August 20, 2008
-
thIs and thAt…
we had a wonderful weekend away in the mountains of Tennessee…
i love it there – so beautiful.
we used to go camping there every summer when i was a girl – so it holds so many fond memories… fun to go back to the same candy store i stood at as a girl and watched them with fascination making taffy! or drive the same mountain roads… see the same sights.. spot the same bear!! (well, probably not that last one – but you never know!!)
it wasn’t really a planned trip away (are ANY of ours babe!?) just something that came up through the thoughtfulness and generosity of some dear friends… (ThAnK YoU dear friends! we love you guys – and are beyond blessed because of you !)
we’d been talking alot lately about setting some goals and new vision in play for this upcoming year for our family.. in between football practices. washing the dishes. running emma to the potty. listening to the piano being banged from the other room. and breaking up fights~ do you know how THOSE conversations go??
so… how nice (and quiet!) to have whole DAYS to talk uninterrupted!
i’m excited – and quite honestly, a bit overwhelmed by some of the stuff we want to see/ know that need to be set in motion for us as a family unit – - when your kids get older you really start evaluating where you’re headed more closely. well, not that you don’t do that when they’re little too – - but when not wetting the bed, saying please and thank you, and coming the first time called are what most days consist of – - at times it’s hard to picture your child as anything other than one endless set of instructions that seems like you might never get figured out! 
i don’t know how many times i catch myself staring at kate and ben and just thinking, “man! where did these years go??” i think i especially notice because of the huge contrast in their ages with emma’s. and on the days i feel my emma will never master the toilet – all i have to do is look at my 10 year kate and instantly be reminded…”no – she’ll get it!”
the weekend away was good to just reunite shayne and i with the direction we’re headed in.. and yes, mainly with the kids. of course i love talking about my 3 kiddos, especially when the other person loves them as much as i do!
as a stay at home mom i think it’s easy at times to feel we’re going at it alone… naturally we’re the ones there all the time, so the majority of the care falls to us. and i’m fine with that – as i’m sure you are – that’s why we’ve chosen to stay at home in the first place.. it comes with the territory.
but i know there are days where i feel like my voice is that underwater muffled sound falling upon my kids ears… funny though how daddy’s voice, or even the name “daddy” can cause those eardrums to perk up!! so, knowing shayne’s heart for our family. being in line with what he wants to see taking place, ends up making my job that much easier when i can say, “daddy would like you to do this…” or, “daddy thought this would be a good idea…” the daddy leverage works great!
maybe i’ll share more specifically in an upcoming post what some of these goals/ plans are… there’s one in particular that’s really been on my heart for awhile, so i’m anxious to see how it gets played out!
and in writing all this about the kids and our family and such i can’t help but have these words singing in my head….”Grace. Grace. Marvelous grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin….”
we sin alot as parents. and flub up big time! many days i’ve wondered if i haven’t just completely ruined my children – then God reminds me above all else they are His first… and once again i hum this little chorus about Grace… and feel my heart rest in the knowledge that He is indeed greater!!
————- ~ ~ —————
speaking of kids – we were in the goodwill today when this girl who was working there struck up a conversation with me… she had jet black, short spiky hair. with more earring in her ears than i realized you could put in! she talked with this super high, ditzy type tone…. she was really quite a cute girl! i say girl.. she had to be atleast 20 – maybe older. and she had a 7 month old…
in the course of her telling me about her baby she asked how many i had – i pointed them out. “those three…”
“wow, you have kids that big? you don’t look old enough!”
i smiled. “i’m 34″
“no way! man!! you’ve aged, like really well….”
i hope the confusion didn’t show on my face… i had said 34 right?? is 34 really that old? : /she asked if i was back- to- school shopping for the kids…
“nope. not really.” i answered.
