Cabin, Woods, & Family = Bliss

Combine a cabin, woods, & family and I'd say life is pretty grand.  I am not a city gal by any stretch of the imagination.  I like to go visit the big city, but I am most comfortable when I am in shorts, hiking boots, and hear the calls of nature luring me down a forest trail.  I would take that over the jam packed pavement filled streets of major cities any day.  No doubt about it.

Knowing my love of the outdoors, HH proposed a camping trip with my parents for my birthday weekend.  Mom and Papa jumped on board the idea and...viola!...we had the perfect cabin reserved for a birthday weekend at Shenandoah River State Park.  Compliments of my handy dandy tour planner...mom!   We headed off on Friday afternoon for our "cabining" weekend, leaving the stress of life behind. Lexus was packed to the brim with excitement. The kids chatted as we headed down the road about what they must do with grandma and PopPop. HH smiled as 66 allowed us to pass quickly away from NoVA and into the Virginia of his youth. Cody panted happily as he no doubt was conjuring up visions of squirrels and chipmunks that awaited his arrival. As for me, any chance to get away with my family brings a smile. Any chance to see my parents makes me thrilled. That in a nutshell is what will make this tour here worth everything.

Virginia state park cabins are truly "home away from home" with everything we need for comfort without the pull of electronics *say adios to cell phone service* *bye-bye TV and gameing*. We were ready for a weekend that focused on family building and fun.

I can think of no better way to celebrate turning almost "4" than taking in the beauty of the Shenandoah River with five of my favorite peeps. As the sun slips away, the campfire begins to glow and crackle. S'mores fill our bellies as stars light up the sky. An owl hoots and tree frogs and crickets fill the air with a chorus and the night concert begins.

Driven by One Mission

My name is Cody.  You can call me Big Lug.

 I am driven by one mission and one mission only.

Protect My Yard.

Everyday.

Every hour.

Every minute.

Every second.

From the countless invaders that I believe may pose a threat.

Invader 1:
Last seen clinging and eating
from a "squirrel proof" feeder while showing
his backside to the kitchen window

Invader 2:
Goes by the name of Chip.  He hails from
the Clan o' Chip living in the stonewall.
Notorious for sitting under the roof
waiting for me to come question him.

My Infamous Pose:
Most invaders lurk in the pine trees surrounding
my yard.
 It is imperative that I never look down.
They're waiting for this moment of weakness.

Invader 3:
Known as Dale.
Hails from Clan o' Dale
located under the lanai.
Known to chirp
loudly when he sees or believes Alvin
from Clan o'Alvin hailing from the front
yard rocks is coming into the back
yard.
He is also known for overstuffing
his mouth with seed.

Invader 4:
Name is unknown.
Don't let his size fool you.
 I'm sure he's vicious.

Invader 5:
Little Boy Blue.
He doesn't have a bugle, but he is crazy wild.
He has a tendency to cause alarm in all my other invaders.
Chaos and scampering occurs at the slightest wing beat.

Me:
Always running about the yard.
Tendency to wear out my human family's
arms as they throw my tennis ball.
My girth is known to cause a great deal of clumsiness.
Hence my nickname, Big Lug.

Wordless Wednesday {Befriend}

Memorial Day Moments

I really thought HH had lost his last marble in his head when he proposed we head down to the beach for Memorial Day weekend.  Only I know he didn't lose any brain cells.  His parents live down there and the benefit of this tour is being closer to our extended family.  So, take the opportunities as they arise because it won't always be this easy to visit.

It's not that I don't *love* the beach, it is more that I can't stand the traffic that you must endure to get down to Virginia Beach. 

 I swear those who drive on I-95 think they are secretly NASCAR drivers who are looking for their next big win.  It drives me batty.  So, the idea of driving with the crazies on Memorial Day weekend did not sit well.  Until six hours later...driving with the chaos...please ponder this thought for a moment: this route should take only three and a half hours.  

I tried very hard not to think of what beaches or places I could have flown to in six hours.  

HH and HS worked for quite sometime with Grandad getting the boat cleaned up and ready for the first joy ride on the water of Summer 2013.  The kids loved the breeze and are already plotting their moments of water skiing glory.  Before the sting nettles arrive.  

Better start planning another trip down to the beach now.

So do we feel spoiled by the beaches of paradise for the last four years you ask?  

Well, there is no doubt that the water here is not as pretty, the views not as stunning, but the sand still creates phenomenal kingdoms and moats.

