Summer has come and gone!

I can't believe I haven't found time to update ALL SUMMER LONG! It's been that jam-packed and amazing! After Kid's Camp, I plan to sit down and do some pic uploading and journaling. :) That's right! I said KID'S CAMP!!! So exciting! Sunday, August 9 we head down to Carlinville to prepare for the 85 campers that will be arriving Monday afternoon for an amazing, powerful camp experience! Check out our Kid's Camp blogsite all week long for updates on our crazy games, messy field competitions, and awesome worship services. http://kidsconnectioncamp.blogspot.com Please pray for our safety and wisdom in reaching these young kids for Christ.

It's been so long!!!

Life has been crazy busy.
But it's been really good too.
I can't believe I haven't posted for over a month.
So much has happened. :) I will update real soon.
xoxo

High Honor Roll

Drained

There are so many interesting events happening around the world. In the entertainment world. In the political world. In the religious world, etc. And my mind typically overflows with commentaries and opinions about what is going on. I'd love to give my input here.

But, honestly, I have been so drained lately. I can't even seem to connect two coherent thoughts without being interrupted by whining, crying, and fighting in the background. I've just about had it! I love my daughter. And I love little Emma. And I reeeeally treasure my job as mom and caregiver. But these girls really need a break from each other. They fight and whine constantly! And their cabin fever is making me crazy. CRAZY! I feel like my nerve endings are screaming!

I have no creativity left. And no energy to think or share an opinion. It's so frustrating. 3 more weeks, and I start my new job. I'm so excited about it! What a welcome, fresh start! A chance to think, create, and be useful. I can hardly wait.

But I realize that I need to give 100% to the job at hand. Lord, please give me the patience and endurance that I need for these last 3 weeks. Help me to have a good attitude and to be a blessing to these girls in these last few days I have w/ them. And please reduce the amount of daily "MOMMY!!!" 's to under 100. Thank you. Amen.

Mother's Day 2009

For Mother's Day, Papa Bill took our whole family out for a fancy brunch at the Westin Hotel in Itasca. It was their Mother's Day champaign brunch. The food was amazing. So many things to choose from. And the tables and decor were so elegant. Every mother was given a fresh rose as they sat at their table. We had fun celebrating all the moms in the Brody/Dahms clan.

After brunch, we headed home for some chill time. When everyone was settled, I headed out on my own to some of my favorite stores. Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack, JCPenney's, and Kohls. It was so fun to quietly browse all the clothing racks without any child interrupting! And I took my time trying on fun outfits. I ended up making a few purchases. At Nordstrom Rack, I splurged on a very impractical....but extremely cute....leather jacket. And at Kohls I found several cute pieces to add to my wardrobe for when I start my new office job. What a relaxing day! A perfect Mother's Day! Ryan was so sweet to take care of the kids so I could have some ME time. :)

Soccer!

When friends disappoint....

I'm having to re-learn a lesson I learned a long time ago.
Be careful not to place unrealistic expectations on other people. Friends, family, spouse, etc... Because, in their humanity, when they can't live up to that expectation, it only causes hurt, dissillusionment, and even resentment. It's unfair to everyone involved.

I've recently been deeply wounded by something a close friend said to me. This friend is unaware that it hurt me. And I don't plan to reveal it, b/c I know this friend didn't mean any harm. But what it has done is caused me to self reflect. And I realize that I had been placing too high an expectation on this friend. I had been expecting this one person to fill too many holes. And when they weren't able to live up to that, I was hurt, devestated, and even becoming bitter.

So, I'm the one that needs to change. It's tough admitting that sometimes. Especially where anger is involved. So, I'm stepping back and re-evaluating my friendships.

And I'm eating a whole lot of chocolate. It's been a pretty lonely week. :(