ramblings of the random kind...

Generally, when I sit down to write about what is going on in my life I become very aware of the fact that we are just too busy for our own good.  I usually end up feeling guilty because I haven't gotten my camera out enough to preserve any kind of memories of our everyday life.  Of course, lately, life has been pretty dull as far as the memories-worth-documenting are concerned.

Let me explain…

Basil had her surgery for what turned out to be a benign tumor (thank God!) and it initially went pretty well.  The vet gave her a soft blue cone after she had the surgery.

However, being the Houdini dog that she is, she quickly figured out how to maneuver around the canvas cone.  Then, in classic Basil fashion, her stitches didn't hold & the incision became infected.  So after a trip to the emergency vet, three extra sutures, two additional antibiotics, and one sedative later she is now sleeping at home (all day, every day) in her large plastic cone.

The plastic cone means she now can't reach her incision.  Unfortunately, it also means she can't fit in her crate.  Since Basil has been known to destroy the house if she isn't crated she can't be left alone.  This means I am currently house bound or carting her around in the car with me...hence the lack of inspiring photos.  

Being home has actually given me a good opportunity to work on some projects including a few art projects and removing the rest of the wallpaper from the walls in the janky bathroom.  I found a wallpaper removing solution on Pinterest that was amazingly effective!  Seriously, what did we do before Pinterest?  I'm hoping to add a wall treatment (that I also found on Pinterest) and a little paint soon.

Before the surgery I got a chance to teach an art lesson in Ashlyn's class.   The kids painted banyan trees with black paint and will later fill in the negative space with oil pastel.  They were pretty excited about the oil pastel portion of this project.  I can't wait to see the completed projects!

Speaking of Ashlyn, she will be heading off to fifth grade camp in a little over a week.  To say she is excited would be an understatement.  When she was in first grade and heard about fifth grade camp for the first time she came to me and said, "I'm not going, mom.  I'm gonna stay home with you."

She is growing up so fast.

I have recently been accused of not wanting her to grow up.  That statement caught me a little off guard.  I questioned myself…do I not want her to grow up?

I came to the conclusion that the issue is not really that I don't want her to grow up.  In fact, I am thrilled to see the kind of person she becomes as she gets older.  No, the issue is that I love being her mom and I don't want that to end.  I know I will always be her mom but as she matures that relationship will change.  And I don't always do well with change.  I love that right now she will still come and talk to me.  I love that if she has a problem we sit and pray about it together.  And I love that she will still laugh and be goofy with me.  Of course, we have our frustrating moments too when we don't get along and it seems as though nothing I say gets through to her.

Sometimes talking with Ashlyn is like looking into a mirror because I can see so much of myself.  I see it in the way her face often gives away exactly how she is feeling despite her efforts to hide it inside.  When she is talking about something she is particularly enthusiastic about and her words come faster and her voice grows louder.  Or when I see her look at someone with compassion and empathy and she puts herself in their shoes.  She has a big heart.

One of Ashlyn's biggest loves is little kids.  For as long as I can remember Ashlyn has always said she wanted to be a nanny when she grows up.  She is literally counting down the days until she can start babysitting.  She is so good with them and they tend to gravitate towards her...

Landon is pretty much still eating, sleeping and breathing baseball.  I have gone out with him a few times to give him a little pitching practice.  I know I'm his mom and I am probably biased but…he's pretty good.  And he throws HARD.  My hand was seriously bruised after catching for him for 30 minutes.  I have to say that playing catch with him has become one of my favorite things to do. 

Chris is doing great and has been working really hard.  I am thankful every day that God provided him with a job and has given him the skills to do it well.  Thankfully, he also still has some time to play!  Before the surgery we went to the park and played catch with Landon while Ashlyn ran around with Basil (she's "not into playing catch").  

When we got home Chris made homemade milkshakes.  They were a hit...

I have been back at The Story for a month now.  I really do love it.  I always forget how much I love getting to work with all the other people there and the privilege of giving glory to God through the art. And getting a little messy…

I realize now that when it comes down to it I have documented a lot more of "life" than I thought.  Thanking God that even in the trials and the storms we have hope.  You can't have a rainbow without a little rain…

Happy Friday!