Dream big

I LOVE this picture of Ryan. He just recently became interested in baseball. I love that you can see, even with his back turned what he is thinking....he is watching and learning and thinking that someday...I love seeing my kids dream. I pray that I can encourage them in their dreams, encourage them to grow in the areas where they are gifted.

Dream big little man. God has so much for you...

My girls

Sisters

Claire's 4 month pictures

I took a ton of pictures today. These are a few of my favorites!

The past week in pictures

Sunday through Thursday we had VBS in the evenings. The kids really had a blast. This years theme was set in Bible times during Christ death and resurrection. Each night the kids got a little bit more of the story. The last night we got to see a drama about the resurrected Jesus.


Aside from VBS and Dr. appointments we had piano lessons, library time, play date, etc. It may not sound like it but it was a really crammed week. This week is looking a little less full...but we still have fun stuff planned. I am really trying to keep the kiddos busy.

Here are a few pictures from the week for you to enjoy!

Anna making a piece of pottery in the marketplace

Anna and Ryan making necklaces at the jewelry shop.

Summer has finally come to our neck of the woods. On Wednesday it was 92 degrees. I pulled out the baby pool and let the kids play.

Jame's being James and getting stuck between the chair and the couch.

Claire being cute.

Wipeout

Has anyone else seen the new show Wipeout, on ABC? Oh my word! Maybe because it's been a long, tiring, stressful week...or maybe there is something demented about me for getting a kick out of it, but I seriously laughed so hard. We watched the first episode online tonight with the kids. I could not stop laughing for the first 10 minutes. I think the kids were laughing because I was laughing.

Ahhh, it feels good to laugh. My house is a mess tonight from not having any time this week to care for it. So I am going to go clean, do laundry and get things ready for church tomorrow now. I Just thought I'd share this with you all! :) If you go and watch it...come back and tell me what you think! You might not think it's funny at all...but I sure did need a good laugh!

What? it's only Tuesday?

So far this week has been very busy. At least it feels that way to me.

Here is a rundown:

*Sunday VBS started in the evening. Sundays always seem pretty busy, so when you add something else in it really feels full. But, the kids are loving it. This was one thing on our summer fun list.

-Anna started having breathing problems again Sunday night so she was up 2 times for breathing treatments.

*Monday-We did lots around the house. Read lots of books from the Library. Kids all took naps because everyone got up at 6:30 am. I took all 4 kids back to VBS. That was fun and exhausting. I was seriously sweating from having Claire in the sling and chasing James for 2 hours, all the while trying to help the older 2 with stuff. Thankfully a sweet family from our church helped me out alot.

*Tuesday (today) started early, Anna and Claire both woke up at 2 A.M. Anna needed a breathing treatment, Claire needed a paci. Then both girls were up again (they don't even sleep in the same room) at 4. This time Claire wanted to eat, and Anna wanted a drink. I went back to bed at 4:45 and then had to get back up at 7:30.

-Anna had her 7 year check up and Claire her 4 month at 11 A.M.. Both girls had to get shots. :( Then we had to be back at the house by 12:30, to meet Bill's dad who was driving the kids and I to meet Bill at his work. I have no idea how, but we made it back home (having stopped to get gas and go through McDonald's) on time.

-We had Ryan's appointment at children's hospital (Bill works a few minutes from the hospital, the reason why we met him there) at 1:30 P.M. That went well but it looks like he does need to have surgery. I don't even want to think about that right now.

-We skipped VBS this evening. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I keep thinking that it must be Thursday or Friday only to realize that it is ONLY Tuesday. :) The rest of this week is equally as busy, so I am really looking forward to a quiet weekend.

Well, I am off to bed now. I think I need a few hours of beauty sleep before tomorrows busy day gets here! Life is good, but very full lately. I really do love summer even if I am spent by the end of the day! :)

Lessons from a puddle

The other day I decided to pack up all the kids and head to the park. Everyone was stir crazy, and it was beautiful out so we really had to get outside to enjoy the day. I picked a small park that I felt would be manageable being by myself with 4 little people. They were all giddy with joy and could not wait to play.

First thing I noticed when we got to the park was a HUGE puddle. "Oh great" I thought to myself. I knew James was going to see it right away. Sure enough, within minutes he eyes up the water. First he looks at me then the puddle, then he starts running. As I opened my mouth and said, "Stay out of the water", I felt the Lord nudge me. "Relax. It's ok. It's just water...and water dries. Let him enjoy being a boy."

So, I took a deep breath and sat down and watched. James ran and jumped and splashed,. Soon Ryan was joining in the fun. Both boys completely soaked but loving every minute of it. I just sat and watched in amazement. (Anna sat contentedly playing in the sand during all this) They had a whole park of fun things to play on and yet they chose the puddle. We were there for an hour and and a half and this is what they did for the majority of the time. I honestly think they were probably both thinking, "I can't believe mom is letting us do this. We better keep at it for as long as we can." :)

I know it won't always be appropriate to allow them to do such things, but in that moment it was. I needed to let them do what boys love to do. I found such pleasure in watching their joy written faces.

I read a quote the other day that said something like, "Oh serious mother today is the day to smile." Sometimes I find myself being far to serious and not enough silly. I know the Lord used this to show me that I need to lighten up, have fun with my kiddos, and find joy in the simple things.

I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I missed out on opportunities to experience the joy of childhood, because I was always too busy doing the "right" or "proper" thing. So I have resolved that...today is the day to love louder, hug tighter, laugh harder, grab them by the hand and do a silly dance,take a deep breath and enjoy watching my kids be kids. I'm not sure what that all entails yet, and it might look different each day, but I know that it'll bring a smile to my far to often serious face. And we might just all learn something in the process.

I think I am in for a crazy silly ride...

Budding

Can you see it? My tomato plant is starting to bud! :)

Full hands, Full heart

Happy Father's day Bill! You are an amazing husband and father. Our family is so blessed to have you! We love you!

Secure in Daddy's arms

Flood pictures #3

If you look down...I took a pic of the Riverside Apts sign. I thought that was kind of ironic. They are now more river side then anyone would want.