Summer of Fun

Our summer officially began on Thursday.   Our school got out on Wednesday and Harper came home from her trip with my parents on Wednesday.

Our summer is going to be fast and busy and school starts early here so it will over so quick.  I'm excited about this summer because the girls are finally at a really fun stage.  They don't nap anymore and no one is in diapers.  They are easy to take places and it's just a really sweet time.  (Not perfect - I still want to pull my hair out some days but to me it's just soooooooo much easier than the baby/toddler days. )

So I have decided I want to try and make the most of our summer and build memories together so I'm trying to do one fun thing every day.  Not big, fancy fun things.  There will be extra fun things like trips to the beach or to see grandparents or to Silver Dollar city.....but for the most part - it's the simple things that I love the most - catching fireflies, making homemade popsicles, going to parks, trips to the library, playing in a summer storm, staying up late to watch a movie since we don't have school.  Those are the things a childhood should be full of! 

So I'm going to document our Summer of Fun.  I'm sure most of you could give a flip about our summer of fun but I'm going to document it so I will remember.  And so my girls will know one day that I might have been a tough mom but I was a fun mom too. ha! 

Summer Day one : We took Dawson to the Dog Park and for a trail walk. 

Another fun thing on Day one was a sweet lady named Pam sent us a box of costumes her daughter had outgrown.  My girls went crazy!!!  

Summer Day Two: We played in the sprinklers at home with a friend and ate popsicles outside

Summer Day three :  Today we went to the Farmer's Market and the girls got balloons and listened to music and I got us some yummy vegetables.  (This is more of my happy place than theirs - but I think they still had fun.) 

I look forward to thinking of something new and fun for us to try every day.   

Show us your Gardens

I have a black thumb.  Just ask Scott.  I kill all plants in sight.

I always say I'm keeping two little humans alive - I don't have time for plants. 

I usually start out the summer with a few potted plants on our porch.  They look good until it quits raining and I forget to water and the sun scorches them.

I would love to grow vegetables but I'd rather just go to the farmer's market or Wal-Mart.

But I know a lot of you are gardeners - either flowers or food.  Show us what you have, how you do it, any tips.  I'm sure there is a ton to share!! So today is the day!

Daily Grace From Dayspring

I've always been a fan of Dayspring.  For one thing, it happens to be practically in my backyard.  

And Scott worked for them when we were engaged and newly married. 

They are a wonderful Christian company who has always made cards and other products.  In recent years they have begun to make home decor that is both beautiful and covered in scripture.  

Dayspring has a new line called Daily Grace that is so clean and fresh and lovely.  They sent me a few things to try out and I just loved it. 

I don't drink coffee but Scott does and we often have guests who do.  These coffee cups have "all by grace" on one side and a chalkboard square on the other side.  If you have company, you can have your guests write their names on the cups and no more mixed up cups.  I love that! 

And I love the cute little sugar cup to keep my sweetener in.  (I use this for my iced tea!)

I rarely set the table for us but I decided to make a pretty table to go with a nice dinner the other night.  It was fun to try out the little place cards, dessert plates and vase.  

This bowl could have a million different uses.  I put salad in it.  And it's so fun to "label" your food.  

Love these dessert or salad plates - they are so clean and fresh and "graceful".  

I love, love, love little place cards to put by food when you throw a dinner or a party.  And these are perfect because you can write and erase on them and use them over and over.  They can dress up any meal!

This vase might be my favorite thing.  

And I love this chalkboard that you can display by a buffet or in the kitchen at a dinner.  Or just write a verse or saying to showcase every day! 

The creators of this line at Dayspring described it this way - 

Daily Grace was birthed from a place of understanding, and of knowing that time together, like grace, is a gift.  Gathering around the table, saying grace together, daily, that’s what we were thinking as we picked colors and talked about what words to use and which pieces to offer.

We love the concept of daily grace.  Two words that when combined are so very rich in meaning.  They call to mind our desire to daily approach our heavenly Father and how he richly, every day, extends us his loving grace.  Of how, as we bow our heads in prayer and thank Him for providing for us daily, we are quietly reminded that all good things come from above.  As we receive grace, we are also challenged to extend it too, daily.

