Momma Jitters

The boys are playing quietly.

The backpacks and lunch boxes are laid out, ready to be filled in the morning.

Clothes have been picked, socks and shoes decided upon.

The house is calm, yet I can't stop moving...

I am not the one going back to school, yet I have a nervous belly just thinking about trying to go to sleep tonight.

Tomorrow, I send our big boy off to 4th grade, the last grade in this building that has been our school home for 5 years. 

And at the same time simultaneously send off our little man to embark upon Kindergarden...

His first full step into this monstrous building that, even now after walking the halls for the past 5 years, seems all new and unchartered territory for me!

I'm not starting a new school year, but yes...

I have the Momma Jitters.

I am thrilled to begin a new chapter in our team's book of life, yet if I was given the option to freeze time I would shout out...

 'Yes... let's press pause please, just so I can catch my breath!!!!'

I want to give our boys wings but also tuck a roadmap that will always lead to home in their pocket.

I want to cheer them on with both hands in the air, but secretly wave them back over and hug them longer.

I want to assure them that when they go out into the world they will be loved and embraced as fiercely as I love and embrace them, but also desperately want them to know that even if they aren't met with open arms and a loving hand they should still walk proud!

I want to allow our boys to make decisions, choose their way, fail miserably, succeed without even trying, and give all they have with all their hearts.

 I want to be there to remind them to have the wherewithal to pull themselves up off the ground if they get knocked down. 

And this is where the jitters set in, because it's hard to want all that for them knowing I won't be right by their sides tomorrow. 

It's hard to cheer and push and encourage from the background as they walk toward a new beginning alone.

As Mommas we are thread so close to them the minute they begin forming in our bellies...

How do we not fear that the thread will break, leaving our precious babies dangling and us to lose our connection, our fiber between us?

Just as I want and I worry and I pace with jitters, I also have a teary smile on my face because I know I have, along with my hubby done all we can to prep and build and emotionally 'beef up' our boys for the world they are entering tomorrow.

With or without us they are going to go into tomorrow and own it in their own way.

It's not that they don't need us or won't want and wish we were there with them as much as we want to be there ourselves. What I try to tell myself is that it's more of divine timing...

 In that they have been loved on and talked through just the right amount of their lives with us beside them faithfully, and it's now time for them to begin their walk of fame.

Whether we all have jitters or just I do... 

Something within me assures me that it's their time to show off all that they have grasped and engrained in themselves during their precious years with us as Mommas and Daddies.

It's their time to shine and show the world who they are without us!!

It's a good thing... I know it is.

Just as much as I have jitters, I also have twice as much faith in the road our boys are traveling through the grace given to them on a daily basis.

I know that even if my eyes aren't on them, His eyes are.

I know that even if my hand isn't there to reach out, His hand is.

I know that even if my arms aren't there to hold them, His arms are.

They had His hold upon them long before I did, so I graciously give them back!

Go out and shine my sweet boys... 

Tomorrow is Yours, go show 'em what you got!

Remember Who You Are

With 'back to school' the buzz word these days and it getting hashtagged like crazy all over the internet {by myself included}, I can't help but get caught up in the prep and frenzy that a new school year brings! 

We have done our school shopping. We have surprisingly made it through more of our summer list than I had hoped we would {only a few more boxes to check off}. We can see the school light headed our way like a fast freight train barreling down the tracks emitting steam as it gets closer and closer! 

I am drawn to obsessing over reading the various blogs about back to school decorating, celebrating and my most favorite... back to school praying!! 

Because believe me I have been praying...

I pray for the teachers who have taught our boys and those that will.

I pray for those kiddos heading back to school without a momma or a daddy this year.

I pray for all the administration staff and support staff that will make an impact on our boy's and so many other student's lives this year.

I pray for all the kiddos who are moving onto a 'bigger' school when all they really want inside is to stay small and comfortable and safe, but on the outside they show a strong front and a confident smile.

I pray for all the new Kinder Mommas and the smiles, cheers, and inevitably the tears that will be shed this year {Mine included}!

I just Pray.... Nonstop {obsessing doesn't begin to describe me}!!

That's all that helps calm my nerves and add hope to my fears.

Praying and giving thanks for what we have and asking for Him to bless all that will head our way this school year.

Remember Who You Are...

It's my Momma Mantra these days!

I can't remember exactly when first stumbled upon the saying, I think it was on this blog from Jones Design Company? It spoke volumes to me and I twisted and molded it into what it is today. My motto, my hope, my whisper of a prayer as a mom of two precious boys. I say it to them when we go places, when they leave my side even if it's for a quick trip around the block. I blurt it out when we are about to tackle a new challenge or when they've {or I} have made a mistake. And it will be my words to them as they head off to school this year. But honestly, it will be my silent prayer to myself as I walk away from them, which when looking on seems hardest for them, but truthfully is oh so hard on me as a Mom too!! I am leaving them to a new year ahead, a new set of experiences and chances to grow on their own....

So I pray...

Remember Who You Are...

You are loved.

You are chosen to be a child of God, always and forever.

You are my heart and my soul.

You are precious no matter what anyone says.

You have gifts, don't ever forget that.

You are kind and gentle, but also grandly strong and powerful.

You are part of something and part of me indefinitely.

You have character and a spirit given only to you.

You are inherently good and giving.

You will always have a place to come to, in good times and more importantly in bad.

