The Summer We Didn't Set Out to Have

There was no beach trip. No walking the shore at sunrise or sunset. No white sand or avoiding jellyfish. There wasn’t a single day spent where we asked, ‘pool or beach?’ This year, our slow days looked different. The outings looked different. This was, after all, the summer that was different.

And then it dawned on me…maybe this was the perfect summer after all?

My kids fought…a LOT. I think it is literally safe to say that a day did not go by that they did NOT fight? They are fifteen months apart, and they are basically day and night different from one another. Recently my sister in law asked how I was doing, and in that exact moment, I was SO tired and SO overwhelmed. I said, “Jae, I am SO tired of my KIDS. I know that is SO incredibly terrible to say….” but it was the truth. I’m sure I had been picking up clutter or cleaning or vacuuming for the gazillionth time, and I was having a tired Mom moment. And then I heard them laughing—cracking up actually. They had been wrestling (their new favorite past time) and something clearly became funny and they were so happy. Their laugh was contagious and I started smiling, then chuckling, then I had to go find them and I started laughing too.

ALL of this time, together. Just us. Our family. Four very imperfect people. Within these walls you’ll find our three cats, one precious angel of a dog, and the four of us humans, clearly.

We have gone on a LOT of walks. We’ve been on a lot of trails. We’ve caught fish (by we there I mean my husband and son…) We’ve caught snakes (by we I mean ME on that one…) We’ve gone boating and floating in a local lake, we’ve gone horseback riding, and exploring. We’ve worked out together, ran together, learned more about God together, and really, we’ve loved one another.

These photos are from a random day we decided to wade at a nearby creek…they remind me of the summer that we didn’t necessarily set out to have, but the one that we will never, ever forget.

I realize it is not necessarily the norm for kids to have both parents who are teachers…and that summer vacations look very different for a lot of the city, state, and even world. I don’t take it lightly that we are incredibly blessed, and every single day I thank God that while I have had my moments of being tired and/or fed-up as their mom…I would not trade it for anything. Our son Pierson turned eight this summer…which theoretically means he has what, ten more summers under our roof? Sure, he can choose to stay well after he’s eighteen…but you know what I mean. The days may be long but the years are literally soaring. I thank God for photos, for these moments, and by golly dare I say it, yes, I thank Him for this summer.

August Happenings: It's Been a While

Well it happened again. I went an entire season (almost) without keeping up here and regularly posting/writing. Remember when I launched this blog back in January of 2016? My goal was to have fun with it, write often, document my kids lives, track what's happening, just take NOTE...and it's just NOT happening. That being said, I am praying about getting a better grip again, and for now, I'll write when I can. 

I had babies yesterday, and they're going into kindergarten and first grade next WEEK. If you've ever had any vacation time, you know how hard it is to return back to the workplace after some time off. I've come to the conclusion that it's hard for everyone, not just me. Time off is sweet. It's refreshing and peaceful. Yet it's also crazy, filled with adventure and breaking up *tons* of sibling arguments--around the clock. (I realize now that probably doesn't sound appealing to you whatsoever, but honest to God? I wouldn't trade it.)

May 31st until August 13th, we will have been off. A long [not long enough] time that I am so super grateful for.

So here is where I want to tell you what I love about these crazy beautiful kids I'm blessed to call mine :) 

Pierson: 
Six years old. Earlier this summer, he was absolutely obsessed with all things basketball. He played on his first team ever his kindergarten year, was the youngest on the team, and he finished the season like a champ. He's now in love with baseball, and daily wants to play catch with his dad. Ended kindergarten reading on an upper first grade level, kicked butt on all of his report cards, and was the kid on the highest behavior level (4) ALL school year long. His love language is gift giving, he cuddles in my arms every Sunday at church while we sing hymns, and asks me to tickle his back. His body dangles well past my knees, and it's getting to the point that I am wondering how much longer I'll be able to hold or carry him. Never, right? Promise me NEVER!! He is a good kid, a loyal kid, and I love every ounce of who he is. 

Reese, Reesie-Cup, Reese Elisabeth, Liz, Sis:
4 years old, 5 in just one month, Heaven help me. She got her ears pierced TODAY. We went for a manicure, and had a sweet and special day together. She's turned into my biggest barn helper and sincerely loves our horse. I think her love language is words of affirmation, just like me. She is genuinely interested in hearing about people's day; how a meeting went, or the horses were, or how my ride was at the barn. She loves to learn and color and sing. She seems to be very artistically inclined and has a natural talent for memorizing lyrics. She wants to start gymnastics...so we'll see if that can happen soon. She did her first ballet classes during her preschool year, and while she ended up crying all throughout the very last class, she seemed to enjoy all the others. She is sweet, super cuddly, and doesn't know a stranger. Oh how I adore this girl!! 

