Lost

It’s late.
I’m tired…
and stressed.
Driving home
on a dark highway
At night…
Did I say I was tired and stressed?

I had been hangin' out with one of my besties. It was a much needed weekend away… seeing the life of a single girl… Independent and free… fun and fabulous! Our time together ended too soon. The pull of motherhood was stronger than the pull of freedom which lead me to the road I was on
and on that road
I was lost… again!
I felt alone
but not for long.
I felt the darkness
till I looked for the light.
Memories of a conversation earlier that very same day brought me to either tears or laughter…
If I had extra money to spend… I would spend it on…
move over laptop!
washer and dryer, you’re all wrung out!
A GPS system! NOT leaving home without it!
Those thoughts put humor where tears were threatening to take over.
The strength I saw that weekend in my friend encouraged me to stand on own.
I realized you have to know where you are to be able to get where you want to go!
Instead of crying…
or calling someone in the midst of their agony…
or calling someone who didn’t know where I was and wouldn’t be able to tell me where to go…
I decided to put on my big girl panties and deal with it on my own!
SO I DID. (yes… I did stop and ask for directions… it worked!)
I popped in a cd I had bought for my kids.

ALIVE
Wake up!
Do your own thing
BE who you ARE
Stand
Believe in yourself!
LIVE

The message was strong.
The message took me home.
… and I made it! Only 15 minutes later than my original arrival time!

...and that new cd... it's now my favorite!

Wordless Wednesday - Pathways in Granna's Gardens

Take a walk with me through the pathways in Granna's Gardens...

Who knew a side yard could hold so much beauty?

A pathway of memories... the bricks have been picked up on many of Granna's travels.

Continuing up the side yard and to the back of the house...

The path from the side yard around to the back porch.

Last week I showed you some of Granna's Cement Creations and promised you a walk through Granna's Gardens. Next week, come back for a flower's point of view of Granna's Gardens!

You can find more Wordless Wednesdays at 5 Minutes for Moms
and Jolly Mom.

Random thoughts

I just read two blogs...

written by sisters...

Jen talked about a mission trip she went on.

Where she wasn't supposed to talk about Jesus. I thought that was strange. She talked about the cute, uninterested in the Lord, children.

My thoughts:

A hug and listening speaks more Jesus to a child than words do.

Heather challenged you to think about

"What are you believing God for today?"

My thoughts...

Read her comments to find out.

Wordless Wednesday - Cement Creations

Going to Granna's

involved turning baubles

into stepping stones

as beautiful cement creations!

Next week... Granna's Gardens!

Other Wordless Wednesdays can be found at

5 Minutes for Moms

and Jolly Mom.

Not My Child! Monday

This is a twist on the Not Me Monday's! By MckMama.

Of course, I don't have anything to tell on my kids about!

My child did not tell me that she lost her toothbrush on one of our many trips this summer. A whole WEEK after we had been home! No... she did NOT go that long without brushing her teeth.

My child did not loose one of her front teeth because she bit her sister! She does not look absolutely adorable... no, not my child!

My children did not dance the whole night away at my sister's Big Birthday Bash! No way!

My child did not tell neighborhood secrets to the people we want to move in two doors down. So glad those stories did not scare them off.

My child did not wake up in the middle of the night crying because she had to potty... and in her sleep sat on the potty with panties on. She did NOT turn her tears into hysterical laughter then get pouty when I tried to snap her out of it so I could clean her up. She did NOT look at me like I was the crazy one for not getting the funny joke... Only to remember NONE of it the next day.

Not MY kids!
What have your kids NOT done?!

Got Books?

The first week in July we had another book club meeting. The girls were to bring books about America. Because it was the week of the 4th of July, I decided to do a patriotic theme. I let the girls look through the books and explain the ones they brought.

For our craft, we took glass bubbles and painted on them with paint pens. They looked great! First we painted the backs and after they were dry we painted the tops, but it wasn't necessary... they looked great with just the backs painted. We put them on magnets! The magnets had to be heavy duty ones, not the little ones, or they would not stay up. I also had them write letters to people serving in the military. The girls all decided to write to a family member that was a veteran.

It was a great day to reflect on our wonderful country and the freedoms we enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - Mr. Bill

Remember this guy?

No, not the iron man...

the mischievous one

who is our travelling companion!

We had a blast in our travels!

Come back for details of what he did on our summer vacation!

Other wordless Wednesday posts found on Jolly Mom and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Not Me Monday!

I assure you, I did NOT do any of these things...
I did NOT joyfully drop off my kids (and a friend) at VBS this morning, to come home planning on cleaning the house...
Only to NOT get on the computer to post this...
Only to find out the computer was not going to cooperate...
So I Did NOT have to actually clean the house!
While cleaning, I did NOT find a hair bow decorating a house plant, which made me laugh as hysterically as you can while cleaning...
And WHY was I cleaning today? Only because I did NOT watch 4 Harry Potter movies over the last 4 days!

And I am NOT wishing MckMama a Happy Birthday today!

First Swim of the Year... looking back

This is my favorite place to take the kids swimming.

It is my sister's house.

Denise is great about letting us come over for a dip in the pool. She usually has hummus for me to snack on and candy for the kids! My kids love raiding her pantry and she is great about it! When it's not too hot, she'll even serve me coffee. (But when has the heat kept me from coffee?) She has a stack of towels when we forget ours, and she keeps fun pool toys around for the kids.

This was our first dip in the pool this year.

Can we say the kids were a little hesitant...

We had traded one child for a neighbor's kiddo.

Remember, back in April, when teeth still chattered after a dip in the pool?

Thank you, Denise!

Wordless Wednesday - 4th of July Parade 2009

Wordless Wednesday - 4th of July Parade 2009

Happy Anniversary!

13 years! Our marriage is now in it's teenage years! Beware! Sappy love note follows...

My dear Kevin, You are the love of my life. When we got married, I had unrealistic expectations. Through the years I have learned more... about love... about living... about you. This year, the biggest lesson was having ears for what you say and not listening to the voices of others. It's one I'm still learning. This year I have also learned to be comfortable where I am. And I am... comfortable and content. I am happy with you.

After long days at work you come home and are so willing to help. The yard work, helping in the kitchen, the occasional housework... You even walk the dog. Faithfully! You are incredible with the kids. Our girls adore you so much! What an example of love you show them. In how you treat them, your little ladies, and how you treat me! I am so proud of the role you take in their lives.

You have grown so much since we married, 13 years ago! You bring laughter to our house! You are great at listening to me. And you (usually) know just what to say... and what NOT to say! Even during times we have struggled, You have always shown me what is important... your faith, your faithfulness to us and our family, your loyalty, your passion and your love. Your love for me shows through in all you do... I love you more now than ever.

I am so proud to call you... my best friend, my husband!

Wordless Wednesday - 4th of July Parade 2008

Every year at Angelina River Lodge, our family has a 4th of July parade.

This was last year's parade.

Check back next Wordless Wednesday for this year's!