jump!

the funny thing.

after weeks of truly struggling. after the Lord takes me to the heights of peace and joy. after beating myself up. after high expectations. after frustration after frustration. after only seeing what's right in front of me. after depending on myself for days on end. after all the "me" fades away. 

He hems me in. 

and that peace and joy rush back like a river on a mission. my heart stills. and our world seems to fall back into a familiar rhythm. 

though it will still take time. and this time He is refining my heart. i know that's what the distance is. it's refinement. it's testing. it's molding. it's faith building.

the funny thing is i've cried tears of immense frustration JUST LAST NIGHT. my heart was in shambles JUST LAST NIGHT. i felt as though i could not fight this war any longer. why wasn't He choosing to draw me close?

and the joy comes in the morning.

my husband woke me up early and i opened His words this morning. and i read this.

"for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. we are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." {2 corinthians 10:3-5}

the funny thing is that even though i fully expected His truth to come alive in my heart again, i didn't expect it to be this very day. and i am ever so grateful for the grace that continues to flow freely.

a few summer things

summer has officially begun. the traveling is in full swing. even though, i for one, am still here at the house with the little will man. he has been extremely sick since tuesday evening and we are waiting it out before we hit the road. lots of snuggles for that little one.

we got to celebrate steph's birthday last sunday night. there really are no words for how special she is to me.

{i took this as she was noticing the size of the desserts.}

lazy mornings in our bed.

reading! all on his own.

friends, food, fireworks, and lightning bugs.

 

playground time. 

{tuck on the monkey bars.}

another complete rearrangement of our upstairs. moved the boys into bunk beds and we are transforming the room over into a playroom/schoolroom. 

 

coffee and photo editing. two of my favorite things.

lots of free play time!

hoping will kicks this yuck and we can head out for some more summer fun. it's only the beginning!

laugh

some days we just really need to laugh. i was laughing when i took this picture and i'm laughing more now looking back at it. and all the moments that surrounded it!

TEC . the makings of a third birthday

oh tuck. 

you just get sweeter as the days go by. and along with that, a little more strong willed. i guess the two go hand in hand with you. you are so FULL of life. this makes the good moments great and the not good moments a little hard. you are never short on ways to make us laugh. and that smile. it lights up your entire being. we love you little man.

{we celebrated with papa, gigi, mexican food, and ice cream last night}

{the morning started off with gifts and homemade waffles!}

{you cheered grey on in his last t-ball game and came home to a special birthday dessert filled with dirt and worms. it made you really happy.}

{you took a classic tuck nap totaling three hours! then woke up ready to cast that new fishing poll and catch some bugs.}

{you finished the night out with a dance party on the trampoline and more dirt dessert. i'd say these were the makings of a great third birthday for a bug loving, spunky, kissable, squeezable, sweet boy!}

graduation

grey bear completed his year in 4k today. 

i know the next 13 years will fly by just as fast as his first 5 have. 

as he came walking in with his black hat and huge smile on his face, tears filled my eyes as i realized how big this little boy really is. sure, it's just 4 year old kindergarten graduation. 

but time really steals away their innocence. and it left me wanting him to stay small forever. 

he has grown and learned so much this year. he's learned to read and write. he's learned the months of the year. he's learned to draw and memorized scripture. he's learned new songs and read new books. he's grown taller and smarter. 

and he's learned to love better and stronger. he's seen God in a new and different way. he's interacted with peers and learned what it means to love others even when we don't want to. even when it's hard.

he finished with joy.

and had two really fantastic teachers to guide him. we are so thankful for this year.

and we are all very excited about our kindergarten year here at home. learning and growing and changing all together.