Daily Grace has platters and pitchers and all kinds of beautiful things that will give your table a simple beauty as you invite friends and family into your home to break bread and share life. 

Book Club

Today is the last day for our book club for "The Antelope in the Living Room".  This was such a fun read.

Next week I will have a little something fun from Melanie (the author) and we will discuss future books!


So here are the last few questions to sum up the book.  I can't wait to hear your answers.

18. Have you ever thought about the legacy of your marriage and what it means to future generations? Has there been a time you’ve decided to stick with it even though part of you wants to walk away?

I know VERY well that our girls are watching our marriage and it will affect how they feel about marriage.  I see that in our own marriage.   Scott and I both react and behave based upon what we have seen in our own parents - good or bad.  I want to model a healthy marriage for my girls.  We fight just like other couples and I want them to see that so they can see us also work it out and that things don't just fall apart because you disagree.  

And yes - there have been moments I've thought - I don't want to be married to you one more second. Those moments don't come often but we have had low points.  We have had times where we just weren't in sync and communication was WAY off and I didn't really like Scott very much.  But love and marriage are work.  I'm in it for life.  And for every low moment - we have had so many more wonderful moments and I can't imagine being married to anyone else. 

19. When you look at your spouse, what do you see? What are the qualities he has that you value even though you may have not even realized when you first married him?

I am super high strung and rash in making decisions and type A.  Scott is the complete opposite of me.  He levels me out.  He is so smart and wise and thinks things through.  He is sentimental - way more than I am.  He is so much more patient than I am - especially with the girls.  He is a great judge of character.  Some of these things I knew when I married - some I am still learning.  He also is super funny and does amazing imitations of people that make me double over with laughter. 

20. Melanie uses The Antelope in the Living Room as six words that sum up her marriage. What are six words you’d use to describe your marriage? Do those six words change depending on the day?

My six words would be:

Opposites attract and I'm so glad. 

My favorite

Before I had Hollis, I wondered how I would ever love another child as much as I loved Harper.  I wondered if I would split my love or if it would grow.  

Obviously, all of you with more than one child know that it's not even something worth a minute of thought.  Your heart just multiplies.  You could have two children or twenty and you would love them all just as much. 

There have been a few times I have received comments on here by people who will say "Hollis is so obviously your favorite. I feel sorry for Harper".  And then a few weeks later someone will comment or email and say "It's so clear Harper is your favorite.  Poor Hollis."

I get so tickled by that.

There is no way either of my girls could be my favorite.  I love them both so much and so equally.

Sure there are days one might be my favorite.  There are days one wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and whines and fusses all day while the other is a happy, sweet girl and I would be lying to say in that instance - I completely favor one.  And I think you would be lying if you said you didn't have those same moments.  And the next day they flip roles.

I'm sure my parents completely favored my brother when I was between the ages of about 13 - 15.  I wasn't easy to live with.  I was a good girl but I was a DRAMA queen while my brother was always so even tempered.  I know they loved us completely the same but I would imagine they favored his company over mine and I don't blame them.

A year or two ago I got an email from a company with a terrible PR firm.  They were offering blogger trips for free to a resort for moms and their "favorite child".  I was so horrified by that.  What mom would pick a favorite child to take on a trip and what person in charge of that campaign thought that was a good idea?

My girls are unique and completely different from one another.  And I love and embrace their differences.  I love and discipline them differently because of their personalities.

My goal is to make each of my girls feel like they are my favorite.  Not in a way that would make them feel smug over the other but in a way that makes them feel secure in my love and confident in what a special person they are.  My mom always told me I was her favorite daughter.

I was her only daughter but I still felt her sentiment.

 I whisper in Hollis' ear often that she is my favorite three year old in the entire world.  And I snuggle up with Harper as often as possible and tell her she is my favorite five year old of all times.

Do I have a favorite child?

Yes.

But it's a tie.

