Meet The Early's: That’s A Wrap On Summer

Summer kept rolling after we got back from Breckenridge. I had to go to Phoenix for work, another quick day trip. That’s all I am taking these days, and so far, so good. We will see how it goes once school starts. That weekend the kids were off to Kirksville with the Brawners, and I headed down to Lake of the Ozarks for a weekend on the lake with David and Jonathan Cleaver. It was a win-win: the kids had fun in Kirksville hanging out with their cousins and grandparents, while I got some much-needed adult time and conversations with good friends. Briley had to work, so she stayed home and got the house to herself, which she always enjoys. I came home to a clean house and fresh flowers on the counter—she is her mother in so many ways.

The next week, I tried to get a head start on packing the kids for Kanakuk, as the following week was shaping up to be a busy one. This was a first for me. I had to make sure they had all their costumes and essentials. There were a lot of Amazon orders and trips to Walmart, but we got it done and nobody forgot anything. Atticus wrapped up his basketball season that week with a couple of thrilling games, winning one and losing one. Overall, it was a great season, and the boys had fun.

The following week started with another day trip to fabulous Columbus, Ohio. On Wednesday, we headed up to Kirksville to celebrate Amanda’s 50th birthday. The Bobziens also surprised us with the news that they bought a house and were moving to Kirksville from Louisville. It will be so nice having them home and with family during these challenging times. Always in our prayers. We also paid a visit to Papa Sparks. He broke his ankle a few days before and was homebound. He had surgery the following week and is on the mend. He has 6 weeks before he can put weight on it, so he is getting used to the walker and scooter. I think Atticus enjoyed the scooter more than him though.

We came back home Thursday evening, and between work being crazy busy and tying up loose ends for Kanakuk, it was a hectic couple of days. To top things off, I was also going on vacation! Autumn, Tabitha, Jonathan, and I had planned to drop our kids off at Kamp and then jet down to Jonathan’s parents' new house in Fort Myers Beach. When Autumn passed, I told Tab and Jonathan that they were stuck with me because I was not spending a week alone at home.

We headed out Saturday morning, and this year we took Briley’s friend Malia with us. We met up with my sisters and friends outside Big Cedar, took some group pics, and then headed off to K-7. There, we dropped off Briley, Baylor, and Malia. Baylor, Brady, and Owen were in Teepee 6, and Briley, Malia, and Bella were in Teepee 12. It was nice because, for the first time since 2019, we were able to go into Kamp and watch them get announced—like the good old days. The older kids were not keen on us sticking around, so we headed out and straight to K-Kountry to drop off Finley and Atticus. Allison did not have anyone there for the first time but made Andrew drop her off so she could watch the younger kids and help Sara, Kaitlin, and I if we needed it. Finley and Lola were in Barn 9, and Atticus and his buddy Dean were in Barn 4.

I have to admit, usually I am a happy camper when I get back into the car after drop-off because it means a week alone with Autumn. This year, I got teary-eyed saying goodbye to all the kids and driving in an empty, quiet suburban up to Springfield to meet up with Tab and Jonathan. I think Jonathan knew it would be a hard drive because he had an Old Fashioned waiting for me when I pulled into the hotel parking lot. That evening, at the recommendation of Asa, we ventured down to the Springfield Brewery for a delicious meal and drinks.

We were up bright and early the next morning for our 6 a.m. flight to Fort Myers Beach. Flights were seamless, and we were even treated to breakfast at the American Express lounge in Atlanta thanks to Jonathan. Jonathan’s parents' house in Fort Myers Beach was fabulous. They remodeled it after Hurricane Ian and did a great job. I went for a steamy run that first morning, and then we spent the rest of the day at the beach and cooling off in his parents' pool, which was much more refreshing than the ocean. Tuesday morning, Tab booked us all massages at the Margaritaville Resort, then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the resort pool eating and drinking. The rest of our time was filled with Jonathan cooking us short-order breakfast in the morning, amazing dinners out, rainstorms on the screened-in porch, relaxing days on the beach and at the pool, and one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen (Thanks, Autumn!). A lot of our days were spent looking at the kids' Kamp pictures and introducing Tab and Jonathan to comedian Nate Bargatze specials on Netflix. We all really missed Autumn, but we all agreed that she was with us…I could truly feel her with me.

Sadly, Thursday came, and it was time to fly back to Springfield. Another seamless flight and we were back at Big Cedar for vacation part II by lunch. We grabbed some lunch and then sat by the pool until our cabins were ready, which is always an ordeal at Big Cedar. My buddy Evan, Dean's dad, got into town and stayed with me in the empty cabin for the night. We met up with my sisters and friends for dinner at Top of the Rock. We did this last year to celebrate Autumn’s last chemo treatment, and Allison thought it would be nice to do it again to celebrate Autumn’s life. It was a great gathering but bittersweet at the same time. It just goes to show how much can change in a year and to always cherish what you have. It was my first Top of the Rock sunset without Autumn, and it was a bit emotional. We capped the night off with drinks at the bourbon bar and then some Clay Self down at the Buzzard Bar. What an enjoyable evening it was.

Early the next morning, we were off to pick up the kiddos. First was K-7. I was so excited to see Briley and Baylor. The day before, Briley was awarded the all-Kamp Heart Award, which is a big deal. I am so proud of this authentic young woman. In the cabin awards, she received the Pacesetter Spark ribbon, which is an accurate description of this girl…always going. Baylor received the Mighty in Spirit ribbon because he faces challenges with strength and endurance…I could not agree more.

Next, we rushed off to K-Kountry to pick up Finley and Atticus. I always love picking up the little ones because not only is our family fully reunited, they are just more excited to see you. They usually sprint across the field and jump into your arms…which they did again this year. Finley won the all-Kamp Ultimate Release award which fits Finley. She gives her whole genuine self to every person and every task. She won the same award in her cabin awards. Mr. Atticus won the same award as Briley, the Pacesetter Spark. It is so funny because Autumn and I always say these two, the youngest and oldest, are so much alike. They both go, go, go and are both stubborn but loyal.

We headed back to Big Cedar for some swimming, relaxation, and story sharing. We only had less than 24 hours with Briley as she, Malia, Bella and Ellie were doing Kanakuk’s MI 7 the following week. Think of it as a week of free labor, but you are actually paying for them to go to it!?! Ryan and I dropped them off the next morning, and then because their laundry at Big Cedar took longer than we had hoped, I had to run it back out to them later that afternoon. Tab and Jonathan entertained my other kids while I ran back and forth, taking them kayaking on the lake and to the lazy river. When I got back, we pool-hopped our way through Big Cedar and then enjoyed some dinner at Buzzard Bar, some putt putt golf, and some ice cream and a movie night with smores. I love ending Kamp, and really our summer, this way: one last weekend of family time in such a beautiful place.

We are back home now and have been busy getting school supplies, registering for school sports, and enjoying some last-minute summer down time. Briley got back from MI 7 today and while she had fun, she said it was a lot more manual labor than she was expecting and I think they are all exhausted. Hard to believe school starts on Tuesday…even harder to believe that we have a SENIOR...where has time flown? Even as an adult, I hate to see summer come to an end, I still get that same pit in my stomach I did as a kid. This summer was the perfect example of how even in the face of loss, we must continue to move forward as their are many more exciting memories to be made, and more importantly, Autumn is now able to be with all of us at the same time as we make those memories.