in his words...

I had gotten this book for Bobby from one of my very favorite people Tara at Blondie 'N' SC {at one of her  shops here.}  The book initially blew me away to say the least...

I am not just talking about the beautiful cover or the weight of this precious book ~

but precisely the foreword to the book...the inside goods...

The book,  Around the World with Eyes Wide Open

I cannot help but share this little treasure with everyone and hopefully it will bring you joy just as it did to me...this may be my "boring" side you know...but I love travel...I love reading about places...I love dreaming...someday I will and I cannot wait to do some mission trips somewhere...

...and of course these beautiful pictures are taken by Tara {with permission} because hers are far better than ever mine could be of the book...

Here we go

in his foreword entitled "How it Happened..."
{text provided is exact text in book but paraphrased a little by me too~ 1898}

"It happened in this way. In the Spring of 1895, a handsome map of the world was presented me by a friend at Baltimore; and while glancing at it, hanging on my study wall, I arose from my desk-chair, one quiet mid-night hour, and traced with my pencil a route from Baltimore, over the American continent, to San Francisco, thence to the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, China, Malay Archipelago, Ceylon, India, Assam, Arabia, Africa, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, Europe, and back again to the Monumental City. This was only on paper!

But, day by day, as my eyes turned wistfully toward the map, which now became increasingly fascinating, the desire of my life to visit the countries of the world, and study the peoples of earth, grew into a determination to start upon this circuit of the globe at the earliest practicable moment. Difficulties which seem insurmountable, frequently fade away as you approach them.

Distance not only lends enchantment to the view, but oftentimes it disenchants, by seemingly magnifying the obstacles that lie in the pathway of our goal.

The only way to do a thing is to do it.

... A few months after the pencil-tracing on the map was made, I waved farewell to my loved ones at the Union Station, Baltimore, and was off - moving toward the setting sun. ...I decided, in my journeyings, frequently to turn aside from the usual route pursued by the globe-trotter: to rough it while studying the customs and characteristics of natives far from the treaty ports; systematically to record my impressions and the results of my study, on the ground, day by day, while they were fresh in my mind: to illustrate these strange scenes and interesting studies both by the pen and photographic art; and to present to the public a book on travel that would be somewhat unique in its character. If I have enabled others to share with me the pleasures and profits of my visits to many lands and among many peoples....my pen has not written in vain."

H. Allen Tupper, Jr.

Published by the Christain Herald
Louis Klopsch

1898

The book was supposed to be for Bobby...hmm....he may not get his hands on it quite yet...at least not until I am done...{chuckle}

simply what spoke to me was his interest in humanity, travel, and study

...and also this amazing but simple quote...

"the only way to do a thing is to do it"

I love this quote because all of my favorite things in my life so far...are those things I decided to just do.

I'm not quite sure how the book will end up as far as the text or what his opinions and thoughts entail...but from the outside it sure is eye candy not to mention the pictures are amazing...

I cannot wait to see his view from 1898 {perhaps earlier since that is the published date}...

this book was sweetly dedicated to his wife and children...

Now all I need is a chair on the beach, umbrella, mai tai, and the sun to dive into this...

{sigh}

someday, right?

now to sweeten your day hop on over to Tracey's blog for her amazing give-a-way...if you haven't already!

On the road again...

On the road again:)....for some reason that song is being sung in my head...hmmm...interesting just because I'm not a fan of that song...but you know...those are always the ones that stick:)

...to the point now.

I'm home...

I'm tired...

I'm happy...

I'm inspired...

I'm so very thankful!

AND my rear hurts from sitting so long...I'd use {a*#} but then you may find out by chance that I occassionaly have a foul mouth....so occassionally is a funny word...those that know are probably smiling now.

BACK to the point now...

