First day of summer break....bit of a rough start. I decided it was time to go through the girls mountains of clothing and minimize their selection for the summer, stick away pieces that they will still be able to wear this fall and get rid of the rest. So....we emptied their drawers onto the floor and brought up the summer bin from the basement. What a mess! Trying to get all three girls to put outfits together that they will actually wear is very interesting and chaotic. But, I was determined to get it all done at once this morning so we let chaos reign for a bit and I tried, unsuccessfully, to stay calm at all times. Have I ever told you that clutter stresses me out? Where did all those clothes come from? Well, we are obviously blessed with clothing.

This afternoon I worked at the church and the girls played, then home to make supper, out with everyone for Culver's Custard.....then a trip to a local garden spot to pick up flowers to pot for the girls' teachers, helpers and principals. Full day....it turned out quite sweetly, despite it's bitter start.

When life slows down

Over the past weeks I experienced something that many times I have asked for. When life seems crazy and overloaded, or just repetitive and constant, I have made the comment that I'd just like to get off the"merry-go-round" of life for a little while. Ever been there? Tired of the tedious, worn from the work, frazzled from the frenzy? Because of some personal health issues that needed to be taken care of, I was given the opportunity to take a break and rest. I got off the merry-go-round and had some time to heal, rest, reflect, reconsider, and reconnect. The first couple weeks I had not choice but to sleep and rest, but then it began to prove more difficult. I began wanting to be able to do those things which has once proved so tedious. Some because I wanted them done my way, but in another sense, I think I just had a difficult time being still with my thoughts. There were so many things I could have done to enjoy my time and release from responsibilities, but I instead fought being impatient and wanted to get up and get back "into life". Looking back now that life is in full swing again and back to "normal", I once again long for the days when it is calm again and I can do less and have some time to enjoy for myself. We are strange and curious creatures. Always seeming to want something other than what life has for us at the time. I think it's time to enjoy every part of life that we are given and see each season as a gift from God. And if it is a gift, surely there is some good that we will find if we open it up and look inside. What gift is God trying to give you today?

Time to get started again

It's been a few months, and I will try to get started on here again more regularly. I'm not sure how many people actually read this, but to those of you who visit here, may you be blessed, and maybe enjoy a few smiles by what you read and see here.

Giving thanks and getting ready for Christmas

Wow, November is gone and December is half over. Christmas will be here soon, so life is full of getting our house decorated, shopping, and planning get-togethers. This is one of my favorite times of year because it has such a special meaning.....Jesus' birth, which led to his death for our life. What a gift God gave us.

Tyler came home for several days to enjoy Thanksgiving and be home for his 18th birthday. We all had an enjoyable time. He was very happy and is really connecting with us more than he ever has. Since he turned 18 and is legally an adult, Rick and I had to go to Springfield and get guardianship of

him so we can continue to make decisions for him.

Grace, along with all the second graders sang in the schools' Christmas Concert and it was fantastic. We were  pleasantly surprised how many Christ based songs were included. Grace loved the attention, getting all "dolled up" and having her hair curled. She looked so cute!

Tyler will again, be home on the 23rd for Christmas for about a week, so I am busily preparing ahead of time what I can, because although I love having him home with us, daily life as we know it comes to a stop somewhat while he is here. He is a very happy boy here at home, but is definately a home body. I'm sure we will venture out to a friends house some evening with music and Barney tapes in tow and he'll settle in quietly on someones bed.....Unfortunately he will miss our big family Christmas at my Mom and Dad's because we had to schedule it for the Sunday before he arrives home, so that's sad, but we'll still have our Christmas time here at home. That week-end the ladies singing group I am in is singing 2 songs and Hannah, Grace and Maddie are all singing with the kids special, so it wouldn't work to have Tyler at church with us that day because he won't sit in the service and I have to be very hands on with him when we take him. That's one thing that I want God to change. I look forward to the day he will go to church with us and be content to sit through the service, but until then, we must work our schedules and his visits around it.

My, it's been awhile. Life was so full all summer with getting ready for the opening of the new building our church built. I spent hundreds of hours painting rooms and doing other tasks, but praise God, we are in! Then, school started. We put our girls in public school this year, mainly because I needed the break during the day, and we were really struggling with learning issues. I'll have to explain all that later. But for now, I'm back and hopefully, I can keep up with this blog, cause it's pretty fun, even if no one reads it :) !

Undefeated

Hannah's softball team has played 6 games and is undefeated. The girls are doing very well with running the bases and our 2 pitchers are great at throwing strikes. Hannah is enjoying being on the team and is making progress in her ability to catch the ball in outfield and then throw it to the right base. I'll have to try to get her team pic on here soon.

Who Am I?

I am a woman loved by God,living a blessed life with my amazing husband and five creative and unique kids! Because I am so loving adoringly by God,  it is my soul desire to love Him back through my life, seek out and live this life He has laid out for me every day and let His love shine through me. I love life, I love the friends God has given me and I love to laugh. And if truth be told, I'm also a self-proclaimed "Princess", although my husband says I am queen of this house.