“what are you buying all these clothes for…?”
i looked in my cart.. was i really buying alot? before i could explain that i usually gathered in everything i liked and then did the whole process of elimination at the end she asked,
“do you have all your back- to- school shopping DONE?”
i guess back- to- school shopping is comparative to christmas shopping or something.. to have it all done by a certain date!? i don’t really know….
i wasn’t sure if i wanted to engage in an even longer conversation, but since she was standing directly across from me on the other side of the rack i figured i couldn’t really not just answer…
“well, i homeschool – so we don’t exactly need to do alot of shopping for back- to- school clothes!” i tried to say it lightly, with a laugh… like no big deal…
she stopped what she was doing and looked right at me as serious as she could be –
“why would you do THAT?”
i felt like saying – “there are days where i wonder that myself…” but instead tried to give some condensed gracious answer and move on down the rack…
i think she “followed” us throughout the whole store. i’d look up and she’d just happen to be putting something away on the rack over. or straightening something up not far from where we were… i tried to smile when i caught her eye. a few times i wondered if i should have the kids smile and wave too!!
not sure what conclusion she drew after all that watching, but atleast she was entertained for the 45 min. or so we were there!! 
————— ~ ~ —————-
i had just.. and by just, i mean JUST cleaned the back door when i walked past and noticed this….
i asked emma if she had drawn on mommy’s window and she shook her head very proudly with a “yes.”
i told her that wasn’t good.. that she was only to draw on paper.. and not to do that again.
she got a little puzzled look on her face and said, “but mom.. i draw you name!!”*pause*
oh, wait! yes, NOW i see! right there…
it says – “Hi mom. I love you. And someday you’re going to miss these things and want them back… so don’t be angry, savor and cherish every moment with me… even when i write on your freshly cleaned window! your girl – emma.”
don’t you think that’s what it says too?
————– ~ ~ —————-
better get on to bed – no gymnastics on tonight to watch.. or make me mad rather!! am i the only one who thinks the scoring system is ridiculous?? what ever happened to a panel of judges just raising a square board with a number from 1 – 10 on it? and when there’s a tie doesn’t it make more sense to award TWO medals? to me that’s what the true spirit of the olympics is about…
and just for the record i LOVE the olympics… i go to bed at night dreaming of becoming a gymnast. or diver. or hurdle jumper. i guess you never outgrow those feelings of inspiration – - i may never win a gold medal, but man you should see me lift 2 laundry baskets at the same time!! quite impressive~ : )
what’s your favorite olympic sport to watch ?
——————- ~ ~ ——————
HaPpY WeDneSdaY!!
- amber.
Comments (42)
cute, Amber, what a face!
And gymnastics is my favorite sport to watch, but I do agree the scoring system is ridiculous! Such a bummer the “perfect 10″ is gone!
My favorite part of your post is the writing on the window! Oh dear! I have some stories about that kind of thing! I know when my kids were young, I used to roll my eyes and sigh when someone told me that “these were the best years.” I was up to my neck in terrible twos, cookie crumbs, sticky fingers and dirty laundry. Now that my kids are ages 30 and 25, I know what she meant! While I am having some wonderful times at this stage of my life, too, I see just how special those child rearing years were. I know from the way you write that you do cherish them. I am glad you take pictures and think about the whole process. I know your heart is taking pictures, too!
I love the window writing! Your daughter is as creative in writing as you.
I love visiting Tennessee. It’s so beautiful there, so much to see! Sounds like you had a nice time.
That is funny ~ “You have aged well.” You and your husband look like you are in your twenties! And, you are so pretty!
My husband would agree with you on the scoring. He was complaing to the judges (not that they heard!) about it the other night. I think the word unfair came out of his mouth a couple of times.
And I agree with you, I don’t think you ever outgrow those feelings of inspiration. We were watching women’s rowing and I was thinking ~ I could do this, the swimming lady (can’t remember her name) is 41, so that gives me another 10 years to train! I also have my thank you speech prepared in case I ever get nominated for an Academy Award.
Oh how i can relate to those fresh clean, ever dirty windows. Love the note you saw written in the scribble.
So glad you got to spend time away, it’s always so refreshing. And no, i don’t always leave comments on your site but i love reading them and seeing your great pics. Love the header of the kids (someday i will learn how to do such fancy stuff
) And the last pic and caption you added with it. God bless your day, Rachel
I don’t really watch the summer Olympics. My favorite Olympic sport is ice skating. They inspire me to want to jump and spin across the ice…until I put my skates on and remember that I have a hard enough time not tripping over my own two feet.
i like diving and volleyball best. probably because those are the two sports i do. though i doubt i’ll ever win a medal for either! lol. it’s great to be inspiried!! to me it’s part of the whole olympic spirit.
i love the shots of you and shayne=such beautiful people! that last shot of you is hilarious. what a great face.. and great saying too. who we really are is when no one is watching and we’re all alone! cute scribbles by your little girl. all your kids are so adorable. glad you’re back! have a happy wednesday. -m.
