Another full day has come and gone. At this very moment, I am sitting on a wooden balcony of the big beautiful Sans Souci Cottage in a rocking chair with my tanned bare feet up on a small white table. The evening sky is a multitude of blues, marbled with gray clouds and one small streak of orange sunset. Amazingly loud cicadas are filling the air with their sounds. Mom and Dad walked by on the paved sidewalk underneath me and we said hello, then Amanda and her family, then Rich and the children. They are all returning from an evening swim at the pool which I was too tired to participate in. As I sit and look at the photos we took today, my heart is filled with gratitude for this State, this Island, the land of our vacation of dreams.
Most importantly, the family–my family–is continuing to grow and bond through loving hearts, words, play, laughter, food, prayers, small gifts, and joy — making memories underneath a big Georgia sky.
I changed the theme to the blog in order to post vacation photos nice and big!
We had a long drive from Connecticut to Georgia. This picture was taken at one of our many rest stops along the way.
Grace picked me some wild flowers.
I rode up front with Rich but switched seats with Jacob now and then so Seth could be with me. He lost his first tooth!
We ate at a frozen yogurt place.
And then we all made it to the Island. We arrived on Sunday afternoon…my parents, my siblings, and all their families. The pool has been the main attraction so far. It’s so special to see all the cousins together.
Ethan showed his Grandma (my mom) a picture of the girl he likes.
The kids all loved hanging off Uncle Nate.
Yesterday evening we had a fantastic dinner at the restaurant at the pier.
My brother Nate.
My sister Amanda.
We have rooms at the San Souci, a big beautiful old building.
The beach was stunning last night.
My son Ethan.
Me and Sarah
Caleb had his light sabers taken away shortly after this photo because Seth was hit very hard in the mouth with one. Thankfully he was fine and today he just has a slightly swollen upper lip. But it was a bad moment and we left soon afterwards because it was starting to get dark. Seth had taken his jersey off, when I asked him where it was he said he had buried it! After wandering for a while Rich found it.
brother Dave
push ups!
This morning we went to some of the little shops in the historical section of the island.
“the day was quite warm and we walked along leisurely……”
We went through the museum and watched a video about the Island.
They were playing with an old telephone.
Seth, my Dad, my Mom, and Caleb
Seth and Gregory in one of the gift shops.
Caleb with his Grandma
My brother Isaac and brother in law Jason coincidentally wore the same clothes today.
We met a little dog named Lady at the shopping center.
Grace read books in the Jekyll Island lending library.
David was determined to catch one! When he caught it, it was brown, then it turned green in his hand.
We were all hanging out at the pool and I caught this sweet moment when David came back over to join us he went straight to his brother and patted him on the head.
We are currently on the balcony off my sister’s room. Mom french braided Naomi’s hair, and then Makayla’s.
And the little ones played a game with their little toes.
We are talking about what to do for dinner. I had fried shrimp and sweet potato fries for lunch and am not very hungry, but all the boys need some food.
Last night, when I was already in bed, Dave brought in a toad to show me….and it promptly hopped under it.
He returned covered in dust and fuzz.
We cleaned him up and Dave set him free.
This morning my little Caleb went to the hair salon with me.
I asked him if I looked weird and told him to tell the truth…..”yes”……
We went to Moe’s for lunch. I had two steak tacos with pinto beans, grilled mushrooms, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, salsa, cilantro, and chipolte ranch dressing.
I told him he was one of the best boys in the world.
We walked hand in hand to the bookstore. He said, “You should do a blog about this and call it ‘A Fun Day With Mom.'” He mentioned my blog because he was reading it while he waited for my hair to get done.
We went to the bookstore and he asked me for a Darth Vador light saber and I said yes. (did you notice the shirt he was wearing in the “moe’s” picture?)
We stopped to pick up forms from the doctor’s office and then went to the school to drop one off. When we came home I went outside to go for a walk and saw Ethan and Grace walking home with the neighbor girls.
Dave was with me. We had a nice time together looking at all the creatures. He pointed at a honeybee and caught a big grasshopper.
We have a small swampy pond in the bushes next to the garage that Dave wanted to look in, and sure enough he saw several bull frogs.
There was one a pretty chicken, but his friends were pretty few, For he thought that there was nothing in the world but what he knew.