You have choices and joy is always one of them!

You represent our family, be proud of that.

You are mine, but you are you first and foremost... 

Remember who YOU are!

My Mantle Shuffle

I like change.

I find comfort in finding new spots for old things.

The month to month movement of my favorite pictures and knick knacks allows me to seek happiness in new places within my house on a daily basis.

{Plus it calms my ADD/OCD jitters and gives me an excuse as to why I have so much STUFF}

Moving on to August...

Back to school is on the horizon and it is the perfect excuse time to redecorate a bit!!! 

And if you have read any past posts... the chickens have found their way inside as well and fit well with my school is cool theme!!!

Do our boys notice the 'subtle' back to school hints in my decor.... ummm... Heck Yes!!! 

Are they as excited as I am to look at the flashcards and oooo and ahhh over the vintage spelling book I found at our local antique store last fall... ummm... Not So Much!!! 

But 1 for 1 isn't bad in my opinion, at least they notice the change and I am sure they will thank me once they are grown and have their own kids!!!

{Can you tell I am stretching here.... Ha!!!!}

It's the little things that make me happy!

And when I move those little things around my house, from spot to spot and corner to corner...

 I find even more happiness!!

Happy August....

Daydreaming... Port A Style

Surprise... Surprise... I never posted about our trip to the Beach! 

I vaca nested and blogged about it, but (true to form) never got to post the 'actual' vacation... story of my life!!! Always prepping and planning and forever documenting with pictures while we are there, but busily moving onto next adventure (aka chores, or work, or soccer practice) as soon as we get home and neglecting the fun of sharing!!!

Hello... My name is Abbey and I am over-scheduling, procrastinating perfectionist!!!

Moving on...

We had a blast!

I loved being there!!!

We needed more time!

I have daydream about memories made there every day since we got home!

We can't wait to go back!!!

We rented a little condo called the Shell House and shared it with friends that feel like family... that always makes a vaca so much sweeter (in my opinion). The Shell House fits our families to a T. The perfect combination of comfort and accessibility...

 All wrapped into a sweet yellow house!

The house, although not on the beach, has a pool (which I highly recommend)!! All our kids love it and so do all the adults!! It gives them something to do while we cook, chill and partake in beverages... Ok... Ok... Beer and Bloody Mary's!

 But seriously... The pool... Fun for hours... For all ages!!!!

Now onto the good stuff... 

The Beach!!!

It's a slice of heaven on earth. 

The kids play for hours without a single whine or argument.

The Dads act like kids trying to boogie board!

The Moms soak up the sunshine and quiet time without having to tie a shoe, carpool from here to there, or hear the words 'Moooommm I boooorrred'!!!!

For our Team of 4 (plus 1 sweet friend this year) it was a great get-away. 

Even though (unknowingly) we shorted ourselves a day this year...

We still made the best of the time we had!! 

Fathers and sons shared stories over bags of chips.

Friends buried each other in the sand so many times we lost count.

Husbands and wives took advantage of sandy salty hugs as much as possible.

Oh my, were memories made...

It's written all over these faces...

Friday Fun: Beware of Chickens

 Here lately I have found a fond affection with chickens.

Yes, you read that correctly... chickens!!!!

Random... yes. 

Silly... most definitely!!!!

I have {for a while now} loved birds... red birds to be exact {long story for another blog}, but now that love has moved on to include chickens.... and if I am being completely honest, roosters too!!!

But I digress...

Last weekend I found myself with an hour to spare and a beautifully cool morning, so I decided to redecorate my front porch. Decorate your porch, you say??? Who does that...??? 

ME!!!! 

Chickens where my inspiration... as you can see!!!!

My front porch is one of my favorite spots in our whole house. I love pulling into the garage and catching a glimpse of it. I adore sitting outside on the porch swing and watching our boys play in the yard/street {its a relatively safe street, and I am out there... so don't panic}! And I love love love potting plants and decorating my front porch! I am quite sure that I am an old granny in the making, who wears ripped jeans, funny hats and spends all day planting and sitting on her porch.... 

And I couldn't be happier about it!!!!

{Couldn't redecorate without having a red bird hanging with the chickens!}

Most of the stuff I used while redecorating I already had, just not on my porch. I am finding that redecorating doesn't have to be expensive if you just look around at what you already have and then find another fun spot for it in your home {or on your porch}! The old wooden file drawers are from a flea market purchase over a year ago. I have always had plants in them, but this go around I moved them from a back corner of the porch to opposite ends of the front porch and traded out the plants. The brown serving tray used to be in our kitchen. We needed something more functional in there so instead of tossing it or selling it, I moved it to the porch!!! Those bright striped rugs... hello garage sale purchase for $2!!! I didn't really need 2 of them but they were a dollar each, come on!!! I used one at the front door and then I draped the other one over the swing and voila... burst of color that you can see from the street as you drive up!!!!! 

My favorite part of the whole porch right now is the metal door hanger... 

I found it at an antique store on our trip to San Antonio this summer!!! I couldn't pass it up!! I plan on adding some flowers {fake probably} to the inside!!!!

So, there you have it... my quick and inexpensive porch redo!! 

Chickens {and silly boys who like to jump in pictures} and all...

Maybe I need to start collecting silly gooses so this little man will have friends to play with... 

{And won't photo bomb Every. Picture. I. Take}!!!!!!!!!