~When The Little Seems Big…..and a Starbucks GIVE AWAY!!~

You ever have those days when you get so caught up in little messes that they seem to instantly grow exponentially to the point where they are impossible, life altering screw-ups that are most definitely going to maim you for life?
I've spent the better part of my day in that pressure-cooker. The lid is on tight, but underneath the surface, there is crazy turmoil.
Started at church. (which I find ironic and comical) We were almost late which technically, according to our wise pastor, is actually late.
Sent Brad in to find seats while I got kids out and in.…..6 seats together at start time can be hard to find. (which is why on time translates to late!)  Long story short, we end up on the front row.
The front row is where I grew up sitting, but have since become more of a "middle row Baptist". ;-)  So, there we were, with our brood, who were actually very good during service.  Heard a wonderful message about the fact that life can be hard but our focus should be on the eternal and the peace that comes from knowing that hardship and pain comes with purpose for the child of God. Now I'm crying as I type this because hard is hard and God doesn't laugh at my "little hard". He loves me and pours out His grace on my chaos. Praise His name.

We walked out of church and my spunky, climb the walls, energetic, 10 year old happy middle child, proceeds to (as she ALWAYS does), run to jump over the short bushes around the church breezeway. She trips, covers her pants and new shoes in mud. A little embarrassed, she jumps up, immediately notices her  potentially ruined pants and shoes, but keeps right on walking with me to the car.
"Baby. What were you doing?" I ask through partially gritted teeth because I, in fact, know exactly what she was doing because it's what she does every single time we leave church. She just never falls. I'm sure I've told her 20 times,
"Reese. Baby. Please don't jump over the bushes. Come on. Lets go!"

Here's the deal, though: Keeping her feet on the ground for very long is a genetic impossibility.
Even though I know this, as does her Daddy, we get in the car and calmly give her the obligatory reminder that she has to learn the difference in where and when it's appropriate to do certain things…..like jumping bushes.
She ripped a brand new skirt last week doing something similar.

I'm perfectly capable of taking a step back from the situation and get a grasp on the fact that this is a season, and one she will outgrow. Of course, when she is a beautiful bride, floating down the aisle on her Daddy's arm, I'll regret every scolding word I ever spoke. Especially the ones regarding her being  10, messing up her clothes. Nonetheless, I have to train, teach, and for heaven's sake, purchase clothes every time she tears, rips, or stains something.
…….I love her and the sparkle in her eye……..I just need to buy her two of everything.

I'm a week later getting back to finish this post and have already forgotten the second "episode" we had last Sunday that pushed me to tears.
~That should be enough to force myself to learn my lesson.~
"This too shall pass."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We went to the beach over spring break at the invitation of good friends.
People are different, to say the least, and it's an extra pleasant circumstance when you find yourself completely at ease with another family.
It was just mommas and kiddos the first few days until the men joined us for the remainder of the week.
I begged her to please make all the decisions regarding when and where to have dinner and I promised to let her know if I had an opinion.
It worked great.
Kid's played.
We ate. A lot.
I read a book.
She read and cruised Pinterest.
Children swam.
We laughed, talked, and planned more trips.
We watched Full House and Nashville.
At one point, I put my book down, looked over at her, snug as a bug on her chaise, and said,
"I think I've arrived. The kids are ALL swimming and able to take care of most things on their own. E is strapped into a floating devise and is content to swim and get in and out as she wants. She even knows how to squat and go t-t in the bushes like we told her! This is what I've heard about and it just hit me that maybe I'm actually THERE!!" I did a little happy dance.

This break gave me a taste for summer. I must admit, I get a little lackadaisical this time a year. Yes, we do school, and yes I cook dinner, but I can hardly wait for that much anticipated lull that summertime brings. The crickets, the warmth, friends coming over for dinner, not in a hurry to get home, the carefree evenings at the pool when we order pizza, the time to breathe, to play, and to rest for more than one day at a time.
……maybe I'm lazy. Or maybe I just need a break.

"Bees buzz, kids'll blow dandelion fuzz

And I'll be doing whatever snow does in summer.

A drink in my hand, my snow up against the burning sand

Prob'ly getting gorgeously tan in summer."

Leave a comment below with the correct song title for the above lyrics and you'll be entered to win a $15 Starbucks gift card!

I will draw names out of all correct answers sometime Thursday evening. Be sure to leave your name in comments.

***will include answers given on face book post as well***

locals or long distance…..makes no difference to me! 

It's not hard! If you aren't sure of the song……just ask your kids….bet they know. :-)

Have a wonderful Monday evening!

~stacey