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Monday, November 14, 2011

Everything In Between

It's Monday and I'm writing random and linking up to lowercase letters.  I've also linked up to Lisa Leonard, Hello, Monday.  Today I'm trying to embrace the here and now.

{one}
I love weekend trips to the donut shop.  It's a special treat we try to reserve for Saturday and Sunday.  My boys love it as much , or more than, I do.




{two}
I've been absent from blogging for over a week.  I managed to put together a post about Will's birthday party, and that's all I could manage.  The end of October and beginning of November are always very hectic for our family.  We give away over 1000 pieces of candy for our church at our town's local Halloween festival.  Then, just a few days later we celebrate Will's birthday.  His birthday party is usually the following weekend.  Getting things prepared for the candy giveaway and for Will's birthday party can be overwhelming.  The week after it's all over I'm usually exhausted and this year was no different. Whew!
The exhaustion is worth it because look at this happy face.  Love this 5 year old more than words!

{three}
There's another reason I was absent from blogging.  We had a terrible tragedy in our small town.  One of our elementary teachers was killed tragically in a car accident.  She had taught at the school almost 20 years.  Although I teach in the junior high, I know many of the elementary teachers.  I didn't know her personally, we were just acquaintances, but I am friends with a lot of the elementary teachers who were close to her.  We send our children to the same daycare, we attend the same churches and we teach each others children. Small towns are close-knit, and when tragedy strikes it hurts everyone.  Maybe it's because my grandpa died less than two months ago, but it's hard to attend funerals.  I still feel very vulnerable.  I'm emotionally exhausted and I wasn't even that close to her.  I hope that after the funeral services this weekend the elementary teachers, staff and students can find some closure and move forward in the best way that they know how.  Please keep all of her family, friends, students and our community in your prayers.

{four}
I'm sorry if my blog has felt serious and sad.  I never want to be Debbie Downer, but I don't feel like I'd be real and honest if I didn't share the good with the bad.  Let me try to lighten things up for the remaining randoms in the list.

{five}
Experiencing loss and tragedy is the greatest reminder to appreciate every moment we are given.  Despite the reminders in my life lately, I'm terrible at being in the moment.  I worry about insignificant things like dirty dishes in the sink,  piles of laundry that need to be washed and stains on the carpet.  Since it's in my nature to sweat the small stuff, I've really made an effort to appreciate the here and now.

I'm trying to take more photos (which sounds like a joke to most people who know me because I take so many photos already) with the focus being on everyday life.  I want to capture the everyday moments that sometimes seem ordinary but are what make our life extraordinary.

Moments like this...

 Ben playing in the dirt.  True happiness and contentment.

What is it with little boys and dirt?   

He could stay there all day long if I'd let him. 

Or this...

Will playing outside.  One of his favorite things to do.

Will loves to swing. 

He spotted an airplane.  He kept staying "Look there's an airplane in the sky!"  Such a curious and inquisitive little guy.

{six}
I got a haircut!  I forgot to mention it.  It's been about two weeks ago, and I'm loving it.  I had about 5 inches cut off in August and it grew back really quickly.  This time my stylist took off at least three inches so it's the shortest it's been in over 6 years. 

{seven}
It's fall, I think?
It's fall, but it feels like spring.  We had such a dry summer with no rainfall that most of the grass died.  Since we've received rain the grass is green again.  It's the time of year when it should start turning brown, but instead it's green.  It's an interesting combination with the fall leaves.

{eight}
We went to the Dallas Arboretum on Saturday for Will's 5 year photos and Christmas card photos.  We met up with our favorite photographer Lauren.  We tried some new poses for our family photo (thanks, Pinterest!). I can't wait to see the photos and share them with you.

{nine}
Giveaway!
I have an upcoming giveaway.  I'll be introducing you to the neatest company, Let's Go, that sells pre-made activity kids which encourage you to spend creative, quality time with your little ones.  I can't wait for you to see their products.  They are perfect if you have preschoolers or would make a great gift to a parent of a preschooler.  So, look for a giveaway here later this week.


{ten}
My facebook status this week was this Bible verse,

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

May you find rest in Him this week.

9 comments:

  1. Your boys are so cute! So sorry to hear about that teacher. I didn't hear about it on the local news. That is just so sad. Don't ever apologize for expressing your emotions here. It's a great place to share and have people reach out to you. I recently wrote a post about trying to keep my blog happy, but I think what I meant really was to keep it a positive place where I can share the good and the bad, but always be loving and respectful. You do a great job of that on your blog. Hope your week is much better. Take care! :)

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  2. Sometimes we need the reality check or harsh times to fully appreciate the good things in our lives ... altho some are checks we wish we didn't have to have.
    LOVE the first playing in the dirt shot, its my fav - such joy!
    and the birthday cake - did you make that - its awesome!

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  3. I don't think you're a Debbie Downer - you've been so real and honest, which is refreshing (I need to work on that). I'm so sorry you guys have been dealing with so much craziness.

    Love your hair, though! Looks fantastic.

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  4. Love your new haircut. You look beautiful!

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  5. Stopping by from MM and so enjoyed my visit. I, too, need to work on enjoying the "here and now." Thanks for the reminder.

    Your pictures are precious and blessings to you and your sweet family.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so sorry for the loss in your community. We just had one today and it's heartbreaking. It makes you stop and realize what is truly important in life. You don't ever need to feel bad for saying what you feel on your blog. I love reading about you and your family. The good and the bad. By the way your hair looks great.

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  7. Hi Michele,

    great pics of your boys. love the ones in the dirt. :)

    i'm so sorry to hear about the teacher that you knew. that is just so sad. and don't apologize for writing about the serious things in your life, I think people are drawn to blogs that are "real" and share the good with the bad. The bad sometimes helps to make us who we are. Even though it is bad.

    Love your hair even shorter!! Looks great on you.
    Take care Michele. xoxo

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  8. i'm sorry for the loss of the teacher. that is so very sad. it's so easy to lose sight of the now and exchange it for worry over tomorrow. i totally get that. it's a battle to transform our minds! i'm so thankful for God's grace and work in me. phew! adorable pictures and what a cute birthday cake!

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