Before :)

Just thought I would share what I spend my day doing....

Just wait until tomorrow when you see what the pieces make!  And for the record, there are 75 of them!  Ahhhh, it's so nice to feel needed!

We made the tour!

Nothing says summer is coming to an end like Warped Tour!  It's become Will and Daniel's annual goodbye to summer event.  They had a wonderful time and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

Hunter and I spend the day between Kentucky and Ohio, scouring every store looking for the perfect dorm accesories for the upcoming year.  We even managed to fit in lunch with Jeff and Starbucks!

All and all, I think everyone had a wonderful day!

Brotherly Love

I swear, I could watch them forever!

I happened to catch them sleeping tonight and it reminded me of the boys.  Probably because we were lucky enough to have two family dinners in a row and the boys were cracking me up!

I've said it before but it's worth saying again.  I love watching Hunter and Will together.  It does a mothers heart good.  They may be a hundred miles apart most of the time, but they don't miss a beat when they're together.  It's a bond that time or miles cannot damage.

Laughed until he cried

What a great day!  The morning was crisp, the windows were open, the birds were singing and Hunter came home!  

I can't tell you what a wonderful evening I had, tucked around the kitchen table with all three of my guys.  Hunter and Jeff cracked jokes and Will laughed until he cried (several times).  I got the sheer joy of sitting there, watching it happen. 

And when Hunter and Will cam back with ice cream, we did it all over again.  I know this week will fly by, but I'm determined to enjoy each and every minute of it.  

Although, I may gain 10 pounds if they come back with ice cream every night!

Coming Home!

All good things must come to an end.  Or in this case, thank goodness Hunter's summer job is over and starting tomorrow, I get to spend one uninterrupted week with him.  He's all moved, well rested and headed home first thing in the morning.  But only after he worked his last summer shift....from 11pm -7am this morning.  Oh, to be nineteen again and able to stay up all night.  Then again, maybe not.

Either way, this is how he spend his last shift :)

At 2:30am, he looked like this.....

At 7:05am, he looked like this....

Am I the only one that thinks he needs to come home and get some sleep?  I'm one excited momma...no sleep for me tonight!  Tomorrow, all my boys will be home and I'm counting down the minutes!  Sleep well everyone, tomorrows going to be a great day!

The Coaster Conundrum

Patience.

Not a family trait.

Procrastination.

Something I am all to familiar with.

Combine my procrastination with Jeff's lack of patience and what do you get?

These.

Aren't they cool?

I didn't get around to making mine fast enough and Jeff loved these and couldn't wait to order them.

The good news?

One more thing crossed off of my to do list :)

Just a normal day.....

It's Thursday.  Just a normal Thursday.  Will went off to work.  I sipped on coffee.  Jeff headed out for another day of meetings.  We met up again for dinner.  The dogs acted crazy.  It was just another non-eventful day.

With just one exception.  In between normal, I got to attend a wedding.  Not your ordinary wedding.  There were no guests.  Just the bride, groom, minister and me.  The church pews were empty.  There was no cake, no reception and no  rice was thrown.  There was no limo, no ring bearer or red carpet.  But without a doubt, it was the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended.

You see, two days ago I received a call from the bride asking if I had any availability today.  She was looking for someone to come and take a few pictures of the ceremony.  Before I could ask myself "Who looks for a photographer two days before their wedding?" or "Who gets married on a Thursday?", she continued with the story.

The bride had her dress and a wedding date in December.  A beachfront location in Florida and a family making plans.  All of that changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks ago.  She's undergoing surgery on Monday.  So today wasn't about pomp and circumstance.  It was about two people who deeply love one another and wanted to make a commitment to each other, before God, to make it through sickness and back to health.  I've never been more moved.

I sit here tonight feeling blessed.  Blessed to have been a part of such a touching moment.  Blessed to be healthy, loved and surrounded by the people that I care most about in this world.  It's amazing what can change an ordinary day into a life changing one.

So stop reading this and go hug someone you love.  Call an old friend.  Read a good book.  Watch mindless television because you have nothing else to worry about.  But say an extra prayer for someone not quite as blessed as you.  And be thankful for your normal, non-eventful, ordinary day.  

Saving my spot!

Oh, little deer!

We got a couple of breaks in the rain today.  Not many, but cooler temperatures are welcome so I'm not complaining!  Especially when a break in the rain brings out our guests.  Look at the little (and I mean LITTLE) deer that made it's way to the yard.  Will and I were in love.  It isn't often you see them this little.  She was all the way up at the deck!  Ah, living in the forest...my favorite thing!

Awesomeness!

I have the best hubby!  Look what he brought home for me!!!

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do with such awesome fabric?  I can't wait to get started!

Another Summer Project....

