Family Time

For Memorial Day weekend, my family and I decided to go back to our hometown and spend the weekend on the river and relax. Oh did we ever!



My in-laws recently bought a cabin right on the river so we had all the amenities of home with an added plus and peacefulness that the river brings. We had originally planned on pitching our tent and sleeping outside along with the children, but I chickened out when the weather kept calling for rain.



Although we did encounter a few good showers and sprinkles, we still enjoyed the time away, each others company, as well as some good ol' family time. You can never have enough of that, right?



We attended a Graduation Party and played at the park:










Swam in the ice cold river, played sand volleyball, lounged around, talked past bedtime, and enjoyed the beauty that is God's Promise.





A peaceful, relaxing, weekend enjoying God's Creation is a Finer Thing.


This post is linked to:

• FinerThings Friday
• Family Friday

Celebrating My Mom

It's Mother's Day on Sunday, and I'm going to celebrate with my Mom, and she doesn't even know it yet! Oh does it ever feel good to say that. We are driving up to my hometown to surprise our mom's.



My mom and I go back 26 ahem almost 27 years. But, I've never appreciated her more or valued our relationship more than what I do now. After all, we've been there, done that, went through it.



You see, growing up, my mom and I were close. Especially close in High School. We talked all the time, and she always humored me. Although I know now that it was her way of keeping tabs on me and keeping me home, she allowed me to have a get together for every imaginable or any made up holiday I could come up with. She made amazing amounts of appetizers and meals and stay up way past bed time to entertain me and my friends. I loved it. My friends loved it. We loved her and my Dad (who was right in on the action always cracking jokes or picking on us).



Shortly after my high school graduation, I made some choices that my parents didn't agree with. I went in a direction that they didn't like and mine and my mom's relationship became very strained. Strained so much so that we didn't talk for about a year (I think a little over).



We started our relationship anew and off we went as normal for the next 2½ years to 2003. Tragedy struck my family.



My relatively healthy father passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. It rocked our world into tiny little bits. My mother was distraught, I was distraught, and our relationship crumbled. Again.



But, this Mother's Day, I am celebrating her. How she has overcame darkness. How we have overcome hurt. How we have grown together. How we will grow together. And how nothing is going to get in between me and my mother. Ever again.



This Earthly life is too short. Celebrate your Mom. Celebrate those Finer Things.

Seriously--Time Flies

I cannot even believe it. This afternoon I can longer deny the fact that my youngest will be going to school. That's right, I'm going to preschool screening and registration. It seems as if he were just born a few months ago!

The last few days I have really been reflecting back on the time that we've shared. Noah is the only one out of my 3 children that has stayed home with me from day one. He has never, ever, ever been to a baby sitter. I don't know about you, but in my book, that is a Finer Thing!

I have seen every moment (okay not every moment, afterall I am more than just a mom!), every milestone, and have enjoyed every last moment (most of them, anyway).

There have been plenty of laughs,

Scary moments,

about a ton of dirt and mud,

A load of hard work,

And more than enough cuteness to go around.

I will definitely miss you being by my side day in and day out.

Or this case, Daddy's.

My time with you has been a Finer Thing and one of the many highlights of my life as your mom. I know you will have a good time at school!

Love you more my Little Monkey!!

This post is linked to:

• Finer Things Friday
• Family Friday