everyday Ann

living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary

Summer Vacay

1.  We just returned from our family vacation that had been in the planning process for months, cancelled the night before, hours spent researching new locations and then rescheduled two days before leaving. Four days later we are home and the typical vacay exhaustion has hit. (After being in a hotel room for four days all of a sudden my house seems huge!)

2.  Our hotel room had been booked for months and I had spent much time prepping and planning our itinerary. Two days before we were suppose to leave Caden came down with a horrible ear infection. Got him some antibiotics, which he ended up having an allergic reaction to, but he had enough doses to get him on the mend. We still considered leaving for our vacation as planned as he was showing much improvement, but I was hesitant with making him go through a long drive while not being 100% yet. So I asked God for a sign, like any good Catholic does, a few hours later Grace spiked a high fever. Answer pretty clear. Vacation cancelled.

3.  We decided to reschedule for a week later only to find out that hotel prices doubled for our original destination. Plan B, go somewhere else. The plus side, the drive was much shorter, there were more kid friendly activities and we even got to see some of Aaron’s family. Highlights include: water park, indoor theme park, circus, drive in movie theater and a restaurant that has trains deliver the food to every table.

4.  Somehow I thought it was going to be a really relaxing vacation with a lot of extra free time at night once the kids went to bed, so I packed books and magazines I have been wanting to read for months. Bedtime and any sort of schedule or normalcy on vacation did not happen. Thankful for Grace and Caden just rolling with the punches, sneaking in their naps during the little down time we had and willing to have bedtime at a drive in theater one of the nights.

5.  Unpacked and six loads of laundry later I am packing again for a retreat this weekend. Not going to lie I am having major anxiety about leaving the kiddos for an entire weekend, especially the smallest two who love to have mama put them to bed at night. This will be the first time I am away from the kids overnight which does not involve being in the hospital having a baby. I have never gone for more than 16 hours without seeing them.

6.  Aaron won’t have it too bad, I wrote out a step-by-step spreadsheet of meals, naps and bottles along with packing him a dad diaper bag to go. I also laid out all of the little ones clothes so he doesn’t have to rummage through the closet to find something that matches and fits. In addition Caden now sleeps through the night, easy peasy.

7.  Anxiety aside I am looking forward to having time for reflection, fellowship and prayer. A chance to better myself as a wife and a mother and let my mind and heart rest with Christ. The psalm from yesterday’s reading spoke to my heart, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Seems like a fitting verse to take into this weekend.

Happy weekend!! Join Kelly for more.

When God Says Give More

(source)

The days when God asks you to give a little more and you wonder how you will make it through. You just spent the entire night rocking and holding your sick baby, so they could be in a more comfortable position because as soon as you lay them in their crib they scream in pain. When you finally get settled for an hour of sleep the toddler wakes up, your jaw clenches as you try to get them their drink of water.

Morning comes all too quickly and it seems as if you would rather hide under the covers than face the day. Nothing that a two cup of fully caffeinated coffee can’t help. Only you haven’t been drinking caffeine, so after the jolt you are left feeling a little shaky and nauseated instead of energized.

Made it to lunch, nap time is right around the corner and you cannot wait to sneak in a 30 minute snooze while the little ones sleep. Only today they decide that their nap time will not coincide and your glimmer of hope is gone. You begin to countdown the hours until the second shift steps in. Five hours and counting, slamming LaCroix because it’s the next best thing to wine.

Dinner becomes well balanced with a bag of tator-tots, sandwiches and cucumbers because nobody ever said this was a five star kitchen. Your relief walks in the door and you use everything in your power to not run out while you have the chance.

Bedtime approaches only to find the toddler spiked a high fever meaning another sleepless night. Two sick kiddos and the weekend plans went out the door, your only opportunity at having a social life and communication with the outside world. In addition the four day family vacay that you spent all week packing and prepping for gets canceled.

Some days God definitely ask me to give a little more, sometimes a lot more. When I think I have given all of my love, time, sleep and energy to my family I find God stretching me even more. At moments to the point of exhaustion, ready to throw in the towel.