Everyone loves a summer project, right?  Heck, it wouldn't be a Thomas summer unless we took on another one.  But we've already built a shed, planted all the landscaping, painted, stained...well, you get the picture.

Since time seems to be what we have the least of, our newest project is intended to make the most of the little time we have.  She need's a little love.  But nothing that Jeff, the boys and I can't provide.  This weekend was our starting point and we're hoping to have her out to visit everyone before the leaves turn.

Meet Sue.

Ok, so that was just a hint.  Have you figured it out yet?

Here she is....

Meet Sue.  She's a 1999 Jayco Lite Hawk 24Ft Bunkhouse.  Plenty of room for the four of us and a dog or two.  Or just Jeff and I ('cause the boys are never home!) and maybe all three of the dogs.  Or maybe just for Jeff to sleep in when he's in the dog house!  Heck, I may just drive off with her for a weekend or two!

Like I said, she needs a little love.  Jeff and Hunter started the roof repairs today and I got started on the most important parts....the cleaning and decor!  It's our goal to have her out and on the road before we have to winterize her...so if you have a weekend to help, head on down!

The fondest memories.....

"The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table." - Unknown

Family dinner.  Can I tell you how long it's been since we've had one?  I'm guessing at least the first weekend of June...but truthfully, I can't remember.  That's when you know it's been too long.  And while the picture may be just ok, the evening was spectacular!  It doesn't matter how long we're apart, it matters how close we are when we're together.  No one misses a beat.  It's just the same, fun filled laughter fest that we always have.

I'm not sure if the boys cherish them right now as much as I do, but I know that one day they'll look back and remember all the memories that were made around the dinner table.

It's the Season!

Anyone have a bubble I can borrow?  It needs to be pretty sizable so I can live in it.

A mosquito.  A tiny little insect that has wreaked havoc on me for the last five days.  Apparently, a bite or two is fine.  But when you reach 40 (bites - not age), your body responds a little differently.  Enter horrible allergic reaction.

The missing blog last night was due to an evening spent at the doctors.  It doesn't take long for 40+ bites to get infected.  So here's what the solution looks like.  Oh, and a lot of bug spray for the rest of the season....assuming I'm willing to leave the house (which isn't likely!).  So be careful out there...rumor has it this is one of the worst mosquito seasons in quite some time.

Whew...I'm back!

I'm back!

Let me apologize again for the lame, no picture postings of the last few days.  I would love to say it was because I was having such a grand time.  The reality was that I was spending all of my time sitting on my hands, trying not to scratch myself to death.

But after a little voodoo magic from Jeff (ask me about his mad google skills one day), I'm much better today and managed to break out my camera and watch life for a bit.

As you've seen, we have the two new kittens, Clark and Ollie.  I've been waiting to get out and get their pictures before they turn into lounging large cats.  The kitten period lasts for such a short time.  But with the bugs and the bites, I didn't think that was such a great idea today.  So instead, I spent the evening with my camera perched at the back door, just waiting for that cute "kitten" moment.  This is what I got.

Will, your kitten is a trip!   Ollie was a great little model, Clark...well, he was certainly entertaining!

Too Itchy!

Yep.  Two nights without a picture.  For those of you that know me, you know that I have a terrible reaction to bug bites.  For those of you that have been in Blue Ridge with me, you know that they last for weeks.  Unfortuantely, I've gotten into another batch of bug bites.  Not one or two, but two dozen or so.  Even more unfortunate, half of them are on my back, between my fingers, etc.  I'm miserable.  And what's much worse?  Will has the same bites.  Finally, we found what trait I passed on to Will.  Poor kid.  Anyway, no pictures, no great stories...just a lot of itching and a few tears.

Hopefully, we'll be back on schedule tomorrow!

Pay it Forward

This is one of those life lessons for the boys.  Unfortunately, you can't take a picture of kindness so I'm leaving this one image-less.

Ever have someone ask you a favor?  You know the kind.  The really kind of easy favor that you just don't have time for?  Between work and sleep, any additional commitment seems a little more than you can handle?

Just do it.  Do something to make someone else happy.  Do it because you can.  Do it because in this big world, a friend is something to cherish.

So before you say no or politely change the subject, really think about what you can do.  Is it really that hard?   Can you make the time?  And most importantly, would you hope someone would do the same for you?

Pay it forward.  Kindness is so simple.

TGIM

It's Sunday evening and with the exception of Hunters birthday yesterday, it's been a pretty crumby week.  This is probably the one and only time you will hear me say...thank goodness tomorrow is Monday.  Here's to a better week for everyone.  Unless you had a great week last week.  Then, here's to a comparable week.

One minute.

One minute can change your life.