I was on the road again...today coming home from an inspired evening which just right now I will tell you...I'm renaming it to an inspiring weekend;)

BUT...since I was on the road 6 hours there and 5 hours back...I'd thought I would share some fun things I learned on my road trip...

ten.  Caffeine is a must...even before you ENTER the car...whether it is coffee...soda...green tea...whatever your choice make it a good one...this time I mainly resorted to COFFEE...since it was so stinking cold!

nine. STILL cannot get used to cruise control...I'm a control freak and every road trip I have ever done I try to use it for the convenience...but I don't even last 2 minutes...it freaks me out!

eight. ...my shoes of choice for the road trip down were these really comfy shorter heals...not dressy heals...but you know it was a girls weekend...and you feel better and less tired if you are in clothes that make you feel good...{hubby doesn't quite agree or understand that he told me}....BUT I will share one thing...it's okay to make the choice to look good and feel good while doing things like driving...

seven. GREAT music helps a TON...actually it IS the most important thing to have on a road trip in my opinion...and whatever volume you choose it just doesn't matter when you are the ONLY one in the car...for all you know I could have been rocking to 80's music!

six. carepackages are nice to receive when you start out on a roadtrip...like some green tea when the coffee is done {or soda on the way home} and good road food are nice because if you are like me...when I am by myself traveling...I don't stop for food because I DON'T like to do drive-thru's...it's not that I don't eat that food because I do...I just don't like to order...pretty ridiculous I know!

five. I think I would like to have a bigger bladder because my holds NOTHIN'...or maybe it is just because I drink too much liquid...hmm...

four. There are some FABULOUS barns along on way...and homes...and land...I actually loved that better than miles of STUFF {I mean crud} you know.

three. GPS sometimes STINKS! So it seemed I got looped around the long way there and stuck in some traffic so hence the 6 hours there and 5 hours home...and being where I went on Friday night and where I left Sunday morning was two different places on the same road...the route to leave was nothing like when I arrived...and soooo much better...

two.  U-turns are pretty fun...I was doing some directions from memory since I had to rotate charging my phone and the GPS since I left the chargers in the car the night before:0)...good thing it was a good spot to do it...I didn't quite share that one with anyone yet...because I get lectured since I am one that waits to get gas until my light is on...I guess that is a not so good thing to do...but you know...it's been okay for me so far:)

YEP...that's me as I stopped to do the U-turn:)

one. I liked doing the driving...hubby never lets me because he likes to be "the man" driving and you know that if I the woman was driving it wouldn't make him THE MAN you know!...but I felt completely less tired driving than riding passenger side...

So I realize this isn't exactly what you wanted to hear about for the inspiring weekend...but I need some more time to explain my weekend...and if you notice...next post is a big one {number wise}...I'm so thrilled so stay tuned...and I promise some pictures are coming of the inspiring evening...

If you want a sneak peak...head on over to Kasey's blog for a picture taken before we left this morning I wish I would have thought to have done that last night when we were all not tired and dark circles you know:)...sigh...

For the fam...

A little turtle in my pocket you may say...

since the very first day we were there...Miss Madison wanted to sit on this stone turtle every time we walked by it...and that was many of times we walked by it! The time was right one evening {in the evening the stones wouldn't burn her hiney} we stopped and took some time for her to sit on this turtle...she loved it until the stones well just weren't comfortable to sit on because they were "bumpy"...hence her face:)

As we were walking ~ another consultant stopped us...and said she knew just the thing our girls would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do...

Well we listened of course...and on the last evening we took a stroll to another resort within ours......and came to this spot where we could let little baby turtles go {just what she told us about}

Now my first thought...how neat...Madison will love it...next...Oh great...Hayley will try to grab every turtle there:)But this was Hayley...before we even arrived to the spot...gotta love umbrella strollers...this one is on its last leg though...she was out...completely out...Then I thought oh...GREAT...dinner's going to be fun tonight...you know the times where you KNOW it is coming...but nonetheless she looked adorable sleeping...we just let her be...so happy sleeping soundly:)
Anyhoo...we were waiting...and waiting....

So I got some sweet pics of Madison watching the waves our last evening there...she loved it...the sun was setting...the tide was changing...just perfect for the turtles...the little suckers were so cute ~ they had 4 small crates full~ ...pictures were difficult because they didn't allow us to use flash...and it quite dark during most...

