KY LAKE TRIP

Shawn and I were able to get away overnight yesterday. We went to the annual "FarmHouse Lake Break" on Kentucky Lake. I have to say, I am VERY partial to Kentucky Lake. It's actually my favorite lake in Kentucky. I enjoy seeing the sailboats (we only saw 1 this time and it was being taken in), I like the calmer water, I like that it's more shallow, and I like the fact that houses can be built almost right on the water. We had a fun time, stayed up late, ate too much, swam a little, laughed a whole lot, slept in late, had a big breakfast prepared for us this morning...it was definitely a little vacation for this stay @home mom. I savored my food and felt almost spoiled. I didn't take my camera because I didn't want anything that I had to keep up with whatsoever. Sometimes I opt for memories vs pictures...I find I have missed being involved by trying to catch stuff on camera the last couple years. Thankfully, I snagged these pictures from the internet.

I wish I had pictures of the cabin we stayed in. It's a new cabin and so cute. Very good use of space. Well decorated. Homey and comfy. Waterfront...that is the best part. The front is all glass and looks out on the water. We were in a cove just like this one today after breakfast.

I haven't tried sailing yet, but hope to...Grand Rivers is my favorite spot to see sailboats at dock. So peaceful...and it reminds me of the Carolinas.

On another note, the kids have been so out-of-whack lately. I have decided for the next 7 days, I will be doing nothing after 1pm in the day (except Wednesday). From 1pm on, the kids will nap, play, have dinner, do bedtime routine, and go to bed. It's gotten too crazy 'round here and I can't let it go on. I wish I could explain how absolutely wild my children can be when they are out of whack. (Some of you have witnessed it firsthand). They are strong-willed and when they get out of whack, their will goes from just being independent to being unbearable. I rarely see Shawn lose it with the kids...maybe 1 time in the almost 5 years we've been parents...well he almost lost it tonight with Grace. It just seems one or the other is crying all the time and when not crying, they fight over toys. I don't know what the deal is for sure. All I know to do is back up and slow down. We know G has a uti. We know NJ has molars that have punctured the skin and growing in. I have to take big, deep breaths, and, like I said, back up and slow down things in our life. Starting tomorrow. No Amish Country visit for us with a couple other moms and kids! Must go text them now. Good luck finding the balance you're striving for, too. It seems easier for some than others. We have to work at it regularly. The way I look at it...at least we recognize when we're out of whack and try to get back in sync. Here's to trying!!! I'll try to update in a week with the outcome...will the kids be back to acting like normal, good-natured children or will they still be acting like heathens? To be continued and I promise an honest answer will be given.

This picture reminds me of Grace and Noah, who are finally, after almost 2 hours of resisting, snug in their beds.

Prayerlessness

Basically...and this is for me!!! Don't do it. Don't be prayerless. Pray without ceasing. I have been at a standstill. I have been in 2 bible studies the last couple months (one is still going). "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore and "BRAVE" by Angela Thomas. I've learned a lot from both of them but the truth is, I could have learned more...if there were enough hours in the day or if I always used my time wisely!!! There was a day when all my study time at home was used the right way and I wasn't behind on stuff. Haha. So, behind I am, but still I have learned how important it is to pray without ceasing and MORE important for me during this phase is...we don't even have to know what to say because God knows our need!!! And my Sunday school lessons are about prayer right now. I love it when God reinforces what I must need to learn! No coincidence could do that, or happenstance! I've just been hearing too much of the same "theme" about praying lately. And I am only beginning to learn it. It's like looking over a big beautiful, lush valley...I want to go deeper into it!

My 10 yr old niece is here visiting. She has been coming to stay with us every summer since before we had Grace. We all really enjoy having her here. This visit has been the first that she and Grace have played together on basically the same level. They have played Barbies and baby dolls. This morning, we went swimming, to Subway, then to the library. Yesterday evening we went bike riding. I am so thankful for my sweet niece and how close we are. She is growing into a great pre-teen. It's happened so, so fast.

Our inside joke...true story. Yesterday after we all went to Kroger, we went through the drive-through pharmacy. We have been eating so unhealthy this summer that Noah John asked me to hand him a french fry when we pulled up!!! For some reason, Callie and I got a kick out of it and have re-told it about five times!!!

I'm feeling so "behind" on little projects (putting kids' pics in frames, catching up the photo albums, scrapbooking newspaper articles about the family farm, etc)...in this stay-at-home mom world I feel like an utter failure at times! UGH. I see these gorgeous scrapbooks etc and I don't even know where to start. I have to remind myself not to compare to others. Back to paragraph 1...need to pray about this!
:)