A blurry photo of Patrick and Grandpa in the workshop.
Two good books I’ve read this summer. I loved Gracelin O’Mally and just requested another Ann Moore book, Leaving Ireland. The Yonahlossee book is a little racy at times, but it is a really well-told story, with great characters I loved. I stormed through both books in a couple days each, they were both so compelling.
Really, really good.
At the park one day.
Jeff’s birthday. We celebrated with cake and t-ball game.
T-ball-we made it!
Abbey and her friends at the game.
Abbey’s back to school shopping trip-she went with friends, which is a little sad for me since we loved to do this together, but she knows what she needs, and knows what she likes, and with strict instructions to not go crazy, she picked out things I loved too…. white notebooks, white binders…everything matching, lots of index cards….and she uses them-look at that stack from last year!
After dinner, the boys usually run out to the trampoline.
These next four weeks I have four birthday to celebrate in our family (Jeff, Andrew, Janey, Abbey), our 20th anniversary, and three different school start dates, along with all those orientations and meetings, and long supply lists (which I tackled last week).
The kiddos went back to school here today. Our oldest's first day of teaching. We will take the younger back to the university in a couple weeks. Both my girls used to go through stacks of index cards each year!! While it will be very quiet here come September, I do like having a set schedule.
Sarah, I've recently discovered your blog and am so grateful for the time you've put into keeping it up! I am a young mom of two and love reading your experiences and learning from your perspective. I know this must take up quite a lot time for you so THANK YOU! I feel strongly that I should be home with my children and that I should keep our life as simple as possible. I've found it's a pretty unpopular way to live haha, so it means a lot to know that there are other moms out there like me! Thank you, again.
Gosh, I wish school was starting a bit sooner here! We still have 4 weeks and I'm ready for that structure stuff NOW! Time to reset my parameters and find the happy in the chaos for a bit longer!
I'm ready for school to start for all the same reasons. One starting high school, one starting junior high, one in 5th, and then just the baby and I at home. I'm not sure my little Pete is going to like seeing everyone head back to school though.
You are hoping for peace – maybe a little too much to hope for. Good luck with all those birthdays!
Even though we homeschool, I am ready for our official school to start back up again too. We do better as a family with structure. The kids are nicer people when they don't watch as much T.V. I am a nicer person when I see that we are getting things done and not just using up time. I am ready….and they may not realize it yet, but they are ready too!
Thanks for posting about the good books you read. I read a couple of books you recommended and they were great. I really enjoyed "Half Broke Horses" and "A Week in Winter". Have you read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls? Good luck through these next four fun weeks!
Love the start of new things too, but still a little sad about school starting! Thinking I'm the opposite of Kayla up there–I think I'm a nicer mom during the summer—not as much "hurry up-ing" going on and seems we ALL flow better and friendlier taking our time with things. Praying we can figure out the school year better this year (maybe it will be easier without a newborn now)?? Am I crazy to think that?? School starts Monday. Deep breath!
Thanks for the book recommendations! I am going to order A Secret Gift immediately. My family of 5 have been referring to our Summer as the Summer of The Waltons since we've been watching the dvds when we have watched any TV, I was shocked at how much my boys have enjoyed them and how much they learned about that time period of the depression. So for me that book will be very interesting! My boys went back to school yesterday, we are still adjusting but it was time to get back to a routine.
I just love your honesty. My little ones aren't school age yet, but I'm sure once we get there I'll feel the same way. There is something wonderful about getting back to a real schedule and although I'll miss my kiddos,I can imagine that fewer running feet in the house all day long will be a nice break too.
Thanks for sharing.
http://www.beautifullifemadeeasy.blogspot.ca
Erica xo
I can't get over Janey in that park picture! Sarah! She is at the most precious age ever. Those little teeth! Oh my word. I just want to smell and kiss those little cheeks. And sweet Patrick after his t-ball game and Abbey with her friends. Your children are so beautiful Sarah. And here here to a bit more peace once school starts! Summer is all about survival. Especially this summer for both of us. 🙂 I wish we lived closer and Kole and I could join you on those peaceful stroller walks.
I always love your book suggestions so I thought you might like one two. I just read this in two days, "Her Father's House" by Belva Plain.
I read A Secret Gift last year and it has "haunted" me ever since…anytime I am tempted to complain about my life I stop myself and remember those heart breaking letters of loss and hopelessness and poverty. We have so much to be thankful for in 2013!!