Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

3 weeks. 4,000 miles. One minivan. And, nostalgia.

I’m feeling all sorts of nostalgic today. We’re back home, settled into our space and looking to the big week ahead – the start of a new school year.

A first-time pre-schooler who is momma’s shadow and favorite snuggle bug.

A first-time kindergartner who I already lost too time with in her earliest years.

Two boys who will be starting a brand new school after spending the last few months partnering with a fledging and unprepared temporary homeschooling momma.

Milestone moments like these always make me a bit weepy. I realize time is moving forward at a break-neck pace regardless of how desperately I try to slow our schedules or create white space in our days or relish slow mornings or encourage wild and free creativity without structure or rules. Time still zips along.

Every so often, in moments like the ones we spent together on our little getaway, days move along slowly and I have time to pause, catch my breath, and look, really look, at my little loves. Time feels suspended in the best possible way. {I’m a very recent momma of two preschoolers, one toddler and one infant – I also am very aware of the fact that some days move slowly and trudge along in the exact opposite of the best possible way}. I realize how very much I enjoy these little people of mine. I love watching their personalities shape the way they see the world. I love hearing their thoughts and listening to their unique perspective on things. I love running through the rain together and laughing until we’re breathless. I love seeing their relationships with one another deepen as they interact and play and create a whole imaginative world only the four are privy to.

They’re ready to face a new year. They’re brave and strong and kind.

I’m a whole other story. I feel like I’m grasping at these last remnants of summer frantically, wishing I could bottle up this sweet stage we’re in. These four are no longer dependent on me for every little thing. They’re all sleeping through the night and wiping their own bottoms and able to get snacks on their own (and help their littlest sister too). They’re big enough to play board games at night and watch non-animated movies. We can listen to the audiobook of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in the car, mesmerized by the tale together. We can plan dinners as a group and grocery shopping has evolved into a fun outing rather than a dreaded chore. We work together to return clean clothes to closets. We go outside and seek out adventures and stumble upon new places to explore.

And, best yet, they’re not too big. They still want to sit on my lap for snuggles. They still need momma to drape blankets on just so at night. They still need my opinions and direction and advice. They still need bedtime stories and prayers and songs, laying together in the dark before drifting off to sleep. They still hold a unmistakable innocent outlook on this great big earth. They still shine with joy and goodness. They are quick to forgive when my temper is too short or my words are sharp. They bestow mercy and love and so, so much grace.

We have a handful of days left in this lovely summer of 2017 and my little crew is set on making the most of each moment. See you next week with an overload of meet the teacher/first day photos:)!

But first, one last ‘Charlotte and the Kitten’ series (if you’ve seen my instagram or FB feed…this was a theme for our time in Minnesota:)). This sweet kitty is likely very relieved we went home! 🙂

Packing Tips {How I pack for 6 people for 3 weeks in ONE suitcase}.

Good morning from Michigan!!

A summer stop in Michigan has long been on my travel bucket list and we are finally here! We are all looking forward to a relaxing, slow-paced, water-and-sun-filled-but-not-scorching-hot week.

When we planned this whirlwind road trip, we knew we would go to Florida to visit family (and for Dave to hop down to the keys for the opening of lobster season, something he looks forward to with intensity all year long :)), then we would finish up in Minnesota for a wedding. That was honestly the extent of our planning. Normally, I am a fairly organized, detailed planner for our trips but I found myself burnt out from homeschooling + blueberry farming + a huge design/renovation project + all.the.things as this trip approached. So, we hopped in the car, bought an old school Atlas (so we could visualize our routes -> highly recommend!) and headed on our merry way.

Our first thought was to go up the eastern coast after leaving Florida with Niagara Falls as our main destination, then a quick stop-over in Michigan before finishing the trip in Minnesota. This itinerary would have meant something like 45+ hours of in-the-car time and zero down-time. No bueno for this crew.

So, we switched it up and came straight to Michigan from Florida. Because I tried to book a place to stay just last week, I had a really hard time finding anything reasonably priced and in a good location. I searched and searched and finally scored a cute little cottage on a canal (not right on the lake but at least we have water in the backyard so the boys can fish) on VRBO.

We drove into town last night right as the sun was beginning it’s slow descent. As we passed harbors full of sailboats, water glistening under the orange-hued sky, we fell hard for Michigan. I’m fairly certain we’re all going to like this slice of America.

