Quiet Moments

I should be off to bed but I'm having one of those quiet moments of reflection. Wondering where summer went. Why when I was a kid a day felt like forever and now as an adult a day feels like a minute. I keep trying to prepare myself for Emilee leaving and heading off to college but to be honest I'm not even ready for the boys to go back to school. I have just enjoyed watching and allowing the boys to just be... dirty, wet, messy, stinky, creative, funny, they have been 12 and these days it's hard for kids to just be...12. I love when they play with legos or cars. This summer felt like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn lived here. It's all about adventure. This innocense lasts such a short time and you know with Middle School comes the whole I've got to fit in act. My boys do pretty well just being who they are and I pray that can continue. Let's pray for our kids and the coming school year. God is mighty and he has awesome plans.
And let's remember that it's okay sometimes to JUST BE!!

Dorm Life Can Be Beautiful

Sorry the picture isn't that great!!

Dorm Life Can Be Beautiful

That's the theme for my booth this month. Took a picture of a few treasures that Emilee and I took to the store today. I love a can of spray paint and some cute ribbon. You can transform the ugly. The pile of pink that you see in the mirror is Emm's stuff for school. It has truly taken over my office. It's the pink blob.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.

The Unexpected

The kids and I headed out early Friday morning for a trip down to Hanover and the small town of Madison. My girl wanted to check out where she would be living and show her bubbies her new school. The drive was beautiful and we had a great time talking along the way. That is one thing I miss , when your children start driving you miss all that car ride talk. We arrived in Madison and wouldn't you know it was the hottest day of the summer so far. Madison is a beautiful little town that sits right on the Ohio river. We walked around town and checked out stores and restaurants. We had to try the famous Hinkle burgers for lunch. They are just like a White Castle hamburger. The kids wanted to go in a pet store and I said sure. It was attached to a Vet clinic and it didn't look like they had any animals!! Have you ever heard LOOKS CAN BE DECIEVING? Of course, you know what happens next ...mom cna we have him, please mom? We lost our sweet kitten a couple of months ago and they have been longing for another pet. Our dog truly missed the kittena nd the kids used that against me. So, meet Tucker the unexpected!!

Stuff

I've been busy and here are the fruits of my labor.

The chairs are vintage finds with a new flair. I am putting these in my Artsy booth along with some other treasures.

I love my waffle maker...thanks Aunt Deb!!
This delightful strawberry shortcake was a hit with my people.

Good Preaching

Life hurts but God Heals.

We live in a world full of brokeness and we all have areas of our lives that we are broken down and in need of healing. There was some good preaching going on today. I mean just stuff that we all can relate to. There are times when I leave church and can hardly wait to get in the car and talk about it with the family , this was one of those times. It made me think about choices I've made and the outcome of those choices. Why is it that there are times I keep getting the same outcome. Oh , that's right I'm making the wrong choices. Am I doing what God wants or sticking with the same old game plan. So this week I am going to see what Gods plans are instead of me filling up my days and leaving no room for his guidance and healing.
If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you always have got.
hmm Something to ponder on.

Made in China ... Loved in the USA

Celebrating Connor

What a great day to celebrate Connor's arrival. My dear friend Julie and family adopted him from China and it was time for him to meet and greet family and friends. It's so great when people take the time to celebrate defining moments in our lives. I know everyones days are filled with busy but to stop and make time for someone else...it can be magical and this was one of those days.
The theme of the day was Connor has landed. I have gained a new appreciation for adoptive families. It's not like you can run out and buy the latest we've adopted giftware. It's also hard when it's not a baby.
So here are a few pics and some giggles.

Quilt

This is the quilt I have been meaning to show you. I made it with the help of my good friend Julie . I took my daughters old t-shirts that had a special meaning to her. It's a great story teller. Hope this Thursday has you out and enjoying this beautiful summer day.

Our Girls Home From Holy Sweat

Our girl made it home from her mission trip. It's a tradition that our youth group takes the youth on a Holy Sweat mission trip every July 4th week. It was bitter sweet for our girl, as this is the last one she will be going on with the youth. I always love to hear the stories of how God changed lives and moved mountains. To know that young people paid to go work for Jesus, man does it get any better then that? We can all work for him but sometimes I think we forget that we don't have to travel far or spend a lot of money. Just showing some Jesus love at the grocery or at school can make such a difference. Start small but be kind to someone this week.

Graduation Photos

She Did it, I did it, We did it! It was our daughters graduation. They should really give you a manual or something. She wanted it to be different and very non-traditional. The food was great the candy bar was a hit and friends and family came from all over. For people to take the time to share in one of your defining moments is something very special. Our daughter was so thrilled and blessed. Making it through the rough weather the night before was nothing to surviving the open house and graduation festivities.
One thing I have learned through all of this is that while I have been concentrating on God's plans for my daughter and how exciting this new adventure will be for her, God revealed to me that he isn't finished with me. He's got mighty big plans for me too. He let me be a mother to just get a glimpse of the love he has for me.
So with that said my daughter is off to college in the fall and I'm going to be okay. I'm actually excited to see what God has planned for me.