Mama's Memories for M: Caverns, A Cabin, and the 'Rona

Mali ~

So, let's kick this off with my favorite day of the month of July - Family Day! While this year was a little different due to the 'rona, it was a special day nonetheless. It began with you coming downstairs after sleeping in pretty late (typical for a tween in summertime) and me cheering like a crazy person when I saw you. I was deep into working from home but you actually entertained a hug for me and then even brought breakfast down to eat with me while I worked. We watched the brief video Daddy spliced together from this day 11 years ago. It made my day to start it off with you like that. You then were off with friends all day to hang out and bike/walk around Westerville, which is so different than Family Days of years past, but such are the tween years. You are growing up so quickly. Regardless of what today looks like in comparison, I am so grateful for all of the memories our family has made through the past 11 years and I'm looking forward to many more in the years ahead. Each year, you and I have new and deeper conversations and experiences. Big moments are momentus, but I think my favorite may be the thousands of small moments, spontaneously and unexpectedly, just sharing the impactful details of being human. Together. I don't know what exactly I expected out of motherhood but you have helped me surpass it all... better than my wildest imagination of what life would be like with you. Thank you for being you and sharing your life with us. And thank you to your birth parents wherever they may be...none of this would be possible without them. I realize that it can feel bittersweet at times. You have shared this with me, too, in our many honest and heartfelt conversations. With each passing year, you have more and more questions for them. I hear you and I understand. I hope you continue to share this complicated mix of emotions with me. Thank you for trusting me with that. I also know that when I look at the stars, I think of your birth parents with wonder. For myself, I send hope and loving gratitude ❤️ forever and always.

Ok, now step back a couple days to the 4th of July. Again, not the typical holiday for numerous reasons. However, you and I shared this evening together, spontaneously, and it made things feel a little more normal and a lot more special for me.

This month has brought a lot of time with a certain fixture in our lives more and more and more. Bryden Bear has been spending many days with our family and vice versa with you in theirs. Your relationship is sweet to watch. The two of you are solidly kids and tweens but also have a certain level of maturity in the relationship department that is rare for people your age. It's fascinating and warms my heart. We definitely enjoy this new addition to our little tribe.

picnicking at Schiller Park

You two also do silly things like this...naming your TikTok handles strange names like @hackingwetgoats (what?!) - however, I love that you also are making a point to show solidarity with the fight for racial justice by using a BLM profile picture.

at the farmer's market

You also have spent some time with Jocelyn this month, which has done good for both of you. It's been hard to have social circles pared down so much due to the 'rona, especially at your age. In this picture below, I caught Grizz watching something intently from the back porch.

Then I realized it was you and Joc, working hard on a set of stairs, a bridge, and a teepee across the creek behind our house. I love that you two are working on such an optimistic and creative project together. It's turning out pretty cool, too!

After a while, Chase came by to pick up you and Joc and take you (along with Dylan) to go kayaking at Hoover. You had a blast and now, you are officially a fan of kayaking and currently begging Daddy and me for one. Ha.

when not kayaking, you're still enjoying the new porch with your pups

So, I know I mentioned that Bryden is a new staple around our house, but have I mentioned "Barbara"? Um, yeah. See below. She's a creation from the minds of Bryden and Mali. Should I be scared? Ha.

"Hi! I'm Barbara!"

We've been spending so much time at home and being so careful, we could only handle it for so long. Towards the middle of our almost 5th month of being cooped up due to the 'rona, we decided to try venturing out (carefully) for a day of fun. We had our heart's set on canoeing, but then quickly realized that everyone and their brother in Ohio had thought of the same thing that day. Instead, we changed plans and spent our day going to Duck Donuts, the Ohio Caverns, and then G&R Tavern in Waldo for some of their famous fried bologna sandwiches. It wasn't the day we had originally planned but it was just the day we needed. Just being together, unplugged and laughing as we rolled through back country roads of emerald green corn and soybean fields under bright blue skies made us all feel better.

Bryden had never had Duck Donuts before and loved them

mining for gems while we waited for our turn in the caverns

look at those beautiful, rolling country fields

and then we went underground

zonked out on the ride home

To add to our itchy feet and the need to break out of the same monotony, we decided to head to Burr Oak State Park and spent two nights in a secluded cabin as a family. It was another trip that was just what the doctor ordered to shake things up and beat the 'rona blues. I loved every minute with you and Daddy.