Really enjoying listening to Ben Rector’s catalog. Pleasant songs to unpack to and listening on the HomePod is a real treat.

I knew that Mass this evening was going to be a struggle. We arrived home after lunch, and given the week worth of strange sleep schedule and arrangements on the road, the kids were bound to be tired. Felicity was the one I was really worried about.

Sure enough, she was just chatty. Not terrible, just loud and constant. As I sat there wishing that she would settle down, all I could focus on was her loud voice filling up the quiet chapel.

God spoke clearly to this weekly struggle that parents feel:

> And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Let the voices of the young Church speak and may they be welcomed.

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2

Gospel: John 6:41-51

Even Elmo is happy to be home in his bed.

Food Network Star is total garbage. Never again! Manny is king!

It’s good to be home.

There’s nothing quite like a road trip on brand new tires.

What a great find on the road!

Our week at Lake Michigan is coming to a close. Even though I used to live here, this is actually only the second time that I can remember coming to the lake. The first time was at a big state park and, this time, a private residence with a quiet beach.

Growing up, whenever we went on the water, it was usually the Atlantic Ocean. I wasn’t a fan of the way the salt water made my skin feel, the sand everywhere, and the beating hot sun. I was more of a mountain person than a beach person. After this week, I’ve clearly turned.

Months of 100°+ temperatures and high humidity at home set me up perfectly to enjoy this week. The cool lake breeze and temperatures in the low 70s at night have been like a drink of cool water. We had rainy days, windy days, cloudy days, and sunny days. I spent a lot of time out in the kayak and building fortifications to protect Benedict’s sand castles. I particularly enjoyed floating in the open kayak with my legs overboard.

My favorite activity this week was going out in the lake and existing. If I was out on the kayak, I’d sit and let the waves pass me by. I also walked out 40 yards onto a sandbar and body floated. Existing in the tranquility of the lake was rejuvenating.

The sunsets have been phenomenal, as have the aunts and uncles, running around with the children while I blogged, journaled, swam, and read. We picked up the tradition of cooking a meal each night by different members of the family, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to share those meals out on the deck.

All good things must come to an end. If I lived at the beach, I’d take it for granted. This place is too special to go to waste. Instead, we’ll decamp to our Western homestead, and enjoy a completely different ecosystem. I’ll always remember this week at the lake, and count the days until we do it again.

Van is on the road again. Just in time!

Nice day to read on the deck and enjoy the breeze.

Great fun on the lake this morning. Slight breeze and calm water.

I’m so excited for the RapidWeaver 8 launch next week. Lots of good features to look forward to! Indie software is such a pleasure to work with.

Good night, Lake Michigan.

On the road today for an expedition and had to turn around due to car trouble. Grateful to be near a shop I trusted who could help me out!

Kicking myself for forgetting to pack my microphone for microcasting on the road. I resolve to make it as essential as chargers on packing for all future trips.

We got the kids out the door after breakfast to go and pick some blueberries! They were pretty ripe and fell off of the bushes, which was really nice. The children preferred eating them to putting them in the bucket.

I’ve never been an Apple News user. Now that it’s coming to the Mac, with all of that cross-platform syncing goodness, I’m diving in.

Private beach, cool water, good times!