Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Family

We Claimed an Adventure

Summer Adventure Season are almost here! We became one of those cool families with a camp trailer a while back. It makes our Adventures all the more fun because it feels like we always have Home with us. So much less stress than worrying about my kids in a motel or Airbnb! Or if they’ll destroy someone’s house. Whether you have to travel far for your adventures or you find them in your own backyard, be sure and enjoy each and everyone that comes your way because Family Time is priceless.

We claimed an adventure
Then we started along.
We drove and we drove
And we sang with the songs.
We let the dog drink up
Every last drop
When we stopped for a bit
At a friendly Rest Stop.
Mom took a picture
Of the Kids all asleep
While Dad made good time
And passed by a jeep.
We marveled at sunsets
And mountains all blue.
We played in the sand
And the wave water too.
Grandma and Grandpa
Gave us each an embrace.
So very excited
To again see our face.
They took us on bike rides
And hikes with the dogs.
We played in the river
And climbed on old logs.
We watched some old movies
And stayed up too late.
Grandpa made cookies
That each tasted great.
We listened to stories.
Played games by the fire.
And each tried to hide
The fact we were tired.
Too quickly time stole
Our adventure away.
Even though we preferred
To stay and to play.
So we packed up the car
And the trailer we towed.
Then said our Goodbyes
And grabbed snacks for the road.
We happily talked
Of the memories we made
As we drove down the road
Each wearing our shades.
But our promised adventure
Was not quite at its end.
For our favorite lunch spot
Was around the next bend.
There we all shared
Our favorite lunch treats –
Burgers and fries
And milk shakes so sweet.
Then back on the road
We embarked once again.
Onwards towards Home
And each of our friends.
Never ashamed
By the adventure we claimed.
But grateful we went
And for who we became.

Together

I’m a big time introvert. As a homeschool mom of four and wife of a Work-From-Homer, I super appreciate my alone time when I get it. But… I humbly admit, I love my family like crazy and doing things together usually makes them all the better. ❤

Oh, life is so much better
When we do things all together.
Do our part to love and share.
Show each other that we care.
Take time to share a family meal.
Take time to share just how we feel.
Take time to play a family game.
Leave behind the shame and blame.
Serve together those in need.
Snuggle together and quietly read.
Explore this world that God has made.
Have a picnic in the shade.
Match our pajamas on Friday night.
Enjoy the stars and their beautiful light.
Scripture study as a team –
Learn together just what they mean.
Enjoy a treat that was homemade
During a weekend movie crusade.
Find the names of those before
And help them through the temple door.
Enjoy the sun upon our face.
Then in the sand, have a race.
Laugh at all the jokes Dad tells.
Cheer others on since they excelled.
Work together to complete our chores –
Dishes and laundry and so much more.
Feel warmth and love in a big embrace.
Cherish the smiles on each other’s face.
Teach each other, how better to be.
Show each other the beauty to see.
There’s so much in this life to do.
But all the better with our favorite few.
Because this life is so much better
When we do things all together.

A Brother’s Hugs

I live in a house with mostly boys and I’m gonna to be honest – it’s an adventure. I grew up with a sister and a quiet brother. It didn’t quite prepare me for Mom life with three crazy boys who love to wrestle and give each other hugs. (And also, to their favorite sister!) Proof is in the pictures on my phone. Hmm. But here I am and here’s the Truth: even on the days it’s hard to not pull my hair out, I realize how blessed we all are to have each other in our lives. ❤

Sometimes a brother’s hug
Is more like a tender tug.
Or an adventure in the making –
Especially if things are breaking.
It’s a strong and warm embrace.
Usually with a dirty face.
Filled with love and care,
Even as things are flying in the air.
And it brings Mom out of hiding.
Occasionally even chiding.
If it seems like fighting,
Well, it’s them uniting.
So don’t let it get you down
Because brothers are the best around.

