Stories & Pictures

Can I Call a Time Out?

I just want to know how this summer got put into fast forward without my permission? Seriously, at this rate, I will look forward to school starting so we can S L O W D O W N for a minute. 

The boys have to be at school every day by 6:45 AM for track. Kelly has to be at the barn by 8am for riding and then there are the kids social schedules...oh my.

I am enjoying being chauffered every where by Kelly who is practicing her driving skills, but seriously.

In the past two weeks I've given two guild presentations, led an all day workshop, taken two trips to Dahlonega for sewing machine drop off and pick up. Kelly has been to the barn countless times, and ordered new boots at the tack store (not nearby!) and had to pick them up. The boys are at least going to bed earlier because of the early morning runs.

We have had numerous sleepovers and social outings. We've been to the pool, the aquatic center, and various parks and running trails. We've also been to the quilt shop quite few times, thankfully!

We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and a few other special events that are fun, but my calendar looks like a crossword puzzle!

I just feel like every day is a sprint to the finish, and I'm ready for some summer relaxation...any tips on where I could find some?

 

Hello Summer!

While it's not officially summer according to the calendar, all of my kids are out of school for the next ten weeks...so it's officially summer according to them! They had the "burning of the notebooks" last night, so that seals the deal. 

I love summer. It's probably my favorite season.

I love staying up late and sleeping in late.

I love a house full of kids and all their craziness.

I love sleepovers on weekdays, and big pancake breakfasts.

I love lounging by the pool and taking the dogs on long walks.

I love growing fresh vegetables and eating them!

I love no schedule, no stress, and no carpool.

I love no homework, no school activities, and no tests.

I love picnics by the lake, and reading good books in the shade.

I love just being with my kids and having them around all day.

And I will still love it, even when it's time for it all to end. 

Hello summer, so glad you are here!

 

Hello March,

Hello warmer weather, longer days, and more sunshine!

Hello daffodils and green grass.

Hello track season and afternoons at the barn.

Hello no more "post surgery restrictions"  for Kelly!!

Hello cleaning up the garden for spring planting.

Hello quilt show and shop hop.

Hello good books on the porch.

And even better...

Goodbye nasty cold rainy gray days!

Goodbye being couped up inside for months!

Goodbye extra layers of clothes, and (hello less laundry!)

Dear March, I am SO VERY GLAD you are finally here.

Gratefully and hopefully,

Diane

Blog your heart February Edition

A lovely lady over here puts out a challenge every so often to blog what is truly on your heart and mind. I haven't done this in quite a while and feel it's time to...so here goes:

* Feeling so super thankful that my Kelly girl is healing so rapidly from her surgery and hoping she will be running like the wind soon!

* Feeling sad that my mom-in-law fell and broke a vertebrae and is in lots of pain. I hope she is able to heal quickly and get comfortable soon.

* Feeling so blessed that my husband is able to take good care of his mom.

*Feeling thankful that I saw the first blooms of spring this morning!

*Feeling frustrated with the switch to windows 8 and all the technical issues this blog is having with it, thus the infrequent blogging and lack of photos!

*Feeling worried about the huge blizzard heading to the northeast and hoping all are safe in it's path.

*Feeling like no matter how early I get up or how late I stay up, there are never enough hours in the day to be the mom, the wife, the designer, the house keeper, and the business woman that I would so love to be.

*Feeling overwhelmingly blessed to be surrounded by opportunities and people who encourage me.

* Feeling like I have the best friends in the world.

*Feeling like I can and should do more, but even if I did, I would find something new to feel guilty about (really need to stop that!)

*Feeling so proud of my kids, and the way they love and treat each other (mostly) and how lucky I am to watch them grow up into amazing people. 

*Feeling like I want to quilt something, but I have an eye doctor appointment instead, sigh.

Thanks for letting me share what's on my heart today.

Diane

Hello Summer!

Hello sleepovers.

Hello staying up late and sleeping in later.

Hello relaxation.

Hello horse rides in the morning.

Hello garden grown veggies.

