Category: Uncategorized

mollymoo behind the wheel

Posted on by kdorminy

I could feel my chest tightening the closer my car got to the DMV office. Molly was sitting in the passenger seat as we made our way to the dreadful building. I prayed off and on asking for relief from my anxiety and for nice employees. I knew I had every piece of paper needed, but I also knew this did not guarantee anything and it definitely didn’t exempt me from their meanness or ensure a smooth visit.

Well, it most assuredly did not turn out so smooth. Did we leave with the license? Yes. So mission accomplished, but not without a lot of frustration. I’ve mentioned here before that I haven’t met someone who had a lovely experience at the DMV. The employees at my local DMV, in my experiences, which are many due to moving here five years ago and having two official drivers at this point, are pitifully miserable people that would only be hired here because their incompetence would not be tolerated anywhere else. Of course, they don’t mind, seeing as their job is secure. We have to go there. There is no other option for getting your license. None. The DMV is all you’ve got.

I will spare you the details of the ridiculousness and rudeness of this trip, but I will tell you that I had many thoughts running through my head. I prayed that my kids would never be people that worked at a place like this or treated people the way these people treated people. I prayed that Josh would gladly volunteer for any DMV appointments we have to make with Mack in the future. And I prayed that I would remember that, generally speaking, the same entity that runs this place is also trying to direct my health choices like a vaccine or filthy masks or isolation. I am sensing that maybe none of them have a clue what is going on. Winging it comes to mind. But, hey, what do I know?

End result? A licensed driver name Molly. And a sweet trip to visit Mrs. Sara, whom Molly had planned as her first stop now for months. The girl knows who will celebrate with her, and I am so thankful for sweet and generous friends.

All’s well that ends with friends and ice cream, right? Right! Thankful for the bright spot at the end of this experience. 😊 and thankful I have no upcoming appointment at the DMV!

First First and Last First and Fun First

Posted on by kdorminy
Today is Mack’s First First Day of high school.
Today is Ruby’s Last First Day of high school.
Today is Molly’s Sweet 16 Birthday on the First Day of junior year of high school.
Ruby (17), Molly (16), Mack (14)
First Day 2021
First Day (of traditional school ever) 2019

Wow! These kids are growing up quickly! Looking forward to a great year for all three. Thankful for this part of their journey even though three teenagers is not for the faint of heart.

Sweet 16 for Molly Moo

Posted on by kdorminy
Molly’s fourth birthday was on her very first day of a co-op with home school. And wasn’t she a cutie? That birthday button filled with princesses is adorable.

And today is Molly’s 16th birthday on her first day of her junior year of high school. And she is still a cutie.

Molly is a fun girl who loves people. She plans ways to gather at all times. As soon as one get together is over, she presents a new plan to gather people. It wears this mama out, but I’m also glad she loves people. And lots of people love her, it seems.

This group was lots of fun! But I must say there are some good friends not here because of sickness.
We started with her favorite food here at the house —baked ziti, bread and salad. Then they went in two groups on a photo scavenger hunt. They came back and got freshened up for photos and dinner where some more friends from church met them. They all can back here for games and ice cream cake and cobbler.

Fun time all around for Molly as we celebrated her Sweet 16! We love Molly and all the life she brings to our home and family. I especially love all the music that flows from her room as she plays piano and sings. Sure will miss that one day! Happy 16th, Molly Moo!

Senior Fun

Posted on by kdorminy

For a small fee, Seniors can paint their parking spot! So we did!

R-U- 🐝

R-U-BEE

RUBY!

It was a fun, hot morning! Glad we got to do this together. Molly was a huge help! Have a great Senior year, Ruby! We love you.

Saturday

Posted on by kdorminy

I woke up in the 5:00 hour and quietly got coffee ready and sat on the balcony looking at the moon and listening to the waves. So peaceful.

Like that moon is reflecting on the water, I reflected on the week and wrote down some take-away thoughts in my journal.

Opening the front door of our villa we could see the sun rise over the bay. All of it was gorgeous.
All packed up and off to the airport!
Super fun week!!! Won’t soon forget the many moments we had together. ❤️

Friday, final vacay day

Posted on by kdorminy

Big sigh. Final day. Last sunset.

Another slow morning with Josh on the balcony with our Bibles and coffee. I’ve so enjoyed my time with him.
Time at the beach was wonderful—again. The sun down here in south Florida is fierce. I love it. Molly and Mack rode a jet ski with Josh today. Kids ordered lunch on the beach. I napped in my beach chair under the umbrella. It was perfection.

And of course we ended the evening on the beach with the sunset. Glorious in every way.

I’d be hard pressed to name my favorite part of the trip, but if I was forced to it would probably be the sunsets. They point to our amazing Creator God. It reminds me of His faithfulness and goodness and creative beauty. I think about His mercies being new every morning. Josh often says , “No matter how much of a disaster today was, tomorrow stands ready to be different.” Amen. This rhythm. This faithful routine of sunrises and sunsets and seasons—-it was God’s idea. And I love Him!

Tomorrow is for returning the rental car, maneuvering through the armpit of America that is an airport, boarding a plane, claiming baggage, reuniting with our dog, and unpacking. But that’s tomorrow…..

Thursday on Vacay

Posted on by kdorminy

Not as many photos today. My people are over the pictures, but I did manage some.

