{hmmm.....}

36 days.

But, who is counting??

Summer here we come. 

{isn't she lovely}

I have looked high and low for a beach bag that would

outlast me for more than a month of summer.   For whatever

crazy reason, I am rough on them to the point of demise.

My one in November lasted 2 days.   So, when I was

birthday shopping for a friend a few weeks ago...the

birds started singing when I spied this one.  She is HUGE,

sturdy and lined for drinks, spills, etc. 

Now, to break her in!!  But, not break her in the process.

{molly-girl}

I am not certain if she is desperately missing her boys or recooping from a summer with her boys.

{smile}

{christmas in july}

Well, since Hobby Lobby is doing it, maybe I should too.

But, I think I need to skip right past that to New Years.

As in resolutions. 

I'm not the resolution-making type, but I am in the midst

of some major reorganization.  VERY  likely due to the

upcoming start of school.  If I can start off on a good foot,

hopefully their trek will be easier as well.

I've been editing like a mad woman, still determined to take

some time off before the start of school.  And, my window is closing

rapidly.  While pictures load and resize, I am diving into drawers

and cabinets.  Countless trash bags are in the garage.

So, although I may not have a Christmas tree up.

I am definitely  having a manic purge fest.

{quiet day on the homefront}

I got a late reschedule on Thursday for Friday evening.

And, what does this crazy mama do?

Stay up all night working, get up at the crack of dawn and

work some more, and, then, load two sleepy-headed

boys in the car, run errands and surprise them with a 

trip to Magic Springs.  On my own. 

Maybe not the brightest idea in the world. 

And, honestly, it went pretty seamless.  The point

in which I had trouble was that Evan is still too small for

so many of the rides and of course being the younger

brother who thinks there should be no difference in

he and big brother despite the age discrepancy along

with waiting on big brother on those rides....made for

a pretty sulky day at times.   He asked me if he

ate alot of protein over the weekend, could we go back

next week because he would be tall enough! 

I do love his determination. ;)

But, with that exception our day was really good.

The park was not crowded in the least, so we may have

had to wait 2 turns at the most to ride whatever we wanted. 

BUT,  I almost turned the car around in Waldron because

it was then I began getting concerned that something

was going on with Noah other than just being tired from me

waking them up.  Our summer sleeping routine is totally

wrecked right now.  He convinced me he was fine, but, 

he dragged all day.  I just made sure they had PLENTY

of water in the 200+ temperatures and lots of breaks.  They

both slept on the way home and Evan rebounded this morning,

but, Noah didn't.  So.....with a super early bedtime and no 

outside play today, I'm hoping he wakes up feeling better

tomorrow.   Besides a few errands I had to run today, we have

been camped out watching movies and reading today.  

And, that part has been nice.  Although, some plans I had

for tonight had to be scratched. :(  Hopefully tomorrow will 

be a better day because Monday will be a nonstop day for us.

{the need to breath....}

the scheduled girl time {well, actually a play date for the kids }, could not be coming at

a better time. do i have time to get away from my desk?  no.  do i need to get away

from my desk in the biggest way ever?  yes.  or, my computer may be tossed out the

window.  and, because i need my computer in a desperate way, even though i do

not like it very much right now, i just need to walk away.  go see my sweet girlfriends,

watch the kids that i adore play, eat lots of junk food and chat.  

then, even though my desk will be screaming at me when i walk in the door, 

i will likely be able to tolerate it just a little easier.  and, we both may survive.

 

{my heart could burst}

the answer to my prayer....a prayer i had prayed for years.....

was abundantly more than i could have ever imagined.

i stress in the teacher department.

in a big way.

i know they can literally make or break a year. 

i would have likely picked someone else going in as

i did not know her.  and, what a blessing evan {well,

scott & i was well} would have missed out if i had

dabbled in that water.  such a fantastic year

on so many levels. and, i think he was good for her too. 

leading up to the end of school he cried and cried

about not getting to see her every day.  he didn't want that

change.  he still talks about her almost daily - very few

days have passed that he has not.   he is keeping

up with his summer reading because he told her he would.

