Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of a new year, not on the calendar but in the mind of the school. A new year, a fresh page to see what God has in store for my small humans, what curiosities the children will have, subjects they will love, extracurricular activities they will want to pursue and how we will grow even tighter as a family.

While each year I feel like the kids get bigger and time with them slips faster away, I also feel like the relationship I have with them has grown stronger. Their sweet kisses, hugs, and saying the precious words “I Love You” have always been special, but now they say and do these things because they want to – not because it is simply modeled behavior. I see how they care for their siblings as they share excitement over the others preparing for their first day of school. I see it when after a long day of school visits, haircuts, and the final rush for new shoes Hannah and Charlie wrap their arms around me in the middle of a store – yes, in public where anyone could see them – and tell me they’ve heard hugs are the best medicine. I see it when they all pack their lunch, set their alarms, bathe without being ask – they get it. We are a family, and to succeed in this mission we need each other to play our part. As we start another new year I realize that the kids are now starting to get it.

We will still have days where it’s every man for himself, every instruction from parent to child feels like you’re playing King of the Hill, when riding in the back of the van is worse than being tortured or even better not honoring super seat savers on the living room sofa. But, for every one of those moments there will be a son who showers without being ask, a little who holds my hand as we stop at lights on the way to school – looks at me with clothes quickly thrown on & no makeup and says, “You’re so pretty, Mommy.”, a sister who looks up to her older brother with anticipation as he enters high school so it won’t be so scary for her in a couple years.

My favorite story is from this morning, while Lilly was getting ready beside me she says, “I just realized that we’ll only have Charlie with us for four more years. I’m going to miss not having him to throw the football and Frisbee with when he’s gone.” It was precious. My reply, “Then you know what that means? You should take every opportunity you have to play with him from now on. Anytime he asks to play catch you should do it.” She walked right out to the living room and told him she’d play catch anytime he wants. While the structured part of me that was trying to get everyone out the door on time was panicked that they might walk out right then (we were moments away from needing to leave for school) and start playing catch, I quickly realized that wasn’t either of their intention. Sometimes it is just nice to know that you are loved, and to be told that in your own language is priceless. That is, until someone takes your favorite spot in the van and then all bets are off!

Proud of my girl for loving her brother, and wanting to connect with him, for understanding at the little age of 10 that these moments are priceless and we should cherish them all. Proud that this afternoon as excited as each of the children will be to tell me about their day they will be just as excited to hear about how it went for their siblings. Proud that while I feel old having a 5^th year, one in middle school, and one who is as tall as me starting high school today – Kelley and I have made it this far without completely screwing them up, and we still get to have them around to embarrass for a few more years. These are the moments we cherish.

Happy new year, everyone!! Make it a good one!

Happy Easter y'all!

Jesus rose from the dead almost 2,000 years ago so today we get our party on. 

Fancy dresses and a bow tie were worn. The Easter Bunny came. Songs were sung. Pictures were taken. Lunch was eaten with the family. Eggs were hidden and found. Laughter was heard. Dessert was delightful. Nap taken. Coffee consumed. Boat rowed. Movie watched. Leftovers eaten. Sleep is soon.

Missed the family and friends we couldn't see today but overall it was a successful day all around.

Happy Easter, y'all! 

The sweetest Brownie ever

This mourning is bittersweet. 

A tiny, energetic, sweet little dog made sad puppy eyes at us over 10 years ago. Looking out from the kennel where she was on display, awaiting a new owner to take her home, something in her eyes said get me away from all these crazy animals, and people who want to pet me, bust me outta here and I’ll be the most loyal member of your family for years to come. I’ll teach your children about responsibility, I’ll comfort you when you are sick and listen when you think no one else will, frustrate your husband by loving him so much I go anywhere he goes with such dedication that sometimes he might trip over me because he forgets I'm there and I love him just that much. When I hear you come home for the day I’ll make sure to signal your arrival for the family by sitting patiently at the door for you to walk in. If you are home alone, I’ll be your guard dog - I may not look like much but no one messes with you and of that I’ll be sure. There is one little thing I should have mentioned before you fell in love with me - I like to run, a lot. So, if you leave the door open even the smallest amount I am going to bust out and run as fast as I can in any direction so I can take in every inch around me, but I will always come home, or, jump in to the truck, because there isn’t anyone out there who loves me more, or feeds me.

Brownie joined our family when there was a three and half year old Charlie, a days away from one year old Hannah, and a baby growing in my belly. To say we all grew up together probably says it best. She taught me a lot about myself along the way, and she has been the best nanny to my children. They love her so much as is evidenced by the grief they have felt once we knew our time with Brownie was coming to a close. As sweet Lilly said this morning, she is in a better place and that she is. We had more time than we thought, but still that will never be enough.

Once Hannah learned the news, through tears but with a smile on her face said, hey, it’s the circle of life. That it is, and we are thankful Brownie was part of ours.

To the bestest brown dog ever, you will be missed sweet girl, we love you Brownie.

What to do on a rainy day? Get creative!

With the never-ending rains that have hit Georgia this summer, and especially this past week, we have all been getting a touch of cabin fever at times. I mean, how many times can you watch the same House Hunters
episode on HGTV, or the Disney Channel, before you just need a change of scenery. 

To beat the rainy day blues we taken to a variety of activities. From the typical shopping, and hitting our favorite places to eat we've also gotten clever - cleaning, home projects, making music, and one of our favorites - crafting! Always a good time to get out the bucket of buttons, and scrap fabric to see what treasures you can create. I'm a fan of the clever denim & button cuffs and headbands the girls designed. 

