Shenanigans

Walking along the Forest Service Road pulling "Lucky" his rubber duck through the water that had pooled there, Declan had the biggest smile on his face. He's so much boy still, even as every day I see the man emerging. I looked beyond him to our mountain displaying it's majesty so simply, so resolutely. In the darker days, walking through the impossible, I often find strength in referring back to these magical arrested moments.  

The boys and I have been constructing plans for road trips/camping trips/hiking trips we would like to take this year and in the next few years. We have all found the Lochlan is much more engaged and manageable if he has recently been adventuring. If we're being perfectly honest, though, maybe it's all of us who are more engaged and manageable if we're adventuring. :-) I think as we face some of the challenges ahead, giving ourselves things to look forward to is very important for our mental/emotional health. We decided to do a "trial run" camping trip to Utah with Aunt T where we took a lot of notes on what we would like to improve, what we most definitely failed at, and what we felt were marked successes. Overall, the trip was delightful and even Lochlan's teacher noted upon our return that Lochlan was more verbally engaged and happier in his studies.

I did, however, injure myself on this journey when I slipped on ice and fell quite a distance. My shoulder was dislocated and I now have at least 8 weeks in a sling. Grrr. I'm grateful I didn't break something. 

The boys never stop entertaining me with their wild imaginations and endless shenanigans. 

Declan drove on the forest road to my hill! First time! He was awesome! 

Hun, the Bear, taught a class on nuclear reactions. 

The balloon man lounging creepily upon the couch... enough to stop the heart for a moment. 

We are in the process of preparing to close the sale on our big house. We've also been dedicating many hours a week working to prepare our Octagon property for the inevitable flooding that we're going to face as the monsoon season approaches this summer. We've done a lot, but there is still much to be done. My shoulder injury comes at a very inconvenient time, but I trust that there is a reason. Hopefully, someday it will all make more sense. 

So, as we face the unknown, prepare for the tasks ahead which are likely to be difficult, if not impossible, and fight the fear which raises it's ugly head in the most inconvenient moments, I will savor these hours of wandering that we give ourselves periodically to recharge, restore and re-balance our hearts and minds.