I’m going to keep it light today.  I promise.  But before I dive in, I just have to say thank you for the responses to my previous post.  Thank you for joining in and letting me know you’re not alone.  This space, this community–those who speak up and those who read silently–continue to be such […]

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  • The Ohiyohs - September 20, 2012 - 11:23 am

    just wanted to tell you that Madison was looking at the blog with me today, and said, "That girl has a pretty face" when she saw the picture of Meadow. 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Summer - September 20, 2012 - 1:05 pm

      Oh now that is just awesome. Please tell Madison we said "Thank you" and we think she has a quite beautiful face, as well.

      🙂ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - September 20, 2012 - 6:58 pm

    Just for the record…I smiled on numbers 1 thru 10:) Loved them all!
    Love ya – MarieReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - September 21, 2012 - 8:50 am

    I'm smiling! Thanks for the amazing birthday cards and wishes and the bunnie brownies! No idea they were done with carrots. Awesome! BLESSINGS!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - September 21, 2012 - 1:58 pm

    I was smiling (still am!) through all of these!

    You have no idea how HARD I was laughing over #7!!! Oh, how I'd love to be your neighbor…to be able to peek out my window on a daily basis to see what the Kellogg's are up to for the day! 🙂 I would wear a smile 24/7. The 1st photo is so funny to me as Charlie and Chanelle just stand there side by side starring at that their Daddy. hahahahaha! (Sorry Chad! But you make us laugh!)

    I love these "Smile Edition" posts!

    Love ya
    JoEllenReplyCancel

There are times when I get stuck in my head.  Sometimes it’s only for a moment.  Other times is lasts for a day or a week or more.  Thoughts swarm. Questions invade. Doubts overwhelm.  For some reason, I become immobilized.  What are you doing?  Who are you fooling?  I type, delete.  Type, delete. I walk […]

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  • Anonymous - September 18, 2012 - 12:11 pm

    She really is difficult to manage, isn't She?!?

    "…ok just being me".

    YOU are an incredible gift. with all your i-lost-my-wedding-rings-again and burnt-another-piece-of-tupperware! people who love you wouldn't have you any other way.

    may i also propose that maybe, sometimes, you are the Her/She that someone else is looking to be? it's true.

    love you,
    Miss

    ReplyCancel

    • Summer - September 18, 2012 - 6:35 pm

      Thank you, Miss, for always supporting. . .

      And, no, I have never considered that I might be that Her. . . you've given me food for thought. . . ReplyCancel

    • Dri - September 20, 2012 - 9:06 pm

      I have to be honest, the prospect of being Her to someone else is not appealing to me. Only because I typically feel crappy after comparing myself to Her and I don't ever want anyone to feel crappy after comparing themself to me. Interesting thought, Miss. ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - September 18, 2012 - 12:47 pm

    Great post, Summer!

    Ugh…"her". I find myself doing this often…especially over the last 9 months. 😉 I constantly remind myself that I'm just having a bad day/bad moment, not a bad life…and those other people that seem to have it 100% together, they have bad moments too. I'm sure of it.

    And like the above comment, I will admit, you have been my "she" a few times. Find comfort in that, friend. You are amazing! Don't sell yourself short.
    ReplyCancel

    • Summer - September 18, 2012 - 6:36 pm

      Thank you, S. You and I have had similar journeys these last nine months, haven't we?

      You, too, have given me a perspective I have not considered.

      Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Chicago Mom (Heather) - September 18, 2012 - 5:47 pm

    I'm reading "Bringing up Bebe" a book about "French parenting versus American". There is an interesting chapter that says "The perfect mother does not exist". French mothers recognize the temptation to feel guilty and compare, but the difference is they don't valorize this guilt. They face down their guilt and then let it go. "Let's just feel guilty and go on living". I love this.

    Beautiful photos by the way. I found your blog through Two Pretzels.ReplyCancel

  • Sara Saul - September 18, 2012 - 6:57 pm

    Hey Summer! Loved your post. I think often "Her" is our enemy Satan. He wants to condemn, accuse, compare. He seeks to devour and destroy and uses our minds as a prime battle field, whispering lies and deceit. I try to remember this when "her" gets in my mind, because I know in Jesus I am adequate. In Jesus I'm more than a conqueror. In Jesus I'm deeply loved. I'm deeply desired. I know in Christ I'm intricately fashioned and promised all his spiritual gifts! When I meditate on this suddenly, the enemy falls away and off me, and I'm suddenly a girl in her Daddy's arms being loved, tickled, and adored!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - September 19, 2012 - 2:04 pm

    I have been reading a woman's Bible study that touches on this topic. It is called "He Is My Freedom" by Debbie Alsdorf. I cannot say enough about how much this devotional has personally helped me in this area and many others. I highly recommend it!ReplyCancel

  • Evie - September 20, 2012 - 5:45 pm

    I know Her too…all too well and often.

