my loves

What's a girl to do in 103 degree heat but get rid of the shirt and bust out the red umbrella. Summer is slipping away, the school year for Josh is in full swing and Naya is now six months. She's sitting up and scooting all over the place. She is a ridiculously happy baby and seems to get sweeter by the day. It's been a challenge in these days of heat inventing ways to keep my stir crazy kids happy. Sometimes the whining and arguing and discipline is exhausting. But I also feel so blessed to have these three amazing little people and to be able to stay home with them. If the day is really chaotic, I think about the fact that someday I'll have a 13, 14, and 15 year old in the house together and then I feel really glad to be right where we are at.

my mama

I remember hiding in the back of the closet with my mom, we'd hear the screech of the school bus brakes and then my sisters footsteps through the front door. They'd open the door to hang up there coats and we'd jump out to their surprised screams and laughter. She was always doing some crazy thing to keep our household full of laughter. She was the kind of mom who stayed up after everyone else was asleep to bake cupcakes with pink gumdrops on top for me to take to school on my birthday. She was the kind of mom who could always tell if someone was down and knew just how to brighten their spirit. She was the kind of mom who, in our house of seven, was always the last one to eat and sit down. She was the kind of mom who always had time to read our favorite stories over and over, and she read books in a way no one else could. She made them come alive with her energy, humor and animation. She was a servant to us and to so many others. She was the person who told me about Jesus and showed me his love. She was always teaching, helping and loving. She poured out herself for us and still does across states and between 12 grandchildren. She is amazing with babies and children, she has the gift of being able to speak their language. Sometimes I watch her with my kids piled in her lap and I think of how blessed I am to have her. Birthday love for you today mama!

heat wave

When those first rays of morning sun stream through my windows it's enlivening. The deep blue sky and mountain views from my window beckon. It just looks so perfect out there and then we step out our door, babies and gear hanging off of every available limb. Five steps from my door and I feel the beads of sweat rolling down my spine. No relief, even in the morning, even after rain. It feels like a sauna and I feel banished to the water or the air-conditioning by this merciless southern heat. I think I miss NJ, just a little. All complaining aside we've had a good summer and here are a few glimpses of trying to stay cool. I feel cooler just looking at them.