Tag Archives: life

Parenting. Not for the weak.

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It’s summer.  Need I say more?

I didn’t think so.

It’s rained this week.  All.  Week.  Every.  Day.

I actually enjoyed working because I knew I wasn’t cooped up in the house with bored kids trying to fray each other’s last nerve as a past-time.  I was glad the girls had day-camp to go to.  Glad the boys are old enough to entertain themselves with bike rides and skateboarding (in between the rain) and horn practice and video editing.

Last night though.  The rain mojo.  Oy.  So bad.  So bad that on the way to our son’s July 4th concert I turned the car around.  Yes I did.  We kicked the girls out.  Yes we did.  We made them go back in the house.  Yes we did.  It cancelled all “rest and relaxation” time for our 15-year-old, but hey if Mama and Papa aren’t getting any R&R why should he?

We asked each other, “What the he** are we doing wrong???”

Reality:  Rainy week.  Less than adequate planning.  Tired kids.  Tired parents.  Boom!

Answer to our question:  “nothing”.  We are doing everything right.  Life happens.  Especially when you have 6 personalities to deal with.  And rain.  Life happens.

Moving on.

Back porch re-do

We finally decorated our back porch.  It’s been a few months and I figured I’d post pictures!  My original inspiration came from Pinterest (of course), however, we made a few adjustments along the way.

before

Our porch when we moved in

parts

Pieces and parts to hang the rods on the aluminum

curtain

Drop cloths and curtain rods. Initially we tried the PVC and paint for the curtain rods, however, because we opened and closed them depending on the sun, the paint easily peeled off despite priming. FYI.  The curtain rods were rods we already had in the living room that were the wrong size and needed replacing.

details

Lovely flowers to look at (our FINALLY blooming hydrangeas…a fun rug and accessories to liven up the place!

open

Voila! Our view the majority of the time.

closed

Our view when the sun is going down and in our eyes! Don’t mind the wrinkles in the curtains, I don’t!!

And so concludes our tour of our decorated back porch.  Eventually, I’d like to get some comfy furniture, but for now this is a good (and FREE) fit for our family!

WIWS Vol. 10

Linking back up with All the fine, fine ladies @ Fine Linen and Purple with this Sunday’s outfit.  I’ve stopped linking due to outfit repeat, however…..Kendra so sweetly reminded me last week (and others….) that it’s all about sharing, inspiring and having some fun.  So, here goes this week’s Mass fashion:

Mama

Skirt:  Kohl’s, also seen HERE

Shirt:  IDK, Cardigan: Kohl’s

Ring and necklace:  Lia Sophia

Barrette:  Target (I think)

Shoes:  Target (I think)

Girls

I went thrifting yesterday with our oldest son (he loves to thrift!!) and our oldest girl (also a thrifter!!) and scored a ton for all.  Here are two dresses we picked up yesterday.  And when the heck did my oldest girl get so tall and old????!!!  Be still my heart!

Boys

They all looked handsome but don’t really enjoy the photo shoots, so just imagine, khakis, plaids and combed hair.  K?

Including the outtake explaining to my girl to include the WHOLE outfit.

Including the outtake explaining to my girl to include the WHOLE outfit.

Accessories PicMonkey Collage Abby

Theme Thursday: Black and White

Two posts in a row.  Two links in a row.  What the????  Yes, crazy.  I know.  I have a wee bit of extra time this morning since I am letting the girls sleep in and go to Popop’s to swim this morning and bring them to day camp after lunch.  Win-win for Mama!!

Black and white.  I love black and white.  It is so forgiving!!!  Mysterious.  Dramatic.  Stands out.  I don’t have enough time this morning to take a NEW B&W photo, but have included a favorite of mine for submission!

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There’s plenty more where this one came from, and likely way cooler over @ Cari’s.  You can link up your own sweet B&W!!!     And you can check the laundry barometer while you are there….almost $7500!!!!  Looks like Dwija is going to have a sweet REAL laundry room, mice and drying rack free!!!

5 Favorites of ADORATION

Joining in with Hallie and the lovely ladies all sharing their 5 faves this week…for a smile on your face, for some “GO GOD” in your heart, you really neeeeeed to visit and start with Hallie, K?  K.

5 Favorites @ Moxie Wife

5 Favorites @ Moxie Wife

This week I was able to head over to Adoration during lunch and as always it’s truly my favorite lunch spot.  Ever.  Really.  Here’s why.

5.  Like most of y’all, I live a pretty busy life.  Husband.  4 kiddos.  Full time out of the house job.  Ever searching for the always elusive “perfect” balance between family and work.  Adoration IS as close to “perfect” as my life gets.  The profound sense of peace, joy and love when I walk through the door instantly soothes my heart and mind of whatever is jumbling it up at that moment.  Perfection.

4.   I may not ALWAYS  get immediate answers, direction and resolution of any given life challenge, however, I’ve received clarity, wisdom and peace over the years in answer to prayers during Adoration with much fruit in return.  Just ask my friend; one day I called her after Adoration and told her I felt their family was to home school.  She laughed. (nervously I think, since this was an announcement straight out of the blue).  They start their 3rd (?) year homeschooling this year.  Adoration don’t lie.

3.  I like to pray for people.  God hasn’t seen fit to fill our bank accounts to overflowingness (one can still hope though….) and I can’t always help people materialistically, however, I.  CAN.  PRAY.  Countless friends and family over the years have been the recipients of my prayers, some known, some unknown (but God ALWAYS knows), I’ve even prayed much for this sweet lady and her unborn baby.  You can’t underestimate the power of prayer.  Ever.  You might be too tired, angry, hopeless to pray, but I’ll pray for you.  I know I’ve been the recipient of a jillion and ten prayers and if my own give back even a tenth of intercessory love…I’m in.  Anytime.  Just say the word.

2.  This world is a wild and rocking and crazy constantly go-go-go world.  Sometimes I just need to be still.  I have my morning quiet time with the Daily Readings and that is phenomenal.  Coffee.  Word.  Start the day.  But sometimes….I just need to be still, quiet and listen and thank God for everything I don’t always remember to thank Him for.  Sometimes I just need to be still.  To listen if He wants to talk to me.  and one time ……..

1.  ONE TIME…….I’m telling you…….the monstrance and altar moved.  Throughout my time at Adoration.  I thought I was tired and cleared my eyes, but it kept happening.  Finally I just watched.  It was weird.  It was goosebump-giving.  It was mind blowing and heart filling.  Afterward I texted two friends who also attend Adoration and asked them a vague “have you ever had weird things happen at Adoration?” .  In the end, I’m not sure WHAT it meant, but perhaps He just wanted to say, “Hey, thanks for coming….check this out….I love you….I’m with you….come on back again, my love!”  And so I do.

Now head on over to Hallie’s for more fun things!!