So, I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but I’ve been blogging a bit (LOT) more than usual. The reason?  A blissful three week break. Yep three whole weeks. Teaching year round school has its advantages for sure.

But it’s Sunday night, actually, Monday morning (12:03) a.m. and I’m sitting here kind of wired-tired.(Just got back from picking up Tan in SC)  I can usually drink coffee late at night, but it wasn’t a good idea tonight as I’m a bit restless. *Sigh*.  My three week break is officially over…and work starts in about 7 hours. Sigh again.

And since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’m going to post a few from this three weeks to remind myself of how sweet it was and to be thankful for my job that gives me some long breaks.I’m so thankful for time with dear friends and my kids…and want to remember… I’m gonna do like Dr. Seuss says, “Don’t be sad  it’s over, smile that it happened.”  So there. Gonna attempt that.

So here goes…The first week had a lot of reading, sitting, writing, and even…playing guitar in my lime green chair.  Was so good for me.

I cleaned and organized a lot that first week as well. I promise I did…  but I also took lots of photos and had the creative outlet of making little tea cup bird feeders.

And then, come Friday, I left for the beach to see these guys…<3

…and then, Melanie and Zac in Calabash. We went to the beach, ate at a cute little coffee shop called Drift’s in Ocean Isle, and even went to some thrift shops (for tea cups…surprise, surprise!). That night, we ate dinner with Melanie’s parents. Loved getting to know them and thankful Melanie and Zac have such great people in their lives.

Yep, there’s me and Zac. (Am usually behind the camera, but actually got in front of  it this time.)

Even got to eat breakfast on the patio…Bible (check), camera (check), coffee (check)…yep, it was a good start to the day.

I then went and spent a few glorious days with my mother-in-law.  Doing what you ask?  Anything we wanted!! That was a switch!  And what we wanted included gardening and fixing fountains and eating food that didn’t take long at all to prepare.  Got to spend time with my nieces as well and see my sister in law and brother in law as well…and all of their cute quite affectionate dogs. Also got to go to a sweet Psalm Sunday service at my mother-in-law’s church. So thankful for the time. Even got to go to a senior breakfast with 30 ‘senior’ ladies on the Pier in Myrtle Beach as a last hurrah.  I felt like I fit right in…

Then, back to Shelby to be with Tanner and Bud.  But had to go see my girl up in Boone.  But on the way to Boone, made a stop in Hickory to have a precious time with a dear, dear friend. So thankful for time spent just talking and encouraging and so being real I needed that. More than I knew I did.  Thankful . So then off to Boone.  So good to spend time with Hope and take in the sights.  (Oh, and I promise I was wearing shoes. Flip flops that is. They have a tendency to flip off when I’m sitting down. (Especially when I have to have good footing on a  cliff. )

We even got to spend some time with one of her friends that I just adore. When it was about time to go she said, “Mom, do you want to stay tonight and have a girls’ night?”  I said  YES 🙂  And we drank coffee, ate cannoli and watched “Safe Haven” and cried.  Yep, a perfect girls’ night.

The next morning, I left early and drove down the mountain to see some dear friends for breakfast. I had hoped to see the sun rise over the mountains, but it was pouring. Was still beautiful. Yep. I even had to stop to take a photo of fog…

I had a sweet breakfast with dear friends of the family. They’ve been mentors and encouragers of mine since I was a  young mom. Talk about priceless.

And then, back to Shelby. Got to see a sweet friend and her kids as well the week before Easter.

So thankful for the truths of scripture that refresh and rejuvenate more than any amount of time well spent. Had lots of time to read, pray, and take in encouragement from scripture and friends. So good.

And then, the next week was full of more cleaning and making (MoRe 🙂  )  teacup things and lots of baseball games.  

And, I discovered the culprit for the huge branches that keep coming down off the mimosa tree!  This guy right here…  He was caught red-handed (headed). Ah well, It needed to be pruned anyway.

I went to an Earth Day art show and sold (a bunch!) of the tea cup bird feeders. We all got to see a butterflies set free. Kind of cool. But was very important to watch your step…they weren’t sure what to do with their brave new world after being set free. I’m sure they’ll find their way…

And I’m guessing I’ll find my way as well in this going back to school in the morning. Gotta be brave sometimes, right? If it’s hard for me to go back after three weeks, just think of how the students I work with must feel. I’m guessing I’m not the only one wanting to rewind the clock right now.  Gotta focus on helping them be brave and spread their wings a bit.

And so, I’ve gotta focus forward…and focus outward… and “not cry because it’s over, but be happy because it happened.”  I’m so thankful for time well spent. Even when it’s full of nothing. I think I needed a big dose of that…and I’m so thankful for the “thousand words” each of these photos represents. So, when the coming days are full and busy and a little bit chaotic, well, I can look back and remember and thank God for the little respites we all have amidst the busy-ness of life. And to my kids?  Well, what a joy it was to spend time with you all. And what a gift you are to this woman who happens to be your mom. Thanks so very much for time well spent.

Blessings ~

Mom ❤

P.S. Didn’t get to see Austin this break. (California is just a bit too long of a ride these days!) So thankful for the time we had from Jan-March. Still have your ‘office area’ all set up…clocks, crazy water bottle and all 🙂 xoxox