 Guess we'll take what we can get!

It's been many years since I've been able to celebrate my birthday with my nephew who was born a few days before me.  It was a great night.  After all, he's turned thirteen...and well, I'm almost 4. 

 I think I'll claim our celebration a success!

It was a delightful weekend.  

We needed to see the beach just to remind ourselves that water does indeed exist.  

It was wonderful to walk into the kitchen and be greeted by the smiles of Mom and Dad. The kids are enjoying getting to know cousins that previously had been faces over Skype.   Being able to sit and chat with family without knowing that you won't see them for a long, long time feels fantastic. 

 Guess that hell of a car trip down will always be worth it.

Always.

Just get me a cool logo sponsor for my car.

Steppin' Up

I feel like someone just woke me up from a five year forced sleep.  I call it forced sleep because there is NO way that I would ever want to sleep and miss out on my family.

Instead of awaking to the sound of HS chatting about what happened in kindergarten and how much he enjoyed his PB&J for lunch, I blink and then blink again trying to figure out just how that little boy who came up to my waist is currently staring into my eyes...eyeball to eyeball.  No longer peering upward.  Enter the world of HS peering straightforward.

What?  That's just crazy talk! 

 I realize at this moment that I can't figure out just how my tiny snugly LD, my little baby girl, is standing before my HS and I as I prepare his ham & cheese sandwich (his now favorite after announcing that 5th graders do not bring PB&J for lunch *tear*) and she is swaying as she sings her "farewell to preschool" songs.

 What? "Farewell?"  When did she even begin?

 My eyes fight back tears as I realize that no...I haven't woken up from a forced sleep.  I've been with both of them every minute.  It's just that time marches on.  Regardless if you want it to stop.  Time is oblivious to the desires of mothers everywhere who want to remember the precious childhood moments.  Time knows one way of motion...fast.  I've been here with them.   It's just a blur of moments.  Cling.  Cling hard.  I'm not letting time take the moments too quickly!

For the past three weeks, we have been hearing her practice, been her audience as she stood and practiced, listened to her retell her morning of "kindergartner for a day" and how excited she is, but how it is going to be "serious business. *sigh* if only life were equivalent to our days as a kindergartner...

I find myself being gently led by HH to sit down in a tiny chair that appears that a hobbit will appear at any moment.  If only she could stay the size of a hobbit.  Please.  Please time.  Hear my request.  A red carpet stretches creating an aisle fit for only those gearing up to step up.

Can I reach out and grab her before she heads down towards the director of the preschool?  No one would notice right?  I could have her home quick as lightening sitting with me on the carpet playing with her kitchen and creating an imaginary meal fit for a queen.


LD emerges from her classroom with her fellow classmates.  Some are cramming their tiny necks to find their parents.  Others shy toward the wall as they try not to make contact with the audience.  LD.  My little blessing.  She stands facing HH & I blowing kisses our way as only she can.  My heart sings.

Mwah!  Right back at you!  I know how much you love feeding and chasing the ducks at the pond.  How about we go...now.  Just you and me.  You don't need to Step Up today.  Time will wait...I'm begging Father Time.

Their songs are adorable.  Eyes are bright and smiles are stretching as long as the Mighty Mississippi.  They relish in the applause.  They take in the proud faces of their parents and teachers.  This is the moment.  Farewell preschool.  It's been wonderful.  Hello, kindergarten!  We are ready to step up with excitement.  LD's name is called.  She hesitates a moment as she looks down at the red pathway.  Time.  It's marching.  There is no waiting.  Time.  Time to begin the educational pathway.  She begins walking and then turns to HH & me as if asking is this what I am suppose to do?





There will never be a day that I don't wish we could still have you little, snugly, and clinging to your family.  God didn't make you to be that way forever.  He gave you to us to guide, love, and bear witness to the amazing young lady He is calling you to become.    Time.  Please.  Give this mamma a few moments that are slowed down and a little less blurry.

I do what any mom would do as she waits looking towards us.
        I give her two thumbs up,
           say a silent prayer of protection for her,
               blow her a kiss...
                        and begin clapping.

First Day of Preschool
August 2012

Last Day of Preschool
May 2013

As you grow...

May you continue to become the very special person God wants you to be.

May you always remember that God loves you.

May you always show God's love and kindness to others.

