so long June!

May was a month that really beat me up; it was full of the usual busyness coupled with some added personal responsibilities and the stress of tying up loose ends before passing the reigns onto the brave soul coming in to take my teaching spot; not to mention the hard reality that one of my very favorite people on the planet was nearing the end of this life.

Then, came June to finish what May had started.  June started with a high note--Sam's first ever VBS experience.  VBS is one of my favorite things, but it is so tiring.  Two weeks of VBS in a row?  Exhausting.  The second week of June brought the death of my Aunt, a second trip to the homeland for all that goes with saying goodbye, and anxiety overload.  Overload to the point of embarrassing.

So, with two days left in June, I'm clicking my heels together!  Mostly because those last two days in June will be spent in a place where my soul always finds rest--the mountains.  I may or may not come back...it depends if I can convince Jeremy to cash it all in for a secluded cabin in the Smokies.  Here's to hoping!

P.S.  The brightest spot during all this craziness was that Jeremy and I marked our 11th wedding anniversary; there's nothing sweeter than growing old with your best friend!  Mushy but true :).

it's a water wall. really.

Pinterest.  Tutorial.  DIY.  These are words that I am starting to loathe.  They are words that make me think that with the right set of instructions, I can do anything--no matter my skill set level or natural abilities.  They are words that make my dear husband want to run and hide.

The latest tutorial that I tried was for a water wall.  "Use things lying around the house," it promised.  "Little effort required," it said.  "Minutes of work will lead to hours of play," it boldly declared.

I presented Jeremy with the plan, and he willingly set about making it happen--dragging a pallet out of his shop, drilling holes in the random plastic containers I gathered, stapling each one to the pallet.

And, the result?  Well, it certainly looked NOTHING like the pictures from that dumb tutorial.  It left much to be desired in the way of appearance, functionality, and expectation.

Sam didn't seem to notice and was just glad to be playing in the water.  As I sat there and watched him play with the pitiful excuse for a water wall, I vowed that I would try again.  Pinterest would not win this one.  I have to allow some time to pass though...time enough for Jeremy to forget this latest episode.

too much time in the outfield

Like most three year old boys, Sam likes any ball that can be thrown, kicked, hit, rolled.  Recently, he's been really into playing baseball with a nice foam bat.  {After being whacked with his fishing pole, I knew the only way to go was a foam bat.}

Jeremy had bought a tee for him to use, but Sam decided he wanted me to throw it to him.  I found myself reaching way back in time to those days in P.E. when we had to play softball....how did Coach Pesnell tell us to stand; what did she say about holding the bat; why didn't I pay more attention; why did I spend so much time in the outfield picking flowers?  With these thoughts rolling in my head, I began showing him how to stand and how to hold his bat, telling him to watch the ball.  Really, it was laughable because I know how little I actually know about the topic.  It must have known just enough because he hit it a couple of times ;).  <sigh of relief>

Who knew being a mama also meant knowing about sports for those days when uppa is working?!  I may have some studying to do....

monster trucks and fishing poles

Sam was so excited the day he found the monster truck that he just had to give it to me early; nothing Jeremy said could convince him to wait.  As you can see from the dirt on the tires, we've already put a few miles on it! And, this evening we spent plenty of time in the yard with Sam showing me how to use my newly acquired fishing pole.

Last week I heard Jeremy ask Sam what he wanted to get me for Mother's Day.  Sam turned to him and whispered, "fishing pole."

Several days later, Jeremy comes to me and says, "You're probably getting a fishing pole and a remote control monster truck for Mother's Day.  That's what Sam wants to get you."

So, I was thrilled to be given both in honor of Mother's Day!  My heart is overjoyed by the tenderhearted, generous little boy who wanted his mama to have two toys of her own.  And by an amazing husband/father who helped make it happen, making multiple trips to town for Sam to complete his shopping.

Oh, the memories to be made involving monster trucks and fishing poles!

what, honey?

There are days when I hear my mother's voice coming out of my mouth, and it always gives me pause until I realize it's not my mother that I 'm hearing but my own voice calling forth those all too familiar words like, "Because I said so" or "If I tell you one more time" (a classic).

The other day I was taken by complete surprise when I heard MY voice coming from a certain little boy.

"Sam?" I say as I stand at the sink doing dishes.

"What, honey?" he promptly replies from the spot where he's meddling in the cabinet.

Really??  Did he just answer me with a what honey???  I'm so in for it if he's already sounding like a grown up!

This little episode with Sam gave me a laugh, but it also reminded me of how much he is watching and listening to Jeremy and me.  May the words that come out of our mouths be words of encouragement and truth.  May they be spoken with kindness and gentleness.  Piece of cake, right? ;)

change is coming

Change.  It's coming soon to our corner of the world.  Thankfully, it's the good kind of change.

Come the end of May, I will go from being part-time teacher/full-time mom to just full-time mom!

 Saying that I am thrilled would be an understatement :0).  My time spent waiting for Sam ( and missing the first two years) cemented one thing for me:  the greatest desire of my heart was to stay at home with Sam, pouring into his little life and watching him grow and develop.

We still have a good two years before we have to think about Sam and school (thankful for late birthdays), so I intend to make the most of our time at home together.  Because one thing is certain, the time will fly by at warp speed.  Schools needing teachers will always be there; time at home with the child of my heart is a momentary blessing that I wouldn't miss for the life of me.

Here's to the next two years--may it be spent creating sidewalk chalk art and memories that will bury into our hearts for a lifetime.

And, to the best job in the world--may the Lord give me strength, wisdom, and grace to do it well!

a special friday night special

Picnic supper. Korean food. Chocolate milk. Fishing pole. Happy boy.

Peaceful scenery. Soothing sounds of water mingled with sounds of laughter. Time together. Happy mama.