This summer has been really, really great. I photographed a wedding in Wisconsin, which was one of the best experiences of my photographing career. We went camping with family at Cumberland Falls here in Kentucky. And we also had a week of staycation, where we visited my brother and his wife in Nashville; we did an overnight stay at the Omni Downtown [more coming on that, ASAP!!!!], and we took the kids to Kentucky Kingdom, the Science Center, and a 'fancy restaraunt.' Also, Paddy and I are doing well, thank you, Jesus! I still have a lot of moments where I get fearful riding him, but he is so good, and so sweet. We have learned and grown a lot in the short four months we've been together! 

What's next? Asa and I start back in the classroom August 13th. I'll have kindergarten and first graders in the morning, fourth and fifth in the afternoon (same as last year.) I'll have the same instructional assistant, which will be great, and I really love the women working on my unit with me. Asa will still be teaching self-contained EBD (emotional behavioral disabilities), and he'll get to see OUR kids daily, which has me uber jealous. What is going on in your life? What has your summer looked like? We'll never forget two summers ago when our kids were literally sick the ENTIRE summer. They had Hand Foot Mouth, Strep, the never ending stomach flu...So we've thanked God OFTEN for good health this season.

 If you've read this, thank you!! I know I am not the best at posting here and I really do want to be better. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope your summer was wonderful! 

Mommy Put Me Down, AGAIN?!

January 7th of last year, I wrote a post titled, "Mommy Put Me Down," and my husband stumbled across it this week from his 'On this day' via Facebook. 

This is STILL going on. That is WAY too long, he said. I agree, I laughed. It's really kind of silly!

Those four words are ritualistic and haven't ceased for an entire YEAR. "Mommy put me down!" Well okay, they've expanded a little because both our kids have an excellent vocabulary. So it's more like, "Mom, are you going to put me down tonight?" or, "Mom, can you PLEASE put me down?" When it's one of their turns (we switch every night), they jokingly sneer at one another, "Ha ha, Mommy's going to put ME down tonight!!!!" 

What is this?!?!?!  

It's incredibly rare that my husband loses his temper in our household. But ME on the other hand, guys. I mean for crying out loud I literally told them yesterday morning in our mad chaos attempt to get out the door, "You guys are being JERKS right now, I don't want to hear another word!" [Nooooot a proud mothering moment right there, but hey, at least I didn't use the S word, maybe...??! Kidding, kidding!!]. 

But my point IS, is that my husband is a really awesome father. Not just a little bit awesome, a LOT awesome. And he really doesn't get nearly enough credit. 

With teacher hours, he is able to have time with our kids that a lot of parents in general, don't get. He's completely hands on with them, it's incredible to watch. And I'm the rule follower, the one who says, "Calm down, it's BED time! Don't get them all rowdy!" I guess I'm also the debbie downer in that sense then? But seriously! The laughter in our household is many thanks to him. He knows how to get us out of our funks, switch our bad moods, and inspires us to be positive. He's the guy who is determined to plan a big spring or summer camping trip; hiking, exploring, trying new things, getting out there. It's my kids' dad. 

Whenever the kids get sick, I'm always way too quick to remind him exactly what they "need." Comfy pillows, the puke pan nearby, all the medicines, essential oils, diffusers, humidifiers, blankets, waters, thermometer and temps taken often--but I don't have to do this. He literally runs the fort and has the same exact instincts that I do when it comes to our three and four-year olds. He knows by feeling their heads when they're running a 99° or higher temp. 

He's not absent, ever. More often than not I have photography gigs on weekends or after work; especially during wedding seasons! And it STILL usually is me who ends up "needing a break" because they wear me OUT like nothing I can even explain! I've never been certain HOW he can keep such a patient and level head, but he does. On a daily basis. And then here I am, calling my kids jerks. [Lord, forgive me!] 

But I think that though these days still look like our kids wanting me 99.9% of the time, that's largely due to their ages. And I know without a doubt that they adore their father. He's the one who "throws them high," turns on Just Dance in the living room, teaches them how to build the biggest Lego towers, fixes toys, and who by far, has the best singing voice. This stage of life is still very much 'mommy put me down,' but the kids are also crazy about their daddy. 

**How about you and your family? What does your husband do that you love, kids or not. Are there roles you switch off on (cooking, cleaning)? Is there something he's super helpful with? And if you're a mama, does this sound like you? One of my good friends Ashlee wrote a post called Velcro Baby and I just LOVED it; my daughter is glued to my HIP, y'all. And while it's sometimes frustrating, it's more so just really sweet because I still don't want to think about the day when my kids don't fit quite right on my hips and in my arms. Comment below, I'd love to hear from YOU!**

Here's a little flash back that we recently discovered: Pierson and his Daddy. A reminder of just how present my sweet husband is with our ever growing kiddos. [Even the 'I told you so' comment at the end has me swooning over him, ha ha!!]