Around Here. . .

I've been so busy living life around here that I'm finding it hard to keep up this little space of mine.  The lowering of my expectations for myself has been quite freeing. . .I write when I write because this serves as a record of our ordinary days we're choosing to live extraordinarily.  I get a little bit behind sometimes and I'm finally one hundred percent okay with that!

Around here, we've been celebrating our birthday boy. 

We've also been working on our little piece of peace in the yard.  I am a home body.  I have absolutely zero desire to travel the world in airplanes with suitcases.  I enjoy reading about these faraway places, but have no desire to get there myself.  None.  Call me crazy. . .However, what I do enjoy?  This house that has captured my heart forever because it is where we grew our family and made it a home.  It never ceases to amaze me all the little changes that go a long, long way.  For me, the backyard is that sacred space.  We practically live there in the summer.  With only seven working days left for me. . .it feels like it is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!  Call me really crazy, but I can't wait to have my lovebugs home with me--all day.  Every day. Messes and all.  Summer is our time out in the yard with no schedules to keep and our own learning going on, and now it feels like the yard is ready for us.  E, you know me so well.  The simplest things make me happy--and I am so fortunate for all you do to make that happiness come true. P.S. I love my window box herb garden--perfection.

Weekends are for lounging and reading and walking and racing down the street to see who gets home first.  I love the way a walk can dead end into a yard sale with a great piece of furniture for the living room--even if I'm the only one who absolutely loves it!  Home made ice cream and crock pot cooking with my Nessa-Bessa fill me with joy.  TV installed in the backyard complete with Pandora for my listening pleasure. . .and a trip to the ballet with my very own Cinderella, who was so cooperative with our picture as you can see.

More sunlight filled days means more time to play outside.  Summer Sanity webcast with Lysa Terkeurst was fun while folding tons and tons of laundry--for which I am very thankful.  The child who has cried and cried over going to school lately is one who watches everything I do.  She walks in my shoes.  She speaks just like me to her bears and babies and on some days--I hate the way she sounds because I've had my fair share of not so good mama moments.  One of which was the other day after Ernie tried to practice Super Nanny sleep in your own bed techniques, she was cranky after hours of interrupted, crying sleep--I was cranky and done.  And maybe a little over-done.  As we drove home from a dermatology appointment and she screamed her head off, screamed.  I screamed out too, "I'm going to throw you out the window and guess what?  You don't have wings!"That quieted her for a second and she quipped, "me not a bird mama."    I'm not sure if it was a statement or question.  It was actually unnecessary and uncalled for on my part and I did later apologize but man, some days are just so TOUGH! 

And then on other days like today, we stayed home  and as I made my breakfast she sat at the table and read her Jesus Storybook Bible just like the big kids start their day.  And I paused and sat down and just looked at her and really took a minute to see her.  And I remembered to be thankful for all of this--every fleeting moment and I was reminded of my cutting comment to her that I haven't heard her repeat to her own babies--and I hope she never does because I let my crazy get the best of me and she is my child who will say unabashedly, "Mom, you didn't give me love today," (at least ten times).  What's not to love about that?

And then I'm just praying that our little In{RL} conference goes well on Saturday.  It's kind of hard
 to plan for something when you don't really know how many to expect. But I'm just putting it in God's hands to bring who needs to be here and to make it enjoyable for those that come.

As mothers, we are already doing something extraordinary. . .I'm excited to see what Saturday brings:)