Seventh Grade, Pride, and Deep Talks

Mali ~ 

So, in continuation of telling about our camping trip, we actually ended up cutting it short and leaving earlier than expected on Saturday morning because Bryden's great grandmother had passed away and they were holding visiting hours that you really wanted to attend in order to support the family and pay your respects. How could we argue with that? I love the human you are. 

Also, while I can't go into details about it, I will mention that you received a very lengthy, heartfelt text from Bryden the next morning expressing their gratitude for you and your relationship and support and summarizing many of the wonderful adventures that you have experienced in your 6 months together. How cool is that? I swear. Your relationship with Bryden is healthier than many of my relationships up until I met your dad. Blows me away. 

On a funny note, in cleaning out your closet, you found the dinosaur t-shirt that I made for your fifth birthday. Bryden insisted on trying it on and made you do the same. It was hilariously tiny on you! I love how silly you both can be together.

The animals did their usual thing this month. Allowing us no personal space whatsoever while eating...

Or sleeping...(I'm the blue lump in the lower right of this photo).

sweet Susan in the sunshine

One wonderful thing is your new tradition of baking chocolate chip cookies every night around 9:30pm. Not only do you share your treat, but the house smells ah-mazing!

Before school officially started, I allowed you to have your gang of summer friends, the seemingly safe covid-bubble of kids that you have been hanging out with, over for a sleepover to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. It included Bryden, Lauren, and the triplets (Ashley, Anna, and Amy). Daddy put up the projector and screen and you watched Silence of the Lambs on the porch out back. Well, they watched the movie...you watched *most* of it (minus the most intense parts - some things haven't changed much yet since you were a wee one). 

The sleepover went well...everyone home safe and sound the next morning...and all of you are ready to begin a new school year, covid-style. 

one last photo of what you mostly did all summer long...
bike-riding through Westerville with friends
(you're in front, Bryden behind, Lauren snapped the shot)

Even your room is spiced up a bit for the new school year. Well, not exactly school supplies but we're busting into 7th grade with a whole lot of PRIDE! Woot woot!

And...*drumroll please*...introducing our brand new SEVENTH grader!!! I mean...c'mon...what a gorgeous kid (inside and out) on their first day of school. Right?!

"Long Legs McGhee" over here

After your first week of school was complete, we spotted a rainbow outside after a large storm. This picture was taken right outside our front door. When you saw it, you exclaimed, "A rainbow means another LGBTQ baby is born". I like that. I like that...A LOT.

welcome to the world, little LGBTQ baby

Now, the next few pictures are just for posterity and because I thought they were either sweet, funny or would be a good way to commemorate this moment in our collective history. I took a quick day trip to meet up with Aunt Tina in Yellow Springs to chat, have lunch, and be reminded of the good in the world. Anyway, here's some of what I saw...

a free food pantry (similar to the little free libraries)

a little humor with their covid safety reminders

I had no idea there was a fan club for our beloved
Dr Amy Acton (advisor to the governor
during this insane pandemic)

And that's that for Yellow Springs. 

Anyhoo, I also bought some stickers for my car (pictured below) and because I accidentally ordered extra, I was able to post on social media and offer the extras be mailed to any other Mama Bears of LGBTQ cubs, like me. Well, they were scooped up within an hour and I got to meet some other mama bears of kids who are still in the closet (for now), but their parents are already super supportive. Pretty awesome, kiddo. There is so much support out there if you just look for it! Heartwarming!

When my Mama Bear stickers came, this is the conversation we had...

You: Does Dad want one for his car?

Me: I don't know. Shawn, do you want one?

Dad: Hell yeah!

You: *fist pump* Yessss!

Side note: and THAT is how you parent, folks! 

I love our lil' family so much. Like, for real. How did I get this fortunate to have you both as my people?

Finally, I'll leave you with this. You and I have begun a new tradition that I adore, even if I am exhausted and totally dragging ass in the morning. It sometimes begins in the car on the late night drive home from dropping off Bryden and then will continue with you popping into my room around 11pm(ish) and deciding that you want to just chat about your day, your life, your identity, the universe, puberty, relationships, humanity, etc, etc, etc. It's a heavy load some nights and I have but one thing to say about it. 

I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. 

As an introvert by nature, and a therapist by training, this is so in my wheelhouse. I love our deep, lengthy talks. ❤️ This is the good stuff.

I love you so much. 

Mama

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. 

we played games in the evening and you both cracked me up!

you surprised me by wanting to go on a hike with me at 8am!

And then we rented a pontoon boat for a few hours. It was a blast!

Captain Mali!

this was the Burr Oak Lodge, as seen from the pontoon boat

we found a good place to drop anchor and swim in the lake

ahhh...relaxing!

cowabunga!!

look out below!!

on our last night, I spied you and Daddy chatting it up in the bunk room -

I think you two grew closer during this trip and it made my heart so happy

bye, cabin 23 - we'll miss you!

It's been a different July but as long as I have the two of you, it's always a good time. 

Love you, kiddo!

Mama