Emma’s window note to you choked me up. That’s exactly what it said.
Beautiful mountain pics. Would love to go there for my second honeymoon.
I’d be curious to hear more of the goals you and your husband set. We’re working through some of the same things in our family right now too. And I understand when you mentioned feeling a little overwhelmed by it. That’s ME! So to hear others thoughts on making things practical in the home would be helpful.
The pictures of your children are precious. YOu have a beautiful family.
Wonderful pictures!!! What a nice time away…..the pictures look like you were somewhere in Tennessee- Kentucky or along the Blue Ridge Parkway?? Am I right?
I am curious to hear what some of your plans/goals are for you family.
But then- I’m always curious- which is really nice word for NOSEY. (grin)
Enjoyed your post. I’m glad to have found your blog.
-Casandra/Spazzymommy
Emma’s writings are so cute..Glad you had a relaxing time in the mountains. Am hoping my hubby and I can do that for our 10th Anni. next month who knows. We have never been able to do anything for our anni since we have been married.. so i think it would be so great.. The mountains are just georgous.. As for the song you were talking about I was listening to Klove yest. and that song came on and I was completly overwelmed by the fact that I have a Saviour that bestows grace upon me daily that is “greater than all my sins”… So blessed by your post, once again =)
Yes. Yes. YES. I’m on the soapbox with you girl about the Olympic judging of the gymnastics! I certainly think they could come up with a better alternative. But I am addicted to watching nonetheless. My favorites are the gymnastics and track and field.
Looks like your time away was relaxing. The mountains of Tennessee are beautiful! The shot of you in the purple is pretty. Good color on you. The writing on the window is too funny! Great perspective on cherishing these times.
Happy Wednesday to you too.
That’s great that you were able to get some time by yourselves and that you’ve been able to get some goals together, that’s always a good thing…without a vision the people perish.
But I really love swimming, track and field, and gymnastics. To see all those fit people on TV makes me want to get out there and work out all the more, even though I don’t think I could ever get close to their fitness level 
And I totally agree that on those tied scores….they should get two gold medals or at least the visiting country should get the medal 
As for a favorite olympic sport to watch, that’s hard…I’d have to say all of them are so awesome
So glad I ventured over from Shanda’s site. My visit here has been very refreshing
. My little brother just moved to Watertown TN and I already miss him terribly, your pictures made me feel like I was visiting with him. I love your little ones art work, reminds me of my own children, very sweet.
Your conversation with the Goodwill girl was funny! I for one think you’re very young looking to be THAT old! ha-ha. :=) Enjoyed this post… your thoughts on family. Kids. Being a SAHM… all ring true with me also. Wonderful pictures. Especially that last one! You seem like you don’t take yourself too seriously. A wonderful quality to have.
And I like watching the Equestrian events on the Olympics.
Wow! Amber I didn’t know you were going to the Appalachian Mountains!! I grew up just across the Tennessee boader in the NC mountains near Boone, NC. I haven’t been back in over 2 years now and seeing your pictures I just couldn’t stop the tears! Man, I miss those views… Can’t wait to get my hubby away to there and spend a long weekend….
Anyway, praying for you and all these exciting new seasons! Can’t wait to hear all about it!! (((HUGS)))
hahahaha awwwww!!! It looks like a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l place, Amber!!!
Can I go now?! haha I’m so glad that you and Shayne were able to get away for little bit! 
….just getting to talk and catch up on things… that sounds refreshing… and relaxing…..
haha…In the mean time..I had a total BLAST with the kids!
….and driving around in that awesome lil mini van!!! hehe!
I like the little story about Emma drawing on the window…it made me smile! she’s too cute!
Can I adopt her? 
Love ya!
~yls
I have an armchair with pen marks on one side. I was never able to get it out. Yet now when I see it I’m rather glad I never could. Those scribbles are a beautiful love note to me from my now grown daughter. And a reminder that the days pass much too soon when they are young. Hold to these times. That’s not to say we should allow our children to deface whatever they choose, but realizing they are eternal while all this other is not!
Lovely time away it looks. So glad you were able to do that. A husband and wife need to have these times. And you spoke true words saying your job is easier by saying “daddy says so.” It’s easier because it is God’s design. The father should be the law giver, and the mother the enforcer. Looks like you’re both doing a fantastic job with those little ones.