Bobby was so sweet to let me do this with Madison...I know he wanted to...but like I said from my last post...really some bonding time with just Madison and I...I loved it...seeing her excited...seeing her smile...and seeing her hold that baby turtle...{that I had to explain to her...I asked her if she remembered how I picked up the toads to show her at home...she shook her head yes...well I said that is how you will need to hold this turtle...but very gently because it is a baby ~ her eyes just lit up...so excited}. She did great...she had to hold onto "MOON" for a good 20 minutes...pretty long time to explain that we couldn't let him go yet...but she did great!I got to tell you...what went through my head was...don't tell her that most and I mean MOST baby turtles will not survive due to predators...and will not be back in 20 years like they are telling us...{I was hopeful Madison didn't hear that part...because she remembers EVERYTHING literally...and I know if she heard that they were telling us they all will be back...I would have gotten "when" and "why" over and over and over again:)...for the next 20 years:)

I know...

That is pretty wrong, isn't it? {Couldn't help to think it though ~ just my realism...but I didn't want to ruin this sweet moment for Madison and myself together}...so I just joined in talking to her about the turtles and what they do...why they come back...

Personally...I love that she named him MOON...the actual moon was shining bright and just beautiful that evening...a perfect name...
And just before we let them go...those in charge...did a really silly dance to celebrate letting the turtles go...and off they went...Miss Madison looking down at Moon right before she let him go...one of my fav experiences with Madison that week.
And there he goes...right out to the water into the tide afterwards...and right when that happened...little Miss Hayley woke up screaming...oh I did predict this one...because she didn't know where in the heck she was...poor little thing...

Off to dinner we went...still with our little stinker...oh and dinner was FANTASTIC...yep...all Hayley wanted to eat was those stinkin' mini tubs of butter they bring out with bread...YEP...we really allowed {it was only one...I guess us justifying it in a way saying it was only one...we had to hide the rest}...we'll admit it...ever let your kiddos {well should I say the younger siblings get away with more than your 1st}...or maybe I just got more relaxed...hmmm....not proud of us doing that...just letting you know she did eat real food too...but all through us waiting for our meal...YEP she ate butter...and I'm okay with admitting it...because it kept her occupied since we forgot something to keep her occupied....because we were 30 minutes of walking from our room and a place just to grab food.

...honestly maybe not even 3/4 of a teaspoon of it she ate since we wiped it out as we snatched it away from her:)

The next day as we went through customs coming home into the US~ my oldest was asked questions from the customs agent...the same questions he just asked me...like 2 seconds before...YEP...and I prayed very hard...

that it wasn't going to be one of those times where Madison decides to make stuff up or say some untruths...among me thinking since when do 3 year olds get questioned...

Then as we walked through the last agent...we were asked if we still were glad we brought the kiddos...we were like ABSOLUTELY!!!! You know...this was our first vacation we didn't have to worry about a thing...it made me feel so proud to bring my entire family...because all of those late nights...my hard work {that I do love}...times of being away from them...it all become worth it when you see the results of your sweat equity and being rewarded with a trip for your family...{please know I am not doing a plug for what I do}

But honestly...the last day tears just welled up...at our last day at the beach...because I felt so blessed, grateful, thankful that I work for a company that not only loves on me with great people and all the other extras...but they also love on my family...and that is why we brought the kiddos...I wanted to show my girls just one thing...and yes even at their age...that whatever you are passionate about...go for it and do it well...the rewards are so worth it!
Blessings from us! ~ Oh and I have so many things to share very soon of recent projects too...so excited!

I've tried...

To Let THEM be...

Hmmm....as I finish up vacation pics...some anxious family waiting to see the rest {I'm told}...I've had a difficult time really finishing up...it means that I must get back to the "real" world...I must admit that it is now fall...{I love fall usually...don't get me wrong....love that I can wear jeans and boots now:)}...but I miss where we were already...

Let them be...came to me this morning during my run...as I was viewing the rest of the pics last night...I was thinking...what do I think about when I see these pictures?....I didn't know last evening...

Let them be....a perfect description...

