There are times when I get caught up in the I’s, Me’s, and My’s of life.  Days when I jump from this task to that one only to reach one final goal. . .cross it off the list.  Days when I forget to live. . . I mean, really live. I don’t like those days.  […]

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  • Sassytimes - March 15, 2012 - 3:02 pm

    Ah, this reminds me of the book I'm reading. 'Have a little faith'…have you read it? Everytime I get a chance to read it, it reminds me of you. Lots of great, inspirational lines in it, much like your blog. 😉ReplyCancel

  • kate • one more thing - March 15, 2012 - 6:35 pm

    What a beautiful post… I needed this today.

    I need this most days to be honest. It is so easy to get lost in the "have-to-get-dones" of every day. And each day goes so very fast anymore.

    This is inspiring – thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • Marcie - March 16, 2012 - 1:12 am

    thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - March 19, 2012 - 10:17 pm

    Thanks for the reminder, lady.ReplyCancel

Meadow cried a lot today.  A whole lot. Truthfully, she cries a lot everyday.  It seems that she likes to be held. . . constantly.  I’m sure that I created this monster.  She is happiest when she is being snuggled, kissed, and held close. Hands free doesn’t happen very often these days. I don’t mind […]

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  • Sassytimes - March 13, 2012 - 1:34 pm

    Oh, Summer, I so wish we were neighbors. I lose perspective more than I'd like to admit. :-/

    I'm glad you got what appeared to be a wonderful date with your hubby and some outside pavement time. I think fresh flowers is a great idea!ReplyCancel

  • Abbe - March 13, 2012 - 1:50 pm

    i think there's something really beautiful about buying yourself flowers! i love to do it from time to time… particularly when it's only a $5 to $10 investment that i KNOW will brighten my home and my mood. enjoy! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • lisa - March 13, 2012 - 5:03 pm

    awww…it looks like he had a great celebration! and good job keeping the secret! I, too, am a horrible secret keeper!! It's so hard! 🙂

    A couple years back I started buying tulips at the first hint of spring…it's truly uplifting and one of the best gifts to give yourself!

    And I started laughing when I saw your feet- I literally just minutes ago was going to take a picture of my bare toes and how badly they need a pedicure! too funny!

    thanks for the birthday message today! and keep saying your mantra…believe me you won't believe how fast this time will go…seriously! my oldest babies- now 12!!- are now taller than me!! gasp! it just doesn't seem possible…just bought them a "teen" bible last night cause they complain about feeling like a baby during sunday school with the bible the church gave them…plus, discovered their first "love" note saying they "loved" some girl!!! GASP! I'm dying over here! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Iris Took - March 13, 2012 - 5:20 pm

    Loved this!

    That pic of Chanelle with the giagantor strawberry reminded me of Cindy Lou Who…from the Grinch. Too precious.

    Your dinner looked so amazing and fun. Great gift.

    Also – the questionable glances was hilarious.ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - March 13, 2012 - 6:33 pm

    Beautiful girl – I love, love, love the surprises for Chad's birthday. And, knowing that he was totally fine with "nothing special" for his birthday shows yet AGAIN what an awesome man he is.

    LOVED the tulip pictures.

    And I'm sorry about the baby crying… ;(

    Do you have a hands-free device to hold her? Sling? Ergo? Something? I WISH WE WERE CLOSER. I have ALL OF THIS STUFF SITTING IN VIVI'S ROOM. I can send one to you when someone leaves again!ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aunt - March 14, 2012 - 1:17 am

    So glad you had a great weekend! It can be hard being a mom. I must admit a loved snuggling Meadow when she wanted held:). And I had a great time with the older two too. Great pics! My dev which I did tonight were on the same topic, always something to be grateful for! I think buying ourselves flowers to brighten our world and our families is just fine! Love the toes!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - March 15, 2012 - 2:36 am

    YAY we made the blog! I can't wait to tell Burke. HAHA! We feel so honored to be on here! 🙂

    What a wonderful birthday weekend for Chad! Summer, you are an awesome wife to your hubby! I am sure he feels so loved by you!!

    Love ya
    JoEllenReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - March 22, 2012 - 1:50 am

    Looks like a lovely evening at Lola's! What a great memory. And such an accomplishment to have been able to truly make it a surprise for Chad:)
    Love – MarieReplyCancel

. . . but I play one on Running Chatter. I’m not a photographer.  Despite the fact that I sometimes dream about my camera and different shots I want to take, still I remain just past the starting line of the distance I would love to travel some day.  So many things I want to […]

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  • Sassytimes - March 12, 2012 - 12:33 pm

    Awe, I took that photo of E as a baby. The trick is holding their ankles under the blanket (so you can't see your hands). I like the usage of 'real' letters. I just added the letters as a layer in PS.