Last Days, Strawberries, Splash Park and Remembering

We have had an eventful few days. 

 Friday was Harper's last day of preschool ever.  She has grown so much since her last day last year.  We have had four wonderful years at our preschool.  But we are ready to go to Kindergarten!!! 

Hollis has her last day of Mother's Day out on Wednesday - I know she will look so much bigger too. 

I picked the girls up early from school on Friday and we got lunch and went to pick strawberries.  

If you are local - we went to McGarrah Farm in Pea Ridge.  They have pumpkins in the fall and strawberries in the spring.  This was our first time to go and it was SO fun.  We will maybe go back before the season ends. 

We love strawberries!! It was fun to pick our own.  The girls had a blast. 

My mom got Hollis this strawberry dress back in the winter.  We had to wear it! 

 Child Labor 

 We met some friends there and it was a lot of fun! And we are enjoying the fruits of labor this weekend! 

 Saturday morning I went to the gym and to the grocery store while Scott was entertained by the girls.  

Never a dull moment.  

Yes - we ride bikes in pajamas on Saturdays. Why not? 

I took the girls to the splash park in the afternoon.  We saw a few friends there and Harper ran into one of her very favorite friends - she was THRILLED to death! 

This morning we had church.  These may be my favorite dresses the girls have ever had. 

I'm a sucker for kids in red, white and blue clothes.  It's one of my favorite things.

We met my parents this afternoon and Harper left with them for a 3-4 day trip to Texas.  They are making rounds of all of our family and invited Harper to go.  She was THRILLED TO DEATH! Hollis is so excited to have special time with mommy and daddy! I think it's fun for them to each get alone time! 

Memorial Weekend is great because it kicks off summer but I hope we remember most of all all of those heroes who fought for us so we could have the freedom to go to church and school and splash parks.  I hope we remember all the families who have lost loved ones.  I always think of my grandpas who fought in several wars and how proud I am of them.  We owe everything to all of these brave men and women.  Thank you is never enough.  Every time I see a military person in uniform - I try to thank them.  I usually start crying and feel like an idiot but I just always want them to know my gratitude. 

Show us your SUMMER IDEAS for keeping kids busy!!!!

So school is getting out and summer is almost here and it's always fun to think of ideas that you can do with your kids to have fun and keep busy!  So I thought it would be fun for us to blog ideas.

My ideas would include

1.  Swimming pools
2. The library
3. Splash parks
4.  Park dates
5.  Playing in the sprinklers at home
6. Chalk coloring
7. Summer kid movies (we have $2 movies here in the mornings)
8. Make your own popsicles
9. Ice cream dates
10. Picnics

I can't wait to hear other ideas.  I'm so excited for summer and having fun with my kids!

Pomps and Circumstances

So here are the next few weeks of Show Us Your Life:

Tomorrow - Summer ideas for kids - anything fun to keep the kids busy during the summer

May 30 - All about Gardening - container gardens, vegetable gardens - ideas & tips

June 6 - Special Needs Parents - share about your child's special needs and my hope is other parents will connect or be encouraged. 

June 13  - Grilling Recipes 

June 20 - All about HAIR - favorite products, favorite hair tips......

June 27 - All about make-up

July 4 - 4th of July traditions, parties, food

Today was Harper's preschool graduation.  She has been so excited.  She told me this morning it was the "best day of her life".  ha! My parents came over and went and then went to lunch with us. 

 Harper getting her diploma

 Harper and her teacher Mrs. Beth.  I can't tell you how grateful I am for Mrs. Beth.  She is someone I admire as a person and a mother and especially a teacher.  She has three grown daughters who are all Godly girls.  I'm always wanting to sit her down and get advice from her.   Harper has learned SO much this year.  

 Our family with the graduate

 Harper and her best friend.  They have been in preschool together for the last four years and they live near each other so they are super tight.  

 Harper and her best "boy" friend Brandon.  They are in school and church together.  

 She is a daddy's girl through and through

 Hollis is so proud of her sister

And I am so proud of my girl.  It's hard to believe how quickly the last five years have gone by. 

