Hi friends! Where on earth have y’all been? 🙂
Ahhh, it’s good to be here. I’ve been thinking a lot about coming to this place and posting, but life is full, and life is busy, and there may be a touch of chaos in the mix too. I can talk myself out of sitting down to post about 9 times out of 10, mainly because I feel my responsibilities elsewhere take precedence. These three little children seem to grow up overnight. As many of you know, they come with great responsibility and in the last few weeks I feel my position as wife & mother have left little room for much else, which is ok, because this is where I am now. One day I know I will be lonesome for my precious children, so while the responsibilities are great the rewards are far greater!
We are also making great efforts to wear out our suitcases. We are still living at the beach, with our main home 200+ miles away, and we find ourselves attempting to be here {the beach} which is where we live 90% of the time and still manage a home and business that are there back home. I’ve often felt like I’m either preparing to travel {packing} or recovering from travel {unpacking & laundry}. The kids are so resilient and never show signs of being affected by this going-back-and-forth life we live right now. They are eager to go and equally as eager to return, and for that we are so grateful. They make it easier on us, and anything that makes this easier on us is appreciated! We are still loving living here at the beach and all it has to offer, but I would be amiss if I didn’t admit that I miss my friends, church, and Community Bible Study. I remind myself these are all things to look forward to when we return home. And while we are living in a somewhat unpredictable situation, still unsure of how long we will be here, I am thankful for the promises of God and His unchanging word, and how it becomes afresh again and again. Last week I read and prayed through Psalm 139 and it was such a sweet encouragement to me… he searches us, he knows us, he hems us in & he never leaves us.
I took the kids to the park on Sunday afternoon to play and an added bonus of our park is that it’s also waterfront. Despite a dense fog, we had a blast, I sat in the sand with a book and they enjoyed a frisky little kitty that wasn’t afraid of the water and literally followed us everywhere.
I’m also reading two books right now, the one pictured above, Last Child in the Woods and Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Spy at my mother-in-law’s high recommendation. Both non-fiction, both thought-provoking, both encouraging… but in different ways. I’ll report back when I’m finished reading.
Backing up to December… we packed up and headed to the brown house the week before Christmas, and then we packed up again a few days later and made the journey to Illinois to spend Christmas with Mom & Daddy Boy and my extended family. Its a hike to get there, especially loaded down with Christmas loot. It had been over a year since we had traveled there, and when you have growing children that great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins hadn’t seen in over a year its worth any heartache to get there. Erika {my twin sister, if you happen to be new} already posted on Christmas here. Her pictures for the most part tell the story and she has many more than I do, but I will add a few of my favorite things from Christmas…
:: Christmas Highlights ::
A night with friends celebrating Christmas with a fire, carols, & Christmas stories before journeying north–family {love, love, love ’em}–Bingo–Dirty Santa & soup on Christmas Eve–the schoolhouse–Cousin & George’s “Christmas sweaters” from JCPenney–Christmas morning chaos–snow–tractor rides– Daddy Boy’s never-ending projects–children bundled in down jackets–the man shed & its wood burning stove– food–the triplets–sunsets–fires
That’s all for now and I’m going to try not to be a stranger!!
Katharina
January 24, 2012 at 5:17 pmHello Darby! This look so nice, exciting and comfortable at the same time! (Can not blieve it is so warm that you can spend time and sit on the beach…) Wish you and your family the best for 2012 and hope you get to spend lots of quality time with your family. Thank you taking the time and post 🙂 Greetings from cold Europe.
Keri
January 24, 2012 at 5:38 pmYAY!!! SO good to hear/see a post and that yall are well! Nothing compares to His promises and He remains the same. Love all the pics and the sunsets! Please dont be a stranger! 🙂
Pru @ Perfecting Pru
January 24, 2012 at 6:13 pmYippee! You’re back! So pleased you had a wondeful Christmas and that you are all well and happy! Looking forward to your next post safe in the knowledge that you are enjoying life to the full with your family.
whiteny
January 24, 2012 at 6:44 pmWelcome back Miss Darby! It’s great to hear from you! All the kiddos look so grown up since I last saw pictures of them, I can’t imagine how it flys by for you. Looking forward to hearing from you (when you find time) in 2012!!!