Nothing says "Happy Birthday,
America" like a trip to The Varsity!

Quick break in the drizzle for sparklers on the 4th

Hannah, inspired by HGTV is adding a modern touch to a vintage dresser with new knobs.
An easy project even for children.

Nothing says rainy day escape like bike shopping!

Gettin' crafty

Timeless Headband

Rockin' Cuff

Although the rain gets some people down, me - I love it and will be a bit sad to see the sun take resume its rightful place in the sky without the delightful drops of rain and the serene sky of gray. Oh well, until next time. Can't wait to see the adventures we will have next time!

My little man

Wide awake this morning - 6:00 a.m., July 4th, no good reason to have opened my eyes, but instead here I sit feeling more awake than most mornings when I need to be out of bed early. I gave up on going back to sleep and now sit on my covered back porch - listening. The sound of the rain, which people are expecting to wreak such havoc today with flood conditions that most Atlanta fireworks have been cancelled, the drops sound so delicate as they bounce off the roof and leaves around me. Hard to imagine the problems this delicate dance can cause. There is a sweet sound of birds singing in the distance, and while I feel it's to early to be up and moving, clearly nature knows this day is already well underfoot.

Waking this morning, besides the startling discovery of the early time, was what seems to be a more routine discovery as of late of the sleeping 10-year old beside me. Sounds in the night, especially wind and rain, are cause for alarm for her - or more likely cause to have a Mom-worthy excuse to need the safety of her parents room. So, as I have every morning this week I also woke to a most precious angel - who is now almost the height of me, mind you - cuddling up for comfort. She, of course, is still sleeping peacefully through the rain which caused her waking earlier in the evening. Although as is her pattern she too will wake soon before it seems to make sense because she has a wonderful gift of being a morning person very much unlike me.

In the stillness of this morning I also remember who is not under my roof, my little man, Charlie. He is off for fun and adventure at the lake with his cousin. While I'm sure he will have a fantastic time, returning home with more stories than you can possibly imagine which he will be so excited to share in painstaking detail, I miss him. It's a moment that makes me reflect on the not-so-distant future where my children will have things they chose to do that do not involve them spending time with their Mom and Dad, so weird. This is a next step that I'm not ready for yet, or at least have not begun to let myself even think about, and today has made me realize it is time to start adjusting my thinking.

As I think about what I am writing I sound like a crazy woman - sitting here in this serene moment, writing on my back porch at an unusually early time in the morning (for her), and choosing to fret about my 13-year old son not being with her for the day. Yep, sounds completely logical to me. It is not that he chooses to do something else it is that it is a symbolic representation of what is to come. Today is Independence Day, the 4th of July, when we should be together as a family - eating hot dogs, swimming at the pool (or better today with the rain - complaining that we aren't swimming), trying to catch a glimpse of a firework somewhere, me afraid that a child will burn down the house with a sparkler - and instead we're not. Weird, and a little sad for me.

So, I will go back to listening to the sound of the rain as it falls gently on the awning above me, to the birds as they tweet a delicate melody no one will ever do justice to replicate, be thankful that my over five feet tall 10-year old would give anything to cuddle with me each night, and remember when my little man really was little and I would get up at this time of the morning because he needed me to, and that was all the reason I needed.

Happy 4th of July y'all, and Happy (Start of) Independence to my little man.

Our Family, In Lilly's Words

Hi my name is Lilly. My family is very nice. My sister Hannah is so nice sometimes she can be mean. I do not think she loves me but I love her. My brother Charlie is nice to but he likes to play the drums. I like to play the drums when he is not here. I love him very much gust like Hannah. My mom and dad known as Kelley and Sarah. I love them very much they love me, too. They sometimes yell at me but I forgive them. They let me sleep with them when I ask nice and they say I have to be quiet  or they will send me back to my room. I just got a new room my dad worked hard on it and I like it is just my type. I don’t know if you know how crazy my family is I love everyone. I have some news I mite get baptized. Thank you. 

Love, Lilly

The Wisdom of Lilly

Today was a first for me, gave blood at our community clubhouse. The experience itself was unique. I had the bright idea to be healthy and walk the mile to our clubhouse, only to realize I needed my license in order to give blood - who'd a thunk. Of course, having walked, I didn't think to bring any identification along only my iPhone in case I felt woozy on the walk home - in the hot sun. So, clearly there were some flaws in my thinking. Waiting for the ID I did get to watch a little QVC as that's what the friendly American Red Cross staff decided to put on the TV for the last hour, different. This did give me the chance to have a rather interesting conversation, with the woman who would later draw my blood, about why someone might, or might not, purchase a $210 purse in pink with cupcakes on the side, but I digress.

Fast forward - first blood donation went well, ate the cookies, they loaded me down with snacks for my kids & drinks for me, I headed to the pool next door after being told I shouldn't plan to do anything this afternoon (figured the mile walk back might not be smart). Kids and Kelley arrive, they swim, I read and drink lots of water, we head home.

The ride home, while short, was full of lots of questions about blood types, blood donation, why they give you snacks after blood donation. In the middle of a great educational conversation about blood types, and how your blood type is determined, Lilly pipes out of nowhere, "And, that's why you can't marry your cousin, 'cause your baby'll come out weird." Wait, what? The wisdom of Lilly.