{he is not a lover of books on his own yet}

Last night he crawled into bed with

us sobbing because he missed her so much. 

he received this in the mail last week.

he has it in a special place in the living room and

reads it daily.   tonight he wanted to call her,

i opted to text - since she is on summer break.

he dictated, i typed his word for word.....

"Ms. Ewing, this is Evan.  My mommie is typing this for me.

I love you.  Are you having a good time in the capital of Boston? 

{oops!}.  How is your mom doing?  I miss you.  Thank you for being

my teacher.  I loved the card!  I "understanded" it.  And, I loved it.

Thanks for the card.  It was great.  That's all.  Evan Walker."

heart melted.  

We received the following:

"Love you 2.  Will call in a few minutes 2 talk. K?"

And, they chatted and chatted.  

He was such a big boy!  He absolutely loves her.

What a great year he had!  So thankful!

now, to send my letter this year or not?  this year
i am not as hesitant to as i was last year.  likely
should have already done it.  so, we shall see! 

{a snail}

is my very favorite creature at this point.

i want to mimic its pace. 

a deliberate slow down.

sounds like a bit of heaven at this point.

six weddings in 4 weekends has just about done me in.

and, that is just the weddings alone.

i want to go find creeks, and eat on the patio, and

swim with the kids, and catch lightening bugs, unplanned
road trips and not be in this perpetual rush-mode i've been

on for weeks & weeks....

i just need to "be".

i just have to get several critical things checked off first.

ironic, huh?  :)

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will  establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3

*written on my calendar pages as a reminder!!

{o' happy, happy, happy day!}

There is a part of summer that I painfully dread.

Our "reaclamation period."

The "getting used to being around each other 24/7" along

with the "I'm bored" syndrome.   I do not tolerate either very

well, but, since Noah's five-year school career, I've come to

expect it.  Usually it takes about 2-3 weeks.  Today was

our breakthrough day!  I didn't have to disrupt one argument

or fuss, get on to either, or give them a list of things to keep busy with.

A beautiful day!

They have played wonderfully together and alone.  Found their

own activities.  No tears in the pool today.  And, as I type this

they are giggling together in the kitchen making things out of clay. 

I know, tomorrow is another day!

But, I'm hoping!

{sweet summertime}

Today has consisted of the boys sleeping in late, snacks & swimming.

And, for me....about to finish up a HUGE work project and mark it off my list. 

Excited does not adequately describe.

One step closer!  

{our first day of summer}

started very early in attempting to save a very neglected garden.

the hayfield took precedence over everything and now we are in

recovery mode.   lost some things, but hopefully the majority will rebound.

I literally spent time in the sand pile today.

Pretending.

Since E can't seem to keep up with his reading log, I printed him

off a new one.  We'll have to add tally marks for the ones already completed.

Since I wasn't feeling too great Sunday, today was the day for the cucumbers.

My Zinnia's are keeping me happy.

I think dill is kind-of pretty.  In an odd sort-of way.

First batch.  Check.

A small batch, but a batch.

Now, the hard part.

The wait.

Hopefully many, many more to come!  

Dog Days of Summer.

Literally.

Scott was on the other couch in the same position.

And, the boys worked puzzles, read, worked in the garden and swam for hours!

Happy Summer!

"wherefore art thou summer"

I really want to have a perky blog. But, life is definitely

not always perky.  And, it's really not as bad as it even

seems.  Well, this morning at 2 it was, but, it's better now. :).

Once again, I survived a two-wedding-weekend.

I almost died in the heat Saturday.  The bride actually had

to stop the pictures three times as she was suffering in a big way. 

Long story short, I did survive.  They were both sweet and

beautiful & I was happy to be a part of them. 

 But, unfortunately I had a little situation going on Saturday that lent to making my

job a little more challenging.  I have dislocated my right temporomandibular

joint.  The joints that just came out of sixteen months of braces. 

To say I am a little disheartened, is quite the understatement.  

So, as it progressed throughout the weekend, I was put on hot towel wraps

every hour and a half along with 800 mg of Ibuprofen. 

I refused the other meds for now, but will likely have to give in for

muscle relaxers regardless.   Oh, and the best part, a liquid diet.  Lovely.

