Growing

This time three years ago, I was afraid to leave my house.  We didn’t do anything in the summer except veg.  The kids would play.  I would work.  There was no suntan.  There was no vacation.  There was just us and we were empty.

But things have changed.  Whereas I would’ve NEVER invited someone to come spend time with us, let alone see my house, embarrassed about it, and not knowing what to say, this year, I’m all about the entertaining.

I met someone through varying degrees of God a few weeks ago.  It started through work and he came in to meet with my boss.  He friended me on facebook, we chatted, and when he said he had a project that he wanted my help with, we met to discuss it.  The following week I invited him and his family to the lake to hang with us.  Never met his wife, or his children, nor had he met my family, but it just seemed like something I should do.

I was nervous before they got here.  In fact, I looked at the boy and said, "I feel like I’m waiting for a date.  What if they don’t like us?"

"That’s their fault," he replied.  Nothing seems to worry him or bother him which is good I guess.  I worry enough for the both of us.

Three years ago I didn’t wear shorts or a bathing suit infront of anyone.  I’ve lived in shorts when I’ve not been working this summer and I didn’t think about it at all when I invited people here.  They got here and I yelled "come on in!"

And we spend the day in the water, on the jet ski, jumping from the deck (yes, even I did!) and on the water trampoline.  It was different for a few reasons.  One, the boys kids weren’t here, so that just left my two.  Sam brought a friend.  So there were still lots of kids!  And I love that.  The more people laughing and having fun, the better.

I guess I’ve seen alot of change in me in the last few years, but more specifically in the last year.  Part of it is due to the boy.  He’s stretched me in ways that I didn’t think I could.  He’s introduced me to a way of life that I didn’t know existed.

But there have been other people that have been put in my path, both positive and negative that have allowed me to better deal with situations, change and grow.

But it’s good.  I like it.

And I liked the family that came to spend time with us today.  In fact, I told them about my little date analogy as well and at the end of the day, they said that they would like to hang out again.  Which would be way cool with us.  I think we could use a little more positive in our lives.

(Plus, she has a farm on Farmtown.  So she’s cool in my book to start.)

Until next time…