Stephanie
January 24, 2012 at 7:03 pmHappy New Year, Darby! I, too, am feeling especially needed away from my computer… What a blessing it is to have things beyond the world wide web that need YOU and no one else. It sounds like your perspective on this seaon of life is right on target 🙂
Deanne @ Delighted
January 24, 2012 at 7:43 pmHi Darby! So glad you’re “back”–I sure missed reading your lovely posts! But I absolutely understand your reasoning for not taking more time to blog. You’re an excellent mother–keeping your beautiful little ones as priority #1! Thanks for the updates and look forward to your next post, whenever that may be!
Lizziefitz
January 24, 2012 at 7:43 pmGlad your back . I love how your mom and dad have their feet the EXACT same way in the last picture, too cute.
molly
January 24, 2012 at 7:52 pmSame here- love your parents’ identical feet in the last picture! Blessings to you and yours in 2012.
Tracy
January 24, 2012 at 8:16 pmYour first paragraph and long absence reminds me of this verse in Nehemiah: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” It is the mantra of several of my mom friends. I always enjoy your blog – it always makes me miss the south and long to move back home where okra is always deep fried. Welcome back.
abbie
January 24, 2012 at 8:33 pmI loved the Last Child in the Woods book–look forward to hearing what you think.
My mother has raved about the Bonhoeffer biography. It’s on my list. It’s really amazing to contemplate the courage he had to stand up for the truth in the midst of such horrible circumstances. I heard an interview with the author of the book and ended up thinking about what he said for days.
What cute little bitty triplets!
LisaFrith
January 24, 2012 at 8:41 pmHey Darby, I love … love … love the Christmas pics. My absolute fave is the last one ~ because of the way your sweet parents are resting their feet identically! Priceless …
cassie
January 24, 2012 at 8:43 pmhad your Dad bought a store? is that what the picture is of your daughter standing in the empty shop. oh I hope so!! If so I just can’t wait to see what he will do with it
Debbie
January 24, 2012 at 8:59 pmLove the pictures!
I am glad that my son isnt the only one who lines things up (I think about your son sometimes when he does it)
I love that he has rides for all his animals.
Kristin F.
January 24, 2012 at 9:01 pmI’m so glad you’re back! A friend and I were just talking about how much we were missing your posts. The pictures are beautiful and your kids are adorable… as always.
Bridget
January 24, 2012 at 9:08 pmAlways love looking at your photos, and had to laugh to myself at the first one because I’m certain our boys would get along famously…animals paired with cars is the way we play here too! Must be the age! Thanks for the smile!
kt
January 24, 2012 at 9:11 pmsoooo wonderful to peek into your nest, as always. been missing you, your pictures, your family, and your inspirations. thank goodness pinterest has been filling in during your absence. love all the pictures…the kids look so BIG! i have to say that paige looks so much older to me in these pictures. when did she grow up? and why??? 🙂 love and miss you!!!
Brandi
January 24, 2012 at 9:29 pmLove how your mom and Daddy Boy have their feet crossed the exact same way! So sweet!
Cherish @ Southern Soul Mates
January 24, 2012 at 9:34 pmWhat fun pictures of great memories!! So glad to hear y’all are doing well despite living in transition! The Lord is good and faithful and I’m thankful for the comfort He provides. The kids are growing fast and changing so much-and are as beautiful as ever! 🙂
Kelley
January 24, 2012 at 9:41 pmAlways happy to check in and see you’ve written!
Thanks for sharing! Glad all is well.
