Wednesday, June 20, 2012

....the show me state......

.....why, hello blog.....it sure has been a while.....

.....I've been taking some much needed time off to savor and enjoy the small and significant moments with my extended family.....


.....nothing fills up my empty tank more than being with the ones I long for......

......busy and hectic can be draining.....and our last several weeks have been blurry......so the best way to replenish is to take your husband and your babies and hop on a plane to a place that screams home......

......this was a last minute, special occasion decision to pack up spontaneously (somewhat) and stay at my brother's beautiful new home, allow the cousins to play in the presence of their Bambi and spend two days with my aunt and uncle.....


.....they are two of the most God loving people I have ever known.....they have intertwined their marriage with God' love and grace.....their spirits are drenched with the ability to faithfully love one another, show mercy and compassion for others, accept each day as a gift, and they truly find contentment whether they live in plenty or in want......I am encouraged and uplifted simply by being in their presence and our next reunion can not arrive soon enough......

......and although the whole family enjoys time together, we ladies always congregate anywhere and everywhere......and we don't miss a second of catching up on anything......




.....and the youngest ladies of the family are learning at an early age that there is nothing like good conversations with the ones you love.....



.....and sometimes words don't need to be spoken to share what is in our hearts.....actually, not talking can sometimes have more of an impact..... 




.....but the unspoken moments were few and far between......

.....five little cousins all under the ripe age of four and a half have a lot to say.......there were many opinions, several requests, exciting new ideas, and our babes provided quite the entertainment for all of us......



.....summer has also brought some hearty appetites.....





....and for those who know me well know that the show me state is my birthplace.....although I consider myself a Floridian at heart, I can not miss an opportunity to pay tribute to the state that welcomed me into this beautiful world.....so my sister in law, Erica, found two sitters who accepted the challenge of five children under the age of five and we took an opportunity to show the show me state that we can still rock it out as the couples we were before we became parents......

....and, that outside of our children; we are still fun and interesting people.....sometimes we need that reminder when we are in the trenches of raising babies......


....I also jump at the chance for a date night with my love......my husband, who, as each day passes; takes a little bit more of my heart captive.....


.....and then add my brother and his wife in the mix and I am smitten.....happy, chatty, giddy and having the time of my life......and sorry Cardinals, but I had no idea what was happening during the game......I was too busy catching up and cherishing my company.....but congrats, because apparently you won......




....and in my old life when I used to run an office of people who worked hard, yet played hard; I always reminded them that if you hoot with the owls, then you best be ready to chirp with the birds.....and we did just that after our adult night out.....groggy eyed and fueled on coffee, yet bushy tailed and ready for a new adventure.....



.....we may have lagged behind for a short time, but eventually, we caught up......



......and in my experience, the end of a journey always has a pot of gold.....it may take a while to find it, but it's there......you just need to look for it......or in our case, walk for it.....

.....I couldn't help but pop in an abandoned hanger that hosts a flea market on the weekends.....I found so many treasured left overs just browsing on a weekday that I was tempted to camp out and wait for the next weekend sale because I have a feeling there are some steals to be had in that part of the midwest...... 




.....I eventually found my way back to the family.....we played, hid in the shade every so often to take reprieve from the blazing sun and kicked back and enjoyed.....we really embraced the time together and it was so nice to inhale the sweet smell of summer......

.....with a sprinkle of family.....











.....and because today is officially the first day of summer.....

.....Happy Summer to you.....

....find your red, white and blue.....


.....enjoy the ones you love......



.....and take a lazy siesta......



......get your hands dirty and savor every minute of it.....


.....we certainly are.....