Lately...well awhile now...I really cannot even remember when it started...but one thing I do know...is that it has been hard...you see...those that know us well...often think...Madison is seriously almost a clone of me...{you read that right}...so alike with me...it's almost nuts:)...{poor Daddy,right?}

And why is that important?...well...it has been distance...one of the hardest things for me to deal with as a mother so far...distance between us in that she tests me more than anything...she's 3 1/2 ...yep...you read that right too....3 1/2...and yes...I know it's the age too {finding her boundaries...the attitude starts friends have told me}...but I tell you it is hard...so hard sometimes tears well up when the day is finished...

Hubby travels a lot these past 4 or so years...so when I think about it...during the week...I'm the comforter...I'm the discipline...I'm the cook...I'm the one she has to listen to...But also I try to love on her in her language...when she needs it...I'm the one who determines whether she gets those stars...I'm the one she is so similar too...I'm the one who tries to make it okay when she says she misses her Daddy...I'm just the one...and I honestly LOVE that more than anything...that is why I do what I do...so I can have this...but like I said it is hard sometimes...

...At 3 1/2 she pushes me away...quietly...just like her mommy does sometimes in life...I see her pulling back...I feel her challenging my every word, question, request...and really that's okay...

She's only finding her boundaries with me...it's a part of motherhood...I know...

I also know that maybe since I have had her sister...she has wonderfully become a Daddy's girl...I say wonderfully because oh their relationship melts my heart in so many ways...I love it...from the way she looks at her Daddy to when he comes back in town and she runs to greet him...I treasure that for them...because I know...

I just know that a daughter and her Daddy's relationship is a very important one...experience I'll say...

{So} this trip...wow it did wonders for us to spend some quality time together...just the four of us...and we each had some quality time with each kiddo while on the beach...it's important...it's wonderful...and she now is reaching for me again...maybe because I've {tried to} Let her be....I've simply tried my best ~ all I can do, right?~...accepted those challenges she has given me...and have gone at her pace as much as I am able to...I've tried to be as patient as I can...I know her love language...and I have tried to love her like she needs...{obviously not always perfect or patient with it...but I've done my best}...

I'm trying to set the foundation now...that when she needs her space...I'll allow it as long as she reaches back out when she's ready...

that when she needs me to be silly and embarrass her to make her laugh...I'll do that...she hates when I dance to embarrass her..."Stop Mommy"...she says with a giggle...
when she is having a hard time expressing herself...I'll {try to} help guide her...

when she needs some boundaries from me...I'll have to set them for her...

...because I love her that much...

to let her be Daddy's girl...because there are times when she just needs only him....and I truly love that...

...and when she needs her Mommy...I'll be right here too......and times when she wants to experience life by herself......and when she needs her sister...I'll show her how to ask...I'll let them be together...
...there will be times later when she only needs Hayley...
And times where Hayley needs to stand alone too...

Times where Hayley sees she needs to also discover...{just a note~plain pineapple juice in that cup:)}

 She needs to know how much Hayley looks up to her...

for the past few weeks Hayley is obsessed with using the big girl potty...

already at 19 months...no joke!...

and it's all because she looks up to Madison...she loves her...and is inspired by her...

She wants to follow her footsteps...

But explore on her own...finding her own cadence in life too...

Times when Hayley needs only Daddy and Madison...



And times where all four of us...just need us...that's what this vacation did...it gave us renewal...at a place we all love and cherish...the beach...we all grew together...while we didn't even realize it...

I've {tried to} let them be...{although I know for sure...that is something I will have to remind myself everyday as a mother}...Let them be...

...And Hayley...this morning was a big morning for me...her first day that when I dropped her off at school...

she didn't cry...not a sad face...

she reached right out to her teachers...and said "Mommy Go"...{not telling me to go...but she was saying Mommy will go...{because that is usually what I tell her}...and Mommy will come back}...and she smiled...

...Let her be...

I promise not too many more vacation posts...just one more...a really fun experience with turtles for Miss Madison...

Dream a little dream....

Have you ever thought about if you are there yet?....I'm talking about are you still dreaming and making new dreams along the way?

