busy summer and balance

Long time no see!  I miss you guys.  I’ve been so ridiculously busy this summer.  I know, I know, that’s what everybody says!  🙂  I had such grand plans for the ole’ blog this summer.  Like blogging everyday!  whoops.  I have so many great recipes and projects to share with you.  They are coming.  I promise.  I have to figure out a way to balance blogging and family and life.  

  

This summer has been crazy!  Seriously.  Here’s a quick snap shot of our summer.  

A bird and a bean summer update.  

My brother threw a surprise party for my sister-in-law and she threw a surprise party for him.  And my dad threw a surprise party for my mom’s retirement.  I got all three e-vites on the same day!  What fun.  I do love parties.  And then my brother and my dad asked me to help with take care of their parties.  🙂  So, there was A LOT of lying and planning and banner making.  They’re all over now and everyone was very surprised.  SO. GLAD. THEY. ARE. OVER!  Three parties in three weeks.  Too much.  Fun to plan, but exhausting.   

SURPRISE.  and SURPRISE.  and SURPRISE.  

We also had a tragic and devastating thing happen to our family in May.  My sweet 17 year old cousin was in a terrible car accident 8 weeks ago and is still in the hospital.  She suffered a severe neck injury (C4-C7).  She is currently not breathing or eating on her own.  She has an amazing attitude and we are believing God for a miracle.  My dad just finished plans for the remodel of my aunt and uncle’s home to accomodate Abby’s new (believing for temporary) life of ventilators and traches and machines and nurses and wheelchairs.  So, next is helping out with the remodel.  All hands on deck.  I will post more about Abby and the big benefit we are helping to plan later.  She is an amazing girl and God has His hand on her life!   

We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for the bird and the bean.  

In between planning surprise parties and big benefits and hospital visits we have swim lessons, VBS, summer art school and play dates.  

And garden tending and chicken tending. 

And house guests. 

And church.

And volunteering.

And keeping the house somewhat clean.

And a dog.

And both kids had birthdays.  More parties.  🙂  

And life.  Because it goes on.  

AAAAND.  We are going on a family vacation next week.  I could not be more excited.  Holland, Michigan here we come.  LOVE!  

But, by this time last year I had already packed and planned special road trip bags and different activities for each day,  a signature drink and special fancy vacation food.  I had pinned a whole board of fun ideas and projects.  I had a notebook full of lists.  And they were all fun.  

This year.  Nothing.  Just nothing.  

I haven’t really even thought about vacation very much until this morning.  

Priorities change.  

It’s probably for the better.  We couldn’t even move an inch on the way to vacation last year.  

The car was full and packed TIGHT!  Kevin called me a car hoarder. 🙂   

I better get busy and do some laundry today, though!  

So, these are some of the reasons I have been away.  I’m going to do better.  I have some great stuff to share with you.  

Please come back.  🙂  I love you.