I Need an Energy Drink STAT!

I'm popping in to quickly update on the chaos of our lives- (like that cotton commercial...the touch...the feel of cotton-the fabric of our lives) this is THE CHAOS OF OUR LIVES......

It is all my fault.

I'm exhausted this week-the kids are back from camp (love having them home) however, WOW....the peace ends the MOMENT they step foot into the car for the drive home. GONE...forever...until next summer...no more peace and quiet, long days reading on my hammock.

This week is VBS week- so that means UP AND OUT early-we stop and pick up our car load of friends and hit the road in the VBS express.

I finally finished the 8 million loads of dirty camp clothes. Socks that will never again be white, towels that smelled like death, tennis shoes that scare me and should be incinerated for the safety of the earth and all of man kind.

The puppy is a blast-but I'm exhausted. He is doing GREAT in his kennel at night, no more crying unless he has to go potty. He is so fun, but it is like having a baby in the house again. I can't sit down for 5 minutes without needing to get up to pry something (like the couch) from his mouth. I am OCD about taking him potty so he does not go on my carpet. We took him to the Vet Monday and all is well. We named him Dakota. :) He is my buddy. He follows my everywhere and lays at my feet.

Life is good! There is no "break" in summer- but oh well!

My Kids Come Home Today!

Today is arrival day-my kids come home from camp! I can't wait.

We have missed them so much. It is really hard to have NO CONTACT with your kids for a whole week-who you usually spend 24 hours a day with-every single day.

They have a BIG surprise when they get off of the bus today!

They are coming home to this:

We got them a puppy (for their birthday on July 4) they have NO IDEA! I am picking them up at church where the bus from camp will drop them off and the puppy will be with me. I feel so bad my husband can't see the SURPRISE meeting but I'm going to video tape the whole thing. I'm taking our neighbor girl who is Brooklyn's friend and she is SOO EXCITED for our kids - when I invited her to come pick up the kids her eyes got so big and she was so excited.

This little guy is so much fun. You know, you just can't have too many pets at our house. Seven pets seems like a good number (4 cats, a parakeet, a bunny, and a dog.)

The puppy is 6 weeks old and obviously is a yellow lab. We haven't named him because we want the kids to have input. He is really fun and so sweet.

I think this next picture is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. The puppy was outside with my husband last night as he worked in the garage and the pup fell asleep on his back WITH HIS LEGS STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR...and he slept like that for about 20 min. I snapped a pic.

Day Two of Peace

Today is day two of my peaceful week.

Yesterday, on day one...my peace was instantly taken when at 5:00 p.m. the camp nurse called me to tell me my son was having some asthma issues. We increased his asthma medication to two times a day, hoping to ward off more severe issues. He was fine but wheezy. He was having a great time in spite of it all. But, the mom in me instantly worried and felt a little panic come over me. I prayed through it and felt God's peace as I realized he is in excellent hands and he is very good about knowing his symptoms and when he needs help.

I found peace again, when at 5:30 my friend reminded me that the Beth Moore Esther Bible study was starting at church at 6:30.....she talked me into going. I'm so glad I did. This is my 5th or 6th Beth study and I LOVE them. I know I'll learn so much. I've already done 2 days of the homework today. :)

Today I mowed the lawn (no small task- it takes 2 1/2 hours) and weeded the garden. I'm a dirty mess but the lawn looks great. It is raining now, so I finished just in the nick of time.

Off to shower and figure out what is for dinner. No calls from camp today-so that is a good sign. I've been praying all day for my son's protection and good health-I so badly want him to have a great time.

Day One of My Week of Peace

Today is day one of no kids for a whole week.

I woke up and MISSED THEM right off the bat.
Darn it.

But I know they are having so much fun. I prayed for them before I even got out of bed.
And then.........
I remembered......I have all day-all to myself. My husband left for work and won't be home until late tonight because he golfs on Wed. nights.

Last night I made my husband and I a big salad with grilled chicken for dinner. I lit a candle. We ate in complete peace and silence. Dinner is one of my favorite times, we are really BIG on eating together as a family-great conversation happens at our dinner table. But last night was NICE. We had ADULT TALK. I could focus on my husband and what he was saying.

