in the sun… watching the sunset at night with my Honey… lunches and laughing with friends… just ordinary moments that happened organically without all the scheduling and planning ahead! Ahh – Summer! Is that not how it is supposed to be? A little less bossy, a liittle more laid back… and so full of refreshing!
i love this logan, it’s been a fun and full summer! i hear ya, there have been many things i want to write about, but we’ve just been having fun playing. and mostly on most days i can’t get a “mental thought” as i say. our last minute cross country road trip has been a family highlight!
Hey Logan!
Wouldn’t it be so nice if summer could be forever? I’m serious…I don’t need cold weather. I could live at the beach. My dream really. I was just reading about Allume. Looks like a fun and inspiring conference!
What a wonderful summer you and your family are having! God is good.