Anne W
January 24, 2012 at 9:59 pmDarby, I was so happy to see an update from you 🙂 I hardly recognized Paige–her hair is so long, and she looks so grown up! I was also wondering if there was any chance you were planning to re-stock any of the kid’s sweatshirts from Honey Bee Tees?? Some of us still have a couple months of winter to go and my little guy sure could use a size xs 🙂
The Mom
January 24, 2012 at 10:02 pmOh how we have missed you in blogland, but I totally understand and appreciate that your lives have been very full and very very busy. Just know that you are loved and missed! So happy to see that you are still staying the course with your family…no matter where you are! I encourage you just to repack the suitcases with clean clothes and slide them under your beds or in a closet where they will perpetually be ready to go! Do not forget that your children are learning such great life lessons on how to make life and family work in the midst of sacrifice and the choice to be together, even if it makes your life crazy, crazy, crazy. It’s a great opportunity to embrace adventure and let the little things go! I applaud you and I pray for you and your beloved ones whenever you come to mind. Children are incredibly resilient…we adults are the ones who are less so. Keep the faith, dear sweet Darby and know that you are making memories for a lifetime. That water-loving kitty and your day at the park is just one of many! Blessings!
Nancy
January 24, 2012 at 10:10 pmI enjoy your blog so much but hardly ever comment on blogs. 🙂 I can understand about being busy and not having time. I’m glad to read this post. Actually, Eric Metaxas spoke at our church last week. I wasn’t able to attend, but I heard it was really great. I will be interested to read your impressions of his book.
Nelle
January 24, 2012 at 10:30 pmHi,
Wonderful to see your kids growing up and Paige’s hair so long and cute, JM with a fresh cut and Morgan just as pretty as ever. Am I the only one who gasps for joy when you pop up in my blog roll? Thank you again for sharing your life. Those triplets! The snow. The Daddy Boy man shed. Ha! Love Psalm 139 so, so much. And Last Child in the Woods is such a good book. A friend from college started KaBoom! (kaboom.org) and helps builds playgrounds all over. Very inspiring if you haven’t heard of it yet.
Blessings to you and your 200+ mile situation. I’m sure you will be glad when it is all over but enjoy what it is bringing to you.
xoxo,
Nelle
Kari
January 24, 2012 at 10:48 pmI love your parents feet in the last picture. I can’t wait until my husband and I are so familiar with each other that we sit the same way! 🙂
Cat Moore
January 24, 2012 at 10:57 pmI’ve been stalking and stalking and got SO excited when I saw this post! 1. I can’t handle Rover’s big boy haircut. 🙁 2. are those triplets!? Yes, why yes they are! holy moly, i can’t handle that cuteness either. 3. that car mat rover is playing on…my son would be in Heaven! love it. 🙂 thanks for sharing your family, life and pics. xoxo
Emily
January 24, 2012 at 11:02 pmI love the group pic, two of the triplets are smiling at each other! Too cute! We love hearing from you!
Teresa
January 25, 2012 at 12:31 amLove, love every picture….Beach pictures and Chritmas pictures…It does not get any better
Justine
January 25, 2012 at 1:04 amOh so happy to see a post from you! Please post again soon. 🙂
Jen
January 25, 2012 at 1:40 amSo glad your parents are doing something with the building on the corner! I can’t wait to see the end product!
Jeff Hokanson
January 25, 2012 at 1:54 amDarby, Great Pics. You take the ordinary and make it interesting and the interesting you make inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
meaghan
January 25, 2012 at 1:58 amdaaaarrrrrbbbyyyy!!!! yay 🙂 i’ve been waffling in and out of blogland lately too. God has really been working on me with “she does not eat the bread of idleness” as i watch my three little boys grow so so fast. thanks for your honestly, and integrity to just be a mommy. great example 🙂 hey, have you read radical by david platt? i feel like you’d really like it 🙂 xoxo meaghan
angela
January 25, 2012 at 4:18 amCan’t wait to see what Daddy Boy is doing with that building!!! Who do the triplets belong to? I know you so enjoyed time with your family! Yep, the feet thing with your mom and dad, I loved it too!! So glad you are back!
Stephnaie
January 25, 2012 at 6:47 amAhhh! Lovely pics. So cute how your parents have their legs in the same position in the last photo. 🙂 Oh and whatever that space is…looks divine and nostalgic!
Meredith
January 25, 2012 at 7:09 amYah! A post from Darby! Loved the pictures from Christmas.
Mary
January 25, 2012 at 7:42 amBonhoffer. Wow. It took me awhile to get through it- the ins and outs of the church politics and nazi Germany are a little dense, right? Power through- the story and writings of DB are still an encouragement today that our faith can provoke such radical action.
