Friday Five - but in 7 Quick Takes

WOW! It has been so long since I've done my Friday Five!! I totally was getting on to do my FIVE (We've been out of town or swamped the last month, and today has been more relaxed) but I saw another blogger (Jennifer) challenge us to do her 7 Quick Takes this particular Friday, and...so I'll bite!!! I like doing my Friday Five because of how the F's go together...what is that called? Grammatically it has a name....lol. But I love the mystery behind this request.

So, I'll give it ago. Here is Friday Five plus Two :)


1. It has been an unbelievable summer. We've been so busy - and making memories. I've captured most on camera, not my blog. But it has been wonderful. My computer has not been uploading pics to my liking, or I would have loaded more Disney pics and beach pics than I have. I just can't upload more than one at a time, and I just don't have time for that. I need to LIVE my life (to blog about...lol) so one day!! But, Disney was incredible, and the beach was a needed escape for me and the girls.

2. Along the lines of #1, this past week we hosted family at my sister's. It was the first time since last November we've all been together with my brother and his family who live far away. It was great! Ok, there were some typical "family moments from sharing space together 24/7 with different ages, generations, and values" but we still laughed, loved, and lived - and that's way more than many have and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

3. This week we've recovered from all the travel and family and friends constantly with us. We had many PJ days, naps, and rested. We also went to the park with friends, met other friends at a local indoor play gym, and did more lazy days. I'm reading a new book series (I'm a total Twilight fan), and am getting hooked on a adult series in the same genre. I love getting lost in a book, a whole new world, and I don't read enough! My interests are so varied when it comes to reading...I so love books! Bring on the titles and suggestions!

4. Today we did venture out of the house and reconnected next door after being out of town for so much, conflicting schedules, and other things. It was so nice for the kids to play again in the sprinkler, for S and I to visit, and all of us eat lunch together. It was like old times in the neighborhood, and lightened my soul.

5. I'm blogging now listening to the sounds of Hubby playing around with Lovely. They are having time together playing a game just for the two of them. Once the baby is up from her LATE nap (which works out for tonight) I'll join them for dinner, and the start of FAMILY DATE NIGHT with a board game. Then, once it is dark, we will all cuddle once again in our king sized bed and watch the movie "Bolt" with homemade popcorn and dessert. I'm glad though to have this time to myself cause Lovely needed Daddy time, and I needed some time to process through blogging. I'm SO excited about tomorrow. FAMILY DAY! We're going to our favorite local nature park and just enjoy being together. We'll top a mountain, run on green grass, ride a train, breathe fresh air, maybe wade in a creek! I can't. wait.

6. I wanted to write cause once again....I feel like I tripped myself up. SARCASM ALERT: I just LOVE when I do that! Why is it I trip myself up with friends sometimes, and why I annoyingly can't let it go? Well...I am with this post. I've talked to the friend, all is well - just not in my soul yet. So annoying. I am my own stumbling block..BUT writing it here is such a release from the internal pressure. So, whew...I'm good now!!! It is let go!! Funny how I can forgive others, not judge others, etc....but letting myself off that hook? Well...that's a laugh! But I am...ongoingly...(ooh! I just made up a word!! But - hmmm - spell check isn't saying anything about it....so maybe I'm not so original). We're called to forgive and to let go, let God...and amen to that!

7. I'm really excited about next week. I'm creating some needed mother/daughter time. We will connect some of the time with other kids and activities, but I'm really looking forward to time with just my girl (and baby too). We're going to do Summer Adventures home VBS, and modify with some camp activities I found online as well since it will just be here and I some, and then some with our friends. I'm ready to do something constructive and planned and focused, so she has MY focus. I hope it gives me more experience with homeschool since I want to do that one day. But next week I hope is a blast before I lose Lovely to Kindergarten! WAH! hehe.

Ok, so a real post about life! Not just my bathroom! I wish a blessed weekend to you and as always,

Much love (and thanks)!