Before the week even began we knew it was going to be full – but a GOOD full! Our church is running VBS this week and four of us volunteered to help (the youngest, by default, gets to attend until he’s old enough to help). It has really been fun even though it means early mornings and some late nights when swim team gets thrown in the mix.

Laurianna has been leading worship for the kids and it really is amazingly fun to watch her interact with the kids and be a part of VBS in a way that fits her. She did a lot with the skits during the opening and closing sessions (which were hilarious).

My spot has been working with the elementary kids for the Bible lesson each day. I’ll tell ya, each time I do this I go in feeling so under equipped so it is 100x amazing when God shows up and you see things click with the kids. It’s fun, it’s super-crazy (and highly energetic) every day, but as much as I’m a bit afraid going into the week, I absolutely miss it at the end. 

I realize my friend might smack me later, but one lady who does an amazing job is Joann (she blogs at LastingThumbprints – go say ‘hi’). She unabashedly throws herself fully into all she does and cracks the kids (and me) up every.single.time. Makes me want to be a crazier mom. :) 

McKenna has also been helping out with worship team and leading a preschool group. She honestly is great with the little ones even though she prefers the elementary age group. 

Earlier this week I started reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan – I’m only about 15% through it now, but L-O-V-E it. It’s one book that makes me want to carve out time to sit down and read, which I will promptly do as soon as VBS is over. Likely around 2:03pm on Friday. 

Addie hasn’t been getting much attention with all of us gone this week, so when our new Cordaroy’s bean bag chair showed up – well, we let her enjoy it. As soon as it came out of the box, she jumped right in it and stayed put. 

And you all – your advice on what bed to look into has been SO helpful. We haven’t taken the plunge on anything yet, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted. My husband remembered yesterday that a few weeks ago he rotated our mattress (we have a Serta memory foam that we are having issues with) – that rotation may be part of the cause of the problems we’ve been having, but meanwhile we are still looking for a replacement. It’s crazy how much your bed makes a difference in so much of life. 

Finally (this may seem silly, but hey – it’s LIFE PEOPLE), I’m having fun playing with my makeup. I started using Savvy Minerals makeup this past week. It’s a bit of a learning curve for me, but so far, so good. 

My house and all the other stuff is out the window this week. That’s honesty for you all. By the time we get out the door in the morning, get home, do a few odds and ends, it’s usually time to leave again for a swim meet or practice…and then sleep. Repeat. I am very much looking forward to Saturday. 

That’s it in a nutshell for us – how was YOUR week? 

Whenever my hubby takes time off from work it throws everything out of whack. I’m so used to having him home only on the weekends, so when he’s here and it’s not a weekend – well, time goes a bit wacky. When you add in a holiday in the middle of the week, it’s even worse. Hence, no blogging this week because until Wednesday it all felt like Saturday. 

The above just cracked me up this week. I’m all about deals and paying a low price, but somehow I don’t think there is any deal to be had above. 

I may also I feel like I’m losing my ever-loving mind with all the back and forth driving for work (Laurianna), swim team, and all the other random stuff life is throwing at us. Last Friday I had a haircut scheduled and got so sidetracked with all the driving THAT I COMPLETELY FORGOT until my phone rang and they wanted to know where I was. I felt absolutely horrible. They were super gracious and put me on a cancelation list for this week.

I’m making myself feel better and reminding myself that I have about 90% of our curriculum ordered for next year and even started gutting the school room. Granted, that’s not huge progress, but every little bit helps right? 

The big news in our family this week was the purchase of a (new to us) camper. We’ve had a pull-behind camper for the last four years and we found a great deal on one that is a tiny step up from what we have and offers a bit more room for our growing kiddos. The fact that we will not have to sleep sideways on our bed now is also a huge plus. Rick and I have been going back and forth on the entire thing for a bit and when we found some good friends who wanted to buy our other one the next day, we said ‘yes’! 

