Taking time out

EXHAUSTED.  That's the word I would use to explain our family at the moment.  I feel like a tornado has picked up our family and has twirled us around for months and FINALLY put us back down.  What is the name of this tornado?  Football.  This was the first year for tackle football for us and it had us in a tizzy!  It is finally over.  Do not get me wrong, I LOVE watching my boys play football, absolutely love it.  It was a blast to watch G-Man out there and see his face light up when he became the champions b/c they were undefeated.  It was such a joy to watch Randy get out there and tackle and see the love for the game grow inside him.  It's just been exhausting.  

The other day, I signed the boys up for basketball.  I learned that G-Man and Randy wouldn't be on the same team due to their age differences.  They also have different "seasons."  This means G-Man would play for a while and then after he was finished, Randy would pick up.  When that was over, baseball would start.  I had a mental breakdown.  

Randall got home and I discussed my thoughts with him.  I told him how that night was the first night in a LONG time that we had at home.  We cleaned, played, curled up and watched tv, laughed, and even had a home cook meal.  It was GLORIOUS!  The kids were enjoying each other and just loving the time at home.  We decided to skip basketball season.  I thought for sure Randy would not be happy. I was in tears thinking about telling him.  But, guess what?!  He was all for it.  Even at his young age, he realized how much we needed that time at home, together.  He said he wanted more nights like the one we just had. 

Please don't get me wrong, I LOVE watching my boys play sports. However,  I saw the need that our family had.  We needed time TOGETHER.  Not on a field, or on a court.  We needed togetherness.  Our family was craving it and we didn't even realize it.  Everyone was on edge.  Everyone.  I told Randall I felt like I was being selfish.  He told me, "What part of wanting to be together is being selfish?"  

A couple of days later, I pick up the boys from school and I hear Randy say, "YAY!  Tonight is fun night!"  I asked him what that meant.  His response was, "You know, a night like we had the other night, playing and enjoying time at home!"  

Yes, I think it is safe to say we made the right choice.  Will I miss basketball season?  You betcha.  I love the sound of the ball dribbling up and down that court.  However, I love the sound of my children laughing and enjoying time together much more.  

I don't know what it was that got our family in this rut, but I am thankful we saw the need to climb out.  Some families can do it and still find time together, but I felt like our family was falling apart.  We were all frustrated with each other and just not focusing on our family and the Lord.  I am excited for some quality time together, which is MUCH NEEDED!  

Fishin'

I have to admit, growing up, I was quite the tomboy.  Fishing, shooting my BB gun, playing in the dirt, playing with cars and trucks, and riding my bike was just what I liked to do.  As I got older, things just changed.  Now that I have children, I want them to experience those things.  Fishing wasn't something I thought I would enjoy again, but boy was I wrong.  We've fished here and there a few times, but this summer, we all fell in love with the hobby again.  

Randall decided to take us all fishing.  We loaded up, took our dog Jack with us, and headed to the creek.  We were not really prepared, so it was a mess, but we sure had fun.  We started it off with choosing a really small place for us four, plus a large dog, to fish.  As we are going down the muddy slope, Jack took off and Randy was holding the leash.  Randy fell down the slope and almost landed in the water.  He wasn't hurt so we all sat and had a good laugh while brushing the mud off Randy.  We had a good time, and caught a few fish.  

Randy after his fall:

Ruthie caught a few fish that night!

The next night, we loaded up our kayak & canoe and decided to go down the creek and see what we could catch.  We had such an amazing time that evening.  The sun was shining and it was just such a neat experience!  I can't wait until it warms up and we can go back out and do it again!

Check out that light!

Daddy helping the kids out with a fish!

Even though I hate photos of myself, my kids need to know I am there too!

Just a collage of the rest of the evening.

Winter, hurry up so Spring can come along and let us fish again!

Swingin' Bridge

If you live in Arkansas and you have a chance to slip away to the little town of Oark, do it!  We don't live too far from it, but we rarely make a trip.  Every time we do, we realize we need to do it more often!  There's just something about the simplicity of spending the day at the creek.  Reminds me of so many memories out in Bobby's field hiking to Flat Rock and just playing all day.
On this day, we got up early and headed to eat at the Oark General Store.  We had a fabulous breakfast and the people who were there were so friendly and kind!  After our breakfast, we drove to the Swingin' Bridge, which is just a few short miles down the road.  I made sure to pack the kids bathing suits, towels, snacks, and drinks b/c I figured we would be there for a while.  The kids had a blast playing in the water, wading in the creek, throwing rocks, and jumping off the rock.  It was such a perfect day that even Randall and I ended up in the water.  I didn't bring any clothes, but I dried off before we left.

As you can see from the pictures, we had an amazing day.  Nothing is better than driving through gorgeous scenery, having a fabulous breakfast, and spending the day doing the simplest of things, but enjoying every single moment of the time spent together!  This day reminds me of one of my most favorite quotes-

2015 Camping Trips

Camping has always been something I LOVE to do.  I remember so many camping trips with my cousin Eli, Maggie, my mom, and my aunt.  Those truly are some of my greatest childhood memories.  I think what made them so special was the time spent with cousins.  I want my kids to remember our camping trips and all the memories they created with their cousins and aunts and uncles.  We had so much fun!

Our first trip was kind of a spur of the moment trip to Cove Lake.  I wasn't too thrilled with the thought of Cove Lake at first.  It didn't have electricity and we were there in the heat of the summer.  Arkansas summers can be straight up muggy and sticky.  I'm not a huge fan of the heat.  Turns out, it was one of the best camping trips I could remember.  We had the best camping spot, with a little cove all to ourselves.  The kids were able to hop in the canoes and kayaks and just paddle around.  What an adventure!  Fishing was a favorite as well!  My absolute favorite part of the whole trip was just about an hour or so before sunset, we would paddle to the swimming area.  During the day, it was quite busy, but in the evening- completely empty.  We would cool off from the hot day and then paddle back to camp during the sunset.  I was always in awe of God's creation.  One night, Randall and I went out on the lake at dark.  It was absolutely gorgeous being in the middle of the lake at night and looking up and seeing all the stars.

Our second camping trip was in the fall at Shoal Bay.  We have camped at Shoal Bay many times.  This time didn't disappoint!  We had a great time!  Again, paddling around was the favorite for the cousins.  Biking and skateboarding came in second.  It is such a blessing to watch these kiddos create these memories together!  One of my favorite things was watching Randall teach the kids how to rappel.  Watching him in his element was such a fun thing for me to see.  It was also neat to watch the kids start off being scared, then move to being confident in themselves and finish down the rock.  We had fabulous weather that weekend.

Bees that buzz, kissable dandelion fuzz

Sweet, sweet summertime!  Oh it is the greatest!  I love nothing more than loading up the van full of kids and heading to the pool!  This summer didn't disappoint!  We loved every single minute of summer!  We didn't do much.  We don't go on vacation or spend loads of time away from the house.  Mainly we drive less than five miles down the road to my mom and dad's pool.  I am thankful for this time because-
#1- I get to spend good quality time with my kids
#2- my kids get to spend good quality time with their cousins
#3- my kids get exercise
#4- kids that get exercise, eat better
#5- kids that get exercise and eat better, sleep better