Mine was at 9:38pm on this very day, nineteen years ago.  In that minute, I counted ten fingers and ten toes.  I gave him a name and he gave me so much more.  It took just sixty seconds to realize that my life would never be the same.  

I've learned a lot more over the last nineteen years.  I've learned that he'll never have a bigger cheerleader or a harsher critic.   No one will feel his pain more than I do, nor will anyone's heart swell larger than mine in his triumphs.  No one will ever love him more. 

To celebrate the day, we got to spend 180 minutes together.  Each minute just as special as the first one I got to spend with him.  

Happy Birthday, Hunter.  Thank you for letting me share a moment of your day.  And just know, I'm counting down the minutes until you come home!

Home Sweet Home.

First, let me start by apologizing for last night's blog.  It was one of those days.  As I was typing...the internet went down.  I waited for a bit, but sleep won out.  Did I mention it was one of those days?

Today was bound to be better, right?  Absolutely!  Another cancelled flight and several delays later...Jeff finally made it home after 8pm tonight.  Just in time to head to Columbus tomorrow!  

Ahhhhh, a good nights sleep is calling me!  Welcome home, honey!

Seven hours, at least 20 different delays, a gate change and a thunderstorm later...Jeff's flight was cancelled.  So ins

Yippeee!

That's me, doing my happy dance!  It's my last night alone, the rain is moving out, I have the weekend off and we get to spend it with Hunter!!  I'm a happy girl!

Please.....

Dear Mother Nature,

Me again!  You may remember me from the frosty letter I wrote you in the winter or from the soggy letter I wrote to you a Spring or so ago.  I hate to bother you again, but it appears that you missed your cue.

The first day of summer was weeks ago.   At that point, we were still struggling to make it to 70 degrees.  It's rained every day since.  Yep, every single one.  That's SPRING weather....not balmy, go to the beach, hang out in the yard and bbq weather.  You know, summer activities.

So since you missed the first hint in June, let me remind you.  It's July.  The warm and sunny month of the year.  Please make the necessary changes....I'm tired of wearing rain boots and want to wear flip flops!

Sincerely,

Drowning in Ohio

 

   

Long Day.

This is how we all feel when Jeff is out of town....

Yuck!

A portobello mushroom sandwich.  Who orders that?  Oh, my kid.  Actually, I'm not sure he's mine...no child of mine would like mushrooms!  Anyone want to claim him?  Wait, he likes Oreos too.  Ok, he's mine.

Goodbye Rain.

Sometimes, the most beautiful moments come right after the storm.  Five minutes of breathtaking skies has made up for the three days of rain.  Hopefully, this is the sign of a beautiful day tomorrow.

Pairs

Everything is better in pairs.  No one wants one new shoe.  No girlfriend wants to receive one diamond earring.  Go Fish would be a lot less fun!

So when Jeff started looking into different ways to take care of our mouse/mole/chipmunk problem, Will had the perfect solution.

And it was a pair....

Meet Clark and Ollie.  Will's newest friends and soon to be Jeff's first line of defense against the little mice that have made home in the shed.  Tomorrow, we'll take on the task of building them a home :)

Land that I love!

Happy Independence Day, everyone!  The bbq's have all been rained out, we'll be watching the fireworks under our umbrella and I worked so hard I forgot to take a picture.  But it is still the best July 4th ever!  Last night, Austin touched down on American soil.  There is nothing we could be more thankful for today.  So if you got to bbq, are spending time with friends or setting off your own fireworks ... remember to take a minute to think of the brave men and women that can't be here celebrating today.  We're the home of the free because of the brave.

Don't Forget!

I keep telling myself that the kids will want to remember all of this.  I'm not sure they'll want to remember my hair cut, but I'm POSITIVE that Will will want to remember this....

Before and After

Change.  Not my favorite thing.  If you know me, you know that I'm a planner.  That's simply to ensure that I'm prepared for a change.  So it cam as a surprise to everyone, including myself, that 24 hours before my regularly schedule hair appointment I got the idea to change the color, cut and...well, all of it.  Blond was boring me and I needed a change...a completely off the cuff change.  So what do you think?

Before

After

What your guess?

So I asked Will to guess how many pictures I took while we were in Georgia.  His guess was 125 (obviously he missed all the ones of him wake boarding!).  I asked Jeff the same question.  He guessed 750.  I wonder if it was the giggle that gave away he was wrong.  So what's your guess?

1300.  That's the magic number.  Crazy, huh?  And I didn't even take my camera  to town, near the train station, out to the house or on a driving tour.  But I did capture every wake Will jumped, Jeff's first tube ride, Daniels first toe in the water, Mom's awesome lunch at the Toccoa and the most beautiful sunset that Georgia has to offer.

1300...and I've managed to work on ONE.  I'm sure there are other stellar ones in there, but this is the only one to share tonight.