Take good care & blessings on your afternoon.
@MaeIBeSunny -
doing headers is not hard AT ALL.. if it were i certainly couldn’t do it!
i have a very simple editing program and all i do is add words to pictures… there’s also a neat program online (free) called Picnik that is super easy to use. if you make one, let me know and i’ll tell you the steps of how you get it on your site. 
@peaceatthelake -
that visual makes me laugh.. i’m the exact same way! and i even took ice skating lessons – still.. looks so much easier than it is!
@Mary Elisabeth -
@SpazzyMommy -
sure. i’ll try to share some of those in an upcoming post… right now i feel like we’re in “lock down mode” getting prepared for the school year!
finding the time to put coherent thoughts together is usually after midnight.. and usually thoughts after that time don’t make alot of sense!! 
@trulytaken -
yep – it’s gorgeous country there! we were very near the NC border. the great thing about Tenn is it’s only about a 5 hr. drive from here… makes for a perfect weekend away! it’s a dream to have a cabin there – or in Can. where S. is from. a very big. big. big dream that is! in the meantime we just make friends w/ people who have cabins!!
do you own one somewhere?? 
@thejbub -
yes, you may adopt emma… but only 4 limited times! =D you MADE our weekend perfect by easing my mind that the kids were having a total BLAST with aunt Sarah!! you truly are one of the most sincerely KIND people i know. such a JOY you are sweet girl~ Thank you a million screwdrivers that work and door knobs that AREN’T locked!!
love.love.loveya~
i am waitinnnnnng on pictures to copy to a CD from my computer.. so decided to answer some comments!
love my xanga friends~
Hi Amber. My mom and I enjoy reading your site. I just said to her after reading this one “how can someone be so cute and so gorgeous all at the same time!” You often have us laughing at something you’ve written or one of your funny faces (like the last picture!). Your a good example to me of a joyful wife and mom. Thanks for that. I also loved reading your comments to the comments. Again, I was smiling. May Christ continue to make His face to shine upon you and direct your steps in all things. Michelle (and my mom)
Hey girl!! I love the pictures from your mountain trip!! My hubby and I SOSOOO need a getaway like that! What do your kids do when you go! I’m assuming your parents keep them?? Anyway, gorgeous pics of you too. Love the back door pictures with the writing! Funny interpretation ~ so true!! I don’t even clean mine anymore. What is the point? Actually, I only clean them when we are having company!
Have a great week!
Hey, that chalet looks alot like the one we stayed at when we went to Gatlinburg last October…..just me and Tom…..aaaahhhhh! Hot tub was number one!
So glad y’all got to get away to the mountains. I LOVE the drawings Emma did for you….works of art that you MUST clean up, I know….but I’m glad you captured the moment on “film” and shared it with us. So sweet. And you know what? I haven’t watched ANY of the Olympics. I’m really too busy, and when I do sit down to watch tv, it’s usually something I’m not that interested in. I enjoy swimming and gymnastics but haven’t seen any at all this time around.
@Hutch5 - Only a falling down farm house in Southern Kansas… It’s only appealing if you like Turkey hunting while getting eaten alive by Chiggers or Deer hunting in 10 degee weather. =D Whenever you get a hankering for that just let us know!! We’ll book you a weekend! LOL!
I’m sure the window calligraphy said just what you thought. All us older mom’s know that you will most certainly miss those love notes–bless you for knowing that now! The get-away looked just dreamy–glad you had a good time and the opportunity to set goals for your family. You really are an inspiration Amber, your honesty touches me and God will surely give you the grace (it’s demonstrated throughout all your post) as you and your husband raise your children for Him. All God’s best as you start the new school year. ~Dawne
hey, we’re the same age! =) Isn’t it funny the comments people make….my oldest son takes after his papaw, and is now bigger than me. i remember one time during football practice awhile back, one of the dads asked me….”Is he really your son, like you HAD him???” hehe, funny
glad you had a fun time away…..
Amber, I am SO HAPPY for you and Shayne to have had a getaway like that, and in one of my favorite places in the country to boot! (T and I honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains in a cabin!) As far back as I can remember, my parents have taken time at least once a year to get away for a weekend and think and pray through family goals and such. I think it was a lifesaver at times for them, especially for Mom!
