Just Leave Me Alone

I've been having one of those "Can't everyone just leave me alone?" kind of days. Ok, one of those weeks. My patience is thin, thin, thin, and I have to check myself 50 times a day to get my heart back into the right place.

Imagine you are a carpenter, and every day you go to work and build something. It may be grand, it may be small, but every day you do your best. Then, at the end of each day, someone comes in to your workshop with a sledgehammer and completely destroys whatever you just made. You have nothing left except the knowledge that you did build something -- you ARE making something, and you are refining your craft, even if there is not much to show for it. That's how I feel most days.

I'm currently attempting to read a book (you know, with all my spare time) called Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp. It's really, really good, but I'm getting more out of it that applies to myself than to my children. The whole book is about addressing the heart motives behind ones behavior instead of just fixing the behavior. Now, every time I'm getting frustrated, losing my temper, and wondering why I can't just lock myself in the bathroom, I'm trying to force myself to look at my heart instead of the circumstances. Am I mad because there's glitter all over the table or because I'm selfish and don't want to be inconvenienced?

The truth is, being a mom is really, really hard. IT'S. SO HARD! It's wonderful and I love it and I'd never want to be doing anything else, but it's hard. The hard part is not getting up early, cooking meals, cleaning, changing dirty diapers, etc. The hard part is putting aside my personal preferences, my "right" to a cup of hot coffee, a clean house, my desire for tranquility, my selfishness, my impatience. The hard part is forgetting about any sort of physical proof that I'm doing my job and just focusing on my family's hearts. And the hardest part is addressing my own heart first.

I love my job. I'm not trying to complain. Usually one night away will be all the refreshment I need to jump right back in with the right attitude. Unfortunately, those breaks are few and far between, and I think maybe I'm due for one. :)

Papa's Burial

Last weekend, we loaded up the car and made a weekend trip to Nisswa, MN (near Brainerd). Our mission was bittersweet -- laying Papa's ashes to rest. You may recall that JP's grandpa passed away last January. The family waited until now to bring Papa to his final resting place on the family plot in Nisswa, the town they called home for so many years.

The day was beautiful, and the ceremony was extremely touching -- Papa would have loved it. As many of us as could be there showed up (I think we were only missing three people). We all took turns sharing thoughts and memories about Papa, simultaneously dabbing our eyes and smiling at the memory of the man he will always be in our hearts.

In addition to the box which held Papa's remains -- fittingly embellished with the image of a fisherman -- we also buried a tackle box which we filled with notes to Papa, pictures, and small items that reminded us of who Papa was.

A pumpkin, because Papa used to paint small pumpkins for the grandkids each fall. A small minnow bucket and a bobber, because he loved fishing. A piece of diamond willow, because Papa used to make fancy walking sticks and other art pieces out of the beautiful, knotty wood. A pack of Certs, because he never left home without them.

The great-grandchildren threw rocks and seashells into the hole, representing the intensely special family memories of their days spent together on Long Lake.

After singing a couple of Papa's favorite hymns and saying the Lord's Prayer, we placed Papa in the ground and said goodbye...for now. We'll see him again.

This is the family Papa gave to us, and the one I'm so proud to be a part of.

After the service, the whole family headed into downtown Nisswa for window shopping and ice cream cones. The fun was just getting started, because from there we all piled into the Comfort Suites in Baxter, MN, complete with a big, indoor water park. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the adults! I didn't get any pictures there because JP thought the humidity in the water park might wreck my camera. :) You can just imagine the crowd in the picture above storming the hotel lobby for a pizza dinner; it was fun.

I'm continually blessed to have married in to such wonderful families on both JP's mom's and dad's sides. You hear so many stories about horrible in-laws and awkward family gatherings, but when we get together, it's like we've all come home, no matter where we are. Thank you, Papa, for the legacy you've left here for us, and for teaching us the importance of a family that loves each other. We miss you, but I know you were with us last weekend having the "best time ever."

Ruby's 3rd Birthday!

I am quite behind on my blogging yet again, so I'm going to try to go on a little spree today and get a bunch done. Starting with -- RUBY'S THIRD BIRTHDAY! Aww, my sweet little cowgirl is three!

We started with a mini-celebration at my parent's house. Mee-Maw (my grandmother, Ruby's namesake) was still in town and got to be a part of the festivities, which was extra special. There was a definite theme that centered around Ruby's love for horses. She received a horse dress, horse pajamas, and LOTS of horse toys. It couldn't have been more fitting, and she hasn't stopped playing with all of those horses since the day she got them.

