Our Adventure called Life

Each summer I ask the kids if they are interested in going to Vacation Bible School and each year they say "no."  We don't have a "home church" and visit a couple different churches a handful of times throughout the year.  So I understood their hesitation in attending.  However, this year when I asked, Paisley responded "let me think about it."  A few days later he said he wanted me to sign him up.  Lila (overhearing the conversation) said she wanted to go too!  I located the forms on the Internet and sent them in. The church is located in the little town we live in, but I was unsure about who would be involved.  I asked the kids if they would like me to volunteer, such as to help with crafts, snacks, etc, and they said they would like that.  I sent in my own form to assist, filled out the background form, and the next week I was sitting in my first VBS volunteer meeting. I didn't know a soul in the room, which was a little nerve-racking. ...

Finding beauty amidst the sadness Despite the date lit up on my computer screen, I couldn't believe it'd been over 15 years since graduating high school.  I still remembered the sound of lockers being slammed, the excitement of pep rallies, and the smell of the cafeteria.  When information about our 15 year class reunion began circulating a couple years back, I smiled at those days so long ago then deleted the information.  I still spoke with those I was close to but didn't feel a need to attend the event.  Without giving it a second thought, the class reunion came and went. A few weeks ago, via Facebook, I learned that one of my classmates had gone missing in Kentucky Lake. He was someone whom fought and beat cancer, not once but twice a few years before.  Over the next 24 hours I kept my eyes on Facebook hoping for news he had been found alive.  Roughly 48 hours later I got news that his body had been found.  He was gone.   The news hit...

The calendar says summer isn't quite over, but you can feel it in the air.  Our commitment free days are dwindling just as the sun is setting a little earlier than the night before.  I had lists of things I wanted to do; getting the kids on a summer schedule, keeping up with homework so they wouldn't suffer the dreaded "summer learning loss," and having them proficient at swimming before summers end.  I dreamt of a long road trip west, soaking up thin mountain air at 12,000ft.  Those lists have long since blown out the window of our SUV as we forged new paths, straying from my lists at each bend in the road. This summer the dark storm clouds rolled across our farm frequently enough that grass still grows faster than we can mow and the new trees have only required us to water them once.  The booms of thunder can be used as the soundtrack to our days, accompanied by the sound of wind rushing through the cornfield.  We were reminded that nature's music...

There's part of a Keith Urban song that says "And suddenly my little world just got a whole lot bigger, yes it did.  And people that I barely knew, they love me cause I'm part of you." I had no idea that having a child(ren) really and truly brought new people deep into your life. My first "mom" friend and our crew When looking for a crib for Lila on Craigslist, I came across a posting of the exact bed I wanted.  The location was near our home in a nice neighborhood.  Arrangements were made, we met the family, the crib was purchased and we headed home.  That night, I received a text from the mom asking "Would you want to get our kids together to play?"  She had 2 young daughters and I was absolutely flattered that in our text exchanges and brief meeting, she felt comfortable enough with me to get our kids together.  She was the first "mom friend"I made....a friendship that probably never would have occurred had I not had kids. ...

First and foremost I will always be a wife and Momma. However, look past the sleepy eyes, unbrushed hair, and the sparkling wedding ring, and there's me, Kara Elizabeth, the girl that loves traveling, laughing, and living in the million moments that make up the day. Cheers!!! Recently I took a "girls" trip to Nashville with 6 other fun and fabulous girls to celebrate the birth of our dear friend KW.  Up until this point, I had left P alone with my parents so Scott and I could have a little alone time.  However, this would be my first overnight without either boy.  *Gulp*  The night before I left, I totally had mixed emotions about leaving them and even had some guilt about going.  "Should I not go?" I asked Scott repeatedly.  I think he was actually glad when I finally left so he wouldn't have to keep telling me I "needed" to go have some fun with the girls.  One glass of champagn...

This isn’t about eating right or counting calories. It’s about spending your lunch hour with good friends. It’s amazing how 1 hour of girl time can improve your outlook on life. We didn’t discuss ground breaking topics or what we think about Fox offering Sarah Palin a job. We talked about our lives, our goals, our families, and people we love. In the process we laughed And then we laughed a little more. Who needs to eat healthy when you can burn a few hundred calories laughing with friends over a bowl of French Onion soup? This picture isn't from today's lunch, but it was the only one I had of us girls. Which reminds me...I could go for a pedicure!