Then I remember that this, this is my vocation. Sleepless nights, rocking babies, cancelling plans is all part of God’s plan to make me holy. His plan to etch away the selfishness that still consumes me, the comfort that I take for granted and the need to feel in control of my plans.

Motherhood is my path to heaven if I can just accept the difficulties alongside with the joys. To see God’s grace even in the moments that leave me giving more than I think I am capable of. He gave more, He gave all.

Summer Sun

Beach baby. Not sure if he ended up with more sand in his hair or in his mouth.

1.  Ready to enjoy the weekend with some family coming to visit. Although the forecast is calling for lots of rain I am pretty sure we will manage to keep everyone entertained. The indoor trampoline park and the movie theater may just be calling our name.

2.  We have finished all of our scheduled summer activities (woohoo) and have August free, I cannot wait. After 3 months of baseball and 4 weeks of swimming lessons I think we are all ready to stay home. Grace has been asking to stay at home even when it comes to play dates, I think the running has been enough for her. Can’t wait to sit outside while the kids run through the sprinklers and eat popsiscles.

3.  Yesterday’s grocery shopping endeavor felt like a real defeat. I am used to every once in awhile getting the, oh you have your hands full comments. This excursion, I am pretty sure someone said it to me every. single. aisle. It didn’t help that the two year old was constantly screaming and the older boys were doing everything in their power to irritate her. Epic failure in showing the beauty of large family life. Solidarity anyone?

4.  Simply yogurt bars are simply amazing!! They are a perfect fix for when I am craving a bowl of ice cream and I can enjoy one without a guilty conscience.

5.  Caden decided he was done nursing at 9 months, which totally threw me for a surprise. I will admit there is a level of convenience when it comes to bottle feeding, but the cost of formula is outrageous! With Caden kicking the habit I am left battling the post-partum bulge solo and I cannot believe how much weight I have gained and how hard it has been to get back into shape without burning those breastfeeding calories. Deciding whether just to buy new clothes or join the Beachbody craze and get back into shape.

6.  Epic ant invasion. Feel like we have tried almost everything as we deal with the army every summer. Currently we are seeing what some essential oils will do to defeat the intrusion, so excuse the strong smell of thyme and rosemary. Any suggestions?

7.  Love summer dresses, they are so much more comfortable than shorts and you don’t have to try and pair them with a shirt. All of these are cute, bow back, smocked flare and stripes plus 40% off.

Happy weekend! Linked up with Kelly for more.

Outdoor Living

The heat and sunshine has me wanting to slow down from all the busyness this summer has brought and just enjoy the warm air, the long days and the carefree moments before they slip away. I am dreaming up some outdoor living spaces to add to my honey-do list.

I am looking to make our two tier deck a little more inviting with a relaxing space, plus some shade. Thinking a pergola for the second tier of our deck with some Edison lights strung around it would do the trick.

Last summer our fire pit was taken out when we redid some of our yard and it has left me missing campfires with my family, making smores and conversations had.

While pinteresting away for pergola plans and fire pit ideas I also came across some eye envy backyard spaces.

 

(source)

(source)

(source)

(source)

Lake Life

Finally feeling a bit more settled after returning from a wonderful five day vacay at the lake last week. Trying to settle into normal bedtimes and routine after late nights, early mornings and constant play.

Spending time at the lake has been a family tradition every summer since I was young and now I love sharing in it with my little ones, although sometimes it isn’t quite as relaxing as years ago. We had to miss last year’s gathering because I was pregnant with Caden and my doctor didn’t want me making the seven hour trek. So this year Kolbe and Ethan were extra excited and had been counting down for at least a month. They couldn’t wait to see their cousins and be on the water.

In addition to catching fish the kids also all swam like fish! Even Caden insisted on being in the water after I dipped his legs in. Grace was brave breaking out of her comfort zone riding on the jet ski, tubing and kayaking with mom. We even survived the drive after a slow start stopping every 30 minutes for potty breaks with a newly potty-trained toddler.

Sharing a few pictures of our fun!