I haven’t kept up with the olympics very well, but my husband and sister have, and I heard them complaining about the same thing (scoring of gymnastics) the other night – I think a lot of people agree with you there!
Have an awesome weekend!
our whole family is a sucker for swimming. all 3 of my girls swam competitively all thruout jr. and high school….and our family became one with the pool during the summers. so michael phelps gave us jitters thruout our entire body….with tears streaming down our faces! it was an amazing olympic year for us because of him!
as usual, your site fills my senses: my eyes with the beauty of your pics, my emotions with your well-written words, my soul with your inspiration.
the pic of you and S. is just beautfiul! is there anything more wonderful than a couple whose spirits harmonize?
I miss those TN mountains!! Home sweet Home!!
Dear Amber, You are the cutest thing on Earth!!!! Seriously, I enjoyed every single word you wrote and giggled loudly!!! You are a breath of fresh air and I’m so glad we’re Xanga friends!!!! ~ Dawn
Looks like a wonderful time away — the place looks so peaceful and quiet ~ and restful ~ I am happy for you that you had some time w/ your man to talk ’bout things like fam and things close to your heart ~
Welcome home ! Glad you’re back
Hope the rest of your week is good and I know about that getting ready for school feeling – spent most of yesterday late afternoon until football doing the same thing — and I still keep thinking, “Can’t summer just go on and on and on?!”
lys
@Hutch5 - hahaha okay!!! =) sounds good!!!! awww….you’re sweet!
You know I had fun, too! 
haha…the screwdriver part made me “lol”……funny! Poor Emma! She’ll probably remind me of that when she’s older…. “Aunt Sarah, remember when you couldn’t get in my room cause you accidentally locked the door?!” *rolls eyes*
Thank you for the bracelet…card…clothes….aaaaaaaand the special lil something in the card!
*shakes head* It’s too much….. really…
I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~yls
@allilaney -
yes. my parents usually keep them for things like this- -my moms health wasn’t good this time around (she has MS) so she kept them part of the time and the other part my brother’s girlfriend came and stayed @ the house w/ them – - such a BLESS.BLESS.BLESSING to have those you can leave your kids with. trust. not worry about… makes that time away even sweeter!
hope you and your husband can steal away some time soon – it’s so energizing on so many fronts!
if i were closer i’d be happy to keep the kiddos!! =D have a great week END…
Oh, funness!!! I’m glad y’all got to get away for a while!!!
hahahaha! The lady at the store makes me laugh! On Monday I went with mom, my aunts, and grandma when they finalized everything at the funeral home. My grandpa came from a family of 14 kids and my mom from a family of 7. The people there were in shock. LOL Their comments were funny.
I LOVE watching gymnastics!!! I took gymnastics for 2 years. We stopped for lack of money. (and considering my back problems now, it’s probably a good thing) I agree about the scoring thing! Very ridiculous! While watching it I wasn’t sure what was a good score and what wasn’t. It was too confusing!
I arrived here through another site….not sure which one but glad I made it. I love your “love stories” and it validates that marriage is very hard work…but also very rewarding! I also enjoyed viewing your pictures of Tennessee….a favorite vacation spot of ours. One year we let them pick between Disney and Tennessee and they picked Tennessee!
Recently I noticed several smugges on the bottom glass of my curio cabinet, on futher investgation, I noticed they kind of looked like” little kisses”, it was then I remember little Isaac in his walker hanging out in the hall way several times while they were here visiting from China…..the curio has pictures of Bill & I in High School on the lower shelf—right at his level in the walker. Oh, how my heart ached to hold my little grandson again… It will almost be a year till I see him again! Yea, I left the “little kisses” untouched and told everyone in the family not to clean the glass on the curio….. Love to you, Mrs. B
You are batting a 1000 here….seriously! I come to your blog and I start out by loving the new pics..the colors….the kids coordinating clothes….a visual feast. Then I start reading…always newsy…sharing your family life. Then BAM..my eyes start to mist over….and I am so freshly aware of something that touches my heart. I love the doodling on the windows. I think I would be tempted to leave that there for a while. Meghan and I had one of those days today when I felt like I was feasting on her eight year oldness…i could sense her growing up…and I wanted to hold onto every dear memory. Thanks for the glimpse into your heart and your home once again.