    The reason I visit your blog to read your words and see your pictures and now to comment too is because she's not here. Your voice is authentic and honest and kind. Your strength and your vulnerability come through loud and clear. That kind of presence is only possible when you are being true to yourself, which let's admit is a daily effort. Life, mothering, writing is hard, but so good. I love that you get that and are able to express it so poignantly. Your girls (and your son too) are blessed to have a role model like you.ReplyCancel

  • urban muser - September 22, 2012 - 5:19 pm

    A beautiful and thought provoking post!ReplyCancel

I think I was around 5 or 6 years old when I noticed the way my Mom used to chew the inside of her lip.  At the time I’m sure I didn’t really know what she was doing, but looking back I realize that she was likely biting the inside of her lower lip.  It’s […]

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  • Anonymous - September 13, 2012 - 12:02 pm

    whoa. those pictures are TRULY amazing. not kidding. you could have tricked me and put some of yours by hers and i wouldn't have known the difference. and lets you think i'm dissing your pics, i'm really just complimenting hers. AMAZING!! love it.

    and loved the ponytail swing attempt thoughts. so cute. so Summer.
    love, Miss ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - September 13, 2012 - 1:14 pm

    I love Chanelle's photos! What an eye she has!

    I love that your children 'notice' things. Again, this makes me realize even more that if we were neighbors, our families would intertwine perfectly. 😉 Our kids notice everything, especially when driving in the car. Just yesterday, Sophia noticed a tree on the side of the highway that had a few leaves that changed colors. She got extremely excited and announced to me that "IT'S FALL! IT IS FALL!!! LOOK!" 😉 ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - September 13, 2012 - 1:47 pm

    Like daughter like mommaReplyCancel

  • Lissa Forbes - September 13, 2012 - 10:02 pm

    Summer, this is such an inspiring post! I love the picture of Chanelle with your camera, even if it is only for the moment, but I'm guessing with your interest in shooting beauty, at least one of your kids will find excitement in photography. Oh how I'd love for you to link up with my Walk and Click Wednesdays this week since the theme is YELLOW, and you've got a couple lovely yellows. The link up closes Saturday, so there's plenty of time. Thanks, as always, for sharing your experiences so poignantly. ;->ReplyCancel

  • Summer - September 14, 2012 - 2:06 am

    Thank you all for the kind comments. . . it was fun to pass your words on to Chanelle who was quite thrilled to hear that people liked her comments. Thank you so much!ReplyCancel

  • Evie - September 14, 2012 - 7:03 pm

    She's got quite the eye for a little girl. I think it's great you let her explore with your camera. I love it when I pick up my camera and find photos I know I didn't take. My kids love it too and are always snapping away. Just lastnight my daughter screamed from the backseat, "Mom! Look! Look at that rainbow!" She was sad we didn't have a camera. I was glad I didn't have a heart attack. I was convinced I was about to hit someone. Have a great weekend.ReplyCancel

What is it that cool people do on the weekend? Trendy clubs? Bars? Late night gourmet meals? Dinner parties with fine wine and extravagant menus? Adventurous endeavors?  Trips to hip art museums? I would tell you what cool people do on the weekend if, well, I was a cool person.  Truth is, I’m just not […]

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  • Lissa Forbes - September 10, 2012 - 3:23 pm

    Summer, you really caught my attention with this post and I read every word and smiled all the way! I love how honest and fun you are in your sel-divulgence.i also love the way you catch your kidsin contemplative moments and that they are not always smiling–they are so real. and yes, there is sweet perfection in not being cool! ;->ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - September 10, 2012 - 6:49 pm

    I tend to think you are pretty cool…but, well, I go to bed around 9ish on the weekends and spent my Saturday night decorating a kid bathroom. 😉

    Love the photo of you and Chanelle! And the Amish photo…it is perfection.ReplyCancel

  • Amy S - September 13, 2012 - 11:23 pm

    All the boys have that same OSU shirt that Charlie has on! (well, Gregger will get his at Christmas I think). ReplyCancel

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