naughty climber

He's climbing.
And doesn't always know how to get down.

All before 11 a.m.
Is this what having a boy is going to be like?

stinky

went to kickboxing this morning.
the butt crack of dawn, as we might say in my earlier years.
(sorry Grandma if you're reading this)
the grossest thing about my time there wasn't how much I was sweating.
it wasn't even that I could smell my stench 15 minutes into it.
it was definitely the fact that I could smell my hands in the car on the way home.
with the windows down.
I borrowed boxing gloves from that place this morning.
they were obviously used.
I've washed my hands.
twice.
sang the ABC's while I washed them so it would be extra long.
they're still stinky.
gross.

I remember sitting on top of the ice cream maker when I was little.  It made me feel big... important.  

Now we have an electric ice cream maker.  It's loud, and it screams at you for about 45 minutes.  Oh, and instead of actually making homemade ice cream from scratch, we buy a mix. Chad likes to make it from scratch better.  I like the easy lazy way. 

the ice cream maker

 

the ice

t

the mix

t

the helper

    the process

t

the prize

t

the checkmark  

 

Let's Pretend

Let's pretend for a minute.
Let's pretend that there was this mom who woke up every morning with a smile on her face.  She was overjoyed to see her children awake and happily playing together.

Let's pretend that this woman played with her kids all day long doing what they wanted to do- nevermind the agenda that was on HER mind.  (Dusting the house, washing the blinds, cleaning out the car, scrubbing the bathroom.)


Let's pretend that she runs into her husband's arms the moment he came in the door.  She gives him a kiss, "How was your day?", supper is almost ready.


Yes, let's pretend she actually MADE supper.


Let's pretend that the kids were well behaved at the supper table.  Everyone waited for each other to sit down to pray, and then let's pretend they all talked cheerfully about their day.  Because, after all, it was perfect the whole day, right?


Let's pretend they laughed, and had fun all evening doing things from their "summer list," because they were being intentional about how they spent their time.


Sound like your day today?  Or yesterday?  
Nah, not mine either.


And while I do love summertime with my kids- it seems that each summer is a new experience.  This summer we have three kids who can walk by themselves.  Two kids who feel fairly comfortable in the swimming pool by themselves.  One parent who works during the day away from home.  Oh, how I miss that man when he's not here.


Certain events that happened last week made me want to be more intentional about something else this summer.  Putting God's love in my heart.  I mean, it's there.  I just don't use it to it's full potential.  Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your strength.

These words that I am giving you today

are to be in your heart.

Repeat them to your children.

Talk about them when you sit in your house

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Bind them as a sign on your hand 

and let them be a symbol on your forehead.

Write them on the doorposts of your house

and on your gates."

I'm not a good pretender.

Yes, I did spend most of my childhood pretending

with my dolls and Barbies.  But, now is not the time to pretend to be a strong Christian.  I need to show my children that I love the Lord.  And the Lord says I need to raise my children up loving Him.  

Last week I heard a mom say over and over to her son, "Do the right thing."  Today I heard a woman speak at Amy's baby shower about raising your son to be a man of the Lord.  That's pretty powerful.  

So, I'm not pretending to be that perfect mom, wife, friend- like the one I described above.  But, I'm hoping I can be like her sometime throughout my day- and show that Jesus is in my heart. 

Be the mom who, when she wakes up, hears the devil say, "Aw crap.  She's awake."

spies

Nothin' gets past these spies.
They're sneaky,
and quiet,
and oh so pretty in their spy dresses.

These spies can spot what they're looking for from the porch, in a bush, or by the tree.

I spy with my little eye...

something that is YOU!

the "farm"

We went to a friend's house in the country.
The girls wanted to know what kind of animals were at this farm.
They learned that some "farms" don't have animals.
These friends live in the country with barns, a creek, fresh spring water, lots of open space, an old farm house they are remodeling, dirt roads.... need I go on?  Doesn't it just sound like a place for a mom?

I loved it. 
I loved being in the open spaces.
I loved seeing the kids having a great time with new friends.
And I loved hearing that one of my favorite boys still wants to marry my Gracie.
It's an arranged marriage I believe in.

But, one other thing this farm has is mulberries.
The kids picked them off the trees and were allowed to bring them home!
Beki, you're seriously going to love having me in the family someday. 
We'd be at your door all the time with fresh muffins in a basket!  HA!
I could attempt to put mulberries in them.

Thank you, Beki, for 

letting us come over today!

warning

To the Paparazzi someday...

NO PICTURES!  GET OUTTA HERE!

I SAID- NO PICTURES!

(deep in thought)