Insta-Wednesday is BACK!

My dog ran off this morning and came home covered in crap – LITERALLY. She’s an old woman, but when she sees a pile of poo, the puppy in her comes out and she cannot resist. So I spent a solid fifteen minutes chasing her around the yard with the hose, and now I smell like a wet, crappy dog.

You’re jealous of my glamorous life…

Insta-Wednesday photos for you to view while I go clean up.

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Tia’s cheering square at her meet Sunday. Sweetness.

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We served a Thanksgiving meal to people in need at our church’s food pantry Saturday morning. 

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You know…just monkeying around. And still loving’ our St. Louis Cardinals!

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I just don’t even have words to describe this photo…

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Lovin’ this Florida Fall Weather!

And last but not least – video evidence that my growing addiction and need for strong caffeine is warranted and justified. This was shot before 7:00 am, and before I’d completed my first cup of coffee. Their energy exceeds mine by miles….

 

Insta-Wednesday: September

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Remember last year, when I lamented Florida’s lack of fall and I longed for boots and scarves and lattes and all the glory that comes with autumn?!

I wore boots and a scarf to church last Sunday. It was 90 degrees out, but I did not care. I’m bringing the fall to Florida. Look out now!

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And of course, always remembering, never forgetting, the events that reshaped our country on this day 12 years ago. It is an ever present shadow that we will always live beneath. We remember those lost, we weep for those who are still directly affected.

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Have a blessed Wednesday.

Insta-Wednesday: Jet Lagged

Is it possible to have First-Week-Of-School jet lag? BEcause I think I have it. I went to bed at 8:30 last night. No, scratch that – I fell asleep in my bed with the light on and a book in my hand at 8:30. I woke up at 2:00, turned off the light, and immediately fell back asleep.

When my alarm went off at 6:15, I felt like I could sleep another three hours. I still feel like I could lay down, close my eyes and be back asleep in an instant.

This getting back in the routine is killer.

So while I attempt to wake up, how about enjoying a couple of Insta-Wednesday photos, eh? If we were sitting here together, I’d offer you a cup of espresso.

This what I wish I was doing right now. Today. At this very moment.

This what I wish I was doing right now. Today. At this very moment.

 

 

Daisies make me happy.

Daisies make me happy.

 

Fourth Grade. The year they learn the recorder. Friends, there isn't enough coffee or alcohol in the world to numb to get parents through this momentous event...

Fourth Grade. The year they learn the recorder. Friends, there isn’t enough coffee or alcohol in the world to numb to get parents through this momentous event…

Again with the daisies.

Again with the daisies.

Happy Wednesday to you all! May it be full of sunshine and flowers, and devoid of all recorders. Amen?

And we all said amen…

 

Insta-Wednesday: School’s In!

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Our last day of summer was idyllic. We went to the beach where we played, collected shells and swam in the ocean with the dolphins who were feeding not fifteen yards from where we stood. The water was clear and cool and sweet and it was just an awesome day.

Then reality set in. If you’ll notice in the “thumbs up” picture, Tia looks less than thrilled. She did not have a good first day, but I suppose that is to be expected. She’s not a huge fan of school in general. She tolerates it at best. It will take her a few weeks to settle into a groove. Hopefully.

Now I’m off to do a little work, and by work I mean get dressed and go to IKEA.

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Insta-Wednesday: Summer’s End

This is our final week of summer break and I am a little sad. This summer went by way too fast. I knew it would and I’ve sort of mourned it all summer long. We are enjoying our final week of summer break. We’ve enjoyed lazy mornings, long swim sessions with friends, family movie nights and a visit to Busch Gardens to see the fireworks. We’re going to go to our first water park tomorrow and Friday will be spent at the beach.

I hate the idea of summer ending, and I can’t even think about the fact that all three kids will be starting school net week. Landon in kindergarten? It makes my stomach turn. He still likes to snuggle and give me kisses and hold my hand and nuzzle his nose into my neck. He can’t go to kindergarten because I fear it will steal the last vestiges of babyhood from him and I can’t even bear the thought.

Cry me a river, blah, blah, blah…

In honor of this week’s Insta-Wednesday, I am sharing my obsession with a new photo app called Rhonna Designs. And by obsession I mean I am mildly addicted. And by mildly addicted I mean I WAT TO ADD PITHY QUOTES TO EVERY PICTURE I TAKE!

I’m giving myself a week to binge on this new app, then I will SETTLE DOWN MARTHA and give it a rest.

Maybe.

Don’t hold me to that.

Peace out now.

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One of my favorite people to text is Jenni because our back and forth’s get weird and random almost immediately. Our text’s rarely make any sense and that is what makes them all shades of awesome.

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A poor night's sleep made it difficult for me to get out of bed. I had to pep talk my way to the kitchen and a strong cup of fespresso.

A poor night’s sleep made it difficult for me to get out of bed. I had to pep talk my way to the kitchen and a strong cup of fespresso.