Shannon @ Project Shannon
January 25, 2012 at 8:57 amI’m so glad you decided to take a slice of your spare time to check in with all of us here. I so miss your regular updates, but definitely can’t blame you for taking time for yourself. I can’t believe how fast your child are growing, so I can only imagine how you must feel!
Look forward to you checking in again soon!
Shannon
Anne
January 25, 2012 at 9:31 amI love seeing pictures of the kids…since we don’t get to see them in person very often. It’s fun to see the changes…Paige especially always looks different…don’t know why…. Glad you take time to ENJOY them…so many people are busy rushing around to all the activities…they forget to just relax and enjoy their kids! That picture of all the cars and the animals on them cracked me up…JM is too much!
Katie
January 25, 2012 at 10:04 amAs a mother, I can only imagine how hard the traveling back and forth is. But I can tell you that my daddy worked away sometimes while we were growing up, and in the summers, momma would pack me and my sister up and we’d all go spend long lengths of time wherever daddy was, and then we’d come home. We were probably about the ages of your girls. We all look back on those days as some of our favorite times as a family! Isn’t that funny? We explored a lot, and we have so many memories of it all. I’m sure your sweet babies will, too. 🙂
Have you noticed your parents feet in that last picture?? I love it!
Melanie
January 25, 2012 at 10:23 amSo great to hear from you! Glad you had a great Christmas with family and friends and yes yes yes….those babies are the priority of your life!!!! They have grown a ton since the last pictures!!! HA!
Jennifer
January 25, 2012 at 10:47 amYeah! Welcome back! As usual love your pics! Looks like everyone had a great holiday!!
LeAnne
January 25, 2012 at 10:56 amYou have the most beautiful family and children! Looks like y’all had fun.
becky
January 25, 2012 at 11:20 amso happy to see a post from you! welcome back!
Leah
January 25, 2012 at 12:10 pmI am so glad youre back! I was thinking about you this morning! (so creepy to say that to someone you dont know) But im glad youre christmas was great, pictures are beautiful!
Christy Johnston
January 25, 2012 at 12:14 pmThat last picture of the kids with your mom and dad is perfection. I love them all, but especially love how your parents feet are positioned the same way. Such a neat photo. Such a blessed family.
bevy
January 25, 2012 at 12:28 pmoh my gosh, triplets! that must be fun, for someone!
I really enjoy yours and your sister’s pictures! it’s so fun seeing how others live life. I’m pretty sure Daddy Boy needs a blog of his own.
I totally understand about having to be there for the children. I’ve said this before, but I don’t want my child ever thinking that electronics are more important than her, but it really is a tough dilemma raising a child in this high-tech world, where our phones do pretty much everything!
Sarah
January 25, 2012 at 12:43 pmGlad you’re back!
caw
January 25, 2012 at 1:35 pmHeeeeeyyyyyy!! I look forward to your posts !!!
mandy
January 25, 2012 at 1:40 pmSo glad you are enjoying yourself and I, too, find that different stages of my children’s lives are more demanding. It cycles in and out and while I LOVE to read your posts and keep updated, I totally get prioritizing! The kids are precious and so grown up looking; my how they have changed!!! Happy New Year! Mandy
Molly @thewaffler
January 25, 2012 at 2:32 pmWhat a lovely day at the beach! As always, your photos are gorgeous!!!
The Hill Hangout
January 25, 2012 at 2:38 pmDarby, one of my favorite things about homeschooling is being able to pack up and go whenever we want to. I ADORE the itinerate lifestyle you talk about here. Yes, it wears us out sometimes, but we covet the time we spend with grandparents in Orange Beach and Mississippi, as well as the time we are able to spend “seeing the world.” I’m hoping to show my girls that there is a whole world beyond our cozy little neighborhood. Your children will benefit so much from your effort to stay connected to family and friends, and yet experience a different lifestyle at the beach. I’m looking forward to reading Bonhoffer, too. It’s on my list.
Michele
January 25, 2012 at 2:46 pmLove reading your blog. Thought I would share this website with you. http://www.camlettes.com. An awesome cropped camisole that you and your readers would LOVE!
