Letting Go . . . .

Right now the kids are playing in the garage.

Don't ask me why.
Today, the garage is a magical place where there are new smells, new adventures, and apparently a scary dragon who needs to be slain with the broom.
My grown up mind is thinking - dirty feet and bikes out of place.
But, I'm letting it go.
I'm letting kids be kids.

Why is this such a hard lesson for me to learn?
I was a kid once, right?
Of course, our kids need guidance and boundaries, but sometimes I find myself trying to rule and contain the chaos they brought to my life instead of letting that chaos turn into fun and learning.

Sometimes it's okay to let the boys play cars on the deck in their underwear.


You probably wonder if my kids ever wear clothes. We've had a lot of underwear pictures lately. Maybe I'm letting go a little too much ;)



It's okay to let my little guy make a lego city on my kitchen counter and leave it there for a couple days.


Counter space is highly overrated.


It's okay to have a movie party


in our pajamas and eat popcorn at 9:00 in the morning.



It's okay to let go sometimes and let my kids be kids . . . . and people.

They are people here to live their lives.
They aren't just my life experience.

They are having little life experiences of their own.


Right now it's the experience of rummaging through the garage and chasing each other with old paint rollers.
They've gotta be learning a lot from that, right?

Things We Love Lately

I love a lot of things.
I really do.
I've been dealing with some tough stuff lately (aren't we all) and that's when it is difficult for me to remember the things I love.
Isn't that the most important time to remember the things you love?
Sheesh.
I'll try harder next time.

I love that Andy has learned how to give hugs. Great big, sweet, lovable bear hugs.

I love that I have reordered my magazine.


I love to read it in the bathtub (tmi?) and dream that my house looks like the ones in the pictures. Clean (ya right), in style (ha ha), perfect (I am dreaming).

I love that Davin and I got to go to a movie . . . in an actual theater . . . . . by ourselves!! It's been years. Yes, YEARS.


It was a fun and fascinating movie.

Wow. This was one boring post. Make me feel better . . . .

What are you loving lately???

I dare you to read the whole thing . . .

We just got back from their wedding.

It was fun.
I didn't take a single picture!
Can you believe it?

However, I took enough pictures of our 4th of July to fill 10 posts.
I don't feel like writing 10 posts, so you will get this marathon of pics in one post.
Feel free to jump ship whenever you feel necessary.


I won't be offended.

We spent our 4th of July at our family cabin.


So perfect.
I spent so much of my childhood running around this place with siblings and cousins.
It was fun to bring my own children there.
I love all the little quirky details and funny objects that bring back so many great memories.



We spent our days relaxing,



riding bikes,



going on nature walks


(I promise Andy had fun),

picking wildflowers for Mommy (very sweet),

eating yummy foods


(breakfast must be eaten with your camping hat on),


sitting by a roaring fire (my favorite),



taking a trip to Big Springs to feed the big fish



. . . . fish?


(apparently the fish have been overtaken by giant seagulls. grrrr. oh well, the kids enjoyed it anyways),



We enjoyed the sights and sounds of the woods


the wild strawberries,


the new growth on the baby trees,


and the sunlight streaming through to the forest floor,



and of course some fireworks!



We covered ourselves in blankets to keep the mosquitoes away and our bodies toasty.



The show was even more beautiful underneath this sky.


The perfect fourth of July evening.

It was so hard to leave this little retreat in the woods.


Can't wait to go back.

Good ol' Summertime

Summer is FINALLY here and we couldn't be more excited!


That means bare feet!


Moms' favorite thing to do. She is unfortunately handing it down to her children.
Oops.


It means that we got to go to a baseball game with our awesome neighbors!


Apparently 3 out of 4 of us don't know how to look at a camera.


Wow.

It means that the boys have to have their evening romp in their underwear.

Good thing we have those awesome neighbors that don't mind a little underwear flashing.


Today we are taking a little break from all the summer fun.

The little one is a little sick and all he wants is a little rest on the couch,


his favorite shows, and maybe a nap.



How's your summer so far?

Things We Love Lately

Oh man, today has been one of those days.

I really just need to get over myself and realize that I really do love my life and the things and people in it!

Here goes . . .

I love damask.

Have I mentioned that before ;)

I have a serious love affair with the stuff and I need some serious help.

I spray painted this salt shaker white

and I was planning on leaving it . . . white.
Found a damask vinyl sticker in my drawer.
Oops. How did it end up on that salt shaker??

My little sister (not so little anymore - she's 20 years old! what?) gives me her old clothes.
She's still trendy and cute and likes to help out her frumpy sister every once in awhile.
Thank you.
She gave me this damask jacket!!


Hello!
Was this thing made for me or what!!
This is the only reason I am sad that summer has finally showed its' face.

You want to know how addicted I am to damask?? I actually got some pink and brown damask fabric to make a baby blanket for my baby girl. Do you see the problem here!! I don't have a baby girl. I may never have a girl. I guess whoever can convince me that they love damask as much as I do may get it for a baby present.

Andy loves spying on our neighbors.

I love my lilac scented candle.


I want to plant a whole field of lilac bushes in my yard.
Not gonna happen in this little yard.
Until that day comes I have this lovely smelling candle.
It also used to be my moms' candle. It reminds me of home. Sigh.

Christopher is still loving his swimming lessons.

I love that the people who sold us their house left these beautiful flowers that bloom every summer.


I'm guessing they are lilies? Am I right?

I love this little handful.


He has Davin and I doubled over with laughter every day.


Doesn't everybody think their kids are the cutest and the funniest and the smartest. Funny how that works.

See, this post already made me feel better.

What do you love lately?