Easy-Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

We have this saying in our house, "easy-peasy lemon squeezy" and it seems to be the theme of this summer. I love these lazy summer days. I love the ease of it all... staying up late, sleeping in, eating popsicles outside, trips to the pool, wearing flip flops every day... I like this relaxed pace. It's nice not having our days scheduled from breakfast to bed. It's such a welcome respite form the intentionality and purpose that seems to rule so much of life throughout the year.

The kids have been on vacation with their dad this past week and I really dreaded their absence. Honestly, I was in a pretty foul mood the week before they left. I tried to put a positive spin on it and plan some fun things to fill the days, but my heart wasn't into it. I've never really been one to distract myself with busyness. So, with the help of my friends and family, I faced the week head on.

And it wasn't that horrible. What I found was that I missed my kids like crazy, but I really needed this break. And this relaxed, summer pace seemed to permeate my days. Normally, I don't do that very well. I rely on structure, order and routine to keep me centered - especially when life gets crazy. But easy-peasy seemed to be what I was craving, so easy-peasy it was.

So when the sadness crept in, I was sad; and when I was tired, I rested; and when I was lonely, I reached out... sounds simple - and in a lot of ways it was. Although admittedly it was a little counterintuitive for me and I found myself having to be intentional at times. But it was nice to get back to the basics for a while and to just let things unfold on their own instead of trying to control and manage it all.

I think that's why I had such a hard time planning my week before they left - I really wanted to make their absence manageable somehow, but it ended up being out of my control. They were leaving on a dream vacation with their dad, and I would be left behind. Not much to be done to change that.

But I made it through - and I more than survived, I actually enjoyed it! I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of it all. There was a good balance between missing the kids and enjoying this break. And the secret seemed to be in just letting things happen as they will and then riding it out.

Who knew it could be so easy-peasy, lemon squeezy? I'm loving these summer days...

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