One Glorious Morning

Today started without a plan...a few ideas of what we might do, but no plans. Suddenly, I thought of the Sand Creek Trail at Bethel and how the boys might really enjoy exploring there. So off we went!

The water felt wonderful and the shade kept us from over heating - it was perfect.

Then we headed to Pages for iced Mochas - yes, all three of us had one. Then we headed to the Et Cetera Shop for a special story time.

Levi was there -he just didn't make it into a photo...

First Ms. Cindy read 2 stories, then Mr. Carlos read a book in Spanish. The boys sat and listened to all 3 stories, but Noah had this look on his face for most of the Spanish story. It made me chuckle, but I was still proud of how they sat still and paid attention.

We picked up lunch from McDonald's, ate it at the park in North Newton, played for a while and then checked out a few books at the Resource Library. It was a jam-packed morning, but it was just the kind of morning I enjoy the most.

I'm stumped, what do you think?

Here's the deal - I'm completely stumped about an idea I've been brainstorming for our living room wall. I realize there are about 5 people who read this blog, but if each of you could weigh in about what you think, it would certainly help me figure out if I've lost my marbles or stumbled upon an idea that just might work.

Here's the wall. The blue tape is marking out my idea.

I have 12 of these.

Each of them used to be part of a porch railing. I bought them and painted them white. When I bought them, I knew I could use them on a wall somewhere in our house. I didn't know where but recently I've become fixated on using them in our living room. However, Ben's not sure and I'm wavering too.

So, each blue line indicates where a white piece would go.

So, what do you think? Crazy? Good idea? Too much? Go for it? Different pattern? Please share and be honest.

3 years later...

The kitchen is finally feeling a little love. Granted we put up curtains and painted the walls years ago, but the cabinet and drawer pulls have been...well...ummm..."not our style" is the nice way of saying it.

Here's the newest addition to our kitchen!

Here's the old....ahhhh, change is a good thing!

We're in the transition phase of this project. I bought a few to try it out... miraculously we actually found pulls that we like...so now Ben has to go and purchase the rest to finish the job.

My Favorites

In general, this post is about my favorite things at the farm. It's hard to explain and I'm sure my dad will think most of this is totally nuts! But, it's how I work...

I have fond memories of trying to make this wood stove work when I was little.

This basketball hoop and I have spent many, many hours together.

My dad and uncle played with these trucks and tractors when they were young. There's something really special to me about watching my own children play with them now.

This barn has been painted white my entire life and it was just last month that my grandma told me it used to be red. I've always wanted it to be red!

So many things to love about one place. This post doesn't even capture the perfect weather we had on the day I took these photos. It was warm, but the breeze was cool - just perfect for sitting out on the deck in the shade.

Rylee

Rylee and Erica came out to the farm today! We were there since it's Friday - it seems to be what we do on Friday's this summer. Rylee is doing really well with walking and while she was pretty quiet - likely overwhelmed by her LOUD boy cousins - she no-doubt learned a thing or two about tractors.

I just love my sister's shirt.

Rylee heard one of the calves moo and she immediately perked up.

She isn't afraid of the calves (in general) but this photo was just too funny not to post.

And, once it was just me and Rylee with the tractors, she did take full advantage of driving one for a while.

She's such a precious little girl - love you Rylee!

The Rain

Last weekend it rained and rained and rained some more. The boys LOVED it.

After church on Sunday, we let them play outside in the rain before naps. And, yes Levi isn't wearing pants - just underwear...

And when the boys were tired, we peeled off their sopping wet clothes and tucked them into bed for 3+ hour naps (for all 4 of us, actually).

Lawrence

It was way back in winter when the idea came up and just now in July it became a reality. There's a group of women at church, we don't have a name, and usually we study books together about being mothers, wives, Christians, etc. Every now and then we schedule a dinner out in Wichita together, but usually we simply gather in someone's home and talk and share snacks together. This time, though, we went all out! We broke free, broke our routines and maybe broke the piggy bank. But it was a blast! Nine of us went to Lawrence:

Vanessa

Gretchen

Rachael

Megan

Mandi

Michelle

Amy

Shari

and me!

We stayed at The Eldridge Hotel on Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence. We shared 2 rooms and all slept pretty well. We had to draw bed assignments out of an ice bucket to move us out of the, "I don't care, really I'll sleep wherever" rut.

Then we headed downstairs for desserts and drinks. It was half price martini night at the hotel and the options were pretty amazing. The architecture of the hotel was amazing. It's a very old hotel and it has all of it's original charm in tact.

Mandi and I shared this lovely Strawberry Tart. The crust tasted a bit like lemon and the creamy part under the fresh strawberries tasted like raspberries and strawberries - DElicious.

Please notice the lights, they were beautiful.

Michelle, Amy, Vanessa and Megan shared a piece of chocolate cake for 4 people. The last bite was forced upon Megan - she's eating for 2 anyway!

Call me crazy, but I loved the lights and the windows in this space.

The next morning we met in the lobby to start our full day of exploring the shops and restaurants on Mass St. First stop was Wheat Fields Bakery for a wonderful selection of baked goods as well as hot breakfast options and good mochas.

The first shop we went to was Phoenix Gallery and it was amazing. This wooden piece was a mere $495...needless to say, most of the stuff I LOVED was way out of my price range. Great eye candy, though.

Next up, Sarah's Fabric Shop - A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

The fabric below is what started a long shopping session that lead to me picking out 10 fabrics for Noah's next quilt. (Sue, I'll send you more details!)

For dinner, we ate at 715 a fancy, but not too uppity Italian restaurant that was just down the street from our hotel. I'm in love with these filament light bulbs. In love.

The food was delicious. And, after dinner we watched some of the bicycle race that was happening right next to our hotel and then waited around for the street dance to start! You got it, all of that just happened to be happening right outside our hotel. The Mud Bugs performed Cajun music until midnight - the people watching was amazing.

Saturday morning we ate at Wheat Fields again and then walked through the Farmer's Market.

It was beautiful to spend so much time together, in an interesting place, away from what is our normal routine, to feel pampered, relaxed and without any pressure to be on a schedule.