~Marion Douglas
We went back in the house with two fresh eggs and found Jacob just about to leave for the neighbor’s house, to mow the lawn for him.
We are leaving tomorrow to drive to Georgia. We have Michael coming to stay in the house and take care of the animals for us and Emily will be coming over now and then, too.
Things are actually pretty organized in my mind…..on the table is a collapsable cooler (black) that I bought at Costco to hold cold food for the drive down. I made potato salad and will take cheese sticks and fruit. There is a second cooler for drinks. There are granola bars and applesauce pouches in the rubbermaid containers and I bought 24 single serving cups of mandarin oranges. I have a bag of spoons and a bag of forks, hand wipes, a bag of first aid supplies, laundry detergent packets, & another of bathroom supplies. The clothes on the chair are Jacob’s and the ones in the basket are David’s. I need them put into suitcases tonight along with Ethan’s clothes on the table.
Sarah’s suitcase has 8 outfits in it, shoes, and her swim floats.
I wrote names and numbers on each bag so I knew how many outfits I had completed. Each bag has a shirt, a pair of shorts, underpants, and socks. In a couple bags I put an extra long sleeved shirt and a pair of pants in case it gets cooler at nights. I’m only packing 2 pairs of pajamas per person. I am hoping to be able to do some laundry while we are gone. I can’t believe I just wrote that.
I am packing bags of electronics. One bag holds Sarah’s leapster with games and the children’s headphones, another one holds 2 kindles and the charger with another pair of headphones. I also have a bag with the DS’s, games, and charger. Jacob and Ethan will have their iPhones. I spent some time storing audio books on my kindle…Mary Poppins was one of them.
These are the books I am taking for myself. I was worried that I wouldn’t find a book to get lost in during vacation but I started The Night Circus last night and it’s reading really well and interestingly. Very imaginative and creative. I find myself smiling over the author’s fresh word style. I respect her writing and so far am enjoying the book. The top one is my Bible in a Year Bible that has a reading for each day of the year, I love it. There is a portion of OT, NT, Psalms and a few verses of Proverbs every day.
It’s the end of the day now (well, it’s 7pm) and I’m very tired. I hope to put my pj’s on early and go lay on the couch for a while with a big glass of tea, perhaps. I’m feeling very drained but excited to finally get the packing done (I have done most of it all by myself.) There are a few more odds and ends to finish up tomorrow. We have rented a 12 passenger van so please pray for our safety. The van came with a print out warning us all about roll-overs so I’m pretty much convinced we’ll have one. I hate being a worrier, although I am forever thankful for God’s grace in the midst of my messy-beautiful-scary life.
We are leaving on Friday to go on a nine day vacation.
I am busy organizing, packing 72 complete outfits in 72 large ziplock bags, and preparing food. The house is in an uproar.
Three children had dentist appointments this morning.
Also, Jacob took his driver’s test today.
While I was waiting for him to be done (there were three kids ahead of him) I nervously drove to Goodwill and found……six sage green fiesta teacups…..making me even more excited with life in general!
Naturally when we got home I took a couple of pictures.
Sage is a brand-new fiesta color. Why anyone would want to donate Sage fiestaware is beyond me.
My guess is that they came in boxed place settings and maybe the person decided they would never use them, so they gave the teacups to Goodwill and kept everything else?
Regardless, it will be a pleasure to use them and they look so pretty on the shelf.
It all began on Saturday. Rich and I drove in separate vehicles to the church to pick up a whole bunch of kids and their luggage from a week of camp. After he greeted me and gave me a hug, Jacob told me that he and the older kids were going to get Chinese food with their friend Michael on the way home, so I gave him thirty dollars. Rich left with his group of kids and I left with Seth and Sarah, not really knowing who was riding with Rich or Michael. It was past lunchtime and we were all very hungry. I stopped at McDonald’s with my two kids, but Rich drove straight home with his.
I pulled into the driveway at home, went in the house, and discovered Ethan all distraught. “There wasn’t anything to eat”. I had assumed that he was part of the group going to the Chinese buffet. He loved Chinese food but missed out because somehow he wasn’t told the plan. I made him some elbow noodles and meat sauce but it just wasn’t the same. He missed out on Chinese food and was never going to get over it. “Oh E, I’ll take you to Chinese, just the two of us.” I was willing to say anything to encourage him, but I didn’t mean that I would take him anytime soon. Just that I would take him….eventually.
