2014

I need your help 2014.

I need you to slow down. 

I need you to be kind.

I would like you to be sweet to my children

so they will look back on this year
with happy hearts.

I welcome you to bring us new opportunities.

I want to learn new things this year,
I want to push myself and reach goals,
even the ones that my brain tells me are unattainable.

I want to be brave.
I want to serve more.
I want my children to drink you up and
really taste every minute, to revel in the moments.
 To  let their hearts be full
and
learn from mistakes that might not be made
if they play it safe.
To help us take chances
And
to let their HOPE soar.

As we near summer break
I pray over them with a reverent heart,
For grace, for mercy.
I think about my 16 year old driver,
my football player
And
my girl who wants to do it all...

Let them be little,
Let them have fun,
Let them help others,
Let them be brave,
Let them be safe.
Let them remember to enjoy each second.

Busy bees

There is a lot of buzzing about happening here lately. Swimming in the lake, family time at the local water park,  and making new friends.  I am excited for my Madi because two little sisters moved down the street and they are about Madi's age. She is thrilled.  That means starting a new school with someone to lean on.

This couldn't have happened at a better time since our trip to Ohio was postponed and

I had one upset little girl on my hands.

This seemed to ease the pain a little.  Thank God for His perfect timing.
In Ohio now and having fun with family and friends.  It is funny how the kids just pick up where they leave off each year.  Time and space does not really separate them.
Our 4th was spent with family in the park watching the fireworks and trying to stay cool in the heat, however my brother in law and sister had us out to their lovely farm the night before for a little party and Ryan set off some wonderful fireworks. It was a lovely time and the kiddos had a blast. Here are some photos of our time in Ohio so far.

Whip cream fight

Playing dress up in my shoes

Boys will be boys

 Greeters at church with their Aunt Jenny

A lovely evening

 Waiting to eat...two peas in a pod...Cameron and Zade

Watcing Zadey play baseball, Love it!

At Coney Island Water Park

A  church fair

pretty girls

Madi and Ethan

 Happy 4th

Cam

 The Boys

Ethan getting dunked

It is always a blessing spending time with those you love and who love you. Thinking of my sisters in Arizona and still hoping I will get to see them soon as well. 

A summer moment

Last week we visited our local water park, we had a wonderful day together. The kids went down water slides and we all hit the wave pool for some family dream time.  Nate loves doing this with our kiddos. He asks them what they are dreaming about lately or what would they have if they could have anything right now. The kids talk about first cars and a house even closer to the lake. But what struck me, was watching the kiddos walk away to go slide some more...

I smiled, smiled the biggest smile at how they have grown, how they were little and
how  now, they are not.
It was a good day. One of those days that you remember always.
I cherish these moments, especially because my kiddos have so many things on their plate. The time we spend all together is so special to me.

It is those little moments that build a life, a life time of memories that we take with us wherever we go and no matter how old we get, we'll remember those special times we spend together. 

Life is far too short, it goes by so fast.

I hold on to these memories even a little tighter these days as I see how fast the time has gone and

how my precious ones are growing more and more each day.

It was a good day.

Rainy days and summer dreamin

source

   Today is a rainy, messy hair kind of day.  Cameron is on a field trip exploring a cave, Madi is diligently writing a paper for my language class, and Ethan is at the Jr. High,  probably still smiling from last night's talent show.  It was a hard to leave the house kind of morning. Where you linger at the front door imagining you really don't have to go.

   This is the kind of day I would rather stay in bed for.  Hot cocoa and a down blanket. Old,  favorite movies and 4 loves to cuddle with. I am sure the two pups and our cat, Shadow would join in the cuddle fest too. These are the days when you want to sit on the back porch and drink in the smell of the rain, have a  tea party, and enjoy warm biscuits with jam.  

   I long for summer. For days when no alarm clock interrupts my slumber. For long, sunny days outside with no dress code and bubbles to blow about.  I long for my kids to play until dinner time and not be worried about bed times or homework.  For camps,  fun projects and tan lines. Time with cousins to pretend, giggle and share memories of the past school year. For growth spurts and pretty summer dresses. For trips near the water and time with good friends. For my feet in the grass, the sand or in the water.  Happy Friday lovelies...Are you longing for summer also?