The Memories on Memorial Day

Over Memorial Day Weekend we went to Grannyland with my parents and my aunt and uncle. My Dad and Uncle Harold took the boys on their first fishing trip.

 I have so many memories of fishing these lakes with my dad, grandfather, uncles and cousins. I was so excited to see Noah and Miller make memories of their own and of course document every fish.

I think they enjoyed it as much as I did!

 The looks of joy on their faces will etched in mind for a long time. How precious?

Papa and Uncle Harold certainly are super patient!

 Both boys caught three fish each. A great first outing. 

 Eventually I put my camera away and headed shopping with Aunt Joyce and Mimi. I love that the "boys" got to spend time together. Three generations of men I love so very much. I am so thankful for each of them and the way God knit them together!

Until next time Clay County Public Lake.....

The Lost Job

Do you ever let your mind wonder and ask yourself, "What is the worst that could happen?"

For me one of those answers was being told that I had to leave my job at University Place. My three years in my happy place included fulfilling work, amazing co workers, being able to creatively solve problems, going to work with my kids, development of friendships, endless smiles and hugs from precious little ones. I simply couldn't imagine ever not being a part of my new family.

 Until the morning I was told I no longer met the qualifications for the position. In the span of five minutes I felt everything come crashing down around me. Although I was reassured that this had nothing to my job performance and everything to do with changes at the state department level it felt like I had failed in some terrible way. I wish I could tell you I handled the moment with grace, but alas more like ugly crying in front of our Director of Human Resources, principal, and Director of Elementary Ed. A terrible day followed as I asked God some ugly questions. And as usual He answered with loving patience.

Here is the answer He gave me through others and to my hurting heart....

He was not surprised by this. He has a plan. I am on to my next mission.

How do you argue with that?

As the school year came to a close, my next steps became clearer. I look forward to the new adventure and challenges that come with the start of the new school year in August. Not to say I'm not still a little sad. It was a wonderful three years during which I got to walk my babies into their classrooms, attend every little event, eat lunch with them anytime I wanted. That was a gift. One I will always treasure. I made some amazing life long friends that are irreplaceable.

Over the past month I have asked God to show me advantages in this new plan. And He has showed me things I have missed about having my own classroom, working with teenagers, and certain things about my home life and stress levels that will be better. And so I close the door on these happy three years and look forward to the next chapter.

The Potluck Mondays

On Monday nights my neighbors gather together for potluck. Potluck is many things. 

Yummy. Nurturing. Heart warming. Filling.

It is loud and happy and it has taken my least favorite day and turned it into the best day.

 We share leftovers or cook new things or run by the convenience store on the corner for fried chicken. 

The kids play and run around and the adults share conversation and play games. 

It is simple and wonderful. 

There is just something about gathering together over the table or counter if it is crowded and sharing a meal. Sharing life together. Community lived out. 

I love the memories these simple normal meals create for the boys and their buddies and the bond it between us all. 

I encourage you to invite your neighbor's over and share a meal. You won't regret it!

The Tire Swing

I have been absent from the blog for a bit. I can't really explain why. Life is not any more or any less busy than before. The best I can say is this... we changed our story line with our move. I never want to boast or dishonor or belittle or overblow or toot my own horn or ignore what we do here in our little Green House. So in my attempt to do that I didn't say anything. These are new waters and I will figure out how best to write about them.

The tire swing ....

Can you have a complete childhood without a tire swing?

Do you remember swinging? The feeling of freedom when your feet leave the ground? The air in your hair? A tire swing ramps up the danger and excitement.

We spent some sweet time on the tire swing in the yard with friends. As I spent time pushing the kids on the tire swing, I couldn't help but think about joy and faith. The pure delight on Miller's face as he flew back and forth made me think how Jesus delights in us and how much God enjoys us.

His love brings us freedom, like flying through the air with the wind blowing in your hair and feet far from the ground. We just have to trust in his strength, the rope we hold on to.

The Holiday Catch Up

Is there anything more magical than kids and Holidays? From costumes and dress up to counting their sweet blessings to the anticipation of Christmas morning, special moments abound. We had days of food and cousins and fun and presents and games and plays and outdoors and indoors.

 We ate way too much. But we loved every bite. We especially loved the faces at the table and the conversations.

 Some of my favorite memories are the sweet cousins. On both sides the boys are blessed with the best little playmates. These are some seriously precious little people.

 There is something about a post Thanksgiving meal football game that screams tradition. A good one. I hope they always play it until that little one in his daddy's arms is playing quaterback with his own babies.

 Christmas card attempts create precious shots of moments in time that I'd like to freeze. I'd like to keep this precious little face frozen at five. His innocence and questions. His smile and the way I can still scoop him up into a bear hug.

 And then there is my Noah Boy. Handsome. Way too old. But still a child.

