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Marking Time in May

May 27, 2022 by Lauren 18 Comments

Marking timeDo I start every month end round up with some sort of soliloquy on how fast time flies?  I just wanted to check because I’m definitely thinking that now.  For any parent of school aged children, May is murderously busy – which makes the time go even faster. But I’ll take a little time to slow down and reflect now that school is over and a long weekend looms large in front of us.  I’ll be marking time, will you?

 

What’s Keeping Us Busy in May

 

Shelby kicked off the month with an ice cream social for Best Buddies at a park.  I cannot begin to describe to you the joy she finds in spending time with other young adults.  She finished May with a small graduation from the transition program at the local high school.  I could write a book on how fortunate we feel to be in the school district we have for the last 19 years.  Their special education department is top notch.  Shelby has been well loved and taken care of from the time she was 3.  From the bus drivers and monitors to the teachers and aids and the sweet kids who volunteer their time with best buddies.  I have to wrap this up because I’m starting to cry.  But we are forever grateful for her time in GCISD.

 

We took our first official college tour for Allie on the 4th.  We didn’t have to travel far to Baylor University – our girl’s number one pick.  She still has another year to decide so that could change.  But this Baylor Bear wouldn’t mind.  Sic ‘Em!  I might have been as excited as she was to tour the campus.  It has changed and grown so much in the couple of years since I graduated.  And it didn’t disappoint.  So beautiful.  Dorm rooms (which look like apartments) sure are different!  Afterward, Allie had several days of AP testing – which is important (among other things) if she wants to go to Baylor!

 

 

 

Marking Time in Mother’s May

 

My mom went on a well deserved weekend away with my dad for Mother’s Day, so I decided to host my husband’s mom and some of his family.  He and I had fun laying out a creative spread on my new charcuterie board to serve the small crowd.  I got some sweet cards to go with the board, which really is the best present.  I didn’t get to relax for Mother’s Day, but I did get to be with family, which is often better.

 

Allie and friends had a busy banquet season.  Theater was first, where she took home the Best SOAP Actress award.  No, that doesn’t mean she’s been moonlighting on Days of Our Lives.  It stands for Senior Directed One Act Play.  There were 7 plays and she won best actress out of them all!  I am so proud of how she jumped into her high school’s theater program as a newbie mid year and worked so hard.  She put her whole heart into performing and it paid off.

 

Chuck and I got to attend Allie’s choir banquet.  She won the “jazz hands award”, meaning she’s always, always on stage. Sounds about right. We also witnessed the handoff from this year’s president to her. She is over the moon about the heading the department next year.  She finished banquet season by attending the golf soirée with her boyfriend. I enjoyed seeing her get dressed up for each one.

 

Allie’s last concert and voice recital of the year put a nice bow on semester’s end.  You can hear her recital solo here.

 

Medical Stuff in May

 

Chuck had a CT scan, which shows much smaller lymph nodes and no new growth.  Exactly what the doctor wanted to see.  We anxiously await a PET scan next month to see if he is clear of cancer.  I had a follow up with the doctor for my back and decided to increase one of my meds.  Slowly because it makes me tired and a tad loopy (some would say that’s normal).  Allie had all four wisdom teeth removed on the 13th and I had surgery for tennis elbow on the 18th.  As my younger sister said, “Way to support the medical community, Sparks family!”  I would like to stop supporting them to such a degree now.

 

Allie sailed through her wisdom teeth surgery – singing a solo with her choir the next night and going to a concert with friends at the House of Blues the next!  Ah to be 17! I have been slower to bounce back from my endeavor. I am definitely not 17.

 

Entertainment in May

 

A television program about the late, great Patrick Swayze listed the movie Skatetown USA as his first film appearance.  When the clip used showed a shirtless Swayze rollerskating across the screen, I had to look it up. When I saw the film also starred Scott Baio and Maureen McCormack, I knew I had to see it. I found it was unavailable on any streaming service, so I bought a DVD and planned a girls’ night.  This movie was the literal worst.  I won’t spoil it for those of you who are chomping at the bit to witness it yourself.  I will say that Mr. Swayze plays the leader of a gang called the Westside Wheelers – and that I haven’t laughed that hard with friends in a long time.  So it was well worth the time and money.

