my brand of busy

we are all ridiculously busy.  stupid busy.  whether it's self inflicted busy, or legitimate can't do a thing about it busy, doesn't much matter.

i can't remember the last time that i asked someone "how have you been?" and the answer was anything other than 'busy'.  (i remember when the automatic response was still the generic and non descript "okay")

anyway, i am no exception.  here is my current brand of busy:

it is wedding season y'all, and i am very...you guessed it...busy sewing wedding clutches!  this years fav? chevron and oblong in every color of the rainbow:

we have just completed a week-long vacation bible school:

my husband and i just got back from a weekend away.  he was in charge of the camera, and did not photograph anything except me!!! seriously? come one...

this is me un make-uped and forcing a smile because he said "smile" and i complied only because i didn't know he would go on to take like 30 pictures of me that weekend.  seems he forgot what i look like without 150 lbs. of children dripping off of me.

and while the weekend was fantastic and i loved each moment away, i did come home to a messy home and lots and lots of laundry?? how? it was all done before i left.  it's like the kids wore 3 outfits everyday i was gone!



and of course i will help plan the women's retreat...

and the kids are taking art classes every tues...

and i am throwing my big sister's bridal shower on sat...

and my oldest son is taking his hunter's safety course this week...

and one child has a summer head cold...

and, and, and...

then i read:

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him..."
Psalm 37:7

and

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom"
Psalm 90:12

oh how i need to be still and wait.  patiently of course.  and how i desperately need that heart of wisdom.

i am busy with good things. my family and all that goes along with having one.  my little side business gets my leftovers.

i am deliberate about having real time for my husband and each one of my children.  i read to them every day. (the kids, not my hubby:)  we do stuff together and don't watch tv.  but am i being deliberate enough about having time to be still and wait patiently?

what do you do to be deliberate about being still and waiting patiently?

gifts guys give...

are you blessed with boys?

do you just love the gifts that they give you for special events?

i love letting my boys think of things for me on their own.  without any hints, suggestions, or help from daddy.

i have gotten the best things from them...MEMORIES!

here are a few examples:

a snow globe with a train inside for my birthday (which is in aug.)  he said it was the prettiest thing he could find and wanted me to have it! it is now one of my very most cherished possessions.

a handsoap dispenser with strawberries on it for christmas. because mommy washes her hands alot. of course!

the very best surprise was the year that my 2 boys bought me not one, not two, but four nutcrackers of various shapes and sizes and themes for christmas!  i could not stop laughing.  we had been out christmas shopping and the boys were begging for nutcracker soldiers, and my husband and i said no, and then promptly bought the nutcrackers for them for christmas.  so the boys wanted me to have the very thing that they wanted most of all! let's just say i have trouble when decorating for christmas...where to put all of the nutcrackers???

anyway, last week was my birthday, and my boys decided to make me gifts...

my oldest son thought that it would be awesome to make mommy a drinking hat!

here he is modeling it for me:

and here i am trying it on:

(and trying not to laugh hysterically!)

please note that he is dutifully trying to adjust it for his poor old mother who has not grasped the technology of this brilliant contraption.  um...i could have lost an eye! good thing i was wearing my glasses:)

not to be outdone, my littlest guy made me the cutest thing that i have ever seen!

unfortunately, i am at a loss as to what to call it him...

i came home from the lovely birthday weekend away with my husband, and find HIM hanging above my back sliding doors:

my son proudly announced that he made this little fella just for me for my birthday!

seriously, can you get better gifts?  the answer is a resounding YES!!  each one of my children are precious gifts from the Lord above.  it truly doesn't get better than this.

for all of you with little boys in the toddler stages...just wait!  it is amazingly wonderful to enjoy talking with your boys (young men) about all sorts of things.  introducing them to the world and the way things work.  they will want to know how everything works...so better brush up on how a car runs now.  it is moving to recieve pipe cleaner whos-its and whats-its for your birthday, and an army of nutcrackers for christmas!  their love is precious and genuine.

who wants new sunglasses? perfume? jewelry? not me!!!  it can't compare to a gift given with imagination and LOVE.



new stuff & turning 30!

hiya!

i know i've been silent for so long...
whew! have we been busy!
and here are some pics:)

my oldest dragging my girly around on a giant floppy dog:)

all my babies on a golf cart we rented when camping:)

boys love to play with fire...and moms just have to make peace with it!

my oldest son having some campfire coffee with his momma!!

this would be the worlds smallest travel trailer!  seriously, folks.  it is a whopping 8 ft. long and pure vintage!  a dear lady that we love like a momma gave it to us 12 years ago when we were newly married.  it's a Shasta Compact from 1968.  it totally rocks.  in case you are wondering...just the girls sleep in here:)

my hubby! (thinking 'why is she taking a picture of me?')

in other news...

I'm turning 30 on Saturday!!!

i can't explain, but i am really excited!  not the least bit self conscious about it:)

also, my awesome husband has arranged everything for a weekend away (just the two of us) to celebrate.  he picked out where to stay, made dinner reservations, bought tickets to Busch Gardens ( i love me some big roller coasters!!)

we are going to stay at an awesome b&b in colonial williamsburg, VA.  i love colonial williamsburg!  we honeymooned there almost 12 years ago:)

just praying that i'll get over the mommy guilt of leaving (and worrying about the kids too) and just ENJOY the gift my husband is giving me!