Patience is the Game I Play

Somedays I feel like I spend my whole day just waiting. Waiting for my husband and kids. Waiting for the dog. Waiting for packages. Waiting for no one to be looking so I can sneak some chocolate. It can be maddening! But I think if the current me could go back in time and chat with the past me, I’d be happy at how much I’ve grown from all the waiting I have to do. Sometimes we have to admit, God really does know best. ❤

Patience is the game I play
As I wait throughout my day:
For my kids to get along,
To hear again, my favorite song,
Dinner to finish being cooked,
Time to read my library book,
The kids to finish up their school,
The weather outside to finally cool,
For that magical time of day
When little kids nap, and stop their play,
The clothes to finally finish drying,
Entertainment that’s actually edifying,
The traffic light to finally change,
The pillows to not be rearranged,
The dog to finally come on in,
Family Game Night, to finally win,
To finally understand the look
My teenager gives me when I buy more books,
For my package to arrive,
For my plants to finally thrive,
For chores to finally be complete,
Time to vacuum the car’s backseat,
For the answer to my prayers,
For socks to finally keep their pairs,
My husband to finally finish up
The project that he once setup…,
A vacation to finally come my way
That’s actually a relaxing sort of day,
To once and finally comprehend
The Old Testament, and not just pretend,
For a little time to paint,
To make a dinner with no complaints,
For a little peace and quiet,
For chocolate to be an accepted diet.
And while patience is the game I play
As I go throughout my day,
It somehow seems to help me grow,
Increase my knowledge and what I know.
And so, I won’t just up and quit
Even though I just want to sit.
For God must have a greater plan
Then I will ever understand.
And so, I’ll trust in fact He knows
Why I need patience to help me grow.

The Great Room

Some people call it a living room. Some a sitting room. Maybe it’s a family room to you and yours. Or maybe, like at our house, it’s called a great room. Whatever you call it, it’s a wonderful place to gather with those you love and create priceless memories. ❤

This may look just like a living room –
At least that’s what most people would assume.
But hidden just beneath all that
This rug doubles as a wrestling mat.
This couch a long, blue trampoline.
These chairs must contain some jumping beans.
They also double as a throne –
We forgive you if you haven’t known.
This table may be where books have been
But also doubles as a climbing gym.
Sometimes this table is a road
Where cars are driven and trucks unload.
We spread picnics out across this floor.
The cat naps here, and then naps some more.
On Christmas you may never guess
Just what this room is – it’s such a mess.
Then there’s lazy Friday nights
That just want a break from sibling fights.
So then it becomes a movie spot.
Complete with cookies, nice and hot.
On cold days it’s a warm retreat
Where we dry our clothes and dry our feet.
Some days we try and keep it clean.
Okay, maybe that’s a useless dream.
The dog may claim that it’s all hers –
Also that more pets are what she deserves.
But more important than all these things
Are the memories that this room brings.
A place where we can love and share.
A place where we can love and care.
A place where we can spend our day.
A place where we can laugh and play.
A place where we can sing loud songs.
A place where we can all belong.
A place where love can do its part
And sweet memories fill our tender hearts.
And now that you know, you may all assume
Why we all love this living room.

What I’m Meant to Do

Mom Life is hard at times. Some days are harder than others and I have my moments where I question “What was I thinking??!!” But I know that even though there are other things I’d enjoy doing, or be great at, I’m right where I need to be. ❤

Sometimes I think I’ll quit my job –
Go back to work again.
Find some peace and quiet
Away from all the din.
Get paid for all the work I do
And appreciation too.
Wear something that’s not all stained
Or even something new.
Enjoy a simple bit of space
That somehow stays all clean…
And hide out in a corner
Where I simply can’t be seen.
How much could I accomplish
If this was my time spent,
Instead of all the twists and turns
That make my day all bent?

But I would miss the little things.
I would miss the things they do –
The excitement on their little faces
And their hugs and kisses too.
Knowing that it’s me they want
When they need a heart consoled.
Knowing that it’s me they want
To help be brave and bold.
I’d even miss the little smears
And food stains on my jeans.
And the simple little block towers
That always seem to lean.
Those smudgy little faces
That seek me out all day
Will soon be just a memory
As they go up and on their way.
So, I’ll face my days with Bravery –
The good and crazy too.
Because deep in my heart I know
That Mother’s what I’m meant to do.