Lauren Sparks

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August is Gone

August 27, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

Transitioning a medically complex child from pediatric doctors and insurance to adult care is challenging.  And that’s me using my nice words.  I have others.  August 1 was Shelby’s start date and I have been working on it ever since.  Phone calls, emails, paperwork and internet searches.  Maybe one day I will get all this figured out.

 

Shelby and I got to go stay with my sweet PawPaw while my parents (who he lives with) went on vacation.  I could listen to stories of his younger days – especially his love story with my Grandma – a long, long time before tiring of them.  And he shared some I had never heard this visit!  Allie couldn’t go with us because she attended an invitation only PSAT camp.  Not my idea of camp as it’s really an intensive cram session for kids with potential to earn National Merit Scholar designation.  Crossing my fingers for that scholarship money!

 

One of the highlights of my summer is now our annual (I hope) trip to the lake with my best friend and her family.  I even got behind the boat this year for the very first time.  Fellowshipping and laughing with these folks feeds my whole being and brings such joy to me.  They are my happy place.

 

Several doctor and dental appointments readied us for the school year to start on the 18th.  Allie is now in 11th grade and Shelby, at 21, is entering her last year of eligibility for the special education transition program.  If you need me, you can find me in denial.

 

In addition to the book I reviewed last week, I read Confessions of a Proverbs 32 Woman:  How I Went from Messed Up to Blessed Up Without Changing a Single Thing by Kerri Pomarolli.  I heard Kerri on a podcast and I laughed unladylike all the way through.  The book is not nearly as funny.  And speaking of podcasts, I’ve added a couple of new ones to my playlist.  The RELEVANT Podcast quickly became a favorite full of humor, current events and music.  My new guilty pleasure is PEOPLE in the 90’s.  For clarity, that’s People Magazine.  It’s a mindless deep dive into the popular culture of my teens and twenties.

 

Haven’t spent as much time in front of the tube this month.  I did watch Schmigadoon! on Apple+.  My husband bowed out of that one since its full of show tunes.  The series parodies all the old musicals with big, bright musical numbers.  It has a little too much innuendo for my taste, but not much language.  Pretty funny.  The hubs and I did sneak in Free Guy at the movies.

 

That’s about it from here – except I’ll add, “Come on Fall!”.  I thank you, I love you, and I pray September treats you well!

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

 

My heart broke while I simultaneously found a kinship with Donna from Serenity in Suffering while reading When Gratitude Becomes a Sacrifice.  I wrote on the topic here.  As believers, we all have a choice to make in the midst of pain – curse God or praise Him.  Donna illustrates this point beautifully.

 

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Filed Under: Christian, entertainment, Grace & Truth Link Up, monthly review

Comments

  1. Amy Johnson says

    August 27, 2021 at 7:25 am

    Thanks for the party. I wanted to see that musical, as I love musicals, but I cancelled my Apple TV a long time ago.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 27, 2021 at 9:06 am

      I know. We intended to let ours go when the free trial was over but my husband got really into a show and wanted to extend it a bit. That’s how they get ya!

      Reply
  2. Donna says

    August 27, 2021 at 10:30 am

    Thank you, Lauren for your kind words and for featuring my post today! I love your round up of life happenings and fun things you did and experienced in August! I love your photos and the way you share, it feels like a girlfriend talk full of fun!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 27, 2021 at 11:13 am

      A girl friend talk? I love that and is just what I was going for. Thank you! And it’s a pleasure to share your beautiful words and candid thoughts.

      Reply
  3. Barbara Harper says

    August 27, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    Medical stuff can be SO frustrating. Especially when you talk to different official people and get different instructions. Hope the rest can be worked out smoothly.

    That’s so neat you got to visit with your PawPaw and friends.

    I’ve wondered if Schmigadoon! was any good. I love show tunes.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 29, 2021 at 8:43 am

      Not all of the show was great, but the musical numbers were top notch. They filmed it during the broadway shutdown so they had lots of pros to use!

      Reply
  4. Lynn says

    August 28, 2021 at 9:03 am

    I’m a “Come on Fall” gal, too! I love everything about September and October including cozy sweaters and socks!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 29, 2021 at 8:42 am

      It doesn’t get cold enough here for sweaters until closer to December/ January, but I know what you mean. I’m just grateful in Fall to stop sweating so much!

      Reply
  5. Theresa Boedeker says

    August 28, 2021 at 3:12 pm

    Lauren, I too loved Donna’s post. You mentioned the podcast that Kerri Pomarolli was on that you laughed through, but I don’t think you didn’t mentioned the name. Do you remember the name?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      August 29, 2021 at 8:42 am

      Yes! It was Front Porch with the Fitzes, ep. 323. And I’m on ep. 360!

      Reply
  6. Joanne says

    August 30, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    I hope your daughter gets that scholarship! College prices are no joke; that’s for sure.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 1, 2021 at 3:10 pm

      I know, Joanne. It would be so great!

      Reply
  7. Maryleigh says

    August 30, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Parenting in so many ways becomes so much more challenging as our kiddos grow. What made me think it would be easier?! Praying that this year open doors and opportunities for you and your girl’s next step! – (Fall’s my favorite season but I’m already ready for snow this year).

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 1, 2021 at 3:10 pm

      Parenting a teen is so much harder than I thought it would be!

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    August 31, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    What a full August you had, Lauren! It’s busy years with kids still at home. (And yet somehow, even with kids out of the home, it’s still busy. ha) I hate to see the summer go (it’s my favorite season) but fall is always a nice respite before winter gets here.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 1, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      I might enjoy summer more if I didn’t live in a furnace!

      Reply
  9. Bethany McIlrath says

    September 1, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    Fun to learn about your summer and family time! I’ll say “come on fall!” right with you and I just prayed for you and the big transitions of this year!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 2, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      Thank you so much for that prayer, Bethany. It means so much to me.

      Reply
  10. Tea With Jennifer says

    September 1, 2021 at 7:10 pm

    I loved having a cuppa here today with you Lauren!
    I felt we were sitting at a cafe having a girl time catch up!

    I’ve thought of you & Shelby often this week as I Video “chatted” to me granddaughter with special needs.
    Some of her special needs are hearing loss & non verbability, although she is getting some words. Which is so very exciting!
    She also has a range of other mosaic special needs…

    We are all still in lock down here so it’s difficult for her Mum to try & keep her occupied while her siblings are doing online school & her Mum working online.
    Bless you,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 2, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      I’m so glad it felt like a chat. That is the goal. ANd I feel like I got to hear a little bit about you too since you commented. Thank you, Jennifer!

      Reply
  11. Melynda Brown says

    September 8, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Although I do not have a special needs child, my oldest (now 47) was hospitalized 6 times in a three-year period to repair, retrain and rehab congenital problems. Those stays were tough on us all, but as a mother who did not (not much anyway) leave the hospital, it was heart-wrenching. I hope your coming years as the best they can be. Sending thoughts of happiness from my family to yours.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 8, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      I can tell you get it, Melynda. I’m glad those years are behind you and thank you for the well wishes. And thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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