Summer Slacking

Well, it finally feels like summer is here...hence my lack of posts.  We made our first trip of the summer to the river yesterday - the weather was hot, the river was cool....it was bliss! 

We've been enjoying having my niece, Keeley, here.  She's here for a month, so we've been taking full advantage of her babysitting services, and Art and I have gone for numerous summer evening drives, exploring new roads, taking some old, favorite, familiar ones.  I must say, it is crazy to remember what it feels like to go out, just the 2 of us, at the drop of a hat!! 

We picked up the older girls last week, and this next week, at some point, we'll head to Kelowna to go and visit my parents, as well as drop off Keeley....I am counting down the days (in a sad way), but I am sure she is counting down the days....excited to be 'back to civilization'.... :-) 

Anyhow, enjoy a lazy day.....

Can You Remember?

Tomorrow, I get to go and pick up my big girls....I can HARDLY WAIT!!  I'll leave in the morning, either by myself or with Art, and drive 5 hrs. to go and pick them up, and then turn around and drive home.  I am almost giddy with anticipation of 2 things: 1) seeing my girls again, and 2) driving.  alone (or with my man).  uninterrupted.  quiet.  singing my heart out. 

I must admit, I'm not sure which excites me more.....

Can you remember the last time you had 5 hrs. in a vehicle with no kids?!

The Older....

....teaching the younger.  Recently, Molly learned to ride a two-wheeler.  Very exciting times!  Consequently, she got a new bike.  Today, she decided that she was going to teach Ellie Mae to ride a two-wheeler.  I was sitting inside, watching.  Molly helped Ellie Mae get on the bike, and then held on to the seat (very tightly, I might add), and walked her around the driveway.  She was very encouraging and helpful.  Then, they came running into the house to tell me to come outside to "show how Ellie Mae can ride a two-wheeler ALL BY HERSELF!!".  I went outside and watched the whole thing again. 

As I was coming inside, Ellie Mae almost fell, and Molly says, "Whew! That was a close one!"

Isn't it amazing how the older ones teach the younger ones?  They are like little parrots, I tell you.  Sometimes, this is good.....sometimes, not so much!  But today, it was a good thing!

Under My Skin

Why is it that when I am with these ladies a lot, I want to get away.  And yet when I am away from them, all I want to do is see these little faces?  They make me crazy at times, yet I cannot get enough?!  We go out for dinner, and all we do is talk about them, their funny mannerisms or the giftings that we see God has given them....Our hopes for them for the future, and our concerns about them for the present... I love these little ladies so much, these little packages, these gifts from the Lord...

They make me smile.....they make me scared.....

They make me laugh....they make me cry......

They make me think that I can never do enough to prepare them for their future....

I feel incomplete when they are not all at home with me.....What is it about them that gets under my skin?

"I've got you under my skin....

I've got you deep in the heart of me....

So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me

I've got you under my skin...."

Ahhh, quiet!

Early this morning, my sister left, taking her kids with her (minus one, who is going to be our slave for a month!) plus my two older girls.  Suddenly, it's quiet.  A little too quiet!  To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.....yet.

Overnight, we got rid of 5 kids here, so it went from being crazy loud ("Go outside, kids!!") and busy, to really, really mellow....and quiet.

I go and pick up the Girls on Thursday, so I'm not quite sure what we will do here with the little girls, but we'll try and plan a few fun things....heck, even going to get a Slurpee is fun when you're 3 and 5!!  The Girls are loving having their 16 yr. old cousin all to themselves, but time will tell if she's loving that!  Seriously, my niece is a real sweetie who is very used to having little people around (my sister has 5 kids), so she's great with them, and they adore her!  And Art and I are looking forward to using and abusing her while she's here....can you say "Date night?!.....twice a week?!"  It's gonna be a good time!

We enjoyed having my sister and her family out here.  We didn't do much - just kinda relaxed and slept and visited.  You know, the great thing about having family here is that you don't have to entertain them....you can just be!  Hopefully, we'll get to see them again this summer, but if not, we always enjoy spending time with them. 

Well, it is Friday afternoon, and you all know what that means....Garage Sales!  So I am off to grab a shower, and then conquer the world.... or just go for a drive in the country.... Enjoy your weekend!

A Whole Lotta Family

My sister is here with 4 of her 5 kids for the week, so our home is rather full these days....and busy!  We are relaxing and hanging out and hopefully, if the weather gets better, going to make it to do some fun outdoor activities.  Having said all that, I'm gonna be missing in action for a little while.  Enjoy your week!

Happy Canada Day!

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  School is out, and Summer has officially begun!  One of our traditions is to host our Canada Day Party.  We invite anyone and everyone, and have a wiener roast.  The kids play, we visit....it's a good time!  The girls wear their Canada Day t-shirts like they did to the parade.  This year, my Mom bought them each a very excellent Canada Day shirt....

Canada Day is also Moses' birthday.  He turns 4 this year.  He's such a good boy!  He loves the girls, loves to have lovin', loves to play catch.....

So Happy Canada Day everyone!  Hope you enjoy the day!