I promise you, we purchased it on what seemed like the hottest day of the year. My shirt was practically soaked with perspiration after we spent a few hours with the guy who was selling it and then moving things from the old camper to the new one. It was plain ridiculous. And made me so very thankful for air conditioning and showers. Blech. 

We did zero fireworks this year, unless you count lighting bottle rockets in our front yard and watching the three that went off in the neighbor’s yard. Unfortunately the resort near our house moved their fireworks to a location where it cannot be viewed from our front yard anymore, or our local pool. Sad, but we did get to bed at a decent hour. Saying that makes me feel like I’ve passed the age of having fun. 

We are plugging along in our swim season as well. This week was a little touch and go with a huge storm system moving through, but the weather literally went around our area and we were able to finish the entire meet (YAY!). Granted we got a little wet at the beginning and the end, but we didn’t have to make it up. Only two more evening meets and then the area Champs meet! 

Other than that, we’ve celebrated with friends for the 4th, had a party to say goodbye to friends that are moving across the country, and are gearing up for a week of VBS next week. I am praying for bucketloads of energy. 

That’s it for our week – what have you been up to? 

This past week has been another one full of swimming and GORGEOUS weather. When I say gorgeous, I mean what I consider ideal. Sunny. Mid 70s (ish). One where you can sit on the front porch swing, feel a soft breeze, and not want to change your shirt after five minutes because you are so sticky and/or being eaten alive by bugs. 

Laurianna had a bit of a slow recovery too with her teeth so we ended up back at the dentist this week to have her checked out. Fortunately they were able to help her out and she is doing much better, much to her relief (and mine). I shared a bit about her 10th grade year in this post earlier this week. 

Last week we picked up Zachary from Scout Camp on Friday. Let me tell you, the house has been rather quiet the past two weeks since two of our key ‘noisemakers’ have been absent (one for a week of volunteer camp and the other at Scout Camp). Of course, I’m not naming any names, but….

Saturday morning we headed to swim practice and Zachary only wore his suit and a pair of sweatpants, which presented a problem when I decided to go to Costco and he wanted to come in – because SAMPLES MATTER to a 12 year old boy. He had no shoes or shirt and suddenly realized that he didn’t need to sit in the van because he had left his bin with all his clothes and gear from Scout camp in the back of the van. 

He quickly ran to the trunk and opened up the bin, and I’m not going to lie you all – I about lost my stomach contents in the parking lot of Costco. Let’s just say: a preteen boy + 1 week at Scout camp + a closed container where damp clothes are stored = a working gag reflex on one mother + prayers all the odors will be cast out in Jesus name.

I’m 100% not kidding and thankful for washing machines and purification essential oil. The end.

That said, with the weather being ever-so-lovely, my front porch has been a favorite place this week. We have a new cushion on our swing this summer (it’s a red/cream pattern that I love) and the two pots by the front door have some pretty flowers to match and I love looking at them. Yes, we have rockers on the porch too, but I like the cushion. :) 

I will honestly tell you that I stepped out of the school room a few weeks ago and didn’t look back. This week I finally started tackling things for the upcoming year: pulling the completed curriculum, sorting stuff to sell, and making lists of the few remaining things we need to purchase. Next week I hope to tackle the room overall and get it cleaned up and organized. Yes, I should have done it earlier, but – well, life. And that’s ok. I honestly needed a mental break from it all. 

A highlight of the week was finding one of my favorite drinks, San Pellegrino for $6.99 a flat at a local discount grocery store. I was definitely tempted to buy more. This will be my one special drink to bring to the pool this summer. :) And I refuse to share. Yep, I’m that mean. 

I did finally have a chance to also do some reading this week too. I was having a bit of a hard time getting into one of the books on my reading list, Scary Close by Donald Miller, but about 1/4 of the way in a few things started clicking with me. I’m not quite through, but was able to focus without interruption and finish about 2/3 of the book this week (yay!). 

We had another swim meet on Tuesday and it ended up being CHILLY by the time the meet was over. Our team didn’t win, but they did amazing and came closer than last year with the same team, and that is a wonderful thing to see!

That’s all for our week – how have you been?