I spent the day on the beach with family members coming and going as they pleased. And they all went shopping at outlets no one was impressed with🤷🏼‍♀️

We went for a walk on the beach as a family this evening. Lots of people were out and about and the sunset did not disappoint.

These kids aren’t able to comprehend how blessed they are to have Josh as a dad. He is our leader. He loves us, and we love him. We have talked often on this very trip how seasons change and our kids are growing up and needing us in different ways than previous years. I’m sure they would kind of prefer hanging with their friends than us these days, but we have enjoyed all being together and making some memories. I hope the kids know we will walk with them through anything! Thankful for each of them.

Thursday of vacation is now in the books! Hoping our last day is the best of all! Goodnight!

Wednesday of vacay

Posted on by kdorminy

Another gorgeous day in south Florida! The adventurous ones (Josh, Mack and Molly) started their morning parasailing. I watched safely from the patio.

Most of us stayed on the beach for most of the day.

We went to dinner and then played mini golf. Josh won but I came in a close second!! And Ruby and Josh got holes in one!

We were all dripping in sweat, so we went to Pelicans again for sno cones. No photos of that—I was focused on the air conditioner blowing directly on me. AND we realized Josh lost his phone. We located it at mini golf but the extra time it took to get the phone didn’t allow for us to make it back to the beach for the sunset. Josh tried to get us there but traffic was thick. He was sweet to try. The sky was still absolutely gorgeous. And I wonder every night why I don’t live some where with open skies that display sunsets like this on the regular.

One of my kids likes to hug and touch. Can you guess which one?
Sure do love this man. He works hard and gives generously to us. I’ve prayed before this week that he would be mentally, physically and spiritually renewed during our time away.

Now off to bed for some of that physical renewal!

Vacation: Tuesday

Posted on by kdorminy

Tuesday was another beautiful day on the beach and it ended with beautiful time with family. Josh’s cousin, Grace, and her family—Pete, Taylor, Blake, Riley, and Hayden—live about 20 minutes from our resort. The food they spread before us was delicious. Grouper with mango salsa, shrimp, rice and beans, salad, potatoes, chips and fresh guacamole, and more. Their kids were absolutely delightful and so very funny!! Such a treat to have spent time with them. Pete even took us adults on a quick golf cart ride to see the sunset. There was a whole street of houses situated such as to see the most gorgeous sunsets night after night and I seriously doubt why I didn’t make it my life’s goal to live on that street. It sounds dramatic, but I’m about as serious as I can be.

Molly braided the girls’ hair and they returned the favor😂 Mack made a funny comment about the evacuation sign. He thought it meant turn right there at the sign, which would have been on the grass and into a building. We explained it meant at the next street. He was sure they needed to explain it a little better bc he would’ve turned at the sign. Riley was super impressed with portrait mode on my phone camera and was so cute about it. She also told Josh he reminded her of this person they know “with a big head.”😂😂 and she also told me they had curly hair but that I had “really, really curly hair” as she studied the ringlets on my head. And when she asked why Ruby didn’t want to play doll house with them, I whispered to her that 17 year olds sometimes don’t like to play, and she gasped and her eyes got huge. She did not understand that at all. Taylor was so mature and seemed very helpful to her parents. Blake, the only boy with three sisters, seemed as laid back and sweet as could be. And baby Hayden was just hilarious and hospitable, showing me all around their home and yard and even successfully beckoning me on to their trampoline! Sure do wish we lived closer to them. Maybe one of those houses that face the sunset on the water will become available after I win the lottery.
So fun seeing Josh with his cousin. The cousin relationship is a special one! I wish my kids were growing up closer in proximity to their cousins, but it’s still a sweet relationship across the miles.
I mean, can you imagine LIVING with this view on the daily? I’m just amazed. Gorgeous.

So as the sun set on another amazing day here, I can’t help but be so grateful for this summer trip full of family and fun! So thankful!

Monday @ vacay

Posted on by kdorminy
Josh and I spent the morning together again. Time in the Word, a good walk on the beach, breakfast and then the beach!
I was alone during the afternoon since the kids all got burnt and decided a movie would be a better choice today.

We are learning that the kids’ schedule is opposite ours. They sleep in, like—a lot. And they aren’t impressed with the sunrise or the breakfast buffet. And I already told you how their skin did in the sun yesterday. Soooo, they went to the movie in the afternoon and Josh said they were fine but didn’t have much energy or enthusiasm about anything. It wasn’t until around 7:00pm that they “turned on.” This is the same time I’m ready to sit and watch the sun set and then get in the bed. But I followed their energy even though it meant leaving the beach sooner than I wanted after the sun set.

Me snapping a few more photos of the beautiful evening sky while my family heads to the car for Pelicans sno cones.
Ruby (age 17, summer before senior year)
Don’t worry, she put all these back.

We ended the night with sno-cones. And the kids were high energy and crazy. This is the season we are in and there are usually growing pains as you live with five growing and changing individuals—three of which are trying to figure out who they are and what they want and how to manage emotions. Heck, I’m 44 and still working on some of the same things. But we love each other, and I am grateful for the time we have together this week. I’m just gonna let them sleep in and do their thing while I wake up at the literal crack of dawn and do my thing…and then hope for energy in the evening when they get into party mode.

It was a fabulous Monday. Now, seriously, I’m going to bed!😴