Haven

there's this place that we go that i just don't have words to describe

"haven" comes to mind....

probably because it's part of the name

but mostly because it truly is a haven in every sense of the word

it's peaceful

and joyful

and relaxing

and inspiring

and picturesque

and downright beautiful...every two and four legged friend will tell you I'm right 

angels dance over this place, choirs sing, and Jesus is smiling over it

i'm sure of it

 if you don't believe me, you should check it out for yourself

my joy runs deep here and i know my kids feel it, too

thank you, Jesus, for His Haven Ranch

for your Presence

and for the places in this world where heaven touches earth

Beach bums

so, we hit the beach

and it was a total blast

nakey babies peppered with sand make me almost die of a big ol' heart melt

as do little bodies splashing in sparkly waters

and snuggles in the sand when lips turn blue

and let's not forget about strong arms twirling bitty bodies and the shrieks of laughter that follow

it was just about as good a day as one can ask for

with not one, but TWO bonus fish at the end

you know it's been good when they leave tuckered out.

summer lovin'....we are soaking it up 

Splish splash we'll be needin' a bath

we got some serious rain yesterday.

well, not nearly as much as some areas, but enough to create a lake of "chocolate milk" at the end of our driveway

sparkle was snoozin' and we had nothin' better to do than jump in and splash around

this one was a little reluctant at first, but soon she was in fierce competition with her sister to see who could make the biggest splash

the giggles justified the GINORMOUS mess...just look at that face

you just can't argue with belly laughs so big they force your eyes closed

a good day in this house ends with dirty kids and snacks on the driveway

i'd say we nailed it today ;)

For the love of a farm

yesterday started out rainy, but ended up to be the perfect afternoon and evening out at J's family farm

there was tractor love

and kitty love

cousin love

and trike love

being out there takes me right back to my early days growing up far away from town.  i didn't realize then how good we had it. 

and while we're hoping and praying to be back out in wide open spaces someday, right now i'm so grateful that our girls get to come here to enjoy country life.

Entering the digital age

i'm walkin' on sunshine, people

my main squeeze bought me a smart phone

now, if you know me at all, you know that i've been limping along on a flip phone for like...forever

the hubster and i shared 300 texts a month

i was an embarrassment to my students. who REGULARLY ridiculed what they referred to as my "ancient communication tool....similar to - and nearly as effective as - sending a message in a bottle"....thanks, guys. 

they're always building up my self esteem like that

anywhoos...although i know that i will do a great many things to embarrass my own offspring during my parental journey, i thought that i might spare them this one shame by entering the digital age prior to them realizing that ma and pa were, in fact, operating on prehistoric cellular devices.

so, j spent an afternoon researching and came home with these THINGS that have the ability to send texts until the cows come home, cook our meals and raise our children ;)

well, maybe not really....but almost

i'm learning all the ins and outs, but my heart gets most pitter pattery when i scroll through the crystal clear pictures of my littles

i think the they speak for themselves.  capturing these moments is such a gift.  and having a husband who knows how much that means to me?  well, i don't have words.

speaking of things i don't have words for.....these goof balls that i teach.  they absolutely could not handle the fact that i hadn't used the phone to take a "selfie".  apparently taking pictures of one's self is akin to eating, breathing and sleeping now adays.  

i'm excited for summer, but i'll miss their faces....and the first three minutes of the day, when they teach me how to use my phone.

thanks for all the criticism, guys....turns out that enough ripping on someone can ultimately change their life.  :)

who says bullying is a bad thing? ;)

peace out out, homies.

MIA

so, we've been missing in action for a while ....

and for good reason

its the end of the school year

the very end

j just wrapped up his season coaching the pole vaulters on the varsity track team and came THISCLOSE to sending one of his kiddos to State!

i've been correcting finals and entering grades like it is my JOB (oh wait...it is!)

we've been running to end of the year picnics, potlucks and parties

and we've had some serious sunshine.....

for the love of all things adorable....while i was hanging up clothes on the line, Peach made her own hopscotch with squares so tiny, her little size 9 sandals barely fit inside

and to top it all off, we've got a preschool graduate!

countless people are asking me if I'm ready for her to be in kindergarten.

