Summertime

Every time I write the word summertime, all I can think of is Country Time Lemonade! I enjoy summer not just because I don't have to get up early each day, but because of the time that I have to spend doing whatever I want or need to do. Usually I have a list in my head--or written down--of things I want to accomplish over the summer. And it usually takes me about three weeks to wind down, get settled into a summer schedule, and begin accomplishing my to-do list. By that time I'm busy directing our church's Vacation Bible School and before I know it July is over! As we all know school starts in August, so that doesn't leave me much time to check things off of my list. I usually end the summer feeling a real sense of disappointment in myself and the things left undone.

Last week, after I finished up at school on Monday, Emma Leigh and I got to spend the whole week together. We ate lunch with Bryan one day. We spent another day with my sisters and nieces. Another day we just stayed home and cleaned house at a nice, slow pace. It was so refreshing to not be on any particular schedule and to get to spend so much time with Em. This weekend though, I started making my summertime list of things to do in my head, and I began feeling that sense of disappointment already!

I was feeling sorry for myself because I don't always get everything done that I'd like to. Since Bryan is a teacher too, he's off with Em and me during the summer. This sometimes puts quite a crimp in my plans! We enjoy doing things together, but our schedules don't always mesh! And I end up feeling miserable because I don't get to do what I want. (Sounds a little childish now that it's in writing!)

So today, we got up and went to work-out at 8:00 a.m. despite the whiny "I don't want to" coming from Emma Leigh. My sister met us there, and she and I got to work out and talk together. It was very refreshing! Afterward Bryan, Em, and myself ran errands together, and then came home for our first official summertime lunch together! That too was refreshing! On the way home I thought to myself, "Maybe this summer is going to turn out to be more productive than I had first imagined!"

On my to-do list is purchasing a new camera; taking lots of pictures with my new camera; painting all of the hardware in my bathrooms and kitchen; getting caught up on my scrapbooking; cleaning closets; and painting the living room. I bought the camera today and have painted the pulls on my bathroom cabinets and drawers! I'm off to a good start already!

I want to wake up every morning this summer saying, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I want to experience joy rather than defeat! I want to be able to enjoy every moment rather than dreading the end of summertime! And I just might drink some of that Country Time Lemonade as I sit and relax!