Hello heat and humidity.

Hello no routine.

Hello cleaning out closets.

Hello reading good books.

Hello lazy afternoons by the lake.

Hello sunscreen and bugspray.

Hello cookouts and campouts.

Hello kids and friends and chaos.

Hello crazy dogs.

Hello swimming.

Hello happiness.

Hello my favorite season!

Blog Your Heart

A really special person by the name Stephanie issues challenge occasionally over here.

She encourages bloggers to share what's on their hearts.

You know, the stuff that makes you lie awake in bed at night, the stuff that is always in the back of your mind, the stuff you think about when your mind wanders, yeah, that stuff.

So here's my what's on my heart lately:

1. Summer...how will I keep 3 teenagers busy in a constructive way? I know they will just want to sleep, hangout with friends, and play on their computers. Some of that is okay, but they need to make some memories this summer of how they can contribute to others, make a difference, or simply serve in some way. I really want them to experience the impact their time and energy can have on others.

2. Work...I just started my own little business, and it is so exciting and challenging and fun! I do find myself totally absorbed by all that it involves. I need to find a balance, a way to accomplish my goals and still be available to my family and meet their needs.

3. Bill...my sweet husband is learning how to fly a new plane. Delta is switching most of their domestic fleet to the new 737-800. He will be very busy in training for the next few weeks. He loves the challenge of learning new technology, but it does take many long HOURS of training and we miss him!

4. High School...that's right, my baby will be starting high school in three months and I am slightly freaked out about every aspect of that. She's an awesome girl and will do well, but how does a mom NOT worry?

There's so much more, but really, those are the biggies right now.

Thanks Stephanie!

Control Tower Tour

The kids had the day off school and Bill was able to get a tour of the Atlanta Air Traffic Control Tower.

We had fun and learned a lot too!
Our tour guide was awesome and getting to see how it all works was very interesting.

Sent from my iPhone

Goodbye 2011...

as we wind down this year in just a few hours I really only have one thought about this year...

GRATITUDE.

I am so grateful for all the things we shared this year.

We were blessed to be together, mostly healthy and almost always happy.

We spent hours at home and traveling, creating some wonderful memories.

We were with those we loved and we cherished every moment.

We began some new adventures and said goodbye to others (homeschool).

We were lucky enought to have most of the year with my dad, our Popa, before he went to heaven.

So while we have had some heart aches, and certainly some tears, we are grateful.

We have been blessed to be on this journey together, surrounded by love and support.

My hope is that all of you reading this are feeling very much the same way.

And for those of you who have offered us love and support lately (and you know who you are)

THANK YOU

We are grateful.

So very grateful.

 

I stand alone...

Last night at the Board of Education meeting I stood alone. Many other neighborhoods had groups of 20+ people speaking about the redistricting. When my neighborhood was called, I stood alone, and spoke my heart. I did my best and I slept well knowing I tried everything I could.

Two weeks ago,when a group of girls made a bad decision and did something unkind, I was the only mother who spoke up. I was the only mother who gave my child a punishment. She and I are closer now because of it. But I stood alone for what was right.

Often I feel alone in the choices I make about feeding my family. As an organic gardener, I struggle with wholesome solutions for pest control. I feel as though I stand alone in the choice to not feed my children pestisides.

My word is something I consider a commitment. If I say I'm going to do something, I do everything in my power to make it happen. I often feel like I am the only one who does this anymore. I know we all have choices to make, but I feel like I stand alone on this.

I am incredibly blessed to have a husband who supports and encourages me. He loves me constantly. I have been given the gift of three amazing children who are inspire me and make me proud every day. I am truly fortunate to live in a beautiful home, and be surrounded by all that I need. So I am not complaining in any way, just  stating how I feel.

And I still feel as though I stand alone...in many ways.

 

 

Last Night...

we were visited by a mystery ghost, who left a pumpkin full of treats on our porch!

And I finished this quilt top finally!

And this is my view on the way home from school this morning.

Most mornings are very misty and foggy but the cows don't seem to notice.