when i don't take the time...

If you asked me how I am, I'd probably say... busy. My head feels busy. But I think I am just trying to keep up with too many schedules that aren't mine. The daughter who is working and volunteering at the zoo, and the son with the heavy school-work load, plus marching band and finishing up his Eagle Scout work. None of these mean I can't do what I want or need to do, but the beginning and end times are circling my brain, quickening my heart... and creating this buzzing feeling of busy. Maybe instead of busy, I am tired, and longing for the easier days of summer.

But summer has passed, and I must move on. I need to take time for the to-list that exists for me, and let my capable kids take on their own. I need to feel the Light around me, and breathe it in, instead of keeping on on my own... because that alone can strengthen my soul. I need to love, to laugh, and enjoy this season that God has laid out before me.

What really matters in life is rarely on my daily to-do list. 

life lately...

August has been pretty green...I have enjoyed being outside, even in the Florida heat.  And the past two nights have been a gift- breezy and low humidity. It seems to be just what we need to get us through until the fall weather arrives (in November?)  

Here are my photo-a-day photos, doing double duty for life lately...

starting the week...

The weekend was quiet... unless you count the echo of drum cadences that make you want to tap your foot, clap your hands.  {We definitely did some of that!}  It was a string of days that had us stretched out and resting- and it seemed, after the first week, necessary.  And after those days of not much, we seem a little more ready for Monday.  The alarm isn't quite as loud as it seemed last week, and tonight's dinner did make it into the crock pot, which means the question of the evening is already answered... not bad for the second week of the school year.

friday letters...

Dear First Week of School,
I am exhausted. You have kicked my butt. Again. And I am not the one going to classes and doing the homework, along with practices and college applications... I am only trying to keep up with the one who is! Two afternoons I have walked into his room and found him asleep in the middle of homework. My heart aches for him... but he is tough, and by next week maybe he'll be in the swing of things!  {Me, too!}

Dear Laura,
I don't know how you are doing it- eight hours in this awful heat, four days a week, and then an extra day to volunteer- but you are... and I can tell you are enjoying it.  That makes me happy. And then when you shared how people have been talking about you at the zoo?  It gives my soul peace, and fills me with joy. Keep on working hard, for the sake of doing the job right... it will pay off. And be thankful to work in a place where you are appreciated and your hard work is getting noticed. I think it is rare to be appreciated, and perhaps more rare for someone to pass on that they are noticing.

Dear Marching Pride,
Tonight. I am so excited. This is season 7 of 7 for our family, and when you lance into the stadium tonight, in full uniform and ready to perform, joy will fill my heart, and might even overflow with a few tears. I may have a thing for a certain bass drummer, but as a whole I love you. I love your dedication and your precision... your joy and your hard work.  The next couple months of Friday nights are going to be amazing!

taking the scenic route

We skipped church this Sunday.
When your teenage son passes on dessert because he is just too tired to eat, you know he just needs a morning to sleep in... especially when school and the 5:30am wake up call are lurking in plain sight. And Laura?  She has been working at the zoo on Sundays.  She wishes she wasn't, but right now this is reality. I have been driving her, and then backtracking to church.  But today... I took the scenic route.

Two miles spent in the midst of His glorious creation. I can't help but worship... and again, I didn't bother with the music. The chirping birds, the buzz of the insects, the low croak of a gator... they are music enough. Though I walked alone, I figure there must have been at least one more along the path, doing just the same...

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, 

there am I in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18:20

I am so thankful... for the motivation and the strength. For the beauty of the wild, and the people who though to put a boardwalk through it. For the whisper of the wind, and feeling the presence of God around me.

along the shore

I brought along my ipod, freshly charged, for this walk... longing for the worship music that moves me.  But I couldn't bring myself to plug in. I should have known... the rolling ocean, the rhythm of the waves is the worship music of my soul.

I walk, worship... and seek the treasures He reveals to me along the way.

a complete set...

This is the picture that completes the set.

The last first day of school picture. Over dinner last night he said the reality hasn't quite sunk in. He texted me a copy of his schedule this morning- which is not for the faint of heart. My own senior schedule was jam packed with art and music and study hall.  His?  Sciences, pre-cal, government, and other crazy things that I am sure are far above my intelligence level.  He is brave.. and smart.  I hope Senioritis doesn't set in anytime soon...

Moments captured from kindergarten to senior year {ages 5-17}...

Last night I promised him... this would be the last year.
But... I am planning on taking one this afternoon- because the lighting at 6:21 am stinks.

p.s...if you are just starting out? use those first day of school signs that are popping up all over pinterest. and??? start a folder on your computer for first day pix! trust me.

friday letters: the saturday edition

Dear Calendar,
August is half spent... and I have been dragging along, trying to catch up, and holding onto summer with all that I have. If only we could hold the turning of the pages.  I have been trying to document your days, and have fallen short of sharing them. That one time I said I'd be back on Sunday?  It slipped on by, along with the next one...


Dear Photo Challenge,
I gave up on your list, but have been conscious of the moments... taking at least one picture a day.

handwriting, white, family, smile, hat, shadow, purple, on the road

sunset, hearts, habit, where i stand, silly, collection, dessert, circle

Dear Cowboys, 

You gave us quite a show.  We thought we weren't going to make it this year, but when my forever friend asked, we had to say yes. They were amazed from start to finish, and it was so much fun to be there with them seeing it for the first time!

Dear Eric,

Twenty-two years. I had no idea of what that meant then.  I had no idea what we would walk through, and while we were in those valleys, I had no idea of how we'd come through- only that we would. I am so thankful that God has our marriage, our life, in His mighty hands. He has given us such beauty. I couldn't imagine this love, this laughter... it is so much more than I could.  I love you. I love to laugh with you. And I love to navigate this life with you. The next adventure is right around the bend, and as long as you are holding my hand, I know it will be amazing...

i love the joy and the confetti in this picture!

friday letters... because i have been absent.

Dear Friends,
Hello?  Why oh why can I not get my act together for more than one week in row?  I get on a good blogging spree and then... nothing. Nothing, as in I don't even have the desire to think of something to write. Nothing, as in I have a million words in my head and I cannot make myself log in and empty them onto a page. {sigh} It wears me out emotionally not to set the words free...

Dear August,
I cannot believe you are here, and I am not quite ready for you. Band camp starting next week? School starting?  Senior year? Nope. Not ready. But here you are, so there is nothing to do but celebrate your days. I found a photo-a-day for last August, and was inspired to try it by Mindy's photo-a-day in July{she will laugh that I used her as an example!}  It could go wrong, it could end in a big blank canvas... or it could focus my mind and my heart towards the beautiful.

Dear Class of 1989,
I so wanted to be there tonight.  Really, really wanted to.  But I had to make a decision, and... as this week has unfolded, I found that I made the right decision. But I want to see pictures. Lots of pictures. Tonight I will make a toast to you, and maybe dance to some great 80's tunes...

Dear Africa,
Thank you... for sharing your wonder with my family once again. I am only sorry that I am seeing you through photos and stories this time around! But... those photos and stories, and the expression on the face of my son, are amazing. Just over two weeks, and you have pressed upon Camden's heart once again. He tells me you have grown by leaps and bounds, and somehow stayed the same.

return to music rock - with the cousins - mom & bob

Happy August first... I'll see you when I share my photo-a-day pictures on Sunday {see that? I just gave myself a deadline!}