Tuesday, August 5, 2008

He's back!

I hardly know what to do with this keyboard at my fingertips. It feels like it's been so long since I have used it. :) What could possibly have taken me away from my blogging addiction for 5 whole days? Well, you knew that I had family here. You knew that my house had 6 little boys in it. You knew that I would be busy catching up with my dear sister, but you may not have known that our husbands went on a camping/fishing trip in the wilderness 11 hours away from here for 5 days. Yep! Not only did I have 6 boys here, ages 8, 6, 5, 3, 3, and 18 months, but NO DADDIES to help out. :) My sister Trish and I feel very accomplished in having done this amazing thing. We took care of these crazy, lovable, stubborn boys, made massive amounts of food, cleaned up (it felt like we were doing this constantly!), grilled (oh yeah - I can so grill!), swam, went to the park, broke up squabbles, went grocery shopping - I'm telling you we are just about feeling like wonder women after this past 5 days. :) When Dave signed up to go on this wilderness trip with 8 other guys from church I was very excited for him, but (sheepishly) a bit bummed for me. Being here with my three guys and all of the responsibilities of home by myself for 5 days didn't sound extremely appealing to me. That aside, I honestly was thrilled that he was able to go. I considered traveling the 9 hours to go spend the week with my family, but that didn't sound real appealing either. Rest stops and food breaks with K, who still needs much assistance with walking and is quickly becoming too heavy to carry, Jay, who is helpful, but still very 3, and Noe who is not great at knowing boundaries yet, seemed like it could possibly be asking for stress that I don't need. When we came up with the idea to invite my sister Trish, her husband Mike, and 3 boys to spend the week here so that Mike could accompany Dave on the trip and Trish could hang out with me and our 3, I was thrilled with the solution!
It was busy. It was constant. Trish and I packed the days with activities and kept the boys up from naps, then we would put them down to bed early and spend 8pm to midnight praying together, pouring out our hearts, laughing (Till we spit out our coke, could hardly breath, and crossed our legs), watching movies, eating amazing food, and just enjoying a relationship that has been important to each of us our entire lives. I can not put into words how precious this was for me. Living a few states away has been tough. When Trish and I were growing up I never imagined our lives would take the turns they have. We miss each other alot, but it has been nice to look so forward to each trip we take to see each other. As I sit here, having said goodbye a short 4 hours ago, I already feel the ache of missing these 5 people who are so important to me.
So, while our guys did this:

And this:

And enjoyed beauty like this:

We spent our days in sweet chaos caring for these blessings:

The cousins enjoyed each other immensely. Although Trish and I had to act as referee a time or two (per day maybe?) :) Things went smoother than expected and it was really sweet to see all of the guys interacting.

Trish and I have learned some delicious recipes from our mom and enjoyed putting those to use this week. We made the yummiest egg rolls, cheesy dip, chocolate chip cookies, and cinnamon rolls. It was just fun!

Now we all can relate to Jay in this picture. We each feel a little something like this:

My house is begging for a scrubbing, I am behind on a few things, but tonight - well, tonight I am just going to relax, bask in memories, enjoy my David, and thank God for all of the blessings in my life.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sure your house was chaos . . . but fun chaos with your sis there. Your little Jay looks like my Ryan from the side view!

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

so sweet...sisters are the best!

Unknown said...

Making me wish I had a sister. Ya'll are just too cute. I wouldn't know what to do with all those boys!

Rachel said...

Rachel asked me tonight if you were okay. Your blogging has been missed by her as well as me! So glad you had a great visit!

I'll e-mail soon, Chad is already in bed, so I gotta go!

Love ya!

Jackie said...

Spending time with sisters who live far away is so precious. You both are so gorgeous! It is making me miss my sis a little now...but she'll be here in a few weeks for a visit. Looks like Dave had a great time, too!

gma P said...

What beautiful pictures!!! So glad you all could spend this time together making precious memories for all. love, gma pat

Lena said...

Sounds busy but fun! I had my sister out a few weeks ago- and man is it hard to say goodbye! But the memories are so worth it. BTW Thanks for all the encouraging words. it means more than you know... I am so glad I made your blog for you! I love your big heart!

SmilingSally said...

It's so neat that you have such a close relationship with your sister.

