Ahhh...let freedom ring!

So things are finally winding down and life is returning to a steady, and much slower, pace. I'm free of my endless lists! My oldest graduated from High school, so that was kind of a big deal.

(I love his expression!)

 My parents came and visited for the past few weeks (which was so nice, but I wish I'd had more time to sit and enjoy their company. Now they're gone, just as things have slowed down). We also had our daughter's graduation open-house last weekend, which took a lot of time and preparation. (THANK YOU to everyone that helped us out!!! We have the best friends & family ever!)

It's been fun, but I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to be 'normal' again...well, normal for me...

  (My youngest daughter inspiring creativity :)

Other than the one time I recently blogged about, It's been weeks since I've crafted something, journaled... just played with my art supplies, kept up on my favorite blogs, you know? Well, this week I'm finding my way back to normal. I plan to relax a bit in the sunshine, review my Summer "I Will" List and get chipping away at that.
I did get to hang out pool-side with farmgirlcyn a couple times.

(farmgirlcyn)

(My feet and the kids)

She has a way of talking me down from the ledge when I spread myself too thin and get stressed. Which is kinda funny because she's not what I would necesarily consider a "calm" or "quiet" individual, but her frank, straight-forward appraoch puts things back into proper perspective for me.. She often reminds me; "It is what it is." Simple, but true.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to catching up with YOUR blogs again, creating new things, dusting off the shelves in my Etsy shop to make room for new treasures and soaps. I've already got a couple up if you'd like to check them out.
So there's an update on the current events of my little west Michigan homestead.
I'll leave you with a few highlights of the graduation open-house.

Day before preparations. My husband and farmgirlcyn's husband built this!!!

People arrive! My step-brother-in-law, father-in-law and couple of our favorite people.

It ended up being such a gorgeous day!

L to R: G-grandma, sister-in-law, my friend, daughter, mother-in-law and nephew.

Lots of laughter w/ my aunt & girls

My aunt & uncle. A couple more of my favorite people.

farmgirlcyn hard at work on the left. Don't know what I'd have done w/out her!

This group is trouble :)

Look at these faces!

Crazy friends of ours. The best kind to have!

My husband's uncle, aunt & grandma

Great-grandma & the graduate

(The guy on the far left in white is a cousin I didn't even know lived in the same town as me for the past 8 years! Family reunited! So cool!)

My lovely cousin & her hubby

My girls

My aunt & uncle. So cute together!

Lots of trouble here! My uncle, aunt, dad and uncle. Only 4 out of 14 kids, I believe!

Just chillin' with their youth leaders from church.

My father-in-law

My cousin and the kid's youth leader (who is also a nurse) realize that she cared for my cousin's grandson, who has cancer. Small world!

One of the greatest couples ever united!

My mom, dad, uncle, and two aunts.

(By the way; I've been told by some of my family members that live out-of-state that they had never heard of graduation open-houses. I assumed it was a nation wide tradition. Guess not. How about you?)

See ya Wednesday!

One Word Wednesday

ears!!!

Cindy's...

place.

perspective.

Peaceful.

A Summer "I Will" List

As you may have noticed, I've been pretty scarce lately: A delinquent blogger.
My oldest is graduating from high school today and I have had a very long "to do" list for weeks. 
I'm a list kind of girl, but I've grown very weary of them lately. A wave of rebellion washed over me earlier this week and instead of chipping away at the aforementioned "to do" list, I got out my soap and art supplies and created for a while. It felt good. I then rumaged through my room to find the notebook that contained an "I will" list that I began this spring, when the leaves were still nothing more than buds.
Of course I can't just toss my "to do" lists out the window, but this list will definitely accompany it.

I Will;
Drink my morning coffee outdoors
Sit with my sweetie by the fire out back, even if it means the dishes have to wait until morning.
Relish going barefoot.
Go on more photo hunts to discover interesting places to shoot
Take evening walks alone with God and, hopefully, will do less talking and more listening.
Take advantage of beautiful Lake Michigan and spend more time there w/ my family
Stop and savor the sounds, smells and sights of the season
Open the windows for fresh air more and crank the air conditioning less
Take the time to journal my art and prayers
Allow myself more freedom in the kitchen, even if it turns out terrible
Go hiking on a trail I've never been to before
Play volleyball, basketball, tennis- whatever- with the kids out in the yard more
Stay up later with the girls to watch cheesy old movies or to go for ice cream runs
Take my son for more walks to the gas station for a treat
Play Legos on the floor w/ him
Lay across the kid's bed's more when "tucking them in" to talk

I know the craziness is just beginning today with graduation. Her open house is at the end of the month and there's a lot to do, but I will deliberately take the time to slow down once in a while so this summer doesn't slip away with much done, but little truly gained.

Be blessed today ~Jen