The First Sunday of Summer

This morning there is a somber feeling tone going on at our home. For most families are celebrating summer beginning this week, but in our home its more of a somber tone. Today for the step or blended family means that your children are leaving for weeks at a time. For some families it means a hostile transfer, court ordered even, to not deal with each other this day. For other families it means a nice lunch or dinner after driving together, then leaving with friendly waves. For our family it means loading up four weeks of clothes, things, possessions and loveys and knowing that they will be 400 miles away for four weeks.
The days that lead up to Transfer Day are pretty hairy. The children get nervous about the changes. Its a mixture of excitement to see loved ones there and sadness to leave friends and activities here. We call it Toxic Transfer Week at our home, because in many ways it is simply that....a toxic time of emotions that really aren't about whatever it is they are aimed at, but about handling the emotions that come with change.
This year we are all pretty neutral and excited about the change. There are no custody battles going on like last year. There are no anxts about us having moved from Arkansas to Alabama. There's even a new stepmom in the picture on the ride home. The children are excited to know her more fully, be with their grandparents and generally live a country kid life this summer.
Meanwhile I am aware that God is God and there is such appreciation that our situation is friendly, happy, and easy this year....it wasn't that way one year ago.
This year we're splitting the weeks they are there. Six weeks was simply too long for Madison so we're doing 4 and 2 with a horse camp she loves during the middle one followed by two weeks at home then two weeks back. We will visit her, because she IS such a Mama's girl right now and I don't want to miss that one bit!
Meanwhile God has the ministry projects going full blast and I have alot of catching up to do with our friends and neighbors (Becky!!! I miss our time together!) I have new diet goals and clothes to refit down. I have a friend in Hazel Green who may get weary of how my heart pours out to her, God is so speaking to me about her right now.
Meanwhile let the cleaning begin. Last night I did our bathroom with a new mat, fresh counters and a clean floor. Yardsales provided the big tray to hold my pretties and I am so tickled with it I may do before and afters for you tomorrow. I have a need to reduce, lessen, and declutter right now as my weight goes down so my need for order is going up! Who knew!
Its almost Bible school time and I am looking forward to at least some time helping!

God is God and let us all pray for the transfer families today, its a hard hard day for some children and families!