...Or are you still waiting...to dream?...

Me...I think I'm pretty close to where I want to be in my big picture dream...and seeing them unfold right before my eyes...

Sure there are many things I still dream about...that I'm not close to being, having, or doing yet....

...Like refinshing my kitchen cabinets...or getting to where I want to be in my business...or already earning next year's trip again...

...But in the big scheme of things...I know my dreams have been unfolding right in front of me...my big picture dreams...

...Sure I dream hubby and I continue to get closer...

...I dream that my girls will always know what true faith is and have all they need right in front of them...

...I do dream for material things too...{lets be honest}...like decorating my home the way I see it in my head...

...and a home with a basement...we are definitely outgrowing our home...

...And when I think about the road that we have taken to get here...

...It has been rough at times...but that's a normality in life {for everyone}...our dreams have become...very, very happy times... They are reassuring...that I always have my handsome hubby with me...as we dream together.......Scary....when we didn't know what would result from our fertility issues...

....Breathtaking...like when I saw my girls for the very first time...

...And all those experiences worth every minute...

...Picking up the pieces after those hard times...
...Shoving them in your pocket...
...And smiling BIG to see you are past those times...and moving on with your new dreams......Just as the waves continue...up...and...down...so will my life be...a continual adjustment...

...But the downs get so much easier...I've always thought...
...The best part is....so many dreams are continually coming true...but my dream list continues to grow...there is so much I still dream about...

...with love, my family...and faith...

Dream a little dream...many little dreams...There's still so much more...I've always thought when you stop dreaming...you stop living...and I will never do that...
...I've become a great dreamer......that is my most favorite improvement about myself over these years...

I simply dream to just dream...

...I don't always think about the how's, when's, and plans every minute {well sometimes I still do}...

...But I've learned while dreaming...I will always dream until it's my time...

...When I pictured things 15 years ago with hubby...this is what I thought about...our life as we know it...right here...

with our girls...him and I together...

with lovelies in our life...

Dreaming a little dream....
because we didn't get to our family dream easily...not really at all...but it's all okay now...more than okay...your dreams always work out you know...at least faith + dreams has worked for me...but I wouldn't change it for the world...nope...

...I would keep it just the same...

...what I will do better...

...is my opinion of myself...

...I have some pain I carry with that...that eases up on me...when I least expect it...

...And tries to pull me down...

...But what I realized is that I have never been more prepared for those times...as I am now...

...That I now stand up for myself...sometimes not in the most perfect way...

...But I say what I feel when I feel it...

...and I feel good doing that...

...I've let go of people...

those that have intentionally tried to hurt our marriage this past year or so because of their issues...I've realized that their actions have nothing to do with us...it never did...they are not part of either one of our dreams...thankfully...

...I get less bothered when people judge me...when they think I look too young...and I now see how sad for them...they are missing out...

...So with the waves up and down...my dream a little dream is right here in front of me...I still have work to do in this life...
...lots and lots of it...

...I have more dreams...

...for hubby and I...oh do I love him...{sigh}

...for my girls...

...for our family...

...for my business...

...and even for my beachy vintage finds...{is that even a style...well if not, I'm making it up}

...BUT the most important BIG dream...the one I imagined 15 years ago with hubby...

we've gotten so much right...{and a lot wrong too...I think we all can say that don't you think?}

...the outcome...has been something marvelous for us these past 15 years...

{Because} our dreams ...have been ones we both can say...they have us right where we want to be...here

...they are near and dear to us...the things that make us tick...smile...laugh... appreciate...

...I'm learning to roll with it more as I dream my little dreams...that I don't always have to have a plan...

...I'm not 100% at that yet...but I'm getting closer and closer...and I'm really okay with not ever being 100% but getting as close as I can...because when I do...the rewards are wonderful ...{I've found so far}...

I continue to enjoy the view of life as I dream a little dream...

Whether the waves are big with good times or small waves of difficult...the view I will continue to enjoy...with hubby and I as we dream the little dreams together...
{a little behind with my blogging here...pictures from Day 3 here and Day 4}