I was suppose to see my specialist today, but lo and behold I woke

up VERY sick this morning at 2.  Too sick to go in and share the wealth.

So, if I can make it 24 hours sick free before tomorrow, I will have to go in for him

to put it back into place.  Ouch.

I'm not looking forward to it because it could

involve injections into the joint.  No, I am not too perky today. 

And, I missed a morning with my girlfriends. 

That was likely the cherry on top. 

 I know that we only have one option left  if this saga of braces 

did not work as planned and it scares me just a wee bit. 

  I'm just going to have a pity party for myself today.

Or at least part of today.  I hate to waste a full day.

Then, I'll regroup for a better tomorrow. 

Well,  the fact I feel like I've got a chisel in my head is

probably not helping my situation. ;)

So, another day of summer plans dashed.

But, there's always tomorrow, huh?

I'm determined.  And, I've got a lot of making up to do!

And, it may sound silly, but over the next 24 hours, if you think
about it, please send up a prayer.  For whatever reason,
I was blessed with the TM Joints of a "ninety-year-old" {description
per my specialist 4 years ago}.   If my muscles could possibly relax
enough with my list of things/exercises I am suppose to be doing
now.....there is a chance they could re-enter the space they 
are suppose to be sitting in as I type this.  They've done it before, 
but, I've never had them out of place quite this bad.  

So, pray for my debilitated joints.  Please. :)  

{maybe this little blue hole will}

tide me over.

pardon the pun.

a road trip may be in order........

{if.....}

I make it through my two weddings this weekend with any 

energy at all.   And, if a certain little boy will stay out of the

cucumber patch.  BTW, he has officially been banned. 

This is what I'll be doing Sunday after church....

I live a wild life, I know.  

I may actually jump in the pool with the boys for the 

first time this year.

And, because of the agony involved in donning 

a swimsuit.......do the only thing left to do.......

go out for ice cream!

It may just be my first summer day.

Sounds pretty perfect to me.



{my day}

just so i can remember my crazy, busy days.

someday, i know i'm going to want them back.

so, this one is just for me, myself & i.  

*up, shower {should have washed the hair,

did not wash the hair.  ponytail.}

*order sent in.  pesky internet gave me fits.

*kids & scott up - ready to leave.

*scott to ot for an hour.

*kids & i to mc'ds for breakfast and reading

*picked scott up.

*md for me

*dropped scott off at farm.

*home. lunch cooked for hayfield. ha!

*put out a few email fires.

*lunch to hayfield.  boys dropped off at farm.

*home, packaged up orders/invoiced.

*put out more email fires.

*back to FS to make two deliveries.

*to store for 3 bags of ice, water and soda for hayfield.

*to farmhouse to drop 2 bags of ice into freezer, other drop to hayfield.

*collected boys.

*to mansfield to purchase supper for hayfield.

*delivered supper to 3 different spot on farm.

*allowed evan 10 minutes to "try " and play with kittens. 

*home.

*tended to chickens.

*mowed until dark.

*boys ready for night.

*zombied-out on couch for about 30 minutes.

*presently editing.

today was not the best day to log my day.

but, it was reality.

i'm ready for some summer fun!

{oh, my}

The end of school; particularly the last two weeks

have completely kicked my bootie.

I didn't even make it to Fun Day today.

Chicken drama.   RIP my two sweet chicks. 

But, I did make it to lunch.

Finally.

Nothing like the midnight hour.  

But, I got there; hoping that counts. 

Between E's tears about the school year being

over and missing Ms. Ewing and his friends. 

Then, top that with the chicken incident. 

Traumatic day for him.

So, we headed for sno cones.

Those solve everything right?

We had a buffet and shared....

a ninja turtle, a bahama mama and a sunset on a beach.

We made our summer toasts under the umbrella.

It was bliss for about 4.7 seconds until I remembered

it was 208 degrees out there with just a tad of humidity.

Here's to summer!

I'll likely get my pictures posted around Thanksgiving.

{answered}

The day it hit seems like yesterday.  And, then, it seems like a lifetime ago. 