Soon everyone was fed and Chinese food was forgotten.
Or so I thought.
Yesterday, as typical on summer Mondays, I took Grace, Dave, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah to the movies, leaving Michael and the teenagers at home. I had a lot to do so I left Grace with the little kids at the theater while I shopped at Target. After the movie we stopped at Costco. By the time we arrived home the whole back of my SUV was full of bags and food and I was tired.
I discovered all the teens sleeping on the couches in the living room but I took no pity on them and woke them up so they could unload the groceries.
To my surprise, they happily woke up because they said “We are going to the mall and getting Chinese food for lunch.”
“Oh no, you’re not! I just gave you thirty dollars on Saturday! And I just bought a bunch of food while I was out that you can have for lunch.”
They wouldn’t hear of it. We went back and forth with our debate and meanwhile I was disappointed to come to the realization that my children are spoiled rotten.
Ethan especially wanted the Chinese food. “Mom, you said I could go!” He was still feeling left out from Saturday but the truth is, I never said WHEN he could go and I never said I would foot the bill for anyone else but Ethan. I wasn’t about to give them anymore money.
Jacob put his shoes on and got his wallet. He had money saved that he was supposed to be using for college. “I’m going. I’ll just pay for it with my savings.”
“Oh no, you’re not!”
The other point I made was that next week we would be leaving for family vacation and eating out all the time. So in the meantime we were going to “stay home and be satisfied with common foods like peanut butter sandwiches.”
They hated peanut butter sandwiches. They won’t eat them.
Yet another point was “Jacob, you needed me to take you to college tomorrow, I don’t want you going to go to the city two days in a row. You’re exhausted from camp and need to rest.”
But they still wouldn’t yield.
It was then that I knew I wasn’t dealing with spoiled rotten teens. I was dealing with over-tired, HUNGRY teens who had the stubbornness of both their mother and their father.
So I called Rich at work. We had a parenting situation that needed both Mom and Dad to solve. He promised to call right back when he had a minute to spare.
We were all in the living room: Michael (who was to drive them to the mall and didn’t care either way, but did want to buy sandals), Ethan (lying on his back with his arm dramatically over his forehead), Emily (who was using her Starbucks gift card in the debates) and Jacob (on the verge of tears).
Rich returned my call. I put him on speaker and placed the phone next to me on the arm of the couch. He received an earful as everyone stated their case. Being the wise and sensible man he was, he quickly decided in my favor.
“Your mom is right. I want you children to stay home and rest today. Jacob, if you don’t toughen up I’ll give you something to do to toughen you up. Ethan, I want you to get in the kitchen and find something you DO want to eat, and make enough for everyone.
“Now, I really have to go. I want to finish things up here at work so I can take a break and go eat Chinese food for lunch.”
(evil laughter from Mike and the parents)
Well, well, well. I had “won” the great Chinese food debate against my teenagers. I was feeling victorious but also sort of mean…..I love giving them anything they want….so when I DO have to put my foot down, I feel bad. (yes, I am a feeler, it’s a blessing and a curse). The poor children would have to forgo Chinese food, although we did have chicken patties in the freezer that they could shake soy sauce on. This idea of mine was not met with approval, however.
I took my phone off the arm of the couch and just as I began to get up to put away the groceries Mike said, “The Schwan’s truck is here.” He could see it pull in the driveway through the window.
Instantly, I started to scream because I knew they sold delicious Chinese food meal kits. “Oh my word!!! I cannot believe this!! This is all the Lord’s doing. You better get down on your knees and humble yourselves in gratitude!”
I opened the door to greet the man. He never had such a warm welcome. I turned to make sure the kids were with me to order their beloved Chinese foods from the catalog and saw Ethan kneeling in the kitchen with his arms raised to Jesus in grateful praise.
We had chicken lo mien and shrimp rolls for lunch.
Yesterday I enjoyed a gift of a day with my three youngest children. Caleb was given a free pass to Six Flags for reading at school and I thought it would be nice to take him, Seth, and Sarah while their older brothers and sister were away at camp.