Brittaney
January 25, 2012 at 3:38 pmTriplets?! Oh dear! I love the picture of your parents with all the grandbabies. And that Raiger, she’s just too sweet!
Lindsey A.
January 25, 2012 at 3:50 pmYeah! You’re back (even if for a brief moment). Looks like you had a wonderful holiday. I can’t believe how much your kids have grown. Feels like the youngest two have gotten so much taller even since your last post. They are too cute! And who had triplets?!? My lord, good luck to their parents!
Bonnie W.
January 25, 2012 at 7:41 pmWe miss ya’ll so much, too! Enjoyed the beautiful photos! That cat looks so sweet . . .and the pictures are, too . . . LOVE the one with the cat’s footprints on the beach all around JM.
melissa
January 25, 2012 at 10:19 pmLookslke u guys had a fun day at the beach…that cat is definitely hilarious! Family at Christmas…it doesn’t get any better than that. Wish you and yours a very healthy happy new year!
Amy Olsaver
January 25, 2012 at 10:21 pmLooks like I’m not the only one who noticed how adorable your parents are with their feet the same way, so cute! Happy 2012!
Abby Maddox
January 26, 2012 at 10:26 amLord help my large pregnant thighs! But love the memory of that night enough that’s it’s worth it to have my flat splayed across the world wide web. Mainly, so glad to see a post! Hopin I get to see this weekend. Still not sure about birmingham
Megan Shirley
January 26, 2012 at 11:35 amI read Bonhoffer and Last Child in the Woods last year. Both great and inspiring (in different ways of course). I also loved Simplicity Parenting which fits in nicely with LCITW.
julia
January 26, 2012 at 7:24 pmMy mom raved about that Bonhoffer book. I tried (I really did!) to get through it but I only made it a quarter of the way.
Konie
January 28, 2012 at 11:20 amI understand every feeling and word u wrote:) I have sometimes called myself Ken’s gypsy:)) ( as I write this from Bham:) Dothan welcomes you all anytime u can be there:) And maybe I’m in your CBS spot this year. I’ll keep your chair warm…..next to your precious MIL:) Thanks for your post and pics:)
Snekcip
January 31, 2012 at 3:37 pmHey Darby!! Welcome back!! So good to read and update and totally understand your absence!! I don’t know if I miss some updates (which I rarely do) but who’s does that TRIPLE DOSE of cuteness belong to!! Of course, not your set of TRIPLE CUTENESS (…but the wee ones) They are too adorable!!!
Macy Dawn
January 31, 2012 at 5:32 pmWelcome back. I know the feeling of needing to take some personal time away from blogging to catch up with real life. BTW, I love the last photo of your mom and dad. Their feet are positioned identically. 🙂
Sara
January 31, 2012 at 5:51 pmGlad to have you back, Darby! Sounds like you’ve been busy in a good way. I’m not sure how you tackle it all, thanks for fitting the blogging in as it is sure inspiring.
Adama
February 9, 2012 at 12:49 amLove the hoensty. For me, when we are willing to be honest and open is when real community and friendship happens. Thank you for sharing!
lyiqqiimx
February 9, 2012 at 8:46 amPiyQfU asdfhvtgebcc
Laura Veenema
February 12, 2012 at 9:59 pmIs that a VOGELZANG wood-burning stove?
Alison
February 14, 2012 at 10:35 pmWell, what lovely photos. You’ve inspired me to get my kids out there and get some good old-fashioned playing under our belt.
cecilia
March 2, 2012 at 12:31 amDarby, The pictures of the triplets sent me back a few years. I have triplets — 3 girls — who will be 5 years old in April. I remember those car seat days. Tell your family member with the triplets to call me if they need advice, or someone to talk to who’ll understand their situation! I have a couple of moms of triplets that live locally to call on, and it’s great (their trips are older than mine, so they’ve already gone through my situations!). You’re photography is amazing. Thank you for link to Psalm 139. It was good for me to read and reflect on.
charming date
September 12, 2012 at 9:00 pmWow,so big family! How happy life!