Good Things

* A sunny day.....with beautiful, bright colored trees. Just gorgeous.

*A playground....anywhere, anytime. Having some beautiful, bright colored trees surrounding the playground is a bonus.

*A weekend without the internet.....well, maybe 5 minutes here and there, but that is all. Lots of family time, lots of coffee, lots of outside time.

*A new church....with a really neat pastor. Such a little gem of a place.

*I love that Greg truly loves working in the kids room at church. He truly loves it.....me...not so much. Thankfully, we balance each other.

*Reeses Peanut Butter cups....and an excuse to buy many bags of them(and sneak some)

*Ross singing "How Great Thou Art"......as loud as he can....at church. Priceless.

Unchanging Change

When we found out that we'd be moving from our country setting to a metro suburban area.....well, I had many plans in my head. Plans for change. I truly love looking at life as if it's a big glass full of water.....at least half full. Unfortunately, I think I've fooled myself. I thought I was looking at things in that positive way, but really....honestly......my glass always felt half empty. Before our move I had been frustrated with myself....I was stuck in some negative thought patterns and I couldn't get myself to change. Sort of the Fred Flinstone of change.....legs spinning, wheels not moving.

Negative thought patterns....that's one area. That's an area that could somewhat be hidden. Accumulating clutter was an area that could not. Actually, it could be hidden well in our last home.....there were closets and space galore. I'm starting to wonder if God purposely gave us limited options for our new home.....it's a relatively small space with nowhere to hide/store things. Our clutter is exposed......therefore, our clutter needs to be dealt with.

Are you following me here? I can no longer hide ....from myself....the need for me to change my negative thought patterns and my stuff. It's been about 6 months since our move and I'm finally realizing that I need to stop thinking about the change that needs to take place....I need to live it. Actually get off my butt and live it.....decluttering my thoughts and my closets. Out with the old, neatly storing the treasures, and making room for the fresh~positive~.....change. It's time for me to stop talking about change....and to start changing.

And that's where the battle may start........more on that....

It's a New Day

Time for a new blog. As I started considering what to name this blog I also started considering what the blog would be about. Would it be a family blog? A random blog? A fun decorating and frugal shopping blog? A just chicks blog? I decided it would be about whatever I really, truly wanted it to be about on that particular day. A little of this....a lot of that. Random and real. Hey maybe that's what I should have named it ;)

Festivals

 Our new state has so many festivals......seriously. Each weekend, we have our choice of a dozen we can attend. Some are good....some great....and some are a waste of our time. We've experienced all kinds. I'm not a big fan of large crowds...especially festival crowds. Though...it has been a great way to get a taste of NJ.  The photo above is from a little festival that had everything from karaoke....to carnival rides(we avoided those). The photo below is of our all time favorite festival so far.....Millbrook Historic Days.

 We were not too sure if this would be something the boys would enjoy.....turned out that they loved it all. They even stopped someone to tell them how "interesting" they found the festival. They were especially drawn to all the musicians. This lady had a beautiful voice and great talent for the dulcimer(I think that's what it was). She gave Sammy a little lesson. Very sweet.

They experienced life in the 'ol days...

 Again...drawn to the music. They sat right up front to listen to a string band. The musicians were so nice to the boys.

                                        They invited them to try out a few instruments and toys.

The old school was really interesting. I loved hearing about the way they used to teach.....and loved some of the old time techniques. That's Grandma an Papa sitting behind the boys....they were visiting for the weekend.

 After we took a break for lunch.....really good chili and homemade pie....the boys asked to stop and listen to the string band again. This time the band invited the boys to play the washboard.....the boys kept beat for the band.

 After....Ross said that he felt like a real musician. I think we are ready to start some lessons....which instrument? They have asked to play the drums.....not the best choice for apartment dwellers. Our piano was left back in NY....their fingers may need to grow into the guitar. Decisions! Maybe I should get them a couple of washboards :)

 Then the boys joined in on some grass games. The man leading the group was so friendly. He shared that he had graduated his kids from homeschooling....he was very encouraging.

 Potato sack races......

 Three legged race.......good thing Papa was there to be an extra leg.

 Tug of war.....they all did this a couple of times. That would be my least favorite grass game. Ouch.

 Learning how to do something with corn (husk it...core it?) They loved this.

I think this is the crab walk? There was also cider making.....an old church.....so many neat things. The boys fell asleep on the way home, but had a wonderful time. The weather was great too.

This is not from the historic festival.....but I liked it...it is from a festival :)

Just Being Human

Time for a little....heart on the sleeve moment.....

Do you ever have moments where you want to have a little tantrum over things going on in your life....but then you feel bad about that because you see there are so many blessing as well? Do you ever get annoyed because things don't fall into place, but you also see how others are going through far worse things.....so then you feel guilty for being a little baby about your situation? Am I making any sense here? It's ok if I'm not. That's the week I've had....I'm thankful....and irritated.....and grateful....and annoyed.....and......and.....ugh!!!

Let me first say that... I am semi-failing... at waiting to check my email until the afternoon. I don't have a whole lot going on in my little life right now.....checking email makes me feel a little connected. I am waiting, but not until the afternoon.

I'm feeling really lazy. I need to start prepping for our Jan-Feb move(nothing set in stone, yet), but I just can't physically get myself to. I've been gaining a little weight....just a few pounds around the middle. I need to start walking...something.....but again, the oomph is missing.

 The big thing that has got me in a little slump....a slump that I am determined to get out of ....has to do with our living situation. I find this very ironic(maybe even hypocritical) because I had just being feeling content and so thankful for all we have. Suddenly....out of nowhere.....I'm really missing owning a home. I miss decorating. I know...so ridiculous....but I am so tired of these tan walls. On one hand I shout for joy for Kayla and her family.....and then on the other hand I am being a big grumpy baby...missing our huge yard and wide open floor plan. The thing that gets me really annoyed is that our rent is more than our mortgage was. If we were paying less....I would be thrilled. It would make living in our new space a bit more tolerable. The fact that housing is so outrageous in metro NJ just gets me mad.

 I know....I told you that I am having a little tantrum. I have been having little panic attacks in the middle of the night.....wondering where is our "home". I feel like a nomad. Too many boxes sit unpacked in our garage....too many memories hidden away. I'm grieving over the house I dream about, but I'm also thankful over the opportunity that He has given us. How does that make any sense?

I'm all mixed up....is what I am. Like I said....I'm thankful.....and annoyed.....feeling guilty.....and grateful. Ugh.