~Amen

Wordless Wednesday: Explore

*enjoying linking up with Wordless Wednesday

@ The Jenny Evolution 

Bus Stop Babble

This is our first experience with HS riding a school bus (ok...maybe his second experience, but in Newport, the bus pulls up to the houses of kindergarten kiddos...that creates a more intimate moment). It has been about five months of this new tangled experience and it seems like the best way to survive and thrive is to keep a few things in mind:

~ inclement weather does not mean you get a free card from walking your beloved down to the bus. Grab extra layers, umbrellas, foot Warner's, whatever the case may be to keep you from clanging your teeth together or looking like a drowned rat by the time you're giving your "pep talk" about having a good day at school.

~ just because your tween says they are old enough to walk down to the stop and they don't need you to see them off at the bus door does not mean a hill of beans. They do want you to walk with them so don't fall into the tween angst. It is totally cool for your mo to walk beside you chatting about Minecraft or discussing the latest in safety patrol matters. They don't want to have that conversation with "just anyone" so don't take it to heart when they announce "don't worry...you don't need to head down with me." Grab your jacket, the dog, and start walking.

~ being at the bus stop first is a huge deal. Really. When your Darlin' knows when they are approaching lateness n their firstness, they'll be sure to let you know with a huge announcement of panic..."that was the second clock chiming eight...I'm gonna be late!" *please note...it takes only about three minutes to walk to our stop and even with leaving at eight,we have about seven minutes to wait.*

~ get used to exclamations from all kids as the dogs all converge on the bus stop to see their favorite friends depart.
"Ooh, YUCK! He just smelled his butt!"
"Gross! She just drooled down my leg!"
"Nasty! Now they are all tangled up smelling butts."

~ realize that the bus stop is not only a place for the kids to be social but for the parents, too. This is not a popularity contest moment or a need to dress to the nines. Wear whatever you put on, brush your hair, and head on down to the corner to catch up on the daily happenings of 'da hood.

~ admire the love of putting on a bright neon green safety belt with a well earned safety patrol badge. If your Darlin chooses to participate in this program be proud. Be busting at the seems proud. It takes courage to be that kid who takes it upon themselves to keep the others safe.

May Moxie

I've caught myself wishing I could get back to being determined to complete what I begin, achieving peace in decisions, and desiring to grow closer to who I am being called to be as I enter the year before I am forty. Yes. It's true. I am almost close to the last year of my thirties. How am I handling it? Not well. It's time to turn the tide on the thoughts I have before I turn 39. My "bucket-list before 39" and boy howdy, it is going to take a lot of moxie to make it through the list before June 1.

5. Become.
Why is it that when we are young it's OK to want to be a cheerleader when we grow up, but as an adult, people laugh at the notion? Why don't we need a constant pep squad following behind us? Let's face it, life is full of challenges and disappointments...when you have that person beside you cheering you on, it is like having a battalion of Marine's always by your side ready to demolish your foe or provide the moral support to keep going when you don't think you can.

4. Embrace .
Two things I know I have learned from being a mother. The first, knowing how my own mother must have felt as my sister and I grew-up. The second, realizing that being your child's cheerleader will mean standing by them through each stage of their childhood. It's not a buffet line.I can't just choose to have all servings of perfect care free days. There will moments that the princess crown on LD's head gores askew and she throws a fit. HS can't always be the caring loving little boy that never throws his own hormonal fit. It's just how things are. These moments will be the ones I don't remember when I am a little old stretched yoda. I may as well embrace just relishing in their childhood...even the *ugh* days of crazy teenage angst.

3. Relax.
This is not something that comes easy to me. I worry, stew, and fret about just about everything and everyone. It needs to stop. I could learn a lot from just watching our furry feline take control of his worries.

2. Mirror.
I could spend a lot of time typing about what I think is wrong about our society. That in the long run does very little. What will have staying power is what I want my family and friends to know and see me mirror. I have been called by God to take care of and raise my family. I have been called to be the best wife I can be. I will endeavor to mirror the qualities that the Blessed Mother laid as the very foundation of motherhood.

1. Love.
We are surrounded by cultural pressures to be or become what goes counter to what we have been created to be. It has been easy to look in the mirror and hate the wrinkles and the hereditary bags under my eyes. I promise I am sleeping, I promise that I am taking care of myself as best as I can, but really, I can't promise that I love who I am right now. I have hit middle age and it sucks. It does. However, I am going to choose to center on what I do love about myself.

Note: Linking up with MamaKat's Writer's Workshop. Happy reading!