Here one day, gone the next

Today I attended the high school graduation ceremony for a group of homeschoolers, including two of my siblings. Each of the fifteen or so graduates had a montage dedicated to them. It was so weird to see all these baby and toddler pictures, and then all of a sudden the pictures were current, and standing in front of us were kids setting off for college. I sniffed my way through it (partly because I'm a sucker for music and pictures) and all I could think of was how these icecream outings, and princess parties, and sick toddlers falling asleep on the couch days would soon be over. I don't want to wish it away only to wish it back. I'm trying to stay awake and take it all in, but it's hard when life is busy and much of parenting is so labor intensive... And we haven't even started the emotionally intensive season (although I'd suggest potty training is emotionally draining, but I diverge). I look forward to seeing my kids finished with high school and maturity is the goal, so I don't want them to stay little forever. But for today, I'm glad they're so small and so easily satisfied.

Happy Mother's Day!

Craziness

My life is simple. When I wake up sometime around 7am, my husband is already outside feeding and moving the chickens. It's quiet. It's still nice and cool outside and having the windows open and fans blowing make it slightly chilly inside- perfect for tea (which my husband has already made and put in the airpot, so it's steaming hot later). Many times Cooper is already up and outside too, and the kids stumble out while I'm reading my Bible or starting on breakfast. We have times when we have to jumpstart the day and rush around, and life IS very full, but it's less common to find things frantic in the mornings.

Here in Florida at my parents house, I'm reminded of what a charmed (slow, some may call it boring) life I lead. First of all, having almost 7 teenagers in the house automatically makes for some harried days (it also makes for a TON of manual labor- can't wait until we have that much help at our house!) My parents also live in a bigger town with more shopping options. I don't think I realized how nice it was to have so few options. Less places to shop= less money spent (okay, not really, because there's always the internet). Tomorrow there are soccer games to attend, starting at 8am. This is enough to make me say "no sports" for our kids. This is also the weekend two of my siblings are graduating from high school (hence the reunion) so there's the rehearsal, and clothes to get out and iron, and display tables to set up. And food to cook for the 17 of us. Thankfully, we are using a lot of paper plates.

I miss my younger two kids, but I'm having such a sweet time with Cooper. He's so much fun when he's by himself. Today he was able to swim twice and the weather is perfect- lower 80's (a little chilly for swimming but perfect for reading by the pool). And when he isn't playing with all of Grandmama's toys or hanging out with me, he has his seven uncles and two aunts to build him forts and chase him around the house. Life is good.

The one where she takes a road trip

I'm here at my sister's house, talking shop and catching up (now I'm inspired to try making my own deodorant). Not too much catching up tonight though, because we'll have 8 hours in the car tomorrow. She has a gorgeous house that they've rebuilt and decorated in an enviable way. If you want to be inspired, check out the latest photos on her blog. When I get back I'm going to make some of those ginormous flowers for Adeline's room.

Cooper and I drove the four hours to her house this afternoon, and it's amazing how easy it seems to have such a capable child along for the ride. I handed him the Chick-fil-A, and he opened his own saucs, fed himself, and then cleaned up. I never thought about it again. This is almost like a vacation! It's been fun to have some one-on-one time with him...just like old times (except now he can talk, and talk, and talk).