You'll Get Used to Her

As we go through our lives, from the minute we are born, we continuously learn to adapt to our world and this next story is Emma's understanding of that process. Last weekend we were in the car as a family and Emma was asking Adam about all the people he loved. Everytime he would answer with a big head nod for "Yes". He was answering yes to everyone...then it came to Mommy...she asked him and he shook his head and verbally said, "No." While that did not really bother me that much and I am quite secure in his love for me, what made the experience so funny was what Emma said next. She patted Adam on the back and said, "Its o.k. buddy...you'll get used to her." Too funny if you ask me. I have long kept a journal of the funny things our kids have said and this one is definitely part of that collection!

Below is a video of Emma knee boarding at the lake in Nebraska last weekend. We traveled to Ginger Cove (the family home of the Harmons) a total of 10 adults and 13 kids made the weekend journey (Emma being the oldest child). We have been a part of this community group from church for nearly 7 years now. While our group has changed throughout the seven years, we have truly enjoyed journeying through our lives with this group of people. The kids (and adults) had a great time playing all weekend.

Tubing...also a big hit!

Summer Vacation?

I have found myself realizing that certain terms do not always mean the same thing to everyone. For example...Summer Vacation...Here is a phrase commonly used with regards to the famous school calendar each school comes up with. However, in my mind, summer vacation was always equivilent to fun, fantastic, freedom from schedules and routines. After the first 4 days of our "summer vacation" I began to realize that just because the school calendar says summer, and perhaps the sun says summer, does it always mean vacation! We began our summer by driving 6+ hours in the car to Arkansas to attend a family reunion on Jeremy's side of the family; this would be our "vacation". While we enjoyed the weather, the hikes and the conversations with family, Jeremy and his parents enjoyed a whole bunch of MOLD! Grandma's house had flooded (she does not live there, it is a vacation home) and then grew the mold. Jeremy would often be described as a worker by most people, and this was not untrue of this particular weekend either. In my mind we would spend 100% of our time as a family, playing outside, hiking and enjoying one another, which we did do for part of the time. There is the problem, I thought this is what we would do ALL of the time...when do we ever do exactly as we plan 100% of the time? We are continuously putting our lives in a box and carving out boxed time that we believe in a way it should be. Perhaps I should stop taking things so literally and just sitting back and enjoying the "moments".....during what some call vacation!