Summer 2025 Life Update: Lazy Days, Urgent Cares, and Unexpected Joys
Summer 2025 has been relaxing and refreshing so far. We have a lot of travel coming up starting with the 4th of July, but in the meantime, we’ve been enjoying the slower-paced, lazy days of summer. We’re definitely checking off a lot from my summer activity list for kids!
The kids are super motivated to read as part of our library’s summer reading program, especially since there are fun gift cards and raffle prizes. Great motivation to keep your kids reading all summer long! We’ve also been spending time with friends weekly and working through our “must-watch” family movie list.
Since there’s a little extra time, one of my goals this summer was to establish a better chore routine. I’ve tried so many chore charts over the years, but I think I may have finally found the winner. It’s still in trial mode, but it’s actually working! If it holds up, I’ll definitely share a post with what we came up with.
Slowing Down Isn’t Always So Slow
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to truly slow down. My personality naturally leans toward staying busy, but I’ve been intentionally trying to embrace the quiet moments—finding a good balance between being productive and allowing room for rest.
But as always, even when I slow down, life finds its way of taking unexpected turns. This past week, we had more than our fair share of mishaps.
Urgent Care Twice in a Week
In the same week, both Gregory and Joshua ended up at urgent care.
Gregory—just an hour before his last tee-ball game—was jumping on our wooden “This End Up” couches. I love these couches because they match our cozy farmhouse-cabin style and are so sturdy… but they are not forgiving for jumping toddlers.
I warned him: “Gregory, do not jump on the couch.” But as toddlers often do, he didn’t listen. I went upstairs for just a moment, only to hear the crying and commotion from other children—he had fallen and cut under his lip, above his chin. As I rean down to inspect, I realized his cut was very deep. I did not want to admit it, but I was almost certain he needed stitches. (After seven kids, I’ve learned to identify which wounds are stitch-worthy).
I immediately called Paul, was at church waiting in line for confession, and he picked up instantly—because we’ve been through our fair share of injuries, he knew I wouldn’t call unless it was serious. I explained the situation and said I was pretty sure Gregory needed stitches, but the assessment could wait till he returned home.
Once Paul was home, we both agreed he needed to go into an urgent care. Sure enough, Gregory had cut all the way through under his lip. I hadn’t even thought to look inside his mouth—note to other parents: with lip injuries, always check inside too. Gregory handled it like a champ, though! I think he might finally listen when I say not to jump on the couch. Maybe.
It was a bummer that he missed his final tee-ball game because this kid—at only four years old—is a baseball lover through and through. At age two, he once packed his backpack with a bat and water bottle, handed me the car keys, and said, “I’m done waiting now. Bring me to my baseball team.”
He really enjoyed his first season of tee-ball, and even after getting stitches, he came to me and asked if we were still going to baseball. When I explained he missed the final game, his little face fell. “They played the last game without me?” he asked, lip quivering. I told him we still had the trophy ceremony, and just like that—sadness vanished. Kids are amazing.
Hosting Through Chaos
The night of Gregory’s injury, we still kept our dinner plans with friends. Paul assured me the urgent care trip wouldn’t take long, and we had really been looking forward to the evening. He is so good at accepting that curveballs of life. He also stated that stitches were just part of our routine, and felt confident having people over was a good choice. I was hesitant, but I’m so glad we kept the plans—it lifted Gregory’s spirits and turned the night around. One of the other dads even stepped up to grill the hot dogs since Paul did run a little late. Find friends who step in—that kind of support is invaluable.
Now, an Infected Toe
Just after Gregory’s ordeal, Paul left on a work trip, and I noticed Joshua’s toe looked a little off—like he had stubbed it. I washed and treated it, but after a day at the lake, I saw his toenail was lifted, and it looked worse.
My mama gut was telling me he needed antibiotics. Gregory also needed his stitches removed, so I loaded up both boys, brought my helpful 11-year-old daughter, and left my 13-year-old (love having a built-in babysitter!) in charge of the others.
Sure enough, I was right. Joshua’s toe was infected, and we were referred to a podiatrist. Never thought I’d be bringing a 23-month-old into the podiatrist! Parenting is always full of surprises—and how we respond to them matters. There’s always dismay, but also a chance to grow in virtue and resilience. Thankfully, both boys are now healing well.
Critter Car Scare
To top it all off, the same day I brought Joshua in, I had just picked up Samantha from horseback riding when I felt something on my foot while driving.
I looked down, and—to my horror—it was a baby snake in the car! Thankfully, I was coming to a stop sign. I opened the door and let it slither out. It turned out to be a harmless black snake, but still—a moment I won’t forget. Even after eight years living in the woods, that was a first.
Finding Grace in the Chaos
Life has a way of throwing surprises, but the Holy Spirit always gives us the grace to walk through the challenges and find gratitude.
I recently read The Hiding Place—highly recommend it! The way Corrie and her sister Betsy found beauty in suffering was so powerful. At one point, Connie, the main character, was recounting the time they were in the worst concentration camp. They recalled a Bible verse, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As the two sisters were finding things to be thankful for, Betsy remarked about the lice in the sheets. Connie could not understand why. There were some things she thought where gratitude could not be found. However, come to find out those lice were keeping the guards from checking their section of the prison, which allowed them to hold Bible meetings. Wow! What a lesson. These women even in a situation where they could easily despair, kept hope and thrived in their situation growing closer to Jesus.
This had me reflect on parenting. Not nearly as difficult as Nazi Concentration Camp, but Parenting is hard, but the virtue that is found is well worth the trial. It’s in those up and downs where the greatest growth of virtue can be found. The happy moments never fail to outweigh the trials. This leads me to end with one more laughable story to end on a light note.
One Last Laugh
Sunday Mass is always an adventure with our two youngest boys. Gregory was actually doing well, quietly sitting with a missal book, when Joshua (jealous that Gregory was on my lap) tried to squeeze in and ended up ripping a page from the back of Gregory’s book.
Frustrated, Gregory cried out, “He ripped my book!”
I whispered, “It’s okay—we can just tuck it back in.”
Without missing a beat, Gregory replied, “We can’t fix it without tape—and Jesus doesn’t have any tape here!”
The lady behind us began rolling in laughter. Why do toddlers save their most hilarious quips for church? Well, I am sure Jesus knows and is chuckling as well.
Wishing you a fun filled and accident-free summer! I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment with your favorite summer stories or activities.
Here are a few snap shots of our summer so far!
📷
Love behind-the-scenes family life?
Come hang out on Instagram: @gratefullywildhome
📌
Pin-worthy content your family will love?
Follow Gratefully Wild Home on Pinterest for motherhood encouragement, printables, and real ideas that work.
👍
Want more posts like this one?
Follow Gratefully Wild Home on Facebook for our latest updates.
💌 Love this post? Get more real-life family stories, large family travel reviews and tips free printables, and encouragement from a mama of 7 – subscribe below its free!
You may also enjoy this posts:
Gratefully Wild Home 
Leave a reply to Embracing the Unplanned: Lessons from Unexpected Family Moments – Gratefully Wild Home Cancel reply