We had a fun night of dinner and fireworks on the beach with some very special friends last night. I love how God has used our friendship to encourage and inspire us. So grateful for this special family.
I am constantly growing and learning on this journey of parenthood; not just through watching the three of you, but also through you watching me.
Last week one night, you observed my reaction and mood change after someone had hurt my feelings. Admittedly, I am very sensitive and I realize that I often take things personal that aren't said to hurt me. That evening, you came to me to ask me what had happened. I started to explain to you why my feelings were hurt.
With thought and respect you carefully told me that I wasn't being Jesus like. You also said that it isn't fun to be around a person who is grumpy. You continued to try to share the same situation from another perspective.
By the time you finished, my eyes were filled with tears. I am not only grateful that I was able to see that I wasn't being kind and was insisting on my own way and thoughts, but that you were bold enough to tell me. Often in life, I wouldn't have been able to say what you said. You risked upsetting me, to share what you truly believed in your heart.
It was a great example of how we all need grace. In our home, as we strive to teach you all, I think one of the greatest gifts you can see is humility. I am in need of His grace, just as much as you are. I am in need of your grace and forgiveness, just as you need ours. We all mess up daily, but through love we will grow together.
Today we got to enjoy some time together just the two of us. You asked if you could paint. I bought some stencils and we taped them on the board. You then filled the animal shapes with different colors of paint. You loved seeing all the painted animals when you were finished.
Today was opening day of Gator Football. Daddy took the two of you to the game with Uncle Rusty and the girls. You met Mimi and Popi there. Sadly, the rain and lightening cancelled the game. Thankfully, there will be more games for you to attend this season. Go Gators!
You were feeling much better today after having run fever for the past few days. So happy to see you back to your normal self.
Life is about choices. We can chose to overcome fear, or we can chose to let fear stop us. Too often in life, I have chosen the later. I have chosen to stay comfortable and safe; but each day, I am challenged to live life differently. We all are.Last night you faced one of your own fears. You tried out for a local competitive soccer team. It wasn't your skill or ability that you questioned. No, you were nervous because all of the players on the team, with the exception of one, are boys. We talked a lot about fear in the days before her try out and ultimately you decided you were going to go. I was so proud as I watched you run and play as hard as you could. At the end of practice, you were asked to join the team. I knew you could do it, but you needed to know this as well.These words from Called Me Higher, by All Sons and Daughters, are such a great challenge to each of us. We are all called to go higher and deeper. Will we choose to leave “our comfortable” and be changed from the inside? I pray that my answer will be Yes.“I could just sit. I could just sit and wait for all your goodness. Hope to feel your presence. And I could just stay. I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel you. Hope to feel something again.
And I could hold on. I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside. And I could be safe. I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home. Never let these walls down.
But you have called me higher. You have called me deeper.”
Today we did a fun art activity outside using watercolors, glue and salt. It created beautiful 3-D glittery designs. All three of you enjoyed this project. As I watched you create today, I couldn't help but notice your eye lashes, your chipped nail polish on your tiny fingers, and the joy that always surrounds you. I pray I never stop seeing these details that make you who you are.
This has been the summer of kayaking. You guys love kayak on the lake with your friends and cousins and explore. Baby sissy is patiently waiting her turn to be old enough to kayak by herself. And a portrait of the three of you is wonderful to capture. Real expressions and all.
Abundant joy, laughter, smiles. I want to look back on my days with you and remember these moments fully. Often, as I lay next to you at bedtime, I let my shortcomings fog my memory of the day. Perhaps, I lost my patience, raised my voice, and didn't listen intently. I could go on, but I won’t. You see, I am so good at giving grace to the three of you. I love you with a total unconditional love, yet I forget to love my self this way.
This weekend I read these words from Judah Smith: “Grace points us toward Jesus. It keeps us humble, and it also gives us hope that we can live a good life after all. When we mess up, we don’t get emotionally derailed. We get up and try again because we know Jesus is on our side. He’s not mad at us or even disappointed in us. He’s excited that we are trying and he is there to help us learn and grow.”
I am guessing I am not the only one that has ever “emotionally derailed” when thinking back on the day’s events. As I remind myself, I want to remind others as well; every day is a new day to keep trying. He is using every mistake, trial, and bad day, to allow us to grow closer to Him, if we just let Him. I want to do more than just get up and try again. I want to remember the Joy that only He gives us. That Joy is not circumstantial and is always there to give us strength. And His Mercy is greater than any shortcoming.
Today was the last day of soccer camp. I love seeing you all playing this year. It is going to be a fun fall.
Soccer season started this week with a camp. It was so fun to see you two take the field together for the first time this year. You both have watched your sisters from the sidelines since you were born. Now, at almost 4 and 5, it is your turn to play together. (And those shin guards are hard to get of)
This was the day we made a homemade slip n slide. We were all so excited to see how it worked. Sadly, it was a big flop. But you guys had fun in the sprinkler anyway.
It doesn't matter how much we try to sit and linger, to enjoy each day together.....summer still flies by. Trying to soak in every last bit of it.
My sweet girl who loves to sleep in. Waking up is hard.
I LOVE being together as a family, but I think individual time is important to have with each child. This week we have enjoyed swimming at night--just the two of us. It's been such fun and we've had the opportunity for some wonderful conversations. It has been so special to have this time together and hear what is on your heart. There’s really something magical about these summer nights at the pool.
The local schools started back today. You were all a little sad knowing some of your friends would be off at school all day. 3:00 came and you were ready to play. It felt like 100 degrees, so you created your own backyard water park.
Fall soccer season is upon us and you girls are excited and ready to play. The backyard has become the nightly practice field.
Last week Daddy came home to find our sweet lab Buster in the kitchen pantry. He was shaking and laying in a puddle in the dark. He could not get up or walk. We didn't know what was wrong and thought we would be saying goodbye forever that night. After a trip to the vet ER we found out he had vestibular disease. The outcome was not certain, but definitely hopeful. A week later he is doing much better. He has not recovered 100%, but pray in time he will. At almost 15 years old, we realize that our days with him are limited.
One afternoon this week, I found you laying on the floor with Buster. There was something so raw and so beautiful as I saw you laying there together.
It was another fun filled morning in the sun and water with your cousins.