Brave Mee-Maw even attempted a photo with all of the great-grandkids present (we were missing Anna & Jeremiah).

And here's one of her with my girls.

This one cracks me up!

On the actual day of her birthday, Ruby wore the purple princess dress that my Mee-Maw made for me for my third birthday and which Rae also wore for her third birthday. We had cake at home & planted the trees that Joe & Becky handed out as party favors for their wedding.

The celebrating isn't over, either, because when our friend Etta gets back from a trip she's on, she's going to help Ruby bake a ladybug cake, which she has been requesting for weeks. You may remember that Etta helped Rae make a flower cake for her birthday this year.

Happy birthday, Ruby Ann! You are such a sweet, loving, helpful, happy little girl, and Mama and Daddy couldn't be any prouder of you. We love you!

Joe & Becky's Wedding

It could not have been more beautiful. The air was crisp and cool, but not too cold. The leaves were just beginning to slip into their autumn colors, leaving just enough green to make the wooded outdoor setting feel lush and fresh. The sun was beginning it's decline, shining its golden rays through the stretching branches of the trees. And there -- as if a scene straight out of Robin Hood -- my brother pledged his love and devotion to his fair maiden, and she in return.

Everything went perfectly. Becky and her mom thought of everything. They didn't miss a single detail, and the result was a beautiful, smoothly-flowing day that focused more on the love and friendships shared than last-minute loose ends.

The theme of their wedding day was "Rooted in Love." It all centered around the legacy of love and faithfulness established by generations before them and rooting themselves in Jesus as they begin their life as husband and wife. A giant, branching tree was the emblem of the day. We first saw it on the invitations, then noticed it echoed on the programs, table cards, and even the favors -- tree seedlings for everyone to take home, plant and watch grow over the years.

Becky is a country girl, sporting cowgirl boots under her wedding dress, and all of her bridesmaids wore boots, too.

My two little cuties, the flower girls, wore boots too. They were so cute, and did their job so well! Becky had them drop fall leaves along the path instead of flowers.

The girls' dresses were hand-made by a friend of one of the bridesmaids. The back was as cute as the front with decorative buttons from top to bottom. Having a 4-year-old with the most amazing ringlets ever makes up-dos a breeze.

I missed a lot of photographic details throughout the day because I was chasing the kids around making sure they were in the right place at the right time and NOT getting dirty. I was also singing in the wedding, so for instance I missed getting a photo of the kiss because I was still behind the piano. I also COMPLETELY FAILED at getting a family photo while we were all dressed up and primped so nicely! I could cry I'm so sad about it!

I can't WAIT to see their professional pictures. They hired an amazing photographer named Sara Tafoya, a friend of Joe's who offered to do the wedding for free if they'd just fly her in.

Here are a few more that I got. You can see them all by clicking here.

The wedding party

Israel

My goofball husband and sweet Rosie

We found out Ruby had strep throat the morning before the wedding! We got her on antibiotics right away and she wasn't contagious by wedding time. She was feeling pretty awful, but stayed sweet and did her job so well!

Becky and her mom did all of the flowers and decorations by themselves.

Becky and her cute bridesmaids just before the ceremony

Last minute primping

Giving of the bride

Reception decorations

First dance

Joe & Becky!

I can't believe it! My brother Joe and his beautiful fiance Becky are getting married in just TWO DAYS! The weather is supposed to be perfect for their outdoor, country-themed wedding. The girls are so excited to wear their cowgirl boots with their new flower girl dresses, and I can't wait to see the whole thing come together.

We celebrated Becky at a horseback riding bridal shower this past Sunday. The day was cool and crisp, and perfectly overcast for taking pictures! Becky's maid of honor did such a beautiful job setting up a perfect "Becky" day. My bum was sore for a couple days afterwards, but it was so worth it!

Tonight is the rehearsal and dinner, and Saturday is the big day. Please be praying that all of the last-minute details come together smoothly, and for safety for everyone traveling. My Mee-Maw made it in safely last night from Memphis, TN. I haven't seen her since February of 2010!

Johnye Rose is 1!

At this time last year, I was holding my tiny, newborn baby girl in my arms. It just takes one moment for someone like that to change your life forever, and I can't imagine life without my sweet little Rosie girl.

Happy birthday, Johnye Rose! We love you forever.

Rae's Outfits

Rae went on a dress-up spree the other day. She was being so cute and so funny, putting on outfits and then coming out to play with Ruby, I had to start snapping shots!