Sunday, July 26, 2009

What Every Mother Wants to Hear



Emily just completed a science class at our local library. She loved it!

The first day, my goggle-faced girl came running breathlessly to me and proclaimed, "Mom, we are going to grow bacteria!."

Oh. Yay. Rock on science girl.

Purell anyone?

Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Narrator



First, you put on your leeeeotard. Den, you get some shoes, but any shoes are okay because the teeechhr makes you take dem off anyway. Den we get into the car, no, wait, Mommy gets a yoyyipop and some gum as a reward, when I do good, and she puts them in her purts (purse) before we leave, because we know how hard it is for me to go in that room by myself. Otay, den we get in de car and Mommy drives past de pretzel place to my gymnastics bildin (building). Den we go in the door and wait til the teeeechr is done wif his odder class. Den he says my name and I go to gymnastics. I yike de jumping and flipping, today I did a carwheeeeel (well sort of). At the end, we get stamps and den I run to Mommy and Emmy and dey give me my yoyyipop. It's all good! :)

Hannah's newest thing is to narrate even the simplest of tasks. One would be amazed at the number of steps involved in getting a glass of juice or loading the dishwasher. I asked her the other day if her tongue ever gets tired from all the talking and surprisingly she said, "No".(smile) Then, I suppose my ears are not tired either!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Painted Sky

This past Fourth of July, we did something a little different. Unplanned. Spur of the moment. Fly by the seat of our pants...and it worked!



Some years, we have watched fireworks from our porch, some in my brother's back yard; my sister-in-law can shoot off a mean bottle rocket :) However, we have never actually gone to see them. We had been to the parade, hosted family for lunch and after the girls were bathed and getting ready for bed, I suggested it. How 'bout if we ride up to see the fireworks? We were all for it. The traffic there was unbelievable, all I can say is thank goodness we had Hannah's potty in the car! And the traffic home was way worse but it was well worth it.

On the way, the sun was setting and we hit a stretch of road where the sky above us was huge and this gorgeous orangey-red. Emily noticed it first and she and Hannah discussed how the sky at that moment may very well be BETTER than fireworks. After all, God must have painted it just for them. Imagine the size of that brush! I assure you, this was part of the discussion from the rear of the car.




We found a good spot to park, we popped the tailgate and the fireworks began! It was perfect timing. Emily noted when we were leaving, "He painted the sky for us and then lit it up, pretty good." To which Hannah replied, "Yay God!"



Yay, indeed.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

And the Winner is...

Today's the day! In celebration of our 200th post, I am giving away a two book series complete with a cd. The books are titled, "Motivating your Man, God's Way" and are penned by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Dr. Eggerichs and his wife are the founders of the Love and Respect Program.

So, I enlisted the help of my most accomplished assistant, Emily :) and this is how it went down.


We wrote everyone's names on little pieces of paper

My faithful assistant folded each slip twice


We shook the bowl A LOT! And then she closed her eyes...



and the winner is...Sharon!

Monday, July 13, 2009

New Every Morning

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I love doing this post in the heart of the summer, when the trees are green and birds are flitting about our yard. The smell of freshly cut grass wafts in the windows, that I am leaving open, despite the allergies, just because the days are so beautiful.

Years ago, my dear friend Mary walked me through a trial in my life. She and our friend Leanna, flooded my mailbox with cards and encouragement. With each passing year, that valley I walked seems further and further away. It makes sense though, that I took away something incredibly important that reverberates every now and again in it's sheer simplicity.

God's mercies are new every morning.

There were other scriptures that Mary called upon during that time. There were other scriptures that became my montra during that season of my life, however, the pure fact that His mercies are new every morning comes back in waves (or in the waves:). Here is the cool thing...I used to relate that fact to a direct correlation that something had to be wrong or the days had to be filled with strife in order to receive His new mercies. We had to NEED His new mercies, not in the mundane everyday-ness but in BIG, colossal lamenting type ways. The chosen verse from the book of Lamentations, which is just that, a lament for Jerusalem being destroyed in the beginning chapters, shifts gears midway through the chapter and focuses solely on God's goodness and merciful spirit. This is a reminder to me that lamenting does not always precede the recognition of His mercies. Lamenting may make us more aware, but the truth is, regardless of our circumstance, His mercies are new every morning.

Like His grace, those mercies are a gift, undeserved, yet so graciously doled out! It hit me on the beach last week as I watched three very sweet friends get baptized in the ocean. A Godly family, our friends have no apparent strife or struggle except the normal daily rigors of living. However, that Sunday morning as they prayed together about Sharon (the mommy), Joshua (the son), and Gabrielle (the daughter) being baptized by a pastor-friend from a sister church, His mercies were new that morning. Something new was about to happen that day. The details of what happens after their baptism is between them and God, but we felt so thankful to be there to witness this big day in their lives.


Gabrielle waiting...


Joshua went first...the waves were really high, as you can see! The pastors prayed for him and dunked just shortly after this shot.


Gabrielle went next


Sharon played "clean up" and was baptized last...her husband, Jim was baptized in Israel in February!


Dunked!

You can visit Sharon's blog to see her own accounting of this special time in their lives.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Thankful Thursday

I know. It has been a long time since I did a Thankful Thursday. But, I am feeling grateful for all the blessings in our life.

I am thankful for friends. Treasured friends from years past to new friends we've just made...they are all special. We recently attended a graduation party for one of my former youth group girlies. It was awesome! There is something about seeing them all grown up. Some are dating, some are graduating with their Master's degrees, some are finding new jobs or homes. I love seeing their lives unfold and the choices they are making. I love the way they love our children. The following day we had lunch with some others in the photo below...so.much.fun!

Megan, Jack Jr., Alissa (holding Hannah) Emily and I, Jacquelyn and Katie

Sweet friends of ours invited us to spend a couple of days with them at the beach. It was pure bliss. We had a great time and were simply happy to just be alongside our friends. Emily said we could have done absolutely nothing the whole time and she still would have had the best time ever. Thank you friends, we are so very grateful. There were some incredibly special moments during our time together...those I will save for a separate post. They are worth the wait. ;)

Emily and Gabrielle

Hannah, Gabrielle, Emily, Anna, Joshua

Joshua, Jim and Gabrielle on the Sea Dragon (our boring family said no thank you :)

I am thankful for family reunions. My family has them pretty frequently, but a few weeks ago, we got to meet some of Rob's extended family. It was a gorgeous day in a gorgeous location. We had a great time, and the kids totally enjoyed themselves. Emily reunited with a couple of long-distance cousins she had not seen since Rob's grandfather passed away. It was like time had stood still.


Sage, Hannah and Emily


Emily and Sage...they are now corresponding via email (so cute!)


I want to be where the big girls are!


Hannah going warp speed on her Plasma car


Emily and Charlotte


I am thankful for swimming lessons, playdates, VBS and camps...but, honestly, I love the simplicity of summer. I like that although we plan plenty of visiting and activities, there is some down time to read, reflect and be outside. The girls went on their first fishing trip last week with the help of Rob's Uncle Scott and Em caught her first sunny! That girl can cast a line!!! Next time, different bait and different location to see if her sister can snag a few.

I caught my first fish!!! (I know it is hard to see, but it is there!)



I am thankful for juicy watermelon, big fat blueberries, sunshine, chlorine, family, friends, bicycles and fireflies. God bless summer!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday


Friday, July 3, 2009

Happy Fourth of July!!



God Bless America!

Music


 
© Welcome to Our Little Ladybugs!
CoffeeShop Designs