I'm Gonna Miss It

Every evening before hubby and I go to bed we stop in the boys' room to check out the freestyle sleeping poses of the night. It gives us one last chuckle for the day. Every. Single. Time.

My Guys

These two light up my life.

Quiet Time~ Just Me, the Tarantula and the Snake

The kids and I tried to get back on ChorePack schedule this morning by jumping in quickly after breakfast. I put the baby down for her early nap (yes, she needs a quick nap right after breakfast!) and then we all worked hard and fast on chores. We straightened bedrooms, made beds, and wiped down bathrooms. Then we headed out "poolside" to pick up tossed popsicle sticks and other tidbits that had been neglected this week. As we finished up, the kids went back inside to finish their packs, and I found myself outside. Alone.

It just doesn't happen very often around here. Really. In fact, it's a good thing I really like my kiddos, because it seems like there is always at least one of them right by me, talking to me, and often touching me. So, it's weird when I find myself completely alone.

I walked over to a chair on the front porch and eased into it, willing the kids to stay inside and let me have a moment to myself. In the quiet, without the sounds of children, I noticed how many other sounds there were around me ~ the bubble of the creek water, the twitter of the birds, the buzz of the insects. I relaxed into my chair and sat listening for a few moments, then I noticed that I was being watched.

On the table next to me sat our terrarium. Over the years it's housed everything from butterflies to bullfrogs, and right now, it happens to be occupied by a teeny, tiny snake and a big hairy tarantula who are sharing the space. And they were both eyeing me. But, to their credit, they were perfectly quiet, and they weren't tugging on my arm. Apparently they were enjoying their morning quiet time, too. So I stayed there in my chair, and they watched me in silence, and we had it together.

At this stage of my life, I'll take quiet time whenever and wherever it happens. Even with the tarantula and the snake.

Sunday Singing

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

Don't miss the amazing story behind this beautiful hymn.

Sweet Corn

In spite of the fact that we already have a huge garden in our north pasture, last spring this little guy asked his Daddy and his grandaddy, DaddyDon, if he could have his own corn patch right outside his bedroom window. Guess what they said? Of course.

Together, they hoed up a square of the lawn, hauled in compost, planted, and watered. They placed a big cage around the corn to keep the chickens from scratching the plants up while they grew. They watered some more, hoed some more. And he watched that corn grow, right before his very eyes. Right outside his bedroom window.

For weeks, we all watered and weeded, and he charted the corn's growth in a nature journal. At one point I found myself individually pollinating the silk of each corn cob (yes, I'm serious), just because I couldn't bear the idea that the corn might not fill out because the wind wasn't doing it's job of spreading the golden pollen around evenly. When the raccoons threatened to eat the corn as it ripened, dear husband built a sturdy top on the corn cage. DaddyDon set traps and caught some of the threatening varmints, and we kept our fingers crossed that after all the anticipation, surely the boy would get to eat some of his corn.

Thankfully, it survived. When the corn was finally ready, all the kids had fun picking, shucking, and cooking the corn. It was totally worth the wait. Now they have big plans for an even larger corn patch next year, because eldest son would like to grow enough corn outside his window that he can "eat corn on the cob for breakfast, too!"

Rest of Heart

The first sure symptom of a mind at health,

is rest of heart,

and pleasure found at home.

Edward Young

Looking Back

Last summer our sweet little baby girl was struggling just to stay alive. As a newborn she had faced incredible hardship in the first few weeks of her life. Once she was in the arms of Holt Care Center staff, they worked tirelessly to heal her little body. She was so tiny and weak that the doctor thought that every day could be her last on this earth. But God kept on giving her another day.

Before we even knew she was waiting across the ocean for us, God knew her. In a place where clean water and safe food are hard to come by, God sustained her. When she faced great danger and disease and starvation and loneliness, God protected her. While we prayed for her, worked for her, and waited for her, God tenderly held her.

And then, when were finally able to touch her, kiss her, and bring her home, God filled our hearts to overflowing with love for her, and He moved her tender heart to trust us. What an amazing Heavenly Father we have.

"God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:6

My Girls

These two bless my socks off!

Happy First Birthday, Sweet Baby!

We had a blast celebrating our sweet girl's first birthday with family. Eldest and I found this great cake idea, and it was very fun to make it together for the birthday baby to enjoy!

Happy, happy birthday Sweet Baby! We love you to pieces!