10 Minutes

10 minutes is all it took.

10 minutes to go from this...


To Ella running in the house yelling,

"Jackson's running away FOREVER!!!!!"

I calmly assessed the situation and discovered that Jackson was worried he would get in trouble for breaking Ella's princess car.

Wow.

Who knew I was that scary!

I could see Jack walking down the driveway. Snack in hand. I asked where he was going...

No answer.

I told him he'd be missed.

No answer.

I told him he'd miss out on the banana bread that was being made.

No answer.

Changing tactics.

I did what any loving mother would do...

"Well, if you're running away forever, don't you think you should pack a bag with some clothes in it?? And what about food? What are you going to eat?? And what about money? You should really come pack a bag."

Knowing he's not going far.

Then, next thing I know, Brenton is running in the house...

"What's wrong?"

"Jackson passed the white fence!!!!"

I again went outside and tried to talk him into coming home...

"We'll miss you."

"Can't you hear your brother screaming?"

"He doesn't want you to run away forever."

"Please come home!"

Now, in the house, I can hear Caden crying.

I then headed back in the house since I could see Jack coming back up the drive.

Asking why Caden is now crying...

"Because, I'll miss Jackson!!!"

Our first attempted runaway and I'm so thankful to not only have him back home safe and sound, but also so thankful that my kids would miss each other that much.

They actually DO love each other!

Fun And A Little Sun

Wacky. Wild. Crazy hair day...

Jack took the above pictures...

From half and half, to crazy mohawk's and even the reverse... Even got a little Papa Scott thrown in... Caden had crazy hair day on Monday, so he, Jack and Brent all decided to get crazy. Brent still has his mohawk, but Caden and Jack are now completely bald and completely cute. In other news, we have had a few nice days thrown in with some entirely soggy ones. We are sure to appreciate any sun and dryness that comes our way and the kids are LOVING playing outside. Eating outside. And yes. Dare I say? Peeing outside! The boys were walking home from the bus the other day and as I glanced out the kitchen window I saw each of them take their respective spots behind 2 trees. Oh, the joys of boys... The sun is brightening just about everyone's mood and the kids play so much better together. Ella and Brenton had so much fun just being outside yesterday and even found a little friend... On Saturday, Cory was able to plant some tomatoes, tomatillos and other seeds in the dry part of our garden. Yes. I said the dry part. The other part is currently completely soggy... maybe we could grow rice?? Doesn't that grow in wet fields? Or a cranberry bog? What we have discovered to be a wonderful cherry tree. And to think Cory wanted to cut this one down... Savoring the sun. Still being thankful for the rain. After all, the beauty we see in the trees, grass and even the garden would not be possible without it. I'm trying to ignore the fact the we are getting webbing between our toes and that we have moss behind our ears. I'm really trying to savor the sweet rain. I even found it funny that when I was running in the mugginess the other day that I actually prayed for it to rain! Oh, silly girl!

A Dream

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain pouring from the sky.

I put my sweatshirt on and there were hints that it was not just a dream.

The tenderness on my back and shoulder were clues.

I walked into the kitchen and asked my children if I was dreaming.

Was it really sunny yesterday?

Really?

Sun streaming in the windows when we woke up...

Brilliant blue and cloud free skies...

Coffee with my sweetheart, sitting in our family room, soaking in the sun...

Happy chickens basking in the sun...

Yard work in the sun...

A walk down the hill with friends, a parade, horses, candy, friends, fire engines, old cars...

More yard work...

Part of garden planted...

Visits with sweet friends...

Corn on the cob...

Juicy burgers...

On the back porch...

At 7:30...

Feeding the chickens leftovers...

Sun kissed skin...

Peace...

Calm...

Beautiful...

Deep breaths...

Perfect.

Thank you Lord for this treasure. Thank you for a day to cherish. Thank you for a day of no rain. No fighting. No screaming. No time-outs. Thank you for sunshine. And calm. And peacefulness. And family. Thank you!