Planning...It's a Love/Hate Relationship

Summer is a funny creature in the Raabe house.

Chris and I are both "unemployed" for two months

but that opens us up to be the people who can help

in any situation because we "don't have anything

better to do."  :) 

Don't get me wrong, I love being available to

watch a friend's child last minute or pick them up

for a game or camp but as you can guess, it can be

difficult to draw a line.  Some people call it having

B O U N D A R I E S! 

Most mornings Chris is helping out with a softball or

writing camp.  That's my opportunity to sit with my

coffee and bible/book for reflection and prayer. 

I love waking slowly.  About 9:30 I realize I've

gotta get in gear or the day will pass me by. 

The afternoons are filled with errands, chores, family

time and sometimes a nap (not for me). 

Evening is a whole other beast!  Kids have games

and practices; neighborhood friends are over; BBQs.

I don't mean just one of those things is going on,

occasionally all of them are going on the same day.  :)

(Oh did I mention all night security too?)

For some people this would mean planning, being prepared

and always ready for the next event.  NOT ME!  I do have

a calendar with every event listed but I don't want to

P L A N

anything else.  If I am going to do something extra it's

going to be "last minute."  It does sound better to call it

S P O N T A N E O U S.

So even tho I want to know what's going on, I don't

want to schedule a play date for crying out loud. 

Tonight I did plan ahead just a little.  We were again invited

to spend Independence Day with some dear friends.  The men

blow up everything they can find while the women sit back

and pray.  I like to do food with a certain level of excitement 

for holidays.  I found this idea on http://Familyfun.com

All the cupcakes were going to be red, white and blue until

little Olivia put in her 2 cents worth.  We also have rainbow

cupcakes.  And wouldn't you know...I had to take a picture.

Frosting will come later, I'm just so happy to be mostly

done with one of the foods I will be taking to the

F a b u l o u s   F o l e y   F o u r t h !

disclaimer: I did not take time to buy healthy food dyes. 

These are Wilton.  They do a great job and won't kill

anyone but certainly, not the best thing for growing kids.

Happy July 4th!

Please remember our military men and women.  Pray for

their safety, their families left behind and that God will

continue to do a work in their lives.