Anonymous said...

wendy! You're back. Hooray! :) Girl, I don't know how you do it, but I feel as if I was there. And kinda feel like I'm missing something too. There is a relationship there with your sister, that although living apart must be horrible, it must also be so amazing too! And the support you show your hubby somehow blesses me too. Is that weird? :) Somehow, it is just nice to know that there are families making it. And living well! I'm so happy for you! And sooooo grateful that you let me peak inside your life too sometimes. :)

take care!

Sarah M. said...

Glad thins went so well! I am sure you are all exhausted! Fun pictures!!

Grace Acres said...

wow you should be called wonder women. I wonder what shape the house and children might have been in if you and your sister went away for the 5 days. It might paint a hilarious picture in your mind.

Mari said...

Sounds wonderful! Glad you had a good time while hubby was "roughing" it.

dani said...

i love your solution to spending the week at home alone with your boys, wendi:) i bet you had an awesome time with your sister and her boys. catching up is always the best especially through food, laughter, and prayer...
love,
dani

Peggy said...

WOW Wendi...you and me both behind in the blog world...I, too have been out of it for 5 days and is so overwhelming catching up! I do believe that with 6 little boys, you definitely had your hands full!
It takes WONDER WOMEN and you & your sis must BE just that!!!

Bless you Wendi for showing such kindness and encouragement to me!
I am so blesed you made it over and accepted your Sharing the Love Award! You truly deserve the recognition! Congratulations!
When time permits(if ever)(lol)
please feel free to pass it on!!!
That's how we SHARE the LOVE!

Enjoyed your photos and recap of good family time! I am so glad that
YOU are hanging up the scrub brushes and taking time to relax and bask. Hold on to your dear ones and please take care & enjoy!
May you continued to be blessed as you bless! I'm glad He's Back so your Every Day Miracles continue!

Anne Elizabeth said...

I'm glad you had fun with your sisters. I bet you are worn out from all that activity though! My husband would have LOVED to go on a trip like that!

Shannon said...

So amazing! Thank you for stopping by my way. I, too, am so glad you did.

What a week, huh? I am so glad that you had you sister with you. There is no one I would rather spend chaos with than my sis as well.

Enjoy the quiet and your hubby. I am sure he was very missed! See you again soon.

Leslie said...

wendi, gosh ive been gone to long, love to peek in here and see what your up too. looks like great time with your sis, and fun times for the boys... :) love your little bag you made too...

hope today your feeling trully refreshed!! :)

Stacey said...

How special that Trish could come and visit so you got a bit of a vacation too! I think I'd need to rest after all of that going on too!!

Enjoy your family!

Genny said...

Wendi,

You and your sister sound like you have such a great relationship! (Reading your post made me miss my sisters!) What a fun family time it sounds like you had.

Thank you for your sweet comments today, and I have to tell you, I have one designer bag to my name... and it was a gift! LOL. Your bag is the perfect size for me to bring books with me when I'm out and about. I will use it more than you know, and I absolutely love it.

Take care,
genny

Chelle said...

how much fun is that. exhausting for sure, but so worth it. I still can hardly believe that you both have three boys...that is just so great, a whole football teams worth...but glad you have your man back now and all those amazing memories made...wishes for a lovely rest of the week for you and yours...

Chelle said...

how much fun is that. exhausting for sure, but so worth it. I still can hardly believe that you both have three boys...that is just so great, a whole football teams worth...but glad you have your man back now and all those amazing memories made...wishes for a lovely rest of the week for you and yours...

Mom2Da'Gorgeouses said...

I have only one sister who lives out of town not out of state, but we are very close. What's that saying? God made us sisters but life made us friends. Maybe someday down the road all the "boys" can go fishing & you & your sis can have 5 days to yourselves!

Thanks for visiting us today (on our blog)! Hugs & Blessings!

Amy Guerino said...

I'm so glad you can let your hubby go get the out of doors break that can be refreshing.

And God had fun things for you with sister and cousin fun! Thanks for the photos and a glimpse at all the yummies too!

You know, I sometimes come over to your blog to just listen to your playlist. You will have something I need at the moment to help a tearful prayer for someone in pain along. A mommy of a 3 year old and a preemie of 2 lbs is dying of cancer...fluids around her heart today...I came here to listen to Natalie Grant's "Held" but heard Live in the Moment first and prayed for Bridget and her hubby and little girls. Every moment is precious....you didn't miss your special ones.