two people have actually asked:  "are you bawling your eyes out every time you think of it?"

ummmm......no

it got me thinking....

should i be bawling my eyes out?

surely i am not a good mother if i'm not?!?!

back the train up.

i guess i'm not too worked up about it.

 i haven't shed even one tear.

i'm actually really excited.

 the thought of me being ready didn't really enter my mind.

she's ready.

super ready.

she's excited and prepared.

she knows that we love her and expect her to rise to difficult challenges.

we've talked to her about how we expect her to obey her teachers and other adults in the building...that school is just an extension of home.  the same expectations apply.

we know that she will make mistakes.

we know that she will soar.....and stumble.

it's like watching a thrilling movie and we are on the edge of our seats waiting to find out what happens next.

we have prayed Philipians 2 over her every day this year,

"Lord, grant her the attitude of Christ Jesus, humble and obedient, not only in our presence, but much more in our absence, doing everything without arguing or complaining so that she may shine like a star in the universe as she holds out the word of life."

and 1 Peter 1:5 over ourselves as parents,

"Holy Spirit, we know that you give wisdom to those who ask for it.  Prepare us to shepherd Norah as she enters into her school age years."

     

 

i'm not nervous.

should i be?

i'm really, really jazzed.

i think that elementary school is going to be a blast.

and then, middle school?

middle schoolers are my JAM, people.

i'm not saying it will be easy.

but real adventure isn't just a walk in the park.

i jumped out of an airplane once.

it was crazy.

and wild.

and fun.

and i'd do it again in two seconds.

i'm not afraid of school or nervous for her.

i feel like i'm standing at the open door of that airplane again, ready to jump and scream and feel the rush of a thousand emotions.

yes, her little days are fleeting, but i feel like things just keep getting better.

there are new obstacles, different problems, but the same Lord.

and if He is navigating this ship, then i'm down with whatever course we're on, be it the baby years, toddler-hood, kindergarten or whatever wild, crazy unknown is up ahead.

 and really, it isn't as "unknown" as we make it out to be.

i've got some fabulous friends in my life who have walked this path already and others who are in the midst of it.

i look up to them and respect the way they are raising their kids.

i know it won't be the same for me, but i'm totally planning on picking their brains for wisdom....often.

now I get to be a resource to moms in our church and community who are just entering the baby stage of mommyhood (anyone want to know how to survive 5 ENTIRE years on a total of 6 hours of sleep?  i'm yo' girl.)

AND i get to lean on the veteran moms who are sharp as a tack at raising elementary littles.

i'll end by quoting some of the best advice i've ever received and something that i think about daily:

"your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do but someone you raise."

let that one soak in....

it doesn't happen by keeping them little.

it only happens along the path...walking and growing and moving.

we are RAISING them...not pressing them down and keeping them little

the baby years are so precious...and maybe that's easy for me to say since i'm still waist deep in baby days.

but the goal is to lift them UP... in wide eyed wonder

with mouths hanging open and astonished at the length and depth and width and height of HIS love for us.

He who delights in who we are and who He is GROWING us to become.

okay, so...that was a lengthy answer to a loaded question, but now that we've established that i'm pumped for petunia number one to get her school groove on, let us explore another reason to be hap-hap-happy:

we've got SUMMER in focus

and who can be teary when 3 months of JOY EXPLOSION is staring us straight in the face?

we started things off right with a fairy garden....

the fairy's name is fiona....

and her bejeweld path through the garden WILL be precisely organized by color and shape on a daily basis.

thank you and amen.

baby blues in a pool on the deck with a huge umbrella?

yes, i'll take all that you have and die happy.

thank you.

these pretty little punkin' heads don't know how good they have it.

papa bear filled the pool up with bucket after bucket of warm water from the bathtub.

i seem to remember using the hose...

and my lips being purple...

finally.......drum roll, please....

the summer fun list has been posted.

we've got a whole lot of happy planned

  and that's not all...we actually entered the digital age and got smart phones!

what?!?!? 

i showed my students and they actually APPROVED

my only requirement was a BOSS of a camera on the new phones

and the hubby delivered.

so, looks like lots and lots of pick-chas comin' yo' way

happy end of school and start of summer lovin'