As I sit here on my couch, cross legged, in my pajamas, I’m filled with gratitude for this lovely life, through Christ alone, that I am experiencing. Each day is a gift.
Yes, there are tough days, yes there are lots of things I could complain about, yes I do complain and resort to survival sarcasm (sarcasm makes me laugh)…..for example….
The other night the boys had football practice and both of them needed help at the same time with their cleats, I was down on the floor in front of Seth, working on a stiff knot, while Caleb was saying Mom…Mom…Mom….I need some help here….Mom….
He could totally SEE what I was doing! The frustration welled within me and I cried, “I’ll help you when I’m done with your brother! Do you boys think I have four arms??”
Then I laughed all the way out the door because Caleb said in all seriousness. “Mom. You already said that. Years ago.”
I laughed because I didn’t remember saying it, and I laughed because he remembered everything. He said I wanted four arms: “One to hold Sarah, one to hold Seth, one to hold your cup of coffee, and one to hold your book.”
On the way to Six Flags Caleb wanted to listen to music. We like 93.1 (mix) but if it’s a song Caleb doesn’t approve of he switches it to 106.9 (K-LOVE, christian radio). In all that switching, his favorite song came on, “Best day of my Life” by American Authors. We sang loud.
On the way to Six Flags we passed Planned Parenthood and in the joy of taking a day off with my children, I imagined the souls of babies going up to heaven, my heart wept, I honked the horn encouragingly at the peaceful protestors who are typically there- this time it was two old ladies–simply standing on the sidewalk outside the office. I said my own words to Jesus–I don’t want to say judgmental things, I don’t want to get upset or angry. I’m sad, sad that our beloved women come to place where they believe abortion is the answer to a hard situation. And when they are at their lowest, saddest times, their babies are being “harvested”. It’s just incredibly wrong, a sadness deep down in my heart that will not go away that drives me to Jesus. And I believe He is listening and answering.
On the way to Six Flags we stopped to say a quick hello to Aunt Amanda, who was looking sharp at work, who hugged her niece and nephews and talked with them. As we left, I told the children, “Your Aunt Amanda is so sweet to you, she loves you so much and is always happy to see you.” I want them to know, she is always there for them.
On the way to Six Flags (can you tell we were running a little early?) we stopped at Barnes and Nobles ONLY because *I wanted an iced Caramel Macchiato* and figured they could look at books as I ordered. It was fun. My kids are being raised on coffee that I drink, and books for all.
THEN we were on our way to the gates. 25 dollars to park! 161 for tickets!
At these prices we going to stay all day long to get our money’s worth.
First up was the Merry-Go-Round and Sarah with her pigtails.
She was wearing one earring backwards because for some reason one of the holes is constantly shutting…I couldn’t get the earring in but from the back. I switched it around later (when she was getting dressed and her shirt pulled her earring out of her ear). If I could go back in time, I would never have gotten her ears pierced until she was much older, like I did with Grace.
By the way, selfie sticks are not allowed at Six Flags. I don’t have one, but thought the rule was interesting. So you can see my arm holding out the phone in my sunglasses. 😉
Caleb went on the bigger rides with Seth, who was mainly too small to go on them unless he was with an adult. It was a little hard to let them go off, just the two of them, these are my youngest children and in my mind not old enough. But they are. And they did great.
This is my favorite picture of the day. The two of them returning from an exciting ride.
We did some swimming, too. They swim almost every day so we didn’t stay long. They wanted to ride on the rides!
Seth was exploding with crazy-JOY. He expends twice as much energy as we do, I swear. One time he was dancing and did a happy twirl as we walked along and fell down right on the pavement. He showed me later his small scrape on his knee. “It wasn’t funny, Mom.”
The rides were shut down twice for weather issues. There were dark clouds in the sky. This ride opened and rain fell for about 10 minutes. It was nice, actually, to have the park cleared out of some of the people who gave up and went home…..we stayed…getting our money’s worth, don’t you know.
She was taking me to Frances. (FRANCE!LOL) “Mom, is Frances another planet?”
“No, but it is another country.”
“I’m going to take you to Frances!”
I was lucky to take the picture in the split second that Seth looked normal!
I bought them each a necklace that had their name on it.
Adorable kids who have to check all day long to see if they are big enough.
