I’m sure you’re all wondering how I’m coping with my classes. Well, lets just say that on Friday night (after only two days of class) Matt was having to talk me off a ledge. I was miserable, tired, my insides were acting like they were trying to turn inside out from the nerves and I was not a happy camper. Between taking classes in a very intensive way and living with another family of four in an apartment this summer my introverted, mom (not student) self was ready to die a slow death. You think I’m dramatic? So does my husband. I’m glad to say today after day three I’m a little more settled into this routine. I won’t go so far as to say I’m liking it but I’m trudging through. For some reason I’m in a sort of pressure cooker environment this summer and I’m just hoping that I come out better in the end.
I pressed through my homework on Friday night so that I could breath the rest of the weekend and I’m so glad I did. We had much time away from the apartment complex which was so needed for my soul. It began with coffee with Sally, a student here on the summer project and my sweet Jenna. We talked, sipped coffee, and meandered through the Farmers market (making me feel like I was back at home). The middle of our day was spent at the pool with some dear friends from Bozeman and after two hours had to pull Isaac kicking and screaming from the water. The boy is a serious water lover. The late afternoon and evening we were blessed to go to some friends house to just hang out and use their washer and dryer. They weren’t even there and they let us make ourselves at home. I don’t know if they know what an incredible gift that was. It was quiet, comfortable, just us 4 and Jenna did not want to leave. I think she’s missing our routine of home life as well. The evening brought incredible sunsets, a fabulous lightening storm and it felt like I was able to catch my breath again after feeling like I was drowning.
Sally took that picture. Isn’t it incredible?!
Sunday we decided to celebrate Father’s Day in the Rocky Mountain National Park. I think that we’ve become too accustomed to living in the temperate weather of the city and forgotten everything we learned while living in Montana. We were very unprepared for the weather in the tundra that’s for sure. It was a beautiful, blustery day in the mountains. We did a couple short hikes taking in breathtaking views, wild life, high alpine flowers, and enjoying the presence of each other. We had a great time even though we got rained on at the end of the day and a were cold much of the day. Our kids did a great job and loved being in the great outdoors. Most of the time I don’t miss living in Montana but I do miss the incredible beauty of the mountains. For some reason, it’s as though you can breath a little deeper and longer in the wilderness. I think we all needed that this weekend.
I loved this sweet older man walking on the road. I hope that when I’m his age I’m still tromping through the National Parks.
My amazing hubby. It was so fun to celebrate him yesterday. He’s such a great dad to our kids!
We had a picture taken here 6 years ago at Bear Lake. Jenna was only 6 months old then; My how she’s grown!
I hope that you all had a great weekend as well. It’s time for me to return to my homework. Pray for me.
Great pictures Jody. So glad you guys got away and outdoors. Good for the soul! Love you and praying for you.
I, for one, love the melodrama. Cue the music! Cut an onion, I need tears!
You have what it takes, and I love you. Being in one apartment with another family of four sounds crazy-making to me. I would escape at any and all opportunity. Classes sound… well, I’m sure you’re learning a TON. 🙂 You’re such a peach, getting all soft in Portland (though I remember being caught off guard by RMNP’s weather myself, back in the day). I love you and miss you, friend. Just wanted to pop in and let you know I’m still reading what you have to say!