I snapped this photo of our dock last night right after we arrived. After 13 hours in the car, we all RAN to the backyard to check out the water and our view.

***

I received several questions on Instagram after I posted a picture of my favorite packing cubes (along with the fact that I only packed one suitcase for six people for three weeks), so I thought I would do a quick post on my packing tips for road trips.

Pack for a week.

No matter how long we are gone (four weeks in South Africa, for example), I always pack for one week per person. We are traveling for three weeks on this trip and each kiddo has 5 shirts/shorts or dresses per person + 2 swimsuits. Charlotte is the only one who has specific PJ’s because she refuses to wear “day time” clothes to bed. Everyone else has comfy travel clothes that can also serve as PJ’s.

Washing machines are a must. 

We stop over in hotels for a night or two during long haul drives, however, the majority of the time, we stay in AirBNB or VRBO houses/condos at our destinations because hotel rooms become quickly cramped with six people and we need our space. I always make sure the house has access to a washing machine. (A dryer is a bonus when traveling internationally and never expected). This is critical and helps keep clothes packing to a minimum!

Skip the extra shoes.

For summer trips (including our South Africa trip), I pack one pair of slip-on shoes (flip flops and/or crocs/tevas for kids) and one pair of sneakers. That’s it. For this trip, I did include a dressier pair of shoes for Dave and I for the wedding we will attend. Shoes can take up a lot of extra space and I’ve learned that, 99% of the time, my entire family will only wear the easy slip-on, comfortable shoe option. Flip flops are great for in the car, easy to take off and put on for quick bathroom stops while driving.

Packing Cubes are your friend.

Each person has one large and one small packing cube. Large cubes contain all shorts, shirts, and dresses. Small cubes hold swimsuits, undies and socks. I have a fairly large suitcase that holds all of our cubes and I simply throw the cubes in, zip it up, and go. When we arrive at our destination, cubes either come out and go into dresser drawers (I keep clothes IN cubes during the trip to minimize repacking time – after laundry, clean clothes go back in appropriate cube), or they remain in the suitcase depending on the set up. In the current house we’re staying in, there is a large walk-in closet big enough for the suitcase to be open on the floor with cubes stacked inside. Super easy unpacking and re-packing! (I use these cubes).

Pack a cooler.

We pack a cooler for road trips full of water, grapes, cheese sticks, pj&j’s and other essentials for the drive. The cooler does double duty when we go to the beach for the day – we can pack waters and snacks for the beach.

Travel Bags for littles.

I have tried everything for packing car-entertainment-essentials for the littles. Cubbies, plastic totes, backpacks… you name it. This time, I snagged little pull-top bags from the Target dollar aisle and they’ve worked perfectly! I fill them with coloring books, crayons or markers depending on the child:), non-stick non-drying molding clay, books, tablets, stuffed animals, and notebooks. My big kids have had so much fun keeping a journal of where we’ve been in their notebooks. Each time we drive through a new state, they get out their notebook and write down the state name. I also encourage them to write additional notes and/or draw pictures of what they see. But, let’s be honest, that typically doesn’t happen. They love making the list of states though so I’ll call it a win. 🙂

Happy road-tripping, friends! We’re off to soak up these last precious weeks of summer!!

summer road tripping!

Because our summer officially started in July, we decided to hit the road and get on with summer vacationing already! After a mere 18 hours in the car (insert emoji for I’m-going-to-lose-my-mind), our trip began here in my hometown of Orlando, Florida. The week has been full of visiting family and friends. It’s always fun, yet crazy busy, when we’re back in town. Anyone who has moved from their hometown (where family & friends still live), understands the challenge of packing in quality time with loved ones + downtime for the kiddos + doing fun things. It’s a bit hectic. And, there’s never enough time to see everyone and do everything.

Because we are here in the summer, we aren’t visiting Disney or any of the theme parks. I realize now how much I took the parks for granted as a kid. We would go on field trips to Disney or Sea World and my sister and I spent countless afternoons park hopping throughout the year after school. We always had friends or family members who worked at the parks and we would get in for free. Now, I refuse to pay for the parks – they’re insanely expensive, HOT, and crowded! I’ve turned into an old grump. 🙂 My kids have never been to the Magic Kingdom and they’ve never asked to go, so I’m holding off as long as possible.

