Project 365, Week 31

This turned out to be a strange week in regards to P365.  Not entirely sure what happened but I'll do my best to piece it all together.  So, so happy its summer and the weather is amazing...trying not to take even one warm day for granted.

July 24

No picture, kind of on purpose.  I took thousands of pictures in the heat on Saturday at a wedding and I had no desire to take my camera out.  Shaun woke me up at 9:30 AM (unheard of for me, although I got to bed about 4) and he took me out to the bagel shop on his way to the home goods store.  My dad kept the kids for another day, so I was able to get some work done.

July 25

We went to the apartment building to do some yard work and the kids were "helping".

July 26

We had severe storms with a tornado touching down in our town.  I had no clue until my dad called the next morning to make sure we were ok.  Our power never even flickered out but a roof blew off and lots of big trees were lost.

 Avery thought it prudent to stay under the cover of the porch...

 ...you can guess where Amanda headed.

 The rain cancelled Daddy's softball game so he got in a little time with the kids.  The name of this book is called Tickle Monster.  Very cute.

 July 27
Since my brother and his family were visiting my sister we joined them for a couple hours and got a swim in.

 I also got to do a six-month photo shoot with my nephew.

July 28
Again, no picture.   The kids slept at my sister's house the night before and were gone til late afternoon.  Aiden slept until 11 AM and then took a three hour nap so I was checking stuff off my list like crazy.  My mom came and watched the kids for the evening so I could go help Shaun at the apartment.

July 29
Auntie Sarah and Jared made a quick visit and took the kids to DQ but I didn't think to get a picture.

Amanda had me do her hair in a side pony tail so she asked someone to take her picture so she could see.  Then she wanted her whole body in the frame and I watched in surprise as she posed herself for it.

Little tip for you ladies...in order to appear thinner in photos, kick your back hip back, putting most of your weigh on your back foot.

 The girls had a fun time during the softball game, as always.  Avery has re-connected with her friend just three months older and they've been having so much fun.

 July 30
We took a walk on the local dam.

A rare photo of me, so I'm posting it.  Think I could fit any more freckles on that face?

 Another bloody mess in the kitchen.  Some paper towels, ice, snuggles and a popsicle and he was good as new.

Oh, and the consensus on the photo from last week is that I should edit out the grass.  Thanks for your input!

I Miss Mayberry

(Well) I miss Mayberry 
Sitting on the porch drinking 
Ice cold Cherry Coke 
Where everything is black and white 
Picking on a six string 
Where people pass by and you call 
Them by their first name 
Watching the clouds roll by 
Bye, bye 


I actually listened to the words of this song while it was playing on "CMT" in the car the other day and I thought, yeah, I really DO miss Mayberry!  


In my mind's eye, when I think of Mayberry the show with Andy Griffith, I see myself back on Parsonage Rd where I grew up.  My brother and one or two others of the four of us kids are taking a break from the sun, sitting in our bathing suits (which we also slept in), possibly eating some lunch or a bowl of ice cream.  Or maybe the bowl of ice cream (most likely a five-gallon bucket of Rocky Road) IS lunch.  Mayberry is on TV, one of the shows on my parents very short "approved for viewing" list.  In a while, we'll meander back out to the pool or maybe ride our bikes down to the General Store to buy a popsicle.  Ah...those were the days!


This summer has been at a frantic pace and while I've accepted where we are right now (on my good days!), part of me longs for the time when we can take it all down a notch and maybe even watch the clouds roll by.


In the meantime, here is a snippet of "summer" around here.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Another One!

 Well, we have another two-wheel bike rider in the family!  Miss Amanda, not to be out-done by her older sister thought she'd take advantage of the newly available bike and learn how to ride.  The first time we went out was good, the second time she learned through her frustrated, frightened tears.  And just like that, she's a pro!

The very first time we practiced with her and she had gone a ways by herself she said Ok Aiden, hop on the back!  Believe me, I know that's coming! :)

She was so proud when she finally got it.  We were in the car driving home and she was beaming.  She said, I said to myself, 'just keep pedaling, Mis-ta!'


Yay for you, Amanda!

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

Proverbs 18:15

Project 365, Week 30

There are a few of you who have expressed to me that you look forward to my Sunday P365 posts and to you I apologize for leaving you hanging for two day.  Got to bed at 4 AM Sunday morning.  Being a single, working mom is catching up with me. :)

It was a hot week here, so the kids and I were happy to take advantage of the water available to us.  My dear friend for forever was visiting with her two kids and we got some great time together.   I will pay for it, but it was fun to pretend for a couple mornings that I am just a stay-at-home mom who can just be hanging out in the water with her kids, family and friends.

July 17

I woke the kids up to go to church where I was taking pictures for our new website...they aren't used to Sunday AM church, clearly. 

In the evening we took a walk to the river so the dog and girls could swim and Aiden could throw rocks in the river.  For the first time, Avery rode her bike.  She is Miss Safety and was fearful of the downhills at first, but quickly caught on.  She mentioned several times that I was right about it being easier than walking.  I think its important to document everytime my kids tell me I was right. :)

 Shaun's brother Micah and his fiance just bought a house about a mile from ours, so we went to check it out and hang out with the family.  The toddlers did good sharing chips.

 July 18
Our neighbor took the girls for the afternoon.  She wanted to thank them for watering her flowers while she was away so they did an afternoon tea with sandwiches (got to keep the real teacups) and watched a movie in their home theater, complete with candy.  They came home with tea cups with $10, candy and big huge smiles.  We love our neighbors!

 July 19
We met up with my friend Shelva and her two kids, intending to do the splash park, but the kids voted unanimously to do the river instead.  It was a little harder to watch them that way, but they had a blast.

 July 20
We went to Shelva's aunt's house to swim.  It was nice to spend time with her aunt and to get in the pool with the kids.  The strangeness still hits me that somehow all these years have passed and we are now the moms taking care of the kids instead of being the carefree kids.  Really....when does that happen??

 July 21
See what I mean?  I was living the good life this week!  Another water day, this time Shelva and I met up with my mom, SIL Elizabeth and her crew at my sister's house.  It was fun but not relaxing...we were in charge of 13 kids ten and under, including four two-year olds who think they know how to jump in and swim, but don't.

After a three-week summer break, the guys had a double-header softball game.  Game time temps in the 90's with extreme humidity.

July 22

Pretty flowers outside of the church where the wedding rehearsal was.

July 23

One of my favorite shots of the day.  Since blogs are all about opinions, I thought I'd get yours.  How do you feel about the grass?  I like it because 1. its green and 2. I think it adds to the overall feel of the photo.  My sister, who has different tastes in photos and always feels free to share her opinion (love ya, Aim!) feels the grass is distracting and thinks I should edit it out, which I can do with a little time.  Its a bit "modern" so some might not even like it at all.  What are your thoughts?