Caleb is my #5 child and feels more comfortable as a younger sibling. But I have to say, and brag a little, that this boy of mine was a huge help to me all day long. He led the way for us, knew the layout of the park quite naturally, and kept an eye on Seth and Sarah. He took Seth along on the rides that Sarah could not go on….and did it all with a great attitude.
Caleb was even brave enough to go on several rides alone. Like the Thunderbolt! He truly did miss his old siblings, though, and saved some of the scariest rides to go on with them someday.
Toward the evening, Sarah began getting blisters and carrying her sandals, which is why they are on her arms in this “muscle” picture of my little superheroes. 🙂
By the way, Seth lost his shorts when he changed into his swimming trunks, they got left behind someplace. He wore his trunks the rest of the time.
I had to buy myself flip flops because my sneakers were soaked on the water-raft ride.
What’s kind of sad is he has no clue who these creatures are.
“A Bunny and a Skunk” is what he said when I asked him.
Sarah went on a few challenging, faster rides and I had to bribe her once. I hated to do it, but she was crying and saying “I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM” just as we were at the front of the line. And by that time I knew it was her coping mechanism and not true. She had already survived the ride once and wanted to go on it again, but just at the last second she panicked. I wasn’t going to let her. So I told her I would get her “a big lollipop” when it was over. She cried and had to go to the bathroom again at the Scrambler but we didn’t bribe her. We just said she would be fine and she was. She would cry until the ride started and then laugh the entire time. Silly Brave Sarah. She’s living life her way.
The boys rode the Pandemonium. “This is where I lost my hat last year” ~Caleb
My gentle-souled son.
Seth was leaping through this photo-attempt but we got it!
We left the park at 8:45 and headed home. My little kids have proved to me that they are strong— and capable of having an entire day of nonstop fun without melt downs from exhaustion! This is a milestone for my family.
I had to stop and get gas on the way home. It was 9:30 by the time we pulled in the driveway and as soon as I got out of the car I ran to the chicken coop using the flashlight on my phone. Thankfully, the chickens were all safe inside with no raccoons eating them, so I shut the windows and doors tightly and walked back to the house with two eggs in my pocket…..we had peanut butter sandwiches before bed, with promises of nice warm baths…tomorrow.
This morning I had a text message from my husband, telling me that our son David was saved at camp yesterday. “my heart gives grateful praise”
Today should be a quieter day. We’re going to have those baths, and watch a couple of movies.
Caleb is snuggling with the dog and I’m petting a rabbit. Seth is still asleep! And it’s after 8! Now I know what to do to make his sleep extra–take him to Six flags for the day!
As many of you know on Fridays my mother posts one picture called “this moment”. However, today we’re doing something a little different.
My name is Grace and many of you have watched me grow up over the years. I am now 15 and this is my first blog post. in the future I hope to maybe start a blog of my own. First let’s see how I do with this one.
When I woke up this morning the first thing I realized was that the house was quiet. Very quiet. I walked around to find my mother, Seth, and Sarah outside reading and I was promptly informed that today was to be a day of NO ELECTRONICS. “So if you need to text any of your friends to let them know you’re not available do it now.” (David just now sat down next to me “what are you doing?” “I’m writing a blog” “YOU??” he says)
Soon after Emily came over we all packed books and games and everything we deemed necessary and set off for a neighboring park.
As we arrived mom told all of us to sit down in front of a tree saying that she, “wants to take a selfie.” This was met by a chorus of, “it’s not called a selfie!” “It’s called a groupie,” Jacob explained.
Yes, David is wearing a hat. There is a section in the park for skateboarding and Dave brought his scooter so he could do tricks. Mom told him that he must wear a helmet for such dangerous activity. Apparently we have no helmets and so mom settled for this winter hat. He says it made him feel weird but at least he didn’t get a concussion.
Right after taking this “groupie” I left the group with Sarah as a little tag along. We walked together until I started climbing trees and then she lost interest.
I love exploring.
I walked around the old abandoned high school that is now used for drills by the fire department. There were trees and stone walls and fences to climb and a river to follow. I found a waterfall just past the road and settled down to sketch it with my charcoals.
I was content.
Luke 12:27 – Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
When I finished I noticed that over an hour had passed since the group had last seen me and I made the decision to head back in case they were concerned.
