Greener Grass

This summer in particular I find myself dreaming of a place where the grass is greener.

Not actually literally, in fact, our grass is SO green due to the cool weather and rain that we've been given.  (We have not even had to water at all this season.)

And last check a few minutes ago on our outdoor temp gauge it was 59 degrees...

The national weather forecasts reveal many places where our daytime temp is flipped with the other locations.  Although 95 vs 59 would be a bit warmer than preferred, I do find my heart longing for a summer where we see (and feel) the sunshine every day.

Then, I remind myself that envy only serves to deeply rob my joy.

Two unrelated things lie at he crux of my grievances.  Summer weather, (sunshine in particular), is near and dear to my heart.  I feel so let down when the long-awaited summertime brings cool, overcast days (and weeks) where it feels like fall or spring instead.

Secondly, we have a baby that still needs naps twice a day.  This is very limiting to when and where we can venture.  Our older two active boys need to be just that.

It seems like at least once a day I find myself so torn between making a decision to benefit only one out of two parties, leaving the other one sorely lacking (and letting me know that VERY clearly).

Missing a nap or napping on the go is not something I desire every day for our baby.  Once in a while is something I am ok with but not for every day.  The more overtired he becomes the less he can actually nap by the time we do come home...exhausting cycle for him and me.

Staying at home while the baby naps morning and afternoon creates an endless supply of unused energy welling up inside our 4 and 6 year old boys.  Fighting and frustration are almost always the end result...as is also waking up the baby from his nap in the process.  More frustration.

We've been trying to go outside in the front or back to find a way to please everyone, but they get easily bored and are ready to go somewhere to change the scenery.

The end result, I feel like I can't win either way...

So, I find myself once again revisiting my thankfulness journey.

When I do search I for the good and lovely, it is not difficult to remember how incredibly blessed we are.

We do live in a place that can seem quite refreshing to many who long for the intense heat to break.  For a baby that needs cool weather with his helmet in order not to overheat, our location is ideal.

We LOVE, LOVE our baby boy and although he needs to nap a lot, we are so thankful he sleeps like a champ, (around 2 hours for each nap and 12 hours at night)...

I need to remember that next summer will provide new challenges as I have 3 active boys wanting to run in 3 different directions.  We will be able to venture out all morning, each morning, if desired, but I may look back on this summer and see how I had special time with the older 2 while baby boy was napping.

I pray that I will find a rhythm that works for everyone and also for a summer where I don't dread what each day will bring, weather and not meeting the boys' needs.  And also that the beautiful blessings that are brought from this time of year would be always on the forefront of my mind each day -- and also that I would bloom where I am planted.  Regardless of the weather and circumstances.

Yes, the grass is always greener on the other side, but perhaps, I really am on the "other side".