Summer 2014

Summer break is over in 14 days.
14 days, folks!

Summer has never gone by this quickly.
It's been a wonderful summer. I have taxied more this summer than any other and at times it was ridiculous and exhausting but it's been completely wonderful and worth it (it always is when your kiddos are invovled, isn't it?!).

This summer our family:

• went to Canada for 2 weeks
• fishing
• hiking
• visited with family
• standup paddling
• swimming in Lake Superior
• picking eggs from the chicken coup
• attended 4 church camps (3 kids, 4 camps - lots of more activities/experiences there!)
• attended 2 sports camps (2 kids, 2 camps)
• attended numerous baseball game (2 kids, lots and lots of games!)
• participated/volunteered at VBS
• picnicked at the lake near our house
• hit the pool (numerous times)
• went bike riding
• ate a lot of ice cream
• played Legos
• took evening walks
• played on the slip and slide for hours
• made icees
• attended our church's backyard bash
• zip lining
• checked out a KC T-Bones game
• built a "club house" outside (thank you Pinterest!)
• went to see a Demolition Derby (the boys)

And that list doesn't include what the kids did with their other parents!!
We are blessed.
They are spoiled.

Summer 2014, you were memorable and beautiful. Now on to shoe shopping, backpack filling, and hair trimming.

Muah!

Broken.

I have been surrounded these last few months by broken women.
Truly broken.

I pray as I listen to their words.

Hopeless. Fearful. Angry.
Broken.

Each time I hear the voice. Quiet and distant.
Jesus.

They need Jesus.

I know it but my words stumble out and I can't seem to say it in a way that it sinks in deep and lingers.

It's not about memorizing scripture. It's not about reading the right books. It's not even about doing all the "right" things.

It's about Him.
Finding Him. Breathing Him in. Sitting with Him. Accepting Him.

How do you say that in a way that someone who doesn't know Him can truly grasp it?
Praying.

You Served

You went to camp as a volunteer to be with your brother to provide comfort should he become homesick.

You.

Your heart amazes me.

You scrubbed toilets and dishes and took out trash. From what others have told me - you were a rockstar volunteer. You didn't whine or ever say no. You just did.

You served. You sweat. You loved.

I can't say that I was completely surprised, but as a momma... it was nice to hear.

Thank you, for growing and sharing and being for others the way Christ did for us.
I love you, Peanut. You rocked it!

My babies

I watch you sleep and I find my throat tightening up.
Both of you.

I don't remember the last day I rocked you to sleep. How it felt. How long I stayed with you.
I don't remember what day exactly you stopped nursing and co-sleeping. Your little bodies trying to get as close to me as possible.
I don't remember your little baby smell.
I don't remember what day you took your first step.
I don't remember how many diapers I changed every day.

As much as others told me I would miss this.... I believed them but I didn't realize just how much.

And now you're growing more and more every day.
When did you get so big?

Your feet don't fit in the palm of my hand anymore.
Your heads get closer and closer to mine.
We talk big talks.
We snuggle before bed.
We laugh together and... at times we cry together.

A lot of things change over time...
But one thing is for sure.

You are and will always be my babies.

3rd Anniversary

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary a few days ago.

3 years.
I'm blown away by how quickly time is passing us by.

Remember this.

The way we roll...

 

 You call me on my crap, I call you on yours. It's a great deal.

 Our foundation is in Him.

You own my heart. You make me feel alive and grounded.
I love you more (and I always will), B.

In Heaven with You

I want you to go to heaven.
I want us to hang out. To worship together. To live together with Him.
I want to be with you, always.

I say this to you because I love you. Very much.
You might not believe me and you might not love me. I get that. Lots of history and junk... but I do. I love you so very much and I want... no I need you to be saved.

For them.
For me.
For all of us.

I don't know where you are when it comes to Him. I have no idea if you know Him... or just know of Him.

So I pray.

Because you are a part of my life. Despite our differences and history. Despite agreeing to disagree... or just plain old disagreeing... I want us together in heaven.

I need you to turn to Him.
You need Jesus.
every.
single.
day.

We all need Jesus.

Will you accept Him.
Will you let me worship with you.
Will you let me be a part of your walk towards Him?

I am coward. I pray to be more bold. To be more straigthforward but when I see you, I crumble because relationships are complicated.

I think you think I'm a complete Jesus Freak.
You are right.

So maybe that freaks you out. Or you think I've gone off the deep end.
And I have.
And I want you to join me.

I don't know how to say it. The words escape me.

It's simple.
John 3:16

Love,
me

Up North

We've been back for a little over a week now and life has picked up right where we left it.
Sports, church, work, family... well... life.

I absolutely love our little family life. I love the chaos and the silly moments and the not so great stuff. Sometimes though, it's nice to get away and connect in a different way.

So we loaded up the car (loaded to the max!) and we headed north... way north.
We went back home... my home.

I can't tell you how absolutely peaceful it feels to be there. For me, that's my sanctuary.
Hiking, stand up paddling, beach time, fishing... oh, it's home alright.

It was nice to let go of the routine and schedules and fall into an easier pace.
There's nothing grand about my little hometown. It's quaint and simple.
But there is something grand about being surrounded by God's creation.

Trees, birds, lakes... family.

My family is like most - we're all a little off and we all love each other like crazy.
To be with them is to relive a little bit of my childhood again. They know the ins and outs of the parts of my life that made me... well, me! It's fun to listen to them and laugh with them over stories of the past all the while creating stories to tell in the future.

Home.

I asked the kids if they'd ever take their kids there and they said they would.
I sure hope they do. I hope they feel the deep roots of their French Canadian family and that they find the same kind of peace I do when I head up there.