Here's to...

So today...today was a GOOD day. We went to Shakamak pool and swam all day - soaking in the sun, finally getting tans, and splashing around in the water. We snacked and talked and just had fun. Relaxed, reveled in the feeling of summertime. 

But two days ago...not so good. I literally locked myself in the bathroom for ten minutes of calm and quiet. I took a shower so I couldn't hear Max banging on the door, and Callie yelling "MOM!!" I just needed to chill, breath...be alone for ten minutes. Luckily I have a strong, patient hubby who can handle our two kiddos so I can have a little break. Even if it is ten minutes...and it is in my bathroom and not a sandy beach somewhere. He handled the kids so that when I emerged from behind the locked door...all was quiet and calm. And most of the time that is all it takes - and I am back in mama mode. Laundry and dishes and cleaning and wiping noses and kissing ouchies. But I need that 10 min. every once in awhile. 

Here's to more summer days, going to bed exhausted from the swimming and the heat. 
Here's to more ten min. breaks and breakdowns. 
Here's to popsicles and drinks from the water hose and basking in the sunshine. 
Here's to SUMMER:)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

June

It finally feels like summer around here...this past weekend we hung out at the pond with family and friends while enjoying the sunshine! I love it and I feel my attitude changing as the sun comes out...I just feel happier and more carefree. I'm really working on CHOOSING to not worry...to enjoy the summer with my kids and stop worrying about every little thing. 

It also seems that when the sun comes out and the temperature warms up, I tend to get my camera out more as well. It's so funny to look back thru my photo albums and notice that when I am at my happiest, I get my camera out and take tons of photos. My hobby of photography is just something that puts me at ease...makes me look at life differently and relaxes my soul.

Oh these two...they melt my heart every time!!

Wrap-up of May...

You would think that I would have more time to post because school is out and me and the kiddos are on summer break...but quite the opposite has happened. I've neglected blogging although there is so much to talk about and show...it has been a rough couple of weeks around here and I'm just not sure I want to share all of it all at once. 

My dad had a heart attack a few years ago and we worry about him constantly since - well, the other night he had an "episode" in the middle of the night, and my mom had to call an ambulance and they quickly got him to the ER. He passed out twice on mom - I can't even imagine how scared she was. They decided he had pneumonia and was dehydrated...he is just so very stressed with farming and not being able to get the crops in the ground. When that is your lively-hood and things are looking bad, the stress is overwhelming for sure. They checked out his heart and found nothing abnormal...so we are praying for healing and strength for him. He was up all night at the ER - then came straight home to farm all day long (it was the first nice day in a long time). That man is so very stubborn...and I love him so very much. 

There are also some other things going on that are nagging on my mind. I just have to remember that God is in control and I have NO control - which is sometimes hard for me to admit. This mornings sermon at church was all about letting go of the worry in your life - such a HUGE struggle for me. Still thinking of the pastor's words and letting everything sink in...

Last weekend we had a little impromptu photo shoot with Callie and her sweet cousin and best friend, AunaRay in a little town called Story, Indiana. The girls had a blast and I just clicked away! These two make my heart so happy!

 This being the first day of June - I hope and pray that you are blessed this month and it can be a relaxing time for you and your family. I am thanking God each day for my many blessings, and I'm gonna continue to try to let all this worry go. 

Mother's Day 2013

Celebrating Mother's Day - me with Callie...and then some other mothers I admire and their kiddos:)

And then there are these two kiddos...my pride and joy (my daughter and my niece!!) These two girls are the very best of friends - and I can't wait to watch them grow up together!

 We have been spending a crazy amount of time at the ball park...and one night my Grandpa Raber (Gpa GG) surprised us and came to Max's game! Here is Callie holding his hand:)

 Me and my two sweeties on Mother's Day - they are my world!

 And last but not least, sweet and energetic Nate - I LOVE this photo...this kid is a hoot!!

Tomorrow we have a family photo shoot that I won from Mandi Knepp for Mother's Day - hoping I don't completely freak out about clothes, smiles, and perfect poses. So silly...hopefully we can just be ourselves:)!! Wish us luck!

Intentional....

I came across this today and it hit me square in the gut:

"I felt torn between loving my children and feeling inadequate and frustrated most days.


One day, I sat down in total defeat, a sense of darkness hovering over my soul, and wondering what I was doing wrong, I opened my Bible and read…

“Children are a blessing from God, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Slowly over the next days, as this verse began to capture my imagination, I began to ask God to show me my children from his eyes and to help me to know just how I was supposed to mother them."

-Sally Clarkson (you can find the rest of the article here).

There are TOO many days that I am frustrated because everything on my to-do list doesn't get marked off. I am short-tempered with my children and I am selfish with my time.
Starting today I want to spend my time more intentionally...I want to forget about the to-do list and play with my kiddos. I want to listen to them laugh and mentally record it as a memory. I want to read the Bible WITH them and pray about HOW to mother them. So often I just get caught up with life - and forget about living.
This was just such an amazing reminder for me:)

Let the craziness begin...

Max moved up to the minor league in baseball this year - that means serious business, people;) Ok - for me, it's still just little boys playing baseball. But many of the parents and coaches take it extremely serious and get all kinds of wound up about it. I think I will just sit in my little chair, share snacks with Callie, and we will cheer our hearts out for "Bubby!" Saturday was opening day - so we started out with a parade in Odon (where Gabe drove the team in his big orange truck), had opening ceremonies, and then played one game. It was freezing and kinda miserable for the fans - but Max had lots of fun!! He seems to enjoy all sports and just loves being around his buddies. I think Callie was crying before the first pitch, and kept saying she wanted to go home:) It's gonna be a LONG season for her!

 Nate is in the Pee-Wee league, so we also got to watch him play. He was cracking me up completely - he was the catcher and had a mask on, but kept pulling the gum out of his mouth and thru the front of the mask - playing with it:) I thought it was funny...Cole- not so much:)!

That afternoon I got to take pictures of my sweetie, Cassie Janae - getting ready to go to her senior prom!! I just can't believe it...she is growing up too fast:( She looked gorgeous (as always) and it sounds like she ended up having a great time! Yay for Nae-Nae!!

 Gabe has still been working hard on his carving business...he has branched out into making flower beds out of the logs - people have been planting flowers in them and putting them in their landscaping. Speaking of landscaping - he has also worked like a wild man to start landscaping around our house. The first 2 years at our new home we have just kept things plain and simple...but Gabe has started doing some major work and has lots of stuff planted, mulch down, and is even starting a waterfall. He is so funny - outdoors all the time for this guy!!!!

Well, tonight is Max's 1st official game (besides opening day) and Callie and I will feel much better sitting out in this 82 degree weather:) Hope everyone has an amazing day!