Ohmystinkinheck

Despite the heat, I’m loving this summer. Of all the summers of my married life I’ve gotta say this one looks to be the best. I love the pace that we’ve intentionally set; not hurried, slowing down, removing some of the unnecessaries in our life to make room for…life.

I love our small home and where we bought it - not in the middle of the country, but not in the midst of “town” either.

I love how there are no thru streets here and my kids can play outside without the fear of some hurried idiot driving by too fast and hitting one of them.

I love listening to Jeff playing his guitar on the front porch and Meredith singing along to song’s like Country Road in her airy singing voice, hair wet from the evening shower. I love how all three of my kids’ favorite pajamas are their daddy’s t-shirts.

I love the smell of Emelie’s baked goods and by contrast, the dirt-dirty, smelly boy that “eats-up” one sister’s baked goods and the other sister’s PT programs on the lawn.

He has no idea how blessed he is by those two girls. From the looks and hugs they give him, they seem to have a much better idea of how special he is to them.

We’ve been making our house a home with small projects here and there…

…planting blueberry bushes, lemon trees,…

…and lime trees, all the while making plans for the “winter” garden.

What we’re really saying, and what probably has warmed me the most, is that we’re HOME. We’re settling in; we’re putting down roots.

And here we’ll teach our kids that there is a time for work.

And a time for play.

And so many other important life lessons.

19 Responses to “This summer? It’s pretty awesome.”

1. Angela Tippets

   I can’t wait to have a summer like that. I am more rushed this summer than ever before and I don’t really like that. How fun that you can have such a fun, safe place for your children. Nothing like peace of mind in a great neighborhood :) Glad you are feeling better.

2. bethany actually

   I appreciate what you are saying in a way that only military families (or others who move around every couple of years) can! Being able to stay in one place and put down roots is such a privilege, isn’t it?

   Yay for citrus trees and blueberry bushes!

3. SmockLady

   although not military like Bethany and family, the ministry is like that too. and sometimes it’s hard to understand those decisions: when God is sending us and when he is saying stay put. And after having spent 15 years in one place, then uprooting to another for a short time, then listening again to what He is saying. We are all ready for our roots to be out of pots and in some nice rich soil with plenty of room.

   I’m glad it feels like home for you. I remember not so long ago some photos of that “land you were not going to buy”.

4. ashpags

   Dad’s t-shirts are still the best pajamas! =)

   Hope this afternoon went as well as possible!

5. rachel

   Pure perfection. I love the putting down roots literally and metaphorically. It’s just perfect.
   Especially when accompanied by pictures.

6. Stefani

   You better tell that girlie of yours to start baking now. My fellas can go through a LOT of yummy goodies :-)

   I love this post, Heather. It’s cozy front to back. Like you could just wrap right up in it.

7. Assertagirl

   Beautiful!

   As for this “winter garden”…unfortunately it’s pretty near impossible here in the frozen north. I look forward to seeing yours when the snow is flying here.

8. ukrainiac

   …sigh…

9. Mandy

   What a nice post. I wonder if ALL of them know how blessed they are to you have the parents they do!

10. Shannon

    This would be a great intro for a scrapbook about home and family! I never set a summer schedule. I like to let the kids be kids.

11. April in CT

    I can identify with Bethany since we’re a military family. We bought our first house in FL 4 years ago and having to leave it last year was more difficult than I imagined. We put so much heart and soul into it just like you are yours. All the projects we enjoyed and the beautiful flowers I (finally) didn’t kill will always be fond memories for me though. We took an empty house and made it a comfortable haven. We’ve decided to rent for the rest of my husbands career and not buy again, but when we finally do settle down we will purchase and it will be even more special for us. It took me a while to realize, but there is something to be said for the adventure of moving and making a new town and house “home”.

    I love following along with y’alls projects. You have a beautiful family. :o)

12. mary

    Just fanstastic. Reading this motivates me to turn off the computer today on my day off and just DO stuff.

13. Amy

    What a FANTASTIC post!!! Dh and I are steering our family in that same direction. One more move, this fall, and we’ll be set to a location we really want to call *home*.

14. Natalie

    I am glad you shared your happiness… it feels good to read about the simple pleasures, the rewards of labor and the family love that makes life a joy.

15. Bethany

    mmmmm, wonderful things that i’m looking forward to and so glad you have! the roots-itch is fullblown over here and we’re hunting for the right place. thanks for taking the time to share the thoughts.

16. Kate

    I hear ya. That’s one of the reasons I’m so glad that we’re finally building our house - it’ll be OUR’S and we can put down those roots and grow some memories.

    Your summer sounds wonderful. I’m totally enjoying mine too.

17. MMM

    How sweet it is!

18. jen

    I long for a summer like that. It’ll come, right? Because I’m finding I’m wishing away the summer, looking forward to school being back in session, just for a little bit of quiet. I don’t know how to provide this wonderful summer. Gah…rough day today. ;)

19. Mrs. Wilson

    Oh I love this post! It sounds like paradise. I’m so glad you have such an amazing family to enjoy!