Loving the lake- Wordless Wednesday

What's Happenin'?!?

LOVE this Mother's Day picture. I am so thankful for my Mama.... the wisdom that she shares with me, the joy that she contagiously spreads, and the way she absolutely loves my whole family.  I am blessed beyond belief by her kindness. We had a super Mother's Day together!

So what's happenin'?!?
I have 4 more days of school!! And 16 more days of grad school! 

None the less, I am so busy.  I am trying to tie up loose ends and spend my down moments with my family.

I may be M.I.A. from the blogging world for the next 2 weeks, but then I will be back with lots of summer memories.

 Happy almost summer!

Family Camp Out

Our family celebrated Mother's Day from the moment we got out of school on Friday. Even though it was a celebration weekend for me... it was more about my family and let me tell you my excitement and "campiness" made my husband's heart jump for JOY!

Clockwise- 

Daddy Camper- On a mission to get to the campground.

Little Camper- Can't wait to take Mommy and Tula along for the ride.

The loot- Buckets, bug catchers, camp chairs, little crocs, fire starter.... and so much more!

Baby Camper- Ready to "seep" with the "boon" like Little Camper has told her to expect.

Daddy got home from work early to pack the car so we could head out as soon as I got home with the girls.  For one night of camping, our van was packed with more than we need for a week at the beach. So we came home- jumped in and headed to the wild!

Ivy was excited to get right to the playground while Daddy set up camp and started the fire for dinner.  She met some little girls to play with and they became best camping friends for the evening.

Tula was ready to EAT since that is her favorite past time.  She enjoyed camp food- hot dogs, grapes, chips, and she even made it up late enough to enjoy a s'more!

Tula took complete ownership of the boat swing at the playground!  This little girl loves being outside so camping couldn't have suited her more.

Ivy loved assisted Daddy with grilling our dinner over the fire! Do you see the river in the background? She was sad that we didn't bring the canoe to take a little boat ride- maybe when Tula is a little bigger!

Friday night was GREAT family fun but,
Saturday morning I learned a few things:
A. 50 degrees sounds like a great night temperature.... WRONG.... feels like 30 when you have been sleeping in a tent all night long!
B. My feet did not want to walk in the icky wet grass that is there in the morning and this novice camper did not bring anything but sandals.
C. Must pack kid friendly breakfast.... Children do not understand WAIT for a fire to cook your yummy breakfast!

So when the sun rose- the kids rose.... straight into the warm car to watch a movie while we packed up the fort.... and we headed home a little earlier than planned!

Saturday we spent the day in the backyard playing.  

I love the weekends.... and we only have one more weekend before my 2 and half months of weekend begins!

This Mama can't wait for SUMMER to spend with my family!

Cheering On MOMS

With Mother's Day right around the corner I thought I should create a post simply to honor all MOMS.  Any Mom will tell you that being a Mom is the best job a girl could ever ask for but without a doubt being a Mom is a tough job, too.  Moms are home makers, nurses, teachers, chefs, personal shoppers, counselors, advisers, and so much more.  Moms make the day to day petty decisions and the big, keep you up at night decisions.  And Moms worry- we really really worry about the decisions we make for our children and ultimately our whole family.

Yet, we Moms are faced with judgment each day... and our biggest judgment.... our biggest enemy is most often other Moms.  

Stop the madness.  Stop the hurtfulness.  Stop the finger pointing.  Stop the blame game. 

Cheer on all MOMS.... like you or not.

Moms need to stick together rather than turn against one another.

I have been a part of too many conversations over the last few weeks about Moms being hurt, Moms feeling less than, and Moms second guessing their quality as a Mom all because of something another Mom has said.  It is sad, my friends.  And certainly not an action that we want to teach our children- to judge another person, to belittle another person, or to break down another person.  We would teach our kids to share kind words, encourage their friends, and take a stand when someone is being hurt.

There is no one right way to parent.  We all choose to parent in the best way for our family.  Our families are different, and in turn we have to parent differently.  We can learn from each other, share with each other, and listen without casting a judgment on one's ability to be a Mom.

As a Mom, I want all Moms to feed their babies.

If you know a mom who wants to nurse and gets to- cheer them on.

If you know a mom who wants to nurse but is defeated- encourage them with kind words.

If you know a mom who bottle feeds from the get go- share your luck with a specific bottle, share coupons for the formula they buy, and be thankful that there is an FDA approved, pediatrician recommended formula that is perfect for growing healthy babies.

There is not a right or wrong way to feed your baby as long as their tummy is filled.

Some Moms work, Some Moms don't.

If you know a mom who gets to stay home- remind them they are blessed, even on a trying day.

If you know a mom who has found the balance in working part time- remind them they are blessed to have both worlds and encourage them when they are busy.

If you know a mom who works full time because her family depends on her- remind them they are blessed to have a job to meet family needs, encourage them when they are busy/tired, and pray for them when you know the battle raging in their heart.

If you know a mom who works full time and loves her job- remind them they are blessed to have a career they are passionate about, listen to them teach their child about their day to day job, and again encourage them at those busy times.

We need all kinds of Moms- some who work, some who don't.  Isn't it a model to our daughters of what they can become some day?  It is often a Mom who has never been on the other side, making the worst of claims.  It is often a Mom who is unaware of the behind the scenes dinner conversations about personality, finances, and children, who makes the another Mom feel terrible about her choice to work or not to work.

There is not a right or a wrong about working, and for all Moms it is difficult choice- along with a battle of emotions.  Support one another.

Crafty Mamas V. Simple Mamas

Some Moms scrapbook...

Some Moms picture take...

Some Moms blog away...

Some Moms bake.

Some Moms decorate...

Some Moms sew...

Some Moms buy the crafters...

Some Moms have gardens that grow.

Some Moms have pinteresty birthdays and day to day crafty fun...

Some Moms like coloring books, going to the library, or playing in sun...

We are all Moms, using our talents, creating memories for our children.  Some memories are store bought, some memories are home made, but a memory is a memory and our children are thankful for that.  

Take time this week to tell all the Moms you know they are doing a good job.  

Encourage them- don't judge their decisions.

Share with them- don't share about them.

Appreciate all of them- even those very different from you.

Cheering on Moms... all of them!

Have a Happy Mother's Day Week!

Fence Friends to Much More

Maybe you remember our Fence Friends who live behind us from last summer. Well, we have become so much more than fence friends.  Kennedy and Ivy were having regular conversations through the slats of the fence, we tried to make the trek around the block often, but due to little siblings, working jobs, cooking dinner, etc we needed a change for the sake of friendships and the sake of sanity.  We needed for our girls to be able to play- the way neighbors used to when we were kids- so the Dads started scheming a plan.

After having to look at each other through a tiny crack in the fence you can imagine the joy it brings to these girls now...  

It was one of our best home owner decisions to create a convenient path from yard to yard through the fence.  In the short month that this little pathway has been built (Thanks to the Dads!) many of times the little girls have been able to bounce from yard to yard, swing set to swing set, house to house, and create memories with each other.  It has also made a way for moms to chat, little siblings to bond, and dads to have a couple of back porch beers.  It has been a perfect distance for a pizza dinner and smores  with neighbors.... no getting in the car, no fancy plans, absolutely content to just be with neighbors. 

We are so thankful for our friends and our perfect little hole in the fence!