Last weekend, we did stay at a hotel in the Disney area with my parents, siblings and niece and nephew. The hotel had a lazy river and water slides which kept everyone entertained and worn out by the end of the day. We also celebrated my mom’s big birthday coming up in a couple of weeks which I was thankful to be here for. These are the big moments we often miss living far away. It was so nice to be here as a family to celebrate my momma and the best Nana of all time.

My sister and I took the girls to a little Princess Tea Party and I had to share a few of the photos here because I cannot even handle the cuteness! My girls were mesmerized and on a major sugar high when we left. This tea consisted of cupcakes and cookies and macaroons and all things sugary and sweet. A little girl’s dream…

Next up, we are heading to the shores of Lake Michigan. Being a Florida girl, I had never considered the beaches of Michigan for a summer vacation yet I’ve recently been enamored by photos of what looks to be a magical place and I cannot wait to visit and unwind by the water’s edge.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

summer days.

July officially kicked off summer for our little tribe.

I knew in advance June would be insanely busy — thank goodness Nana came to town to watch the littles while Dave and I put in long hours on a big building/design project and we launched The Berry Farm. I kept saying, “we just need to make it to July…” over and over. Once July rolled around, we were READY.

July has been full with days at the pool, VBS (I shamelessly signed my people up for VBS all over town…), friends visiting from out of town, trying to stay cool in the 1 billion degree heat, swim team, camping… all the things. We have been simultaneously relaxed and exhausted. My little people are either playing and laughing or melting down and bickering. There seems to be no in-between. Is this the case for households everywhere during the summer months???! While the days fly by quickly and the beginning of school is approaching rapidly, the minutes seem to creep along some afternoons. Such is life with littles.

Swim Team.

The boys had a short swim team season, as we are heading out to visit our family in Florida later this week and they’ll have to miss the rest of the season. I would argue that swim team is the absolute best sport for little people! It’s only a few weeks long in the summer and the meets are so fun. We have loved it and look forward to Sylvie joining the boys next year.

Camping. 

Oh, camping. I am not a tent camper, you guys. I’m sorry, I know some people love to camp and pitch a tent and be in the wilderness. I am not one of those people. I like running water and flushing toilets. A lot. I realized how much so when we decided to camp out last weekend in our super-old-rickety-Craigslist-purchase-by-Dave-RV (you can guess how I felt when he drove that beauty home, stepped out, and quoted his favorite line from a movie, “That there’s an RV, Clark” Oh, Dave).

A certain child who will remain nameless likes to push buttons, literally. She will push any and every actual tangible button that she is asked not to touch. Thus, she pushed the water pump button after Dave made a proclamation that no one – under any circumstances – touch it. It wasn’t working right for some reason and when this sweet-angel-child decided to push the button (because she was told not to, obviously), we didn’t realize it until the entirety of the water tank had emptied itself INSIDE the RV.

Puddles and puddles of water filled the lovely carpeted floor.

Ta-da! No more running water. Epitome of First World Problems, people.

Even still, we had the most fun and relaxing – best of all, completely unplugged – weekend. We grilled out and roasted marshmallows and swam in the lake for two days. Friends came out to visit and swim and laugh with us at the water’s edge. Even without running water, it was pretty perfect.

This shirt. This was the shirt we had made for Sylvie during our adoption process. Now, it fits Charlotte. What a visual reminder that God will truly do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Dave purchased this lake-front property years ago at a tax auction. Because it sold for pennies, we assumed it either didn’t have lake access or we couldn’t build on it. He just bought it because 1) he can’t help himself at an auction, and 2) he figured we could use it for camping. When we visited the lot for the first time, we were shocked. The lot is fairly flat, has lake access and is surrounded by state-protected land that can’t be built on. It is secluded and so beautiful.

We decided to build a little cottage (think 1,200 square feet with every nook and cranny optimally maximized) on the land. Because we work on it in the bits and pieces of time our schedules allow and Dave is doing 99% of the building work himself, it’s taking approximately forever to finish. The exterior is mostly complete, so we used the deck for grilling and relaxing. It looks like a completed house from the outside. A mirage! The interior is far from finished. Someday, someday. We will have this place to stay and relax and invite others to do the same. Until then, we are out there making memories as often as we can anyhow!

Happy Summer, friends!! May we all soak up the sunny days and free time to explore and let imaginations run wild this week!