Back on The Farm

We had all been missing tromping around on the farm. And with weather as nice as it's been, it would have been a shame to stay in. So out we went, piled into the truck and drove out past the lake to our bit of Kansas prairie.

Everett was so excited to get back, insisted on going barefoot. I think he just wanted to soak up as much summer as he could.

I couldn't pick between these photos so you get both! Everett's so excited in the first one, but Bea is turned around in the second, so there you have it, if I was any good at photoshop I could just combine them.

We did insist on shoes before hiking much past the gate. He was not happy.

Phoebe, however, couldn't have been any happier if she tried!

My girl did get to leave her shoes at home, but thats because she isn't too keen on walking yet, and I don't mind carrying her.

The posed picture followed by the "this feels so good on my bare feet, I love being outside" picture. I love them both!

It was a beautiful day. I am so thankful for these times together. All the little things, the frustrations, the differences, the growing and learning, it is easier with memories like these to think about when clouds make the skies grey.

Splash, Splash, faux-hawks for everyone!

What do you think, are they related?

Tea with Friends

It brought a smile to my face, on an otherwise rotten day, when Everett asked if we could have a "tea-party." So we made cookies, a pot of tea, and set the table for our guests of honor. Trixie-bug, Henry (the octopus), Oos (the otter), and Ryan the robot joined us at our little table.  It was just what our day needed. And while the day never completely recovered, my sweet boy reminded me frequently to "take a deep breath" and that "we are all just learning." It always makes me laugh to hear those oft spoken words come out of his smiling face.

I completely forgot, we also invited the raccoon, who still doesn't have a name. Any suggestions?

Here is a lesson I learned that day, stopping for a bit of silliness may not make all the yuck dissapear, but it certainly won't make anything worse. And tea really did hit the spot. He is so wise for almost four.

Five and Five

So I was ruminating on the end of summer and on all the wonderful amazing things that I did. And sitting here at my computer seemed like as good a time as any to write a short "what I learned on my summer vacation" post. You remember doing that in school right?

So I think I will make a list which is easier than writing lovely connecting sentences anyway. Maybe two lists, just for me, as a reminder and kind of resolution as we close out the carefree days of August and move into the early days of fall.  I am sure it won't feel like fall for a while, not in Kansas anyway. But Everett starts school again in two weeks, so that is close enough.

Five things I learned about me:

1. I actually like to sweat and excercise every day.  My mom is an excellent fitness role-model. My whole life she has encouraged healthy eating, excercise, and consistent activity. However, until this trip, I thought it was something different about us. Now I know that I love to work out, I love to sweat, and I feel so much more peaceful and energetic (it may sound like an oxymoron, but it isn't) when I get at least 30 minutes of intense physical exertion in everyday.

2. I don't need as much sleep as I think I do. Now I am not going to turn down a morning sleep-in if it happens, but I realized that I would rather participate fully everyday. And for me that means getting up early and sometimes going to bed much later. To tie it in to number 1, I can be pleasant and happier for much longer on much less sleep if I am excercising too.

3. I remember events around what I was wearing. So this is maybe just weird, but I keep a written journal and in it I write down what I wear for specific days/events. It helps me remember more than if I were to describe what I did. I have been keeping this journal for about 5 years on and off, but when I re-read the entries I can remember vividly down to the weather what happened just by knowing what I wore. It is kind of like a secret code, because if anyone were to pick it up and start reading it all they would see are short-hand descriptions of clothes, but for me it is all I need to go back and remember wonderful times.

4. My kids just want me. It sounds very simple and maybe even intuitive, but it took a long time (almost 4 years!) to really understand. Nothing makes my babies happier than having all of me. My attention, my love, all of it. Which means no distractions. Just sitting and letting my mind focus on them. Sometimes it is hard other times it comes easier, but it is always worth letting go of my goals to sit and play with them.

5. This may be the most important, I need my partner. While I was surrounded with love, extra adults, help, museums, beaches, parks, libraries and tons of other wonderful things, I missed my husband and couldn't be my best with out him. I am so blessed to be balanced in strengths and talents with a man who is the best dad, husband, and friend I could ever ask for. I am so thankful to be home and sharing our children and the responsibilites of our life with him.

Five things I want to work on:

1. I want to keep working out (I joined the gym here!!!) walking, running, and getting stronger. My first fitness goal is to run the St. Patrick's day 10k in Manhattan in March.

2. Get involved where I live. I have joined a Bible study that starts in 3 weeks and I am going to begin teaching the 2-3 year-old Sunday school this weekend! I am hoping these allow me to meet new friends and get to know people at the church I have been semi-regularly attending for a year.

3.Start writing and drawing again. Even if it is only in my journals, I want to dedicate time to sorting through some of the thoughts that tumble through my head each day.

4. Vacuum, sweep, mop and clean the bathrooms. Because it shows good stewardship for my lovely home and blesses my husband when things are shipshape.

5. Allow my creativity space and time for expression. Whether it be make-believe, sewing, daydreaming, or cooking, I want to be mindful of my need for beauty and art.

And in each of these areas, I want to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and joy, because I am blessed and I believe it is my responsiblity to share these things with everyone that God puts in my life.

Vacation Part IV

And finally we come to the end of our vacation.

Everett and the Kett car.

Nonni and Everett playing with the geese.

The girl has a try.

Monkey on the monkey bars.

 The girls at the beach, waiting for our shrimp burgers.

Trying to wrangle a mama-baby picture, no real luck. Oh well. I know I was there.

Princess Ruffle-butt.

At the aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Giant crab claw. And an Everett.