plugs, shoes, fellowship and an easel (our weekend in a nutshell)

Graham has finally found a job that he enjoys.  Yardwork!  I wish I had taken a picture of the look of pride on Dan's face while Graham was mowing the front yard.  So cool.  :)  Dan's been working hard on landscape phase 12.  Just kidding.  Kind of.  But we won't go there.  ;)  So Dan here are Dan and Graham, plugging away to fill in the areas where the weeds have died, thank you weed n feed.  Dan has come up with some pretty sweet watering systems in the front and back yard to keep our new plantings alive till the summer rainy season.  

While the boys worked hard, and Millie snoozed away, Reecie and I headed out to Publix for groceries.  Look at Reecie wiht her shopping list notebook.  My girl.  Shopping isn't so much a pleasure this time of year during "season".  Just like the roads this time of year, it was bumper to bumper traffic in just about every aisle.  We survived and made it home to unload the cold stuff, load everyone up, pick up Grandma and Grandpa and head over to pick up Aunt Shirlee and Uncle Greg from the airport.  Looking forward to our little get-together this Friday. 

The Johannsens asked us to come over last night for their small group fellowship and we had a great time.  I love the way the body of Christ works together to support and uphold one another with God's love.  Brought home some of Beth's delicious chocolate covered strawberries.  Hannah Reece was eager to try a bite.   Sweet girl couldn't get much sweeter, and boy does she have a sweet tooth.  Came by it honest, I think.  ;)

I am in desperate need of some basic items to spruce up my wardrobe.  So my shopping buddy came along and we had a big time.  Instead of clothes for momma, we picked up something much more fun.  New slip-ons for Hannah Reece and an easel!  One side is dry-erase and one is chalk + clips for painting paper.  Red tag TEN DOLLARS, so exciting.  Reece is excited about her new shoes.  I love that they fit securely on her feet.  She loves the sparkly gold elastic straps.  I love the neutral color that goes with everything.  She loves that they have a heel.  Win, win.  :)

Summa-summa-summa time!

Been thinking a lot about summer lately.  Only 4 more weeks, yay!!!  I enjoyed a conversation with a dear friend today and she shared this article with me. What an encouragement that even just a little planning will help foster an enjoyable summer for all. As ideas pop into my brain, I try to jot them down in my master list notebook so I won't forget.

In our culture,  it is a temptation to over-program our children, sometimes without even realizing it.  I think that the fear of boredom and that somehow our kids might "miss out" on some special activity, camp or experience can be overwhelming. I have felt the pressure even more now that I have two school-aged children. Our parents small group at church is working through this material on maintaining margin. It is SO challenging and encouraging. I highly recommend it if you find yourself struggling in this area.

In summers past, it's been pretty low key around here. (Except last summer when we were in the middle of a move and re-model.) The idea of enjoying a relaxed, steady-paced summer day is so appealing to me. In the busyness of life, I think we all crave some down-time. Even if it takes a couple of weeks of redirecting the occasional "I'm bored!" surely the rest and relationships built will be worth it.   I can tell the kids are ready for some down time, too.  Today Graham said "mom, let's not go anywhere today.  I just want to stay home in my pajamas!"  You got it sugar. 

We have a few activities planned to break up the routine like a short roadtrip, Vacation Bible School, and swim lessons...but other than that we're going to make space for freedom.  Freedom to play, freedom to think, freedom to create, freedom to rest and be.

I fully expect the first week of debriefing from the rush-rush-rush, to be a little tricky. To encourage the kids, I plan to have a list of "what-to-do-when-you-don't-know-what-to-do's" posted on the fridge with ideas for self-directed, imaginative play.  Things like: blow bubbles on the porch, playdough, re-read an old favorite, play catch with Charly, listen to a book on cd . I'll probably schedule in a little mommy-directed activity once or twice too.  For example, when we are cooking together or reading books together. 

Speaking of simpler days, I have to link up to this post.  And these thoughts are also very encouraging as we strive to simplify all of our days and create healthy margin for our families.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21