Busy Week

This has been one busy week, so busy there aren't any photos to document it. Blake and I have volunteered at Kids Camp at church this week. It's been lasting until around 9pm, and add in a 30 minute drive home, a second dinner since we have to eat early before we go, showers for everyone, etc... we are exhausted. I've enjoyed it but I am glad to be done and not have to go do something every evening. I've missed seeing Bryan and it got so bad that he got up early on his day off to have coffee and talk with me before I left for work.

My grandma was hospitalized last week and diagnosed with lung and brain cancer. She's been rapidly declining all week and it's just a matter of days before she passes on and gets to experience stepping into heaven. I'm happy to know that I will see her again one day when I get there.

Blake has cross country practice starting next week. I hope to get back to my daily walks since they have fallen by the wayside this week. It's still my goal to walk #54milesinjune.

With all this busy-ness this week, we have yet to begin to pack for the beach. I am beyond ready for some R&R and to sit myself in a beach chair and breathe some salty air. I will work on the packing list and menu list this weekend.

Here's to hoping for a slowed down couple of days,

~Tara

In Progress: Gallery Wall

Last fall, we had family pictures taken. Bryan and I had a few taken of just us. I had them printed and then did nothing with them. I just couldn't decide on what frame to use. I wanted to hang them in our bedroom and make a gallery wall on our only empty wall. After many months I finally chose a frame. Then I leaned them against the wall, afraid to hang them because I thought they would look small on the wall since I didn't have any other parts of the gallery wall I had in mind. So, after way too long of looking at them and worrying over it, I decided to just do it. I had two canvases that used to hang over the bed and that were covered in fabric. I ripped the fabric off and painted them pretty simply using the colors I hope to incorporate into the gallery wall.

this was the fabric that was on the canvas

Now I'm happy looking at the wall even though it's not completely finished. I'm on the lookout for unique things to add and if I need to change the canvases I can just paint over them. 

~Tara

Anticipating an Addition

For several months now, we have been eagerly awaiting an addition to our family. We've named her, planned for her, and now the countdown is on. We're getting a PUPPY.

These are the parents of our soon to be sweet puppy, Sadie. This is Roxy and Whiskey and they are Boykin Spaniels. I'll be honest and admit that I'm not a big animal lover. We do already have one cat, one dog, and two fish. I love all these pets, aside from the fish~which are just another chore on my to do list. Other peoples pets, though, just make me nervous and I'm not really fond of them unless they are old dogs that just lay around at your feet. If a dog is yappy and jumps all over me, I can't stand it. I'm sure I had a bad experience as a child and I'm scarred.
We have never had an inside pet and that's what Sadie will be except for when she goes hunting or just outside with us. I've never trained an inside pet so I'm like a new pet mom, totally inexperienced. I've told Bryan that she is mostly his responsibility but I am aware that I will be caring for her quite often. I am here more than he is during the day. We have actually put more thought and planning into having Sadie than we did about having both of our children combined. I can't believe I just typed that!! I hope she will blend seamlessly into our family and she will love me as much as I will attempt to love her. As long as she's not completely spastic, I think we can get along just fine.
Roxy and Whiskey are in the process of conceiving these sweet puppies so we should know soon about Sadie's ETA, sometime in the fall.
So I have time to prepare myself for new puppy motherhood,
wish me luck!!

~Tara

Time to Catch Up

Whew!! It's been a busy week. It always takes a few day to transition from school to summer time. But I thing we have managed to do it. Here's what's happening lately...

after pick up on the last day of school

it's tradition... we burn everything from the school year!! This pretty much sums it up well,
Blake is thrilled and Maddie looks like it's hurting her heart to have to do it.

We hung the Eno's in their permanent location for summer, in the shade of the barn. They will get lots of hang time in these lazy days of summer. Initially, the kids were asking constantly, "what are we going to do today, or tomorrow, or next week." It's impossible to something big everyday of summer. I hope they are able to learn how to simply relax and hang out, literally. There will be fun days for sure but there will also be days when they have to use a little creative imagination and find something fun to do. 

And, our niece Emily graduated from high school. I can't believe how fast time passes. When my brother started dating her mom, Emily was in elementary school. Since then, they have gotten married and my brother adopted Emily. They have a special bond. We've watched her grow up and become a beautiful young lady, and I can't wait to see what she decides to do with her life.

 I can't help but think ahead to the day Blake and then Maddie walk across the stage. If you've had a child to struggle in school, you can understand when I say I may jump up and burst into the Hallelujah chorus, reduce myself to a puddle of tears on the floor, or sigh the biggest sigh of relief ever known to man. If your child does not struggle in school, the feelings are just as emotional, just in a different way. I know this because I have imagined what it will be like in each circumstance. Either way they both will achieve the same end goal, and we will be equally ecstatic when they do.

~Tara

4th Grade Awards Day

Thursday was Maddie's awards day. She got certificates for All A Honor Roll for the year and Student Council. It was short and sweet, just like this post.

Moving on to 5th grade.

~Tara