 

Chuck, Shelby and my sister Kristen went with me to see Downton Abbey: A New Era.  Loved this.  It had a much better plot than the first Downton feature movie.  We have also been sopping up every last minute of the final episodes of This is Us.  And last, we have been biding our time until we can see Top Gun: Maverick. We plan to do so very soon.

 

How are you marking time these days? Let’s catch up in the comments below. And as always I love you, thank you, and I hope Gene treats you well.

 

The Link Up

 

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

 

Last week I wrote about my exploration of rest. So many of your linked up posts spoke directly to this. I wish I could feature them all, but will settle for these two. Jen Avellaneda of richfaithrising.com wrote about the importance of quiet and the reason it’s so hard to stay there.  Stacey Pardoe talked to us about being still. Put those together and it’s quite a challenge, but one I need to work on. Maybe you do too. Thanks to both authors for linking up with Grace and Truth.

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

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

Comments

  1. Barbara Harper says

    May 27, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    I feel like I mark most end-of-month posts with a comment on the time, too. The months just seem to go faster and faster.

    We don’t have any in school now except my second-grade grandson, but I remember what a killer May could be with end-of-year programs, recitals, etc., etc.

    Wow, I am amazed your daughter did so much after getting her wisdom teeth out! I don’t think any of my guys could have. They were pretty out of it for a couple of days.

    Congratulations to both daughters on their achievements! I’m so happy to hear your husband’s lymph nodes are doing what they are supposed to. I hope everyone continues to heal well.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 27, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Thank you for the kind well wishes, Barbara!

      Reply
  2. Maryleigh says

    May 27, 2022 at 3:40 pm

    I am trying to settle into a balance of rest and the daily since my son’s wedding – I’m edging closer to it but not there yet. I love your month – the sweetness, the celebrations, the gatherings – May has the ability to be so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 27, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      I had’t really thought of it as beautiful, but you are so right. Thanks for pointing that out.

      Reply
  3. Alexandra says

    May 28, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    Such a fun re-cap of the month! It’s funny we all say it, but it really does seem that time does just fly right on by!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 30, 2022 at 9:36 pm

      I’m glad I’m not the only one, Alexandra!

      Reply
  4. Barb Hegreberg says

    May 31, 2022 at 10:45 pm

    You’ve been a busy lady!

    Here’s hoping that things slow down a bit in June. Unless of course, you enjoy the chaos.

    Visiting from #tellhisstory AND #grace&truth

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 1, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      No, I need it to slow down, Barb!

      Reply
  5. Joanne says

    June 2, 2022 at 5:12 pm

    That does sound like a busy May; so far it seems like June is the busy month here for wrapping up school stuff with something planned almost nightly! We saw Top Gun Maverick over the weekend and I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. Hoping and praying the PET scans show no cancer and hopefully you can all get a break from doctors/ medical things.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 2, 2022 at 6:00 pm

      I LOVED Top Gun! And thank you for the prayers.

      Reply
  6. Michele Morin says

    June 3, 2022 at 6:03 am

    Wow, the highs and the lows! No wonder the month seemed to fly!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 3, 2022 at 12:47 pm

      That’s what I keep saying!

      Reply
  7. Carol says

    June 3, 2022 at 7:05 am

    Sounds like you and your family had a busy and rewarding month of May.
    Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 20.
    Carol
    http://www.scribblingboomer.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 3, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      Thank you for being such a gracious host.

      Reply
  8. Ashley Rowland | HISsparrowBlog says

    June 3, 2022 at 8:54 am

    I’m pretty sure I mention the breakneck passage of time a lot myself. Each year seems to go by faster and faster. You did have a busy May. Wow. Loved the Downton movie.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 3, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      Wasn’t that movie so fun! I hope there are more.

      Reply
  9. Michelle says

    June 3, 2022 at 11:06 am

    I’m so glad your husband’s last CT scan was improved! And I wish you a speedy recovery on your arm. Yay for Allie’s quick recovery.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 3, 2022 at 12:44 pm

      Thank you so much, Michelle!

      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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