In our typical August tradition, we cram lots of milestones into one week, all of which fall on the heels of our long, 2-week-vacation to New York. Our stay with my parents was wonderful, relaxing, memorable... and as an attempt to keep this blog updated during this week full of birthdays, meet-the-teachers, first days of school, KINDERGARTEN...I'm going to piggy-back off of my extremely talented sister-in-law and allow her to sum up our trip (much more poetically than I would myself!). Please read about our time here and here. Thanks, Cort!
More milestones to come...
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Vacation Bible School
Just a quick picture to explain why, though I've been on my computer every possible free minute since about April, I haven't posted more than just a few times to this blog:
This past week, our church had our annual VBS and this year, I had the privilege to "direct" it. 90 volunteers came together to make it a memorable week. As fun as it was, it was so nice today to sit, relax, and not think about one thing, not one to-do list.
Chad took each morning off of work to help out. I so wish that I had a picture of his alter-ego throughout the week: a break-dancing, egg juggling, basketball-goal-swinging guy named "Bustin Jeeber" who wore my (knock-off) Uggs, my puffy black vest and cowboy hat, and some basketball shorts from about 1994. It was simply hilarious to hear 250+ kids chanting "Jeeber" every morning! I have no picture of Bustin Jeeber, but I do love this picture of Chad and his girls:
Now, onto packing for a much-anticipated, long-awaited trip to Nana and Papa's!
This past week, our church had our annual VBS and this year, I had the privilege to "direct" it. 90 volunteers came together to make it a memorable week. As fun as it was, it was so nice today to sit, relax, and not think about one thing, not one to-do list.Chad took each morning off of work to help out. I so wish that I had a picture of his alter-ego throughout the week: a break-dancing, egg juggling, basketball-goal-swinging guy named "Bustin Jeeber" who wore my (knock-off) Uggs, my puffy black vest and cowboy hat, and some basketball shorts from about 1994. It was simply hilarious to hear 250+ kids chanting "Jeeber" every morning! I have no picture of Bustin Jeeber, but I do love this picture of Chad and his girls:
Now, onto packing for a much-anticipated, long-awaited trip to Nana and Papa's!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
A few "firsts"...
...from the past month:
Going, going...
GONE!!
A haircut (much to his grandmother's dismay!)
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Good Ol' Summertime
You've gotta love summer. Long days, lazy mornings, plenty of time for catching up with kids. (although that same list of long days, lazy mornings, and plenty of time can also result in crazy parents!) But when I look back on summers with young kids, I'm almost positive that I'm going to remember them like this:
Although life can be tiring with kids this age, I know that life will always make me tired. That's Life! How blessed I feel to have 4 precious people to share that exhaustion with!
Cuddling with Daddy before work
Lemonade Stands
Boo-Boos and Black Eyes
Long-Awaited Summer Dance Camp
Afternoons at the Fountains
Although life can be tiring with kids this age, I know that life will always make me tired. That's Life! How blessed I feel to have 4 precious people to share that exhaustion with!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Introducing...
...the newest member of the walking world!
Good things come to those who wait--even 16 months worth of waiting!
Good things come to those who wait--even 16 months worth of waiting!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friend Island
Some of our friends had the generous (and crazy) idea to invite 3 other families to join them at their beach house for 4 days. And when I say "crazy", I mean that there were 18 of us... 10 of whom were kids! (It's no wonder all of the kids took it upon themselves to rename Fripp Island "Friend Island".)
My expectations going into the trip were low: I would consider it a success if no one got the stomach bug. Shame on me for having such low expectations! Every minute of the trip was incredible. The kids had a blast, entertained each other, and enjoyed a virtual 4-day slumber party! And we grown-ups had the chance to sit back, talk, laugh, and enjoy a time with no schedules, clocks, chores, or work. The weather was perfect, the food delicious, and the beach was beautiful. Even an all-nighter in the ER with Jack for a bad case of croup the last night couldn't put a damper on the fun we had. Because hey, at least it wasn't the stomach bug!