    I think it still turned out really cute. Sweaty brow, vacuum and all. 😉ReplyCancel

  • Adopted Aunt - March 13, 2012 - 2:21 am

    Wonderful pic! Love it! You are a photographer! That is one of my dreams to be.ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - March 13, 2012 - 6:33 pm

    THIS IS FANTASTIC.ReplyCancel

  • lisa - March 14, 2012 - 2:26 pm

    You are so a photographer! But not only that- you are real!! That's what's so easy to love about you…

    Great shots! and what a great assistant!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - March 14, 2012 - 6:28 pm

    One thing that changed my life when it comes to photography is my flash. I have a Nikon SB 800 speedlight and it amazes me how much better the pictures look and it gives you the ability to take pics you normally can't with the cameras pop up flash.

    Your pics are great and photography will always have a learning curve but that what makes it so great. You never run out of ideas.

    CraigReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - March 15, 2012 - 2:47 am

    umm…these photos are…ummm…AMAZING!!! Seriously they are just so beautiful!

    JoEllenReplyCancel

Sometimes, I get writers block.  It’s true, I do.  Every few weeks I think about coming to this space and find that my mind is completely blank.  During these times I will say to Chad, what should I blog about tonight?  Without hesitation he will puff out his chest and stand tall with an answer […]

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  • Anonymous - March 9, 2012 - 12:46 pm

    I've been trash talking this blog while Chad sits right here beside me, wondering how he has fooled you for over a decade. And you think it's good parenting for him to teach the kids how to prune? Seriously? He's training the next generation. He has his heart set on early retirement. All kidding aside, he is a really, really great guy. I love him like a son.ReplyCancel

  • Charbelle - March 9, 2012 - 12:53 pm

    Happy Birthday to Chad, I hope y'all have a wonderful enjoyable fabulous weekend celebrating!!!ReplyCancel

  • mommathieszen - March 9, 2012 - 1:15 pm

    Can't think of a better person to share my birthday with! : ) We are both blessed with amazing, calm men who keep our lives in sanity mode, don't we Summer!?! One of these days we really all need to get together, let the kids run, the men stand together and not talk much (but maybe a little) and you and I gab and gab and gab. That would be wonderful!

    Thanks for honoring your hubby this way, Summer, and Happy Birthday, Chad!!!ReplyCancel

  • Adopted Aunt - March 9, 2012 - 1:41 pm

    Yes happy birthday Chad! I have seen you with your kids and yes you are a wonderful dad! I know you have been a wonderful husband to a. Wonderful wife, Summer! You do make those around you laugh and scream ( when you bring certain slithering tongue sticking out creatures) into your moms home:). And I do believe you are a great example of hard work though you have taught my sons some things… But you are a true man of God and I wish you many blessings on your birthday and always!ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - March 9, 2012 - 1:48 pm

    Happy Birthday to your hubby!

    (That conversation heart photo looks so much like an older Charlie)ReplyCancel

  • Abbe - March 9, 2012 - 2:56 pm

    best.birthday.post.ever.

    happiest of birthdays to chad, and hugs to you both!ReplyCancel

  • Chad - March 9, 2012 - 4:08 pm

    Thank you Sumo! That was a very gracious post! You are a blessing!

    And thank you to the rest of you for the birthday wishes!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - March 11, 2012 - 7:43 pm

    You are "doing life together" and that is beautiful thing! Hope your day was great Chad!
    MarieReplyCancel

I was sitting in my office working on paperwork this afternoon when I was startled by the vibrating sound of my cell phone.  I was surprised when I looked down and saw that it was Chad calling.  He rarely calls me during the day, so my first instinct was to be concerned.  Hello? I think […]

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  • Marcie - March 9, 2012 - 1:40 am

    Ahh spring. We have several feet of snow still to melt before our picnic dinners, but today was breathtaking. So warm and beautiful. Mother Natures way of reminding me to hang in there.ReplyCancel

  • Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns - March 9, 2012 - 3:02 am

    Summer: I am so engaged in your posts; I read every word; and invariably you bring a smile to my face with some image of your children. I just had a giggle when I saw Charlie in what is obviously yours or his father's sweatshirt! Thanks for bringing me seeds of life. ;-> lafReplyCancel