He was three.  Evan was a few weeks old.  It started with some stomach

pain and vomiting and quickly progressed to uncontrollable pain.   On to the

ER we went.  I thought it was surely appendicitis.  When the phone calls

started occurring just outside our doorway to specialists, my heart sank.  Of

course, I diagnosed him with all sorts of things within that 20 minute time span,

including polycystic kidneys.  He was hospitalized at St. Edwards as they

worked to get him into ACH.  I would sleep with him in his hospital bed and 

get coverage to go over to a hotel and nurse Evan.  Then, he was stable and 

we were sent to ACH.  One of THE worst experiences in my life as a mom

as the diagnostic testing was EXCRUCIATING for him.  Angela and I paced

outside the doors when I would have to leave {per hospital staff} and then would

return to try and get him through it.  Being tied to the bed did not help matters. 

The rest of the family, well, they were pacing too. 

Diagnosis:  hydronephrosis of the kidneys.  Prognosis included everything from 

one end of the spectrum: transplants {yes, it involved both} to surgery to

no additional problems.  It would be a wait and see game.  A game that would

basically last his lifetime.   It was scary and heartbreaking. Typically it only

affects one kidney, but he somehow ended up with both.   The next several years held

MANY trips to the ER, continued testing, followups, and trips and a hospitalization

back at ACH.   Well, I found out Tuesday night after returning from being with Marta

and the girls most of the day, that we had an appt at ACH the next day.  Not

on my radar at all.  So, yesterday morning the four of us headed down. 

Long story short, after scans and meeting with two different physicians.....we are

released!  I kept doubting what I had heard.  The scans showed stability comparable

to last years scan with good kidney growth.  Since we have not had an obstruction in years

along with no infections.......for now, we are released. Yippee!  And, there always

seems to be a "but" with this diagnosis.  We are technically released until either

a) he has another bout with pain, obstruction or infection or b) when he turns or gets

near turning 18.  At either point we will be back in business with ACH.  At 18, he

will be given extensive testing again and be referred on to an adult urologist.

Although both kidneys have improved dramatically - he was almost as bad

as it could get when he was initially diagnosed - he will always have this to

look after and deal with.  But, for now, we are thrilled and thankful for

the news!  And, are just going to accept it for what it is today.  :)  

He does start have to wearing a watch because he is not doing too well on the

every 2 hour routine of emptying the bladder.  So, he will be "beeping" for

however long it takes to get back on track with that.  :)

We did have quite the eventful attempt to leave LR.  We were going to run across

town and see friends for a few minutes, but the skies did NOT look too good 

when we exited the hospital.  Found a local radio station about the time a tornado

warning was being issued for the area of Maumelle and I40.  So, south we went

taking the long way home through Hot Springs.  We did have a nice lunch 

and because we are getting season passes to Magic Springs this year, the

boys planned our summer out.   CANNOT wait to have them home with us!!!   

A happy, happy mom here! 

{oops, I did it again}

Self-tanner.

Enough said. 

Disclaimer:  I once again strayed from

my fool-proof brand.

{laundry: spring fling}

One of our only regrets in building our house, definitely the biggest regret,

is the size of my closet.  So, today, I tackled the attic - balancing the 

tubs of spring/summer clothes while climbing back down the ladder.

The winter will be ascending that same ladder.

And, because I have the need to wash everything even though it's been

tightly sealed.  I am climbing over piles and piles of color.  I'm thinking

I am ready to be out of the grays and blacks for awhile.  Now, if those

spring temperatures would just return!!

{just keeping it real}

Even if it is totally at my own expense.

Today I was making a mad-dash into JCPenney for some

make-up and the inevitable occurred.

THE.SWIMSUIT.AISLE.

Bikinis at that.   I found myself smack dab in the midst of them.  

Strings and all.

Puke, puke and more puke.

Then, it was love at first sight.

I saw her from across the room hanging high on the wall.

Perfection.

Just enough coverage. Some great runching.  Flirty, but not too much. 

Actually kind-of classic.

Hmmm....somewhat dressy, now that I think of it.

I kept fighting off all of the other hangers poking me as I wove through the

bikini racks.....then, the disappoint sunk me.  {pardon the pun}

I was not eyeing the perfect swimsuit for me.

But, a very skimpy prom dress.

To my beach friends from last year, this should not surprise you. 

At all.