Today after I woke up-I scrubbed a few floors (couldn't help it) and then laid on the hammock with my cat and enjoyed the birds singing. We live on 3 acres out in the country-about 6 miles from civilization-so we have total peace out here. What a great way to start the day. I prayed and came up with my plan for my day.

I went for a 4 mile walk-listened to a great podcast on the way. Took a shower, drove through McDonalds and got a $1.00 HUGE diet coke on the way to the Humane Society where I walked dogs for 1 1/2 hours. Came home-hit the hammock again and read. Took a 10 min. nap and read.

Later- a chick flick all to myself compliments of NetFlix- I might eat a bowl of cereal and M&Ms for dinner.

Missing my kids- but loving my quiet days. I think I'm weird because I have NO DESIRE to interact or socialize while my kids are away.....I could go spend great quality time with friends but I just feel like a recluse and taking it easy.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring- I hope it is JUST LIKE TODAY!

A Whole Week All To Myself

This is my son waving goodbye from the bus!!!

This morning we sent our kids off to church camp for a whole week. They look so forward to it all year! Many of their friends from church are going and they always meet a lot of new friends.

It is EXHAUSTING preparing two kids for a whole week away....the lectures never end. I even crammed in a few in the car on the way to church where the camp bus picks them up. Moms try hard to sneak lectures in between conversations. That way we don't sound so bossy, yet we get our instructions in. I am well aware that every single thing I said goes in one ear and out the other, once they step foot on camp ground.

Don't forget to use bug spray. I sure hope you guys have a great time.

Don't put your wet towels in your suitcase with all of your clean clothes. I'm really going to miss you guys.

Oh......and don't forget to brush your teeth. Won't it be fun to sleep in your sleeping bags?

Be nice.

Have fun. Change your underwear!

Oh.....and pay attention during chapel.

Wear sunscreen.

Write me.

And then they are off........my precious kids driving off in a bus on a five hour journey to camp. I always get a little teary. And then I remember......

A whole week to MYSELF..........no little people, no messes.

I ADORE my kids, but we are together 24/7....every minute of every single day. All day-every day....and they are probably excited to have a little break from me.

They will have a week of FUN and learning more about God, and eating smores, and fishing, playing, getting dirty, not brushing their teeth, throwing clothes all over the cabin......

And me, I'll be enjoying long workouts at the Y, reading a stack of books, taking a nap, catching up on Email, having a date or two with my husband, or just doing NOTHING!!!!!! My laundry will be cut in half, food will stay in the fridge longer than 5 minutes, and I can clean the house and it will STAY THAT WAY.

Last year when they went I had a million plans, scheduled myself too much, and was an over-achiever. This year.....NO WAY- I've got no plans and I'm keeping it that way. I need REST. I want to use this time so I'm a better mom when my kids return. I fervently pray for them daily, for their safety and for God to grow their knowledge of Him during this time at camp. I pray for me to grow in patience, wisdom, and love so I can be the best mom I can be.

Now...I need to go, I have an appointment with my couch, a book, and some major CHILLaxin!

Girl's Night Out

Last night was GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

Having friends is good for the soul.

We have 23 kids between us-we don't get out much! We had so much fun!

Some of our kids had a sleep over-while the ladies were out on the town.

We ate dinner at Houlihans and then went to Starbucks. We laughed so much and talked until our throats were sore.

I got home at midnight, which is way past my bedtime. I can't even stay up until midnight on New Years Eve!

The best part was when our friend Dawn stopped in for a quick hug-her husband was just diagnosed with cancer and he has been in the hospital for 10 days. She was on her way back to the hospital to spend the night with him. We all got to give her a hug and maybe for just five minutes she could get her mind off of the trials her family is going through.

To the people at Houlihans who wanted a nice, quiet dinner out.......we are very sorry for our loud laughter and non stop picture taking-we are mothers of many children who rarely get to go out, have a meal where we don't need to cut up someones food, clean up a spill, or get interrupted 52 times. Be thankful we only get around to a girl's night out two times a year!

(These are two of my friends: Julia and Kimberly)

Thank you God for friendships that endure over time-sister's in Christ who love each other and make time for each other.