This was Harper on her very first day at MDO/preschool.  

Kindergarten ............here we come !!!

Book Club

Today is our next to last week discussing "The Antelope in the Living Room".  I have had fun reading all of your comments and discussion.  This week we are discussing 17 -20.  Sorry today is up late......I swear I didn't even realize today was Wednesday until now.

She talked about Christmas gifts gone bad, Home improvement, Chapter 19 which just made me laugh really hard, and In-Laws.  All fun subjects when it comes to marriage.

Let's discuss the following:

14. In your marriage do you feel that challenges you’ve faced have brought you closer together or caused you to drift apart? How do you work together to meet trials that come up?

I would say challenges we have faced have brought us so much closer.  Infertility and Harper's birth and hearing challenges have made us much closer.  We have faced other things and have learned to lean on each other and God.  We pray a lot over things and seek God's will. 

15. Do you and your husband share any hobbies? What are some common interests you have?

We both love Arkansas football and eating.  And that's about it.  We couldn't be more different in our interests.  We are definitely a case of opposites attract.  

And add to your discussion any questions you might have for Melanie.  She can answer us next week!!! 

Family Is...........

(credit: The 36th Avenue)

What do you think of when you think of Family?

Do you think of your parents? Do you think of your grandparents? 

Do you think of your husband? 

Do you think of your kids?

Do you think of the family you hope to have?

Is it a happy thing for you or something that is painful.

For me - family is everything.  I'm thankful for the amazing parents who raised me and sacrificed to give me a wonderful childhood and who taught me how to love God and love others.  I'm thankful for grandparents who gave them that same legacy.  And I'm thankful for the chance to love two little lives and give them wings to change the world.  I'm thankful for my husband who is my teammate in life.  Family is comfort, home, peace and a hiding place to me.  Family is laughter.  Family is shelter from the storm. 

I'm writing an article for the July Family Edition of "Celebrate Arkansas" and I want to feature some of you and what your definition of family is.  I would love if you could leave comments here and/or email me with your words and a high resolution picture I could use.  I will feature several of you in the magazine and make sure you get a copy!!! 

I would love to hear what family means to YOU! 

Silver Dollar City

We have had a busy but wonderful weekend. 

Friday my friend Amber (holding her little boy Will) came in to town for a wedding.  She moved away two years ago and I still miss her so much.  I had a few friends come over with our kids so we could visit with her and see her! It is always so good to see her.  I hate when friends move.

My in-laws came Friday afternoon also and we had planned a trip to Silver Dollar City on Saturday.  Unfortunately Saturday turned out cold and a little rainy so we postponed our trip to Sunday.  So instead we just had a free fun day on Saturday and went to a movie and to eat and enjoyed being with the grandparents.

Silver Dollar City is a theme park in Branson, MO.  It is kind of "old timey" themed and it's a lot of fun.  We got lucky this year because anyone born in 1976 (or married in 1976) gets a free season pass.  Scott was born in 1976 and Hollis is free so Harper and I bought season passes and we can go all year for a cheap price.

It was still a little cool for about half the day.  It was about perfect weather around the time we were ready to leave.  But we had fun riding the train and kiddie rides and a few other rides. 

 Hollis and I ready to ride the Flooded Mine.  

I'm not a ride girl.  I can barely handle kiddie rides.  We rode some big swinging boat that was in the little kid area and I had my eyes shut and was screaming and little Hollis was just smiling - not scared.  Harper is a dare devil and wanted to ride the big roller coasters (she didn't.) 

 The girls just had fun with their family. 

 One of my favorite things is a little school house like House on the Prarie.  The girls loved it.  

 I don't know if I just put this on instagram or on here but Hollis usually just likes to write the first two letters of her name.  Which kind of is a problem.  :-)   But she had fun writing her WHOLE name on the little chalkboards on each desk. 

 Someone left this on a chalkboard on a desk.  I wish our school rooms still looked like this. 

And then of course we ended our day with a trip to jail.  ha! 

It was a great weekend - hope yours was too!