137) the way that Simeon and Justus jump up and down and up and down with excitement
138)being humbled, and being willing to accept it
139)free iced coffee day
140)sitting outside in the evening, watching the cars go by, baby on my lap
141)the accomplished feeling of a good yard sale find
142) singing to my boys while they sleep
143) a game of follow the leader
We've discovered that Cole has a love for animals that we've never seen in one of our boys until now... He truly shakes at the sight of one. We have been spending many free moments at the window, on the porch, wherever we can catch a glance of a squirrel or a bird, or maybe even a dog walking by. It is pure joy to watch his excitement, and to learn more of what makes him him...
The older boys are anxiously awaiting their camping trip with daddy next week. When asked what they want to do first, Simeon said "roast marshmallows" and Justy said "go for a hike". Simeon came back to me later to clarify, and he has made it known that really, his favorite part of camping is EVERYTHING.
My week has been extra busy and my soul feels a little bit restless tonight but I am aware of God tugging on my heart, telling me I can rest.
No need to be restless, even when I've messed up a bit or my attitude is somewhat yucky or I feel like I wasted time. I am not on the line, and I can live free.
Tonight I will stick with that...
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
all kinds of happy
I read this blog entry by Ann Voskamp at the beginning of the week and it hit me deep down. It's worth reading, and re-reading. Please do.
There are still resurrections and we are witnesses.
There are still resurrections and we are witnesses.
Spring break week was full of wonderfully relaxing together time, the highlight being a surprise trip to the beach for my boys. They come alive, even more than their normal liveliness, while on the beach. It is a joy to see.
129)our new van!
130)watching a little one learn to walk
131)big brothers who cheer on every step
132)answered prayer
133)childrens' books on tape
134)open windows in early spring, the breeze blowing in
135)homemade bagels
136)the ocean
The fun started when they ran to the van only to be surprised by our buddies Megan and Joel already in their seats, along for the ride! Then we hit the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru, listened to Disney Classics and Slugs and Bugs: Under Where? while giving hints as to where we might be going. It finally hit them as we crossed the bridge, and they were bursting at the seams with excitement - Justy with his toy camera to capture the moments, Simeon with his tiger binoculars in place as to not miss a thing, Cole with his body-clenching shakes as he joins in on the energy he feels from his brothers. Lunchables (a rare treat!) for the boys, crab fries for us (yummmmm), running,toddling, exploring, imagining on the beach, babies feeling the ocean with their toes, visiting our favorite boardwalk spots, seagulls attacking us (REALLY!), fresh fudge samples, lots of skipping, hopping, hand-holding, giggling.
It was a happy, sunny, full-of-thanks day.
It was a happy, sunny, full-of-thanks day.
129)our new van!
130)watching a little one learn to walk
131)big brothers who cheer on every step
132)answered prayer
133)childrens' books on tape
134)open windows in early spring, the breeze blowing in
135)homemade bagels
136)the ocean
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
what watching is
this morning i was half-heartedly paying attention to Justus while i was trying to meal-plan and grocery list write...
he was pretending he was at school and he was coloring pictures for his "school" work. he kept saying "watch mommy" and i would say "ok" and glance at him now and then while flipping through my cookbooks. then he said it, and he said it innocently:
"mommy, i don't think you know what watching is."
ouch.
i stopped, looked him in the eye and asked "what do you mean?" and he said "watching is when you really look at someone."
i put my stuff down and i really watched him draw. and i thanked God for my blunt little boy who lovingly and naively called me out on something i needed to be called out on.
and through the rest of this day it is fresh on my mind...
what watching really is.... what listening really is....
and how much i want to be a mommy, a wife, a friend, who really watches.
he was pretending he was at school and he was coloring pictures for his "school" work. he kept saying "watch mommy" and i would say "ok" and glance at him now and then while flipping through my cookbooks. then he said it, and he said it innocently:
"mommy, i don't think you know what watching is."
ouch.
i stopped, looked him in the eye and asked "what do you mean?" and he said "watching is when you really look at someone."
i put my stuff down and i really watched him draw. and i thanked God for my blunt little boy who lovingly and naively called me out on something i needed to be called out on.
and through the rest of this day it is fresh on my mind...
what watching really is.... what listening really is....
and how much i want to be a mommy, a wife, a friend, who really watches.
Monday, March 5, 2012
A full heart
Late at night and I can't sleep....
My pregnant body acts very different than my normal body and it sometimes does things like fight sleep...
And so I've been reflecting on the day, and my heart feels full. Very very full.
Not a second wasted....
Wiped noses, wiped bottoms. Pouring cereal, counting pretzels, washing grapes and celery, cutting into age appropriate pieces. piles of laundry in and out of the washer, then the dryer. Piles of laundry still left to be folded. Catch with the 1 year old who could play catch all day. Countless games of Candy land and hide and seek with the 3 year old who is a lover and who just wants love back. A five year old is king of his class for the week, I see him walk out of school with his crown on and he is proud and I am prouder. A few sweet moments of sitting, interrupted by "mommy come see this" ... and I really don't want to get up, but even at the moment I know that I don't want to miss it. Onions chopped, dough kneaded, sauce simmered, cheese grated...chicago style pizza is worth it. Diapers changed, kisses, hugs, tickles..... All the while listening to andrew Peterson and pentatonix and Sara groves and Disney. A few moments stolen to sing and play the piano. A quick phone call with my dear friend - did her boy really lose his first tooth? Where has the time gone.... But I can't and won't be sad. My here and now is so precious and each of these little moments is so precious and with all of my heart I thank my God. My best friend comes home from work and i meet him on the porch and kiss him and tell him to sneak in, so together we can peek at our 3 boys playing a silly game together, the littlest brother may not know it, but he is "it". and together our hearts are full.
And now I will sleep. I hear someone talking to themselves in bed, and maybe I will need to tend to that, but tonight I really don't mind...
Monday, February 20, 2012
On this cozy afternoon...
120)a day with nothing to do but be together
121) a sleepy baby
122) choosing to do the right thing
123) listening to my boy talk about his day
124) Legos
125) the truth of God running through my mind
126) hearing footsteps come down the stairs after bedtime and knowing from the sound of the pitter-patter just whose they are
127) winter anticipation of a summer vacation
128) knowing deep in my soul that I am not in the line
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
maine
i'm in maine, where my heart feels like it bursts with joy. and thankfulness.
103)a new puzzle
104)not watching TV, and realizing how much you like not watching TV
105)a good cup of coffee
106)an imagination that can quickly turn a cattail into a cannon or an umbrella
107)making a good dinner for your family
108)early mornings awake with just a baby
109)snotty nosed kisses
110)telling your kids you're proud of them
111)a surprise electricity outage - nothing to do but snuggle
112)climbing a mountain
113)a perfect afternoon
114)happy, muddy little boys
115)the friendliness and courtiness that exists between hikers
116)just-the-right-size little canoe paddles
117)a hot, cheesy pizza
118)playing cribbage
119)a child talking to Jesus about his day
103)a new puzzle
104)not watching TV, and realizing how much you like not watching TV
105)a good cup of coffee
106)an imagination that can quickly turn a cattail into a cannon or an umbrella
107)making a good dinner for your family
108)early mornings awake with just a baby
109)snotty nosed kisses
110)telling your kids you're proud of them
111)a surprise electricity outage - nothing to do but snuggle
112)climbing a mountain
113)a perfect afternoon
114)happy, muddy little boys
115)the friendliness and courtiness that exists between hikers
116)just-the-right-size little canoe paddles
117)a hot, cheesy pizza
118)playing cribbage
119)a child talking to Jesus about his day
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)