What an incredible start to July we have had.† So far, July has been all about photo ‘shoot’s, fireworks, girls spending the night and volunteering.
Our lives are not always perfect.† At times there is too little money, too many bills, not enough to go around.† But one thing we always have is love and laughter.† It is hard at times being a single Mommy, but my journey as a Mommy is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
The past few days I took lots of pictures of my girl.† She is just so dang photogenic!
Our yard is full of squirrels, birds, chipmunks and bunnies.† We sit outside and just watch them come and go all the time.† Kei has named all of them.† She also was trying to catch one with a basket until my Daddy told her that Seth [my nephew] did that one time and the squirrel had a heart attack and died!!!† It is so not funny but it is so funny.
Another thing we did this week was go to Tent City.† This is a really big ‘city’ under the interstate where homeless people live their lives.† We spent 4 hours there, grilled for them and brought lots of food and staples.† People brought guitars and drums and sang songs.† So many of the men wanted to hear old time Gospel songs.† It was so moving.
They have their own band called “Burn Barrel Band”
This is one of the coolest things.† They have a homemade chess set.† Isn’t this amazing?
I was thinking about all the times that we volunteer.† I want Kei to just be a volunteer, a part of her; like dancing and acting.† Just who she is.† Thinking back over the years, we have done so much volunteering.† It is the one thing I always wanted when she was younger and we are so blessed to have all the opportunities† we have with our church.
Brit spent the night with Kei and they lit some sparklers for a pre-4th of July celebration.
The next day Kei and I spent at The Spirit of America Festival volunteering in the children’s play area.† We had a blast but it was very hot.
Kei found a dog to play with which I swear she would do in the middle of nowhere.† She can spot a doggie a mile away!
Livvy spent the night with us that night.† There was more fireworks and sparklers and giggles.
The next two weeks are so busy for us.† Kei has Camp Princess [acting camp] next week and the following week is their production of Annie! The week after that we are starting school back full time and I am so EXCITED!
Happy week all!
Karen
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Mahatma Gandhi
I was looking for a homemade chess board and yours is interresting.
I’m also a french school survivor and I want my child to be intelligent and not broken so he will never go to school. CU
Great pictures! Looks like so much fun!! I love you wth the Liberty hat on!!
Just wanted to say HI and thanks for stopping by enJOYing life! You have beautiful girls!
Julie
Karen,
You have given your child such a gift. She is compassionate, caring, empathetic and engaged. Those qualities can change the world! She has learned at such an early age that children have power and they are valuable. Our church is moving in the direction of empowering our youth. But it is on an older level – mostly teens. I have been advocating to include the children at younger and younger ages. I was able to get Grace and her friend invited to join the youth group and she loves it. My goal is to work with the youth coordinator (who is just 19 herself) and get these kids more involved in the community. Your church sounds simply amazing. Do you have any information from your church on what social projects they support that you could send me? We have a community of homeless that live under a bridge near us too. I know that churches are involved but I have never seen anything that included children. It would be inspiring to see if we could work towards what your church has accomplished.
I am going to email you and see if you and I can chat!
Wow, Karen. You and Kei have been BUSY! And doing such beautiful things, too. I agree that giving and living with kindness have to be the finest ways to Be that there are. Both you and Kei are such an inspiration. And it is wonderful what you get to do through your churchówhat an amazing community.
I want to comment on ALL your doings and comings and goingsóbut there are so, so many! (I especially LOVE that Kei has named all the squirrels. Melonhead is a glorious name! And it’s gorgeous that she finds dogs wherever she goes. Our girls are so similar with their animal love)
What I love the most, though? The smiles, ah the smilesÖthey make this post radiate joy. I am drinking in your energy over here. Smiling right back at you both, with love, with love!
your girl is as cute as can be. she seems very happy… which is a huge pat on the back to you, mom. bless your heart. i often say that single mothers are heros, indeed. it’s a hard job. ((hugs))
That is so great you volunteer! Looks like a neat event. We have talked about volunteering, but haven’t really done that :-/
I love how enthusiastic you are about homeschooling!! I am becoming too, even though I really didn’t want to homeschool, ever 🙂
You girls are amazing! Wish I could come along with you and help out too! There is so much to be learned through giving and understanding rather than the judging so many people tend to do of those they do not understand.
I always feel so proud and happy when I read about you two girls. Not that I am your mum or anything but I do so love you both from the other side of the world. Kei sometimes reminds me of myself at her age. I always “found” doggies too! And other animals. Actually I still do, they seem to gravitate towards me when they are lost. My poor mum always found herself with a few extras to feed till I found there owners and then there were a couple that were so lost we had to keep them. LOL.
The pictures are gorgeous of course. So happy to finally have time to stop by and leave a comment. (I awoke at some ungodly hour and could not sleep so thought…hmmmm….catch up time!) Take care lovely! Big hugs xoxoxo