summer….finally!

I've been out of school for a week now, but if you know me or read my Facebook status then you may know why i couldn't let loose and really enjoy my time off. So, without further delay…..

We are off to the zoo this morning. Do you have any big plans this summer?

farmergirl wannabe

My computer doesn't like that word…farmergirl. But it's sort of my goal/dream for this summer.

I remember the summer I was eight years old. My sister and I spent a few weeks at my great-grandmother's farm in South Georgia (Jaw-jah). It was a neat experience and I am glad we have the memories. It was just the two of us, hanging out with my grandfather everyday and doing what we could to "help" my great-grandmother. I remember her most at the big white sink with sideboards looking out into the chicken pin.



It seemed like she was eternally working at that sink and in that kitchen. Every day, every meal was a smorgasbord of the best country cooking anyone could hope for. And what did I eat? Biscuits and honey. I couldn't get enough. Yum!

That summer I saw my great-grandmother, well into her 80's at that point, fling a chicken to kill. I watched her spend all day plucking and prepping that chicken in the back porch off the kitchen.

My grandfather would take my sister and I out on the tractor. It was blue and white. We would ride perched upon the wheel covers (gasp) and occasionally get to steer.

I remember sleeping in the squeaky, old iron bed laden with hand-stitched quilts and washing my face in the ancient pedestal sink with a little rubber stopper.

We traipsed around the farm checking corn, feeding the horses, and picking wild blackberries. Mostly, I remember the blackberries. I didn't like blackberries but I didn't mind picking them.

That's the kind of summer I want to have. Unglamorous work swirled with a heaping dose of carefree relaxation and homemade food.

Now, only 3 more days until I get to find a way to channel that mentality in the middle of the city with a 17 month old.



What are your summer plans?

shiny shoes and the best card ever

How was your Mother's Day? Mine was pretty good. 

It started off with me giving Jacob grief about not saying Happy Mother's Day. (I can be a jerk in the morning!) Then, I helped keep the nursery during worship service. Chloe loved clinging to me almost the entire time. It didn't really bother me that much though. An absolutely thought-provoking Bible class followed. 

After church Jacob surprised me with some new shiney shoes. They are my first pair and I like 'em. So comfortable. 

We ate lunch with Jacob's family and enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. His mother and grandmother are among the sweetest souls on earth! 

After Chloe woke up from her nap, Jacob surprised me with his very own homemade Mother's Day card. He even hand wrote the poem on the inside. 

In case you can't read it, it says:

"What a great mom you are Candace.

Chloe and I are lost without you to bond us.

Such a beautiful girl with a sweet spirit.

Chloe told me that, I know she means it. 

Sometimes overwhelmed and a little crazy

Normally my fault when I get a little lazy.

Cleaning, teaching and cooking on the oven

All these action show how much you loven.

Chloe and I love you, we know you are the best

Maybe this summer you can get some rest.

Happy Mother's Day, we are stuck to you like glue.

We're ok with that because we love you. "

 

Isn't that so stinkin' cute and hilarious? I think it is the best Mother's Day card ever made! I am so blessed to have both Jacob and Chloe and cannot imagine my life without them. I think that is what Mother's day is all about - remembering why being a mother is so important. It's because you are loved and get to give love in return! 

These two make me so happy and make me want to love more!

Happy Mother's Day to you!

dirt

this is my new favorite picture.

my girl loves dirt. as we planted our garden about a month ago, she was right there with us each step of the way. we let her stay busy putting loose dirt in a small pot and then dumping it back in the large pot. little did we know, we were creating a bad habit. now, we cannot walk by a patch of dirt without Chloe lunging for the soil with both hands ready to be filled. 

case in point, we went to the doctor a week or so ago. Chloe was doing really well in the waiting room but soon got restless, so we walked outside. She did great walking up and down the sidewalk chasing me until she saw what lined the flowerbed - mulch. She was a goner after I wouldn't let her dig into her treasured dirt and take a sample to her doctor. 

oh, and when we pick her up from "school" - which i call school because it makes me feel better - she has a diaper full of pea gravel that came from the playground. it pours out of her pants when we pick her up and she screams as we rid her of the tiny rocks she has been hoarding. 

dirt. it makes her happy. 

silly little girl. she makes me happy.