1•2•3 :: A Week Away.

We all have those weeks that seem to have 4x's the amount of to-dos and events than any other during the year. Mine was last week. Some items are still carrying over into this week, but for the most part, I'm feeling much better about life. After a week of craziness like that, I can't help but think about things that I completely adore.

01. Husbands. I've missed my kids terribly as I worked away. As one who is prone to feeling guilty, I am grateful for my husband who took off work a few days over the past two weeks so I could play catch up without feeling neglectful. J is such a loving support. He is my right-hand, my shoulder, my everything. When I am sad, he is sad. When I am happy, he is happy. We live for each other. It is the best thing in the world to have a love like that. I am so glad to have him, now and always.

Waiting for the 4th of July parade ||  Husband covering baby's ears when sirens passed.

02. Holidays. I took the 4th off. Almost completely unplugged and it was wonderful. I love that holidays give you a guilt-free break from work. (It is true. I feel guilt way too often.) I even turned my phone sound off. I needed to be away. It was a lovely, relaxing holiday. Front row parade seats, saved by a friend who camped out over night. Monstrous and delicious everything-burgers prepared by this lovely lady. Popsicles and Boston cream pie. (Yep...BOTH.) Sprinklers and swimsuits. Movies and fireworks. Just what the doctor ordered.

Carnivores, eat your heart out. 

03. My Camera. I'm not a pro, but I adore photography. I lug my Rebel around with me where ever I go. I get teased about shooting pictures of everything. It may not be fancy, but it has treated me well and has preserved my memories. On Saturday, we went to Toy Story 3. (Darling, by the way.) As we were packing up once the movie ended,  J threw my son's sippy cup into my purse. He didn't know that my camera was in there. Water spilled everywhere. I found my camera the next morning, wet with an error flashing. It turned off after a few seconds and then wouldn't turn back on.  I cried. Full on sobbing. I know, it is just a thing. A possession. But, it is a possession that we can't replace right now. (Sadly, husband's tuition ranks higher on the budget than my camera.) I, who have never missed church for anything other than vacation or sickness, stayed home because I couldn't stop crying over my camera. I KNOW. Pathetic. I adore that little gadget. I can't live without a camera; it and I are attached at the hip.
I am proud to report, however, that the Rebel has been resurrected. It works! I dried it off as much as I could. Took out the battery and memory card. Took off the lens and left all the doors and latches open. I placed it in sealed bag of rice, which absorbs moisture. After 48 hours, I put everything back together, took a deep breath and switched it to "on." IT WORKED. Phew.

Now I just have to deal with the guilt of skipping church over a camera.