splishing and a splashing.
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Tag Archives: summer
summer shopping on a budget.
At the start of summer I realized as I was getting my summer clothes out that I am wearing the exact same clothes as I did the last summer and the summer before and somethings….the summer before! As you can imagine I was ready to make a change. But our budget was not really saying the same thing.
What’s a girl to do?
How about some garage sale-ing and make your own?
Well finding some summer tops at a garage sale was easier than I thought. I went to 2 different houses at our neighborhood garage sale and found a total of 5 tops (some brand new, all name brand!) for $2. Score!
Still I was feeling need for some new dresses. I was introduced to craftgawker and fell in love with it! It’s similar to pinterest but this site is specifically crafts. Ideas galore! The first night I was browsing I found the cutest and simplest dress to make out of some fabric and a tank top cut in half. I decided I could pull this off. Then I remembered the amazing fabric I got in NYC at the Mood fabric store when we visited 2 years ago! I’ve been waiting for the perfect project to use this fabric and this was it! I followed a simple tutorial from the blog Talk2Trees and ended up with 2 cute dresses that actually fit and that I have worn several times already. Honestly, you don’t need much skill on the sewing machine, as mine is very little. Just need some guts to go for it. Who knows you may end up with a really cute dress!
and we are back. a little of this and a little of that.
After 2 months of traveling, people visiting and more traveling we are ALL 5 are finally in our home together. Make that 6. Can’t forget our latest addition, Obie. This little guy has quickly captured my heart. Those big floppy ears, feet too big for his body and sad blue eyes have just melted me. And to top it all off he loves to snuggle. Yes. I love him. And the rest of the family does too. He has quickly become one of us.
Our national staff conference (CSU) was amazing! We heard from several great speakers, my favorite being Francis Chan. Loved what he had to say. More on that another time. This conference I realized that each CSU has something different in store for me depending on how I am coming into the conference. Some years it’s to soak up as much as I can from each and every speaker and seminar. Last year it was a time for Brian and I to reconnect as a couple. It was our first time being with out the kids. The girls were only 1 1/2 and we were coming off a crazy year of adjusting to life with 3 kids. It was also this summer that we were first approached about moving to Indy. Lots to discuss. I walked away from that summer more connected and in love with my husband than I ever have been. But this year it was about hanging out with people who know me, who get me, who make me laugh ALOT, who I can be real with (good or bad), who I can be silly and weird with and they still love me just the same. It just did my heart good to be with good friends. Much needed. So yes, I feel God spoke to me at the conference, I was challenged and have some things to process. I feel refreshed spiritually. But more than that I had an awesome time just hanging out with my hubby and friends…and eating some amazing food. Ft. Collins has so many wonderful restaurants. They are kind of hogging all of my favorites.
So now we are all trying to readjust to what “normal” life is. You know like morning routines, rest times, cooking meals and actual bedtimes. The washer and dryer and going full steam ahead, the pantry is still empty but I’m working that, catching up on mail, email and all the other little things that happen. Oh, yes I remember doing all that:) We have 9 days until school starts so we are going to soak in every last minute of summer that we can. Just not quite ready for it to end yet…and for my little dude to head off to kindergarten. Sniff. Sniff.
life in the circus.
there is a weird theme weaving throughout my life right now.
the circus.
this week the kids are in VBS at our church and i’m volunteering in the girls’ classroom. the theme? “under the big top” it’s all about the circus. and let me tell you with hundreds of kids it’s crazy like the circus.
also this week i picked up a book from the library my friend mentioned to me “water for elephants” by sara gruen. (once again trying to read more) guess what it’s about? the circus.
and ironically enough i feel like our life has been a little like the circus lately. lot’s of coming and going. people in and out of town and our home, including ourselves. the kids are out of their normal routines and have at times being acting like circus animals. and i at times could be labeled as crazy as a clown. there are many different “acts” going on at once. i feel like i’m juggling a lot of balls. really just hoping and praying i keep it going a couple more weeks until things hopefully slow down a bit.
one of the hardest things for me to keep going when we are out of our normal routine is my quiet time in the morning. it is my source of strength and sanity. but when it is not first, not “center stage” if you will the balls come falling on head and quickly bring me to my knees. no other acts can go on if i don’t have Him.
part of me likes the circus life. i thrive on short periods of controlled chaos. i soak it in as a season of life to make great memories and more importantly draw closer to Him and who He wants me to be in and out of crazy times.
so here is to life in the circus! trying to live it up!
summer fun -ness.
Memories.
5 on Friday…from the beach!
what have i enjoyed about our first family vacation? well, a lot but here are 5 things i’d like to share with you.
1. watching the kids play at the beach, jump in the waves, roll in the sand, build sand castles and join in the fun myself.
2. celebrating our big boys birthday…with an ice cream cake complete with a red light saber on it:)
3. running on the beach.
4. it’s a mellow and relaxing place. not a lot to do so you are forced to slow down and relax.
5. enjoying it with my awesome husband.
Hope you have had a great week too!
family.
love. together. memories. joy. perfect.
5 on Friday
1. HOF. Do these letters mean anything to you? Well around here that is all you see and hear about this week. Canton is the home of the Football Hall of Fame and this is Hall of Fame week. It’s the one week where there people actually plan to come to Ohio because there is a lot to do. This week we have seen hot air balloons and fireworks. Tomorrow Mr. Barela and I have a date night and I’m going to introduce him to the Ribs Burnoff. Can’t wait to see his face with the choices of ribs he will have. On Saturday we are taking the kids to the parade, something I grew up going to. Of course we will be bringing along some Dunkin’ Donuts to much on while we watch.
2. I love summer food. Strawberry short cake, corn on the cob, fresh veggies from the garden, grilled meat and lemonade. Ahhh it’s just all so good. And we have been having plenty of it. My belly is happy:)
3. This is Theia’s new stance. She’s has always been the investigator, wanting to know who, what, when and where. These days we often find her checking out new situations (because there are a lot) walking around in this pose. She is cautious and contemplative, taking everything in. With her little hands behind her back it just fits her perfectly and melts our hearts even more.
4. These girls just make us smile. Here they are kissing each other. They truly are best little buddies always looking out for one another. Although according to them they came from different places. Last night I said to them while they were in the bath tub “How did you get so cute? Where did you come from?” Theia replied with certainty that she came from God. Kaia on the other hand responded that she came from the garden. Hmmmmm? okay.
5. This little dude is quite the baseball player these days. He’s hitting with a real bat and real balls and he knocks them all over Grandma and Pa’s big yard. I’m not sure who’s more proud, Daddy or Mase.
Summer nights
S’mores and fireflies
A perfect summer evening must include these, don’t you think?
Ahhh, summer I love you!
