Family + Document Your Weekend

This and the coming weeks have been and will be spent enjoying family....parents, grandparents, GREAT-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...and we'll be eatin' it up! Can't wait to hug some necks!

Mom and Dad hung out with the kiddos and I this week...*sigh* I love them. Even though I'm a grown woman now... having them here, in my home, gives me a peaceful and contented feeling, down deep inside. Comfort. Safety. Thankful. We played, talked, laughed, ate good food, laughed, ate good food...good times!

Looking forward to a super-busy weekend ahead, getting ready for a big giant road-trip plus preparing to add NINE family-type folks in our nest for a few days, and the grand finale-my man is coming HOMEEEEE! Lots to look forward to!

Hoping try this project-if I can keep the trusty camera at arms-reach to capture the chaos of this weekend. Something about the idea of photographing daily life and then turning it into something creative makes it feel just a tad more exciting. Join me?

*Added* So my little project got a headstart tonight. Went around after posting to check the doors and do my night-time momma thing-and caught a glimpse of this:

my daddy's slippers sitting next to the nightlight in our living room-make me smile...

The comfort of a Familiar Face

I was so happy to hear from my friend, Ms. Katie, who would be traveling to NC to visit her grandchildren for the week. We had a wonderful time visiting together while the kids played in the awesome playroom. Hannah Reece LOVED riding the big 'ol pony! Lately, she is showing an affinity for all things equine. Graham had a ball on the Big Wheel outside-that brought back a flood of memories of the neighborhood Big Wheel races when I was a little girl!

Look at these rose bushes in the yard! So, so pretty, and the clouds actually cleared for a while, we've had a lot of rain around these parts.

This move has been an adventure. As much as I look forward to meeting new people and scouting out new places-building relationships does take plenty of time and effort. During this season, nothing is as comforting as a hug around the neck from a dear, familiar friend-one who knows me well. It's as refreshing and enjoyable as a tall glass of sweet tea on a warm Carolina day! I'm so grateful for you, Ms. Katie!

Speaking of familiar faces....my momma and daddy (aka Nana and Papa) will be here tomorrow...WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU! The question of the day around here: "Is it Wednesday, now?"

Rock Bottom and a Road Trip

Last week, my body was screamin' at me about how old and outta shape I'm getting, so I got up the gumption to head over to the Y for a Zumba class...and I do enjoy some bootie-shake-in-the-name-of-fitness. Well, I walked in and saw people dragging these dumbell things out, plus steps and mats....not the Zumba I remembered? I quickly realized I got the times all wrong...so instead I experienced, firsthand, this instrument of torture, otherwise known as a kettlebell. This sweet lady next to me with a super-tight bootie informed me that this class is called "Rock Bottom". Well thank you very much! So, thinking I might achieve the same results as my my new friend, I decided to stick with it. Can you say....mybunsaburnin?! I can't even remember the last time I was this sore from a workout! Next time, when I see eight 16-year-olds lined up in the front...I'll remember to take a cue and walk out the door! Don't worry though, the soreness wore off on the 5th day and I'm happy to say that I can walk properly again.

An unexpected road trip....my dear hubby has many wonderful qualities and one that makes me happy and drives me crazy-all at the same time-is his ability to come up with a spontaneous travel plan. Here's how it went last Tuesday at breakfast:

Me: How's your yogurt, babe?

Dan: Good...hey, you wanna go to Disney today?

Me: Um........

Dan: You know our passes are about to end for the summer and I've got class next week, and then back to Bonita for a week....this might be our last chance for a while....

Me: Hmmmm.... (and chewing my breakfast)....really? What about a hotel?

(He gets up to go call and check on hotels, finds a super-steal-of-a-deal rate)

Dan: Ok, we're all set! Let's get packed up!

With that said, the kids ran into their rooms and started packing toys into their little backpacks, it was hilarious! They're such great little travelers, rarely complaining or asking to stop. So this time, the packing and travel was self-inflicted, but worth it! It took about 8 hours to get to Orlando and we had a great time playing together. Here we are having a ball on the teacups.

And Graham rode the Star Wars ride for the first time...have I mentioned that he is ALL about Star Wars these days??