They were not.
“What do you want to do when you grow up and when were you saved?” Emily asked me when I walked up. “I’m pursuing a career in deaf education and I was four.” “Oh, I asked all the others as well. We were talking about it.” Everyone was lying on a blanket except mom and Sarah and I asked where they were.
No one knew. Oh joy.
When they did appear (I think they went to look at the shops… I still don’t know). Mom started helping Seth and Sarah with the cartwheels.
When mom was my age she had the natural ability for gymnastics although she didn’t have professional training. She could do everything but backflips which she would only do when someone was spotting her. One time her gym teacher told her that she landed lighter than anyone he had ever seen. Her feet never made a sound.
Emily and I felt put to shame as we watched her on the other side of the field demonstrate a perfect roundoff but we soon were distracted by other things.
Ethan was on top of the dugout.
Immediately everyone else wanted to be up there too. Mom gave consent to everyone but Sarah. Sarah didn’t mind. She didn’t want to be up on that high high thing anyway. Then began the difficulty of how to get everyone up.
Jacob, for he is rather tall, handed Seth up to Ethan and then gave Emily a leg up. He jumped up himself and from there gave a hand to David and me. Problem solved.
“Okay, Jacob,” Mom called from below, “Now one without the pose.”
David began worrying about how he was going to get DOWN now that he was UP. Mom told us to relax and stay up there. She pretended to get ready to drive away. We were not very amused. One by one they all dropped down until it was just me reading and Seth as happy as he could be.
Down below we observed mom photographing David’s new talent.
Isn’t he something?
We tricked you! You see, those two feet actually belong to Caleb who is lying on D’s back. Mom took a similar photo years ago with Jacob and Ethan.
After Seth and I got down (with much help again from big brother Jay) we began on the next feat (pun not intended but now I’m amused) of the day. I’m not sure who’s idea this was…
After asking for permission, David, Caleb, and I set off to look around the shops. We went into the thrift store and Rustology, a store dedicated to old and rusty objects. David loves this store. He bought a coke bottle from 1923 that he wanted to add to his collection.
The store I wanted to go to was on the other side of the road and we spotted Jacob and Emily sitting together on a bench. “Be safe!” Jacob called across the street to us as we crossed traffic. What a fine young chap.
I bought an antique pair of twin candle sticks and the lady gave us all a seashell. Mom picked us up at the coffee shop.
We are now sitting in the living room. Dad is home on the couch and listening to a sermon. David is looking at cars and J and E are playing a video game. Mom is in her room. She has told me that she needs to read what I wrote before I can publish it.
This is why Colleen and I are at home at each other’s houses. Because we have a touch of the crazy in us, and so do our husbands and children. Crazy good times happen.
Colleen is my Aunt and we grew up together as next door neighbors on a quiet farm road in New York. We went to the same school and the same church. Like all good family, she is a lifelong gift from God. She and her husband have four girls who are about the same ages as my children and what a fun time it is when we can get together.
The kids really want to be with us most of the time, but once in a while we can convince them to run off to swim or jump on the trampoline or what-have-you.
Rich and I live four hours from our families and honestly, I was feeling quite lonesome and homesick for “my people” the other day. I am very content being here in Connecticut but there comes a time when a woman just needs to be with her mom….or, an aunt. To sit and visit, talk about all the memories, relax, forget the housework, and be together again.
Colleen’s visit this week came at just the right time. Uncle Roger was on a business trip so she came to see us.
She and the girls arrived yesterday and we sat and talked on the porch, made dinner together, sang hymns, and watched a little TV. Today we talked on the porch, went downtown to the coffee shop and thrift store, had lunch, visited some more, and then she and the girls left for home again. It was a short but very sweet visit.
(We missed her daughter, Madelynn. She was busy doing her summer missionary work with children. My Jacob isn’t in the pictures, either, because he was sick.)
Molly’s shirt says, “Bacon: just another reason why I know Jesus loves me.”
They brought their little chihuahua dog, Reese, with them. Seth, Sarah, and David could not leave the dog alone, they fell right in love with him. He was such a good and patient dog.