 So through all the rush and preparations and craziness that is the Holiday Season we tried to keep it real and be ourselves. And I tried to enjoy it all.

What it all really comes down to is love. Love for each other but most importantly the love of our Savior who was born to give us life. Abundant and eternal life. And I am so thankful for His love that I simply do not deserve. May I do better sharing it with others. 

 So from my little family to yours Merry Christmas! I hope it was warm and full of love.

The Eight Year Old

When they hand you your first born baby and you hold that little being you grew and incubated for what seemed an eternity, the last thing you think about is how fast it is all going to go.

But before you know it, those sleepless nights and hours of holding them close and smelling that sweet baby smell fades into first smiles, giggles and milestones of the first year. 

And before you catch your breath you are chasing them around the house and offering bribes for peeing in the potty. 

Then as you round the corner you are spending 200 dollars on Kindergarten school supplies and listening to them reading sight words. 

And you realize that somewhere between all the discoveries, firsts, and Legos you stepped on, eight wonderful crazy years have gone by. And that tiny newborn you just brought home from the hospital is a handsome little boy who carries part of your heart around with him. 

Noah is right there at the verge of so much and he wavers back and forth across the line of little kid and big kid. One minute way too cool for snuggles and then desperately craving one on one bedtime routines. I will cherish each request for one more chapter or "Tuck me in?" Because I am painfully realizing that it is all so short lived. 

Noah has had a wonderful year and is thriving in both his new school and neighborhood. I have been so impressed by how well he has transitioned into both. He brings so much life to our little family and I adore his opinions and ways of doing things. I am constantly reminded that there is more than just one way to do things. 

It would be so easy to get caught up in Noah as the source of my pride and joy. But thankfully I am reminded that He belongs to The Father. And I know that He takes even more delight in him than I do. 

He is not mine to keep. He is on loan. From that day I got the results of three positive pregnancy tests to the day I am called home my job is to love him with the Father's love and point him always in that direction. And while I want to freeze time still right here and never have him frow another day older, my ultimate desire is to watch him grow into a Godly man who works for The Lord and loves all of His people well. I have to let him grow up. As hard as it is. 

So here's to you my growing boy on your eighth birthday....

May you always seek The Lord first, be thankful for the many many gifts and talents He has blessed you with and may you use them to make the world better because your certainly make my world a better place to be. Always be confident that your Dad and I love you fully and unconditionally, that we believe in you and want the best for you. And also know that we find you delightfully funny and smart and handsome and quirky. We can't wait to see how it all comes together in His plans for you. But for your Mama's heart could you slow down a bit? Love you big Noah! 

Thank you Father for blessing us with Noah and for the love and delight he brings to our hearts. Help us to point him always to you and to love him fully. He certainly has been the best surprise of my life and I wouldn't be the same without him. Thank you again for choosing me to be his mom and help me do that to the best of my ability. 

The Fall has Flown By

First let me say.... I refuse REFUSE to give up on this blog. I adore this little space. It is a free spot for memory keeping and getting things off my chest and a little bit of therapy. So no. I might not write as often but I refuse to give up. 

 

In a weak attempt to catch you up on the several weeks which I have left you hanging....

We have been hanging out on our neighborhood porches. Playing games and watching football and doing community. I love every minute. A few weeks ago some of the ladies stayed up past midnight after watching an episode of Nashville our weekly indulgence talking about motherhood and schools. Those conversations are precious to me. Real and respectful to the many differing viewpoints. 

We did not however make it to a big pumpkin patch. I am not sure if it really is fall without this major event. Fortunately I seem to be the only one scarred or grieving over this tragedy. My baby love was gracious enough to pose in this church pumpkin patch so his Aunt Cree could have a selfie. My other pumpkins also took some pics that Mimi shot to provide me some comfort. 

We visited the wrong campus for some tailgating. We actually enjoyed ourselves. Some more than others. Mostly because several pretty college girls gave my two boys high fives during the parade. Help me. 

We have had several haircuts. Some self inflicted. Others to fix the self inflicted. But we are still adorable. 

We had a "Halloween Thing" in our new neighborhood. We went through a lot of candy and 70 orange balloons (Pumpkin Patch Stomp) in about 15 minutes. And the. Had to filibust for the rest of 

the hour. 

We were Darth Vader in the rain. 

And Harry Potter again. We trick or treated with some sweet friends. And got soaking wet and shared some good soup. While our boys laughed and played and ate gobs of candy.

We played some flag football. We shared some germs. We tried to have a family devotional at dinner to only be successful a quarter of the time. We were rowdy. And we were sweet. Mostly we lived life. Sometimes in survival mode and sometimes savoring the sweet spots. 

We try. We win some and we lose some but we sure do try to love on these sweet loves in these days that are flying past.