Summer Memories

I can't believe that its almost September. You know what that means right? Closer to the Holidays! Its like a countdown, as soon as school starts and summer is over it goes so fast. I pray that everyone had a great summer. I was thinking about when I was a child and spent so many summers at my grandparents homes, I only have one grandparent left now. I miss all of them, I sometimes sit and just reminisce of all the fun, innocent things we did. Catching fireflies, running in the fields, climbing trees, digging in the dirt, staying up late and chasing down ice cream trucks. Oh the memories of a time when there was no stress. I used to pray that God speed time up so I could be 18 a move out, own my own home and not have to listen to my parents, HA! So naive. If we only knew then, right? I pray that my own kids experience the things that we were able to as kids but I am a realist and know that the world is a little different now. When you could stay out until the porch lights came on now you have to play right in front of your porch light. Kids can't walk to the nearest parks alone, parents need to go with them to everything. I often feel guilty that my kids won't be able to experience that stuff. I think when we get to heaven it will be like a fun summer day, no worries, carelessly playing, no fear, constant joy, happiness that is unspeakable and of course, seeing the Lord. What a perfect eternity, does not get much better then that. What are some of your childhood summer memories? I hope you all cherish your memories and have made the best of your summer.

Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Such a beautiful, chilly morning. Reminds me of when I was a child and our first day of school always seemed cool outside. Today we will work on our school work and do some laundry and I will be making soup for lunch and dinner since hubby has a dentist appointment. Not our favorite :( I pray you all continue to have a blessed week and great first week at school those of you who have started. So much too do and such a busy time right now. We need to remember to take time for ourselves, moms need to have some down time to unwind from the daily activities ect...last night I got the kids bathed and in bed by 8 and actually had time to lay in bed and read my kindle! It was a miracle! I know that we need that time for ourselves, I think it makes us a better parent too. We all need our rest. So remember with all the things going on right now, doctors appointments, lessons, and school activities take time for yourself! I know its hard, as moms we always put ourselves last, really we need this for our own sanity and for the good of all our family.

" Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him." ~ Psalm 62:5

Back to School

Well today is the “official” first day of school for our family. We worked today from 10am until 3pm and it went very smooth. I was pleasantly surprised but at the same time I realize not all days will go this easy. I remember the first few months when we first started I would get so discouraged when things did not go according to our schedule and I would feel like a complete failure. Since then I’ve learned that schedules don’t always get followed! Its ok. Things happen, Life happens and we get up the next day and start over, right? I think so. Prayers to you all as you begin back to school and prayers for the safety of our children. God Bless

“Great is his faithfulness, his mercies are fresh every morning “~~Lamentation 3:23

Quiet Time

How many of you long for Quiet Time? I feel like life gets so busy sometimes that there is NO HOPE for it! I have been taking advantage of my Kindle at night when the kids go to sleep so I can sneak some reading in. I used to LOVE too read, I read all the time. I remember even as a kid I would take my "allowance" and buy Sweet Valley High books and read them. I look back now and see that my love for reading started very early on. I try to instill that in my own children as well. Its a nice "escape" to grab a good book and just drift away into it. I also feel lately like I have been neglecting my Bible reading as well. I downloaded the KJV Bible on my kindle so I can make sure I get that in at night. I used to be able to sit at the table for hours and study my bible, those were the days. I keep reminding myself as the kids get older it will get easier to sit and do that but for now, a season, they are small and I will enjoy and take advantage of my "Quiet Time" at night. How many of you long for that time as well?

Friends

Ive been a little preoccupied the past week or so. I have been so busy catching up with some old friends, family and we have had quite a few family functions. Everyone is getting ready to go back to school and there are a lot of end of the Summer activities. I hope everyone has had a great Summer! Its been SO HOT! I am ready for the fall. I am glad that I have started talking again to my BFF from middle school through high school. It makes you remember what it was like to have that best friend from your childhood who you had sleepovers with, first boyfriends, parties, and proms. It takes you back to good memories but also brings you to where we are today and realize that time goes so fast. Its scary. Its so important to have people in our lives that bring happiness and joy. Life is so short to be surrounded by things that don't even matter, arguing, drama, and silliness. Over the past year or so it seems like every corner I turned there was some sort of drama going on whether it was family or friends and emotionally and mentally it takes its toll on you. I am at a point in my life that unless you are bringing positive things to the table then I am not interested in a relationship with you. I am too old to answer to people or explain my actions for what I do in my life or what friends I have. I want to live life to the fullest and be happy. I have a great family, wonderful hubby and kids and I am going to enjoy it. I hope you all enjoy yours too and remember life is short, cherish each moment with your loved ones and true friends. God puts people in our lives for a reason I believe, I want to enjoy them :)

Best Summer Salad!

This is the BEST summer salad! Romaine lettuce, steak strips, red onion, oranges, honey and olive oil, sprinkle with some pepper then done!! I was not sure we would like this and now I have hubby asking "Can we have the steak salad"! We usually stick to the same things we like around here for fear of wasting money and food! However, I made this a few months back for a party and I barely got a plate! I am having hubby a 40th birthday party this weekend and this is on the menu. I am making it mostly "guy food". BBQ, chicken buffalo dip with bread, chips and salsa, wings, steak salad and hot dogs for the kids. Someone is spoiled! Try this salad if you can, its awesome!!

Blessed

Wow, today has gone by super fast. I am sitting here thinking "where does the time go"? I guess its true that when you are busy the time goes by fast. We were a little slow moving this AM since we slept in a little later then usual, we ate and started school at 11:30 and the little kids napped. I love doing school when they are sleeping, when they are awake they want to be right at the table doing whatever we are. Its sweet and they have learned a lot too but its hard for our oldest to concentrate sometimes. I believe home school is a blessing for us but its easy to get discouraged because I am a schedule type of person and I can't always follow it. I guess thats the beauty in home school, you make your own schedule and go with the flow. We usually get a good days worth of school in about 4 hours and then we do extra "fun" stuff later. We are working through the summer until November 1 then we break until January, we can't wait!! We love the cooler months and this works great since our son has horrible allergies! Camping is better in the fall :) Also with the holidays during that time it tends to get a little crazy. I am praying for God to continue to give me strength to teach our children the way he wants and continues to bless our family the way he has. I pray the same for all of you.