P.S. (to things going through my head)

I love my husband with all my heart.  

Things going through my head....

In the "medical" world, they call it flight of ideas.  I just wanted to let all of you in on the things I am thinking about right now....

1.  I am SOOOO happy to be home!

2.  I can't believe how many dear friends and family I have who are in need of prayer right now (both concerns and celebrations)!  As I start my prayer time each day, I feel like the list just grows longer and longer.  Lynne, Sam, James, Lee and Meredith, Erin, Rachel, Mom, Dad, Greer, Chris, McKaylee and Jess, Bubba (my grandmother), Matthew, Donna & KK, Julie, Paula, Suzanne, Julia and Maria....many more I am sure I am not able to conjure up at the moment.  Then again, I think we are all in need of prayer all the time!  Thank you, God, for listening!

3.  I am thankful that my parents have a place at the beach where we can go and be together.  My kids are loving it as much as I always have.  Thank you, mom and dad.

4.  I love what Chris did to the yard while I was gone!  

5.  Lily is not well.  I just wish I knew what was best to do for her.  I know I need to have her put to sleep, but it is such a hard decision to make.  

6.  Summer ROCKS!  

7.  I love my kids so much, it almost hurts!  I know that sounds weird, but it's true.  I am IN LOVE with them.  

8.  I am looking forward to working on Friday and Saturday.  I love being home with my kids, but my job is wonderful.  I think nursing is a fabulous profession (no matter what my colleagues say).  I love what I do!

9.  I am excited about VBS.  At no time during the year do I feel closer to my church family.  It is going to be a great time of fun and fellowship.  

10.  I am relieved that I finally read and responded to all the emails that have been coming in over the past month or so.  

11.  I am starting a MAJOR diet tomorrow....my cousin Lee is getting married on July 19th and I need to fit into some to the cute dresses I already have!

12.  I need to go to bed!  Greer is still getting up several times at night (she is 5 months now, and I am soooo ready for her to sleep through the night).  I think most of it has to do with vacation, but who knows....please sleep Baby Greer!

13.  Can the "un-packing fairy" please come and visit me tonight?  I would really love to go to the pool tomorrow!

 

Ok, I'm done!  

Vacation: Not what it used to be....

So, you'd think that I would have figured this out long ago, but vacation isn't quite what it used to be. It has been 6 years since I entered this new phase of life, but I am slow to accept my new reality. You sort of figure out that it's just like being at home, but with much better scenery and some company. Today, I did about 4 loads of laundry, fed the masses, kissed boo boos, picked up wet bathing suits off the floor, helped Rachel prepare dinner, cleaned up after several messy meals, broke up multiple knock down-drag out fights, stepped on Barbies and Crayons, and I got in some cuddle time before bed.

I said to my sister, Rachel, today, "So, when are we going on vacation?" Sadly, she said..."Why don't we go on a Cruise when Mom turns 60." That is 3 YEARS from now. I might need a "real" vacation a little bit sooner than that! I'm gonna see what I can do about that!

Even though I am longing for a total relaxing holiday. I know it will happen, someday. As much as I look forward to that day.... I do love my life now. I love the wet heads, the sticky fingers, the screams of "Mommy, Watch ME!" as they jump in the water for the 5 millionth time.....I love all of it. I love that Lucy gets brown as a coffee bean (even though I coat her with 30+) and Reeves burns after 30 minutes in the sun. I love that the bugs eat Lucy up "because she is so sweet" and that Reeves gets a red face as soon as he walks out in the Summer heat. I love how tired they are after a day of playing in the sun, and that it doesn't matter how late they sleep in the morning cause we have no real plans.

We vacation a little bit differently than most people I know. I don't really even know why I ever pack "real" clothes for our beach trips. We literally live in PJs and bathing suits. Going out to dinner is NOT our idea of a good time. We much prefer to cook in and hang out on the porch and at the pool. I don't wear makeup or jewelry when I vacation here, and I go home with lots of clean clothes...clothes I "thought" I might wear. It is absolutely heavenly. I have only been in the car once since Saturday, and I don't plan on going out anytime soon. Especially after our attempt at a night out to dinner last night....NOT such a fun time! Oh well, lesson learned!