 

They're cute. That is all.

They’re cute. That is all.

 

We enjoyed Busch Gardens Summer Nights excitement last night.

We enjoyed Busch Gardens Summer Nights excitement last night.

 

I think we effectively wore the littles out.

I think we effectively wore the littles out.

Love this quote.

"If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it."

“If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.”

 

Insta-Wednesday: Arkansas Edition

I miss my bed. I love traveling and I love being with family, but there comes a time when you’re ready to be in your own home with your own routine and your own bed. I think we are reaching that point. It will be sad to leave – it always is. But home is a good, good thing.

But enough about that. It’s time for some Insta-Wednesday, a series of posts to fuel my ever growing addiction to iPhone photography and photo apps. Say it with me: GOOOOOOOOOOOO iPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY! YEAH!

I didn’t hear you…

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Saying goodbye to our beloved St. Louis.

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We got sweet time with friends when we picked up our boys from K-Kountry. 17 years ago this month, I met Melissa and Rachel. I’m so thankful for our continued relationships!

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Air soft wars with friends. Classic.

Air soft wars with friends. Classic.

 

We have enjoyed ample amounts of snuggle time with our new nephew. That is, when we can wrestle him away from Papa.

We have enjoyed ample amounts of snuggle time with our new nephew. That is, when we can wrestle him away from Papa.

 

Swim time with cousins

Swim time with cousins

These two are two peas in a pod. Love them.

These two are two peas in a pod. Love them.

 

Tia is building up quite a cache of handstand pictures. I think I'm going to make her a mural for her wall.

Tia is building up quite a cache of handstand pictures. I think I’m going to make her a mural for her wall.

Insta-Wednesday

Barn Swinging at Kanakuk

Barn Swinging at Kanakuk

The K-Kountry bridge

The K-Kountry bridge

 

Happiest place on earth? I believe it!

Happiest place on earth? I believe it!

Nostalgic this week as we enjoy the city and people we love.

Nostalgic this week as we enjoy the city and people we love.

 

A wonderful, uncharacteristically cool, evening with friends.

A wonderful, uncharacteristically cool, evening with friends.

 

A beautiful afternoon spent at the St. Louis Zoo.

A beautiful afternoon spent at the St. Louis Zoo.

The enjoyment of watching siblings love one another well.

The enjoyment of watching siblings love one another well.

 

Swinging in hammocks with friends. Doesn't get much sweeter.

Swinging in hammocks with friends. Doesn’t get much sweeter.

 

A morning with three of my best friends and all 11 of our kids. It wasn't relaxing, but it was refreshing. This photo was taken by a 7 year old, can you tell?

A morning with three of my best friends and all 11 of our kids. It wasn’t relaxing, but it was refreshing. This photo was taken by a 7 year old, can you tell?

 

Puppies? Good. Babies? Great. Puppies and babies looking outside together? If that doesn't make your heart skip you might be a robot...

Puppies? Good. Babies? Great. Puppies and babies looking outside together? If that doesn’t make your heart skip you might be a robot…

Insta-Wednesday

In an effort to take some of the pressure off myself feeling like I have to post something every day, I’m going to start sharing some of my favorite iPhone photos every Wednesday. So, without further adieu, I give you…

Insta-Wednesday

 

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The best part of waking up is green tea in my cup.

The best part of waking up is green tea in my cup.

 

My book when printed out. Oy.

My book when printed out. Oy.

 

Rainy day fun.

Rainy day fun.

Little girl hair = fun

Little girl hair = fun

 

Summer school work under the umbrella.

Summer school work under the umbrella.

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My little gymnast

My little gymnast

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I am continuing to revel in inspiration this week, as well as being blessed by friends who love me so much, they even work hard behind the scenes to surprise me. Jenni came to town for our trip – my dear friend who I’ve missed so much sacrificed time with her family, rented a car and drove here to meet us and did it as a surprise.

I am more than inspired – I am honored.

 

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This quiche from the quaint little downtown area was lick the plate good.

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Me. Honored and inspired and wearing my sassy hat.

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It’s a horse with a fascinator!

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Four women teeming with creativity, bravery and wicked humor.

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Hope brimming

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A Most Inspiring Theme

It turns out “Inspire” has become the theme of our annual Writer’s Retreat. 

 How could I be uninspired in a beautiful place like this?

 

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One can be inspired to create and one can be inspired to eat. In one day's time I have been inspired to do both.

One can be inspired to create and one can be inspired to eat. In one day’s time I have been inspired to do both.

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Thelma and Louise

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Sweet Land of Liberty

 

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Can I be so bold as to encourage you to find what inspires you and dive in?

Whether it be artistic or concrete, public or private, simple or complex – each of us was created with inspiration, a need to turn around and create something.

And when we give in to inspiration and creation in any form, we live life fully, impacting the world around us.

So go ye therefore and be inspired and I will do the same!

Over and out.