(day one)
(day two)
Dave was a good boy, talking to Aunt Colleen all about turtles and the fact that on September 27 he has a birthday and wants his parents to get him a tortoise. “Once you see a tortoise eating a strawberry, you’ll want one, too” he assured us. He came to the porch with a female garter snake. He has Aunt Colleen convinced he will be working in a zoo one day.
Dave was trying hard to get Reese to love him so he put peanut butter on the bottom of a glass.
My aunt brought me some homemade blueberry jam made from Candy L’s berries, and some bread n butter pickles, too.
She gave me this pretty painting that she did of “my peaceful place”. I told her that Rich would be finding me in front of it very often.
The flowers looked so pretty in the early morning sun as I left to take Grace to her babysitting job this morning at 7 a.m. On the way home I picked up 2 dozen donuts to go with breakfast. Okay, I admit they WERE breakfast.
The children played in the warm earthy pond together just like Colleen and I used to swim in our old pond, too.
We took Molly downtown with us and bought iced teas and an entire bag of books. (2 dollars for the books!)
forever friends
Meg showed us Reese’s tricks. He sat, he shook his paw, he rolled, he practiced playing dead. He did a great job.
Marissa, Dave, and Meghan
Today I am extra thankful for all my crazy family!
They are my best friends.
“Should I live a long life, bless me with my true friend to take the journey with me.”
This was about a month ago at a little league game. Rich brought one chair and eventually we realized we had both decided on the ground so we could sit really close together.
Seth was in the garage and dropped something (he said it was a hammer-thing) on his pinky toe. He came in the house to show me his painful swollen and bloody toe. “I saw my toenail fly off. I couldn’t find it.” For some reason this struck me as hilarious…the thought of my six year old ignoring the pain and taking the time to search for his toenail, like maybe he thought it could be reattached. This is a picture I took of it about a week later, when the nail started growing again.
Mitch and Ethan stylin’ at Jacob’s graduation.
The cake I made my Mama for her birthday.
Singing Happy Birthday to Grandma on June 19th.
At the end of the day…Jacob’s graduation party.
Caleb’s last little league game and his 4th place trophy.
Sarah and Seth with their new backpacks FOR SCHOOL!
A few weeks ago Rich and I snuck away for a night at a hotel together. Alone. This was part of the view from our room. We had such a good time knowing that nobody was around who needed us….we could lock the door and never mind the world.
This is the summer of working toward driver’s licenses for the boys.
I am not very proud to say that I am scared to death in the passenger seat. I feel that this is an indication of a control-problem on my part. I eventually realized that going on my phone or reading a book helps to distract me from panic attack and/or from distracting the driver.
Teenagers arguing over who has to sit in the backseat. Ethan: “I was here first” Zac: “I’m getting dropped off first. Emily: “I don’t want to sit in the back, it’s harder to get out and I want to jump right out when we get there.” Jacob: “I’m the firstborn.”
(they stayed put and rode just the way they were….squished)
Jacob and Emily at the coffee shop. I thought it was so cute that they held hands like that.
The day I took these kids to the movies and Target.
A week later…another movie morning.
Grace and her book at the movies…..
This cat was sound asleep in/off my favorite chair on the porch.
Boys playing video games….Emily painting.
In the coop!
Seth microwaving!
Sarah learned a trick.
Our cat Samantha.
Pretty braid.
At church.
I’ve been making jars and jars of my Mama’s Raspberry Jelly!!!!
From berries on the side of the road!
The very first jar. 2 cups
picking more berries a few days later
I held up one of the briars and it was covered! These treasures like to hide and it truly is a feeling of treasure seeking and finding as I pick. I just love it. Some of the kids find it boring! I don’t understand!
The next two jars! 3 cups
Yesterday’s batch! 4 cups! I kept some of the seeds in this time…I’m going to use a jar for raspberry bars today and perhaps jam thumbprints soon, too. soooooo happy
This is heavenly! Plain greek yogurt with a spoon of homemade jelly— nothing but pure berries and sugar. The recipe is so easy and quick…instant gratification.
Seth does slow down at times. And when he does I stand and stare at him.
R.C. —Jacob and Seth playing with their cars.
Grace laughing over Alyssa’s son’s instagram.
Boys wrestling party at our place this weekend!
I love it when I go in my room and shut the door for a little peace and quiet and this man of mine comes without knocking in to lean over the bed to tell me random things. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.