So, even though it isn't quite like it used to be, it is still wonderful. I love being here, and I love that my kids feel like it is their home away from home.

My only issue is my wild boy (in the midst of all these girls). That is a whole other post. Stay tuned.....

Greer's Closet Bed!

Could this be considered child abuse?  Actually, I am considering it for home because she sleeps even better in the Closet!

Summers at Seascape

I am so blessed! Besides the obvious things (Reeves, Lucy, Greer, Chris....my everyday life in general), I am blessed to have an awesome "original" family (maybe not the best description, but I can't think of a better way to say it). My mom, my dad, my sisters Rachel and Erin....we have always been a tight bunch. Ever since my parents moved to Gadsden (when I was about 3), we have been vacationing in Destin, FL in our condo at Seascape. Although, the location has been constant, the condo has been updated some over the years (thanks to a major fire and a major flood). All in all, it is basically our second home. We are amazingly lucky that we get to spend several weeks here each Summer and my kids feel like it is now their special place, too.

This Summer, we will get to be here even more than we usually are (Yay!). We arrived yesterday (in 2 VERY packed out minivans) for 2 weeks of fun. Right now, it is all of us....minus dads/husbands (Dad and Chris are coming this weekend...Matt can't make it for this trip). Reeves, Lucy, Greer, Rachel, Caroline, Olivia, Erin, Charcey (my mom), and me...all in a 3 bedroom condo. I can't believe it doesn't feel more crowded. I guess it's all the little people! Greer doesn't take up much space...in fact, she's sleeping in a closet (I'll post a pic of that later!). We tried to pack "lightly" this time....whatever that means. I'll probably be amazed at how much our stuff "grows" as the week moves on.

So, here is a picture of me with my sisters from last Summer. I'll be posting pics from this year soon...probably in the next couple of days. Stay posted.

Swimmin at "Charcey's Pool"

Reeves and his buddy Cole (Edgeworth) are spending a week at Camp Sumatanga as Day Campers. They are having a blast, and we have many sweet and fun stories from the week. They have LOVED their first camp experience, and I am so amazed that I have a child old enough for Camp. Granted, it's not the overnight "real deal", but Day Camp has been a great introduction for them. Chris and I met at Camp, and we want our kids to experience it, too. It is one of our loves, and whether our not they decide it is a place they want to spend every Summer is up to them, but so far Reeves is hooked. He and Cole told me today that they want to be Counselors one day! I'm so proud :) Cole even told me that on the way up for the first day, Chris told him some Camp stories. He said, "Mr. Chris said he saw you for the first time here, and he thought you were pretty." How sweet is that....

After I picked them up yesterday, we went to spend the night with Charcey and Papa (they live pretty close). The kids ate their weight in Chick Fil A, and then we went for a swim at "Charcey's Pool" (aka, the Gadsden Country Club pool). They had a blast! Endless jumping off the diving board, and cool dude time!

They are the cutest!

The boys slept so well last night, and Cole thought the big bed (Charcey is the Queen of the Comfy Bed) was just for his birthday (Cole turned 7 today). It was too cute!

I love Summer, by the way!

Prayers for the Sponberg Family

Maybe you've never taken a look at any of the blogs I have posted on the right side of the page (under "Blogs I'm Reading"), but I beg you to read one of them and to be in prayer for this family today and in the coming days ("Bring the Rain" is the blog).  This family has suffered the loss of 2 babies in just 2 months, and they need your prayers.  Please pray for the Sponbergs as they bury their 2 1/2 month old baby boy Luke tomorrow.  He died of SIDS on May 27th.  He is now in Heaven with his cousin Audrey Caroline (the daughter of the websites author Angie and her husband Todd, a member of the great band Selah).  Audrey had some very rare and fatal birth defects, and she died shortly after her birth in April.  This family has been broken by loss, the loss of 2 precious babies no less, and they're faith in our Jesus is simply incredible.  Please pray for them when you get a chance.  I am simply amazed by their faith and strength.  After the loss of a child, it is the only thing that would keep me hanging on.....