My expectations going into the trip were low: I would consider it a success if no one got the stomach bug. Shame on me for having such low expectations! Every minute of the trip was incredible. The kids had a blast, entertained each other, and enjoyed a virtual 4-day slumber party! And we grown-ups had the chance to sit back, talk, laugh, and enjoy a time with no schedules, clocks, chores, or work. The weather was perfect, the food delicious, and the beach was beautiful. Even an all-nighter in the ER with Jack for a bad case of croup the last night couldn't put a damper on the fun we had. Because hey, at least it wasn't the stomach bug!
The big kids
And the little ones
Beach Races
Healthy Jack...
...and not-so-healthy Jack
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Rooster Crows
I'm blogging... Chad must be out of town. It seems like that's the only time that I venture into the quietness of my kitchen to sit down and attempt to update our life over here in our corner of the world, to those of you who check in.
Chad is gone for a few days, and right now--at the end of the day--I'm struggling with being the mom I want to be and being the mom I actually am. Summer has, paradoxically, been a mixture of relaxation at a whirlwind speed. With the girls not taking naps anymore, I feel like the days--as lazy as some of our days are-- are nonetheless full. I don't think that I've quite gotten used to being "on" for 12 straight hours. I feel like I can have some really meaningful, quality time with the kids--the girls in particular-- followed by a scolding. In a time frame of 12 hours, this cycle is repeated...repeatedly. Being the worrier that I am, the scoldings sit much heavier on my mind and seem to outweigh the "quality time." I often wonder if it feels the same for the kids or if, because they are kids and kids need to be scolded, reprimands are more of just an expectation of childhood.
I feel like I had one of those days where I was just counting down the hours until bedtime... trying my best to manage, control, deputy, and corral. Nothing bad, nothing sad, just not enjoying the presence of my kids. Now, as they all lie sleeping, I want nothing more than to wake them up and love on them. Notice I said wake them up...I want them to realize and remember that I'm loving on them because I feel like I am lacking in that category, now that the day is done and the tallies are being made in my mind.
I guess that the beauty of motherhood--parenthood-- is that you continue to get chances. The kids will wake up with the same eagerness to attack the day; the same willingness to give me a clean slate; the same loyalty to love me because I am 'Mama'. I pray right now that I can greet tomorrow morning with the same expectations and know that the best medicine for a regret-filled night is simply my spoken "I love you".
Chad is gone for a few days, and right now--at the end of the day--I'm struggling with being the mom I want to be and being the mom I actually am. Summer has, paradoxically, been a mixture of relaxation at a whirlwind speed. With the girls not taking naps anymore, I feel like the days--as lazy as some of our days are-- are nonetheless full. I don't think that I've quite gotten used to being "on" for 12 straight hours. I feel like I can have some really meaningful, quality time with the kids--the girls in particular-- followed by a scolding. In a time frame of 12 hours, this cycle is repeated...repeatedly. Being the worrier that I am, the scoldings sit much heavier on my mind and seem to outweigh the "quality time." I often wonder if it feels the same for the kids or if, because they are kids and kids need to be scolded, reprimands are more of just an expectation of childhood.
I feel like I had one of those days where I was just counting down the hours until bedtime... trying my best to manage, control, deputy, and corral. Nothing bad, nothing sad, just not enjoying the presence of my kids. Now, as they all lie sleeping, I want nothing more than to wake them up and love on them. Notice I said wake them up...I want them to realize and remember that I'm loving on them because I feel like I am lacking in that category, now that the day is done and the tallies are being made in my mind.
I guess that the beauty of motherhood--parenthood-- is that you continue to get chances. The kids will wake up with the same eagerness to attack the day; the same willingness to give me a clean slate; the same loyalty to love me because I am 'Mama'. I pray right now that I can greet tomorrow morning with the same expectations and know that the best medicine for a regret-filled night is simply my spoken "I love you".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)