Sherlock helping me watch my chickens….we lost 5 last week to a raccoon so I’ve been keeping them locked up unless I am right there.
The list I left for the kids on Saturday morning when Rich and I left to get stuff for the wrestling party.
Sarah pretending she is a cat named “Hawaii”
Sarah swimming. Now is the time to get those Land’s End suits on sale for next year! This one is size 6, a little big on her…but so so cute.
Jacob and Emily napping on the couch.
Seth and I had to wait for Jacob at the college last week….
He was hitting mushrooms like they were golf balls. Using a stick as a club.
We had a coffee/pastry treat as we waited, at a wonderful Italian bakery.
I made Caleb’s birthday cake myself…David in the red shirt took one bite of it and yelled “YES!” As I jumped in my seat next to him he continued, “This cake is moist! I love it when the cake is moist.” LOL!!
Everyone was full of it.
sooooooo happy with these people of mine!
Micheal and his watermelon. Parker was watching his Dad through the window. One of my sunflowers got broken so I put it in a pitcher by the piano.
Yesterday Caleb got the last football cards I will ever buy him! The complete set purchased with his birthday money and a loan from Mom. “Mom, can I borrow 13 dollars? It would make me really happy.” Okay then.
We went to the movies and Subway for lunch.
I got my ears pierced! (2nd hole)
We went to the library last night for a magic show and then Seth got his first library card! I die.
SOOOOOO cute
“Why does it say Seth W on it?” “That’s your middle initial” “Oh, I remember! William!”
…..we went to the park
…..Jacob and Ethan spent the day at a friend’s house
…..we took naps
…..we let the new flock of chickens go outside in their fence all day long
…..the kids swam in the pond
…..my kitty caught me a frog
…..I read my book
…..Rich spent the day at the park with work
and when he got home
he and the kids put together a new trampoline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daddy says life is such a crazy mess He gotta jump on your chances for some happiness We all see what daddy means From way up here on this trampoline
Rich is a quiet, orderly leader and teacher. They had everything out of the boxes and lined up together. The back of the truck had tools and the small pieces. They played music from the truck radio as they worked. It was a calm and pleasant work environment.
Seth was begging me to play with him. We played catch for quite a while. Every time he had to chase the ball I did cartwheels.
At one point Grace was busy with fitting the pipes together and Ethan was busy working on another section. Emily and Jacob had nothing to do so they were fooling around….Grace reprimanded, “Why don’t you guys HELP ETHAN?” There was a short pause before Emily retorted, “Why don’t we help YOU?” Grace thought about it and said, “Point taken.” The answer? They don’t WANT HELP.
The whole process took several hours. At this point I was sitting on the back of the truck reading my book and keeping my eagle eye on them. What a blessing to have a willing work crew.
Almost done!
Emily and Grace were the first to jump. This was about 8pm last night.
Then Caleb had a turn.
This trampoline is a little smaller than our old one. We had to take the old one down because we had it for so long it wasn’t as bouncy as it should be and the net was gone. It was basically, in my humble mama’s opinion, an accident waiting to happen or perhaps even a death trap. I begged Rich to take it down before Jacob’s party and he did…but he and the kids were so sad that he ordered this new one the very same day. It’s rectangle shaped and the net is secure all around the bottom, I can rest easy knowing that my babies are safe as they bounce.
Are you guys patient mamas at the end of the day? I had to walk away after this picture because I was going crazy telling them exactly how to take turns, nagging them not touch the foam on the pipes (knowing if everyone pulls on it, it will eventually tear and rip) or the blue fabric, breaking up petty arguments “Mom Seth said he can jump better than meeeeeeeee.” and so on…I went in the house and said I was too tired to be a referee and Rich agreed that it was best for them to learn to work things out on their own. So then I happily yelled about everything going on it the house, “Who left this bowl of leftover salad on the counter I am not a kitchen maid????” “Someone please take out the garbage and don’t put it on the ground BY the can this time, I had to pick trash up this morning because someone didn’t take the tiny next step to put it in the can!!!!!!!!!!”
I’m just saying, we do have our limits.
The trampoline was a job well done. Caleb just asked me what we were doing today and the answer is: JUMP.
Good to be Home 