Summer Fun!

Boy the summer has flown by! We have spent some fun time at the beach and in Atlanta, and some not so fun time in the hospital. Lots of outdoor play and visits from friends. School starts in a few weeks and that will be an adventure too!

God Always Makes Himself Known

We rarely come into contact with God's creation these days. Concrete sidewalks, blacktops, carpet, A/C and heat. We are so civilized that we seldom walk in the grass or (as I never have) sleep under the stars. I think I miss out on so much of the wonder of God. However, through all our efforts to expand ourselves, we can never overcome nature (which is God). If a street is not maintained, blades of grass break through the concrete! Imagine being conquered by a blade of grass!

All of this brings me to my point. In Tony's workshop he hangs his tool belt amidst extension cords and various tools. Well, inside one of the tool belt pockets, a little house finch built herself a nest. Tony left the tool belt intact, (not sure what he's been using) and made sure the garage door was always slightly open so the little mother could get in and out. Suddenly, six little eggs appeared in the nest. The kids kept close tabs on them and then ... six little birds appeared! Not only that, but when the birds were ready to start flying, the girls helped them to learn! It was thrilling! (By the way, it's an old wives tale that the mother bird will not return to the nest if it has been touched by humans. We just found that out from Sherry.) Then one day they were gone and oh the tears around here!! But what an incredible gift from God!

Captain Melony

We went on a Girl Scout field trip to Savannah today to tour Juliette Low's (the founder of Girl Scouts) home. As a side note (and the absolute highlight) we took a 2+ hour dolphin sighting boat tour. It was wonderful! We saw many dolphins and being on the water was beautiful! But the best part (for Melony especially) was that she boldly asked the captain if she could ride up there (whatever that is called) with him and he let her. Then he actually let her steer the boat! She will remember that as long as she lives ... Julianna was invited to "park" the boat in the dock. It was a very special day.

Easter Fun

I have never really been an Easter fan, but having kids can really change your perspective on just about anything. We had so much fun this year coloring eggs and hiding them for our neighborhood friends and going to egg hunts ourselves. We made some cute cupcakes to share as well! This really made a fun holiday for us to remember. I was so encouraged at how the girls wanted so much to plan activities for their friends and neighbors. Now that's what a holiday is all about!

The Hard Road

It's the little things that really make all the difference. Today, I was thinking about the everyday choices we make and how they affect our overall lives. If you take the "hard road" in the little things, when an opportunity presents itself, you are ready! "Success is when preparation meets opportunity." We have all heard that, but how do you prepare for an unknown opportunity? You engage yourself when you are faced with a choice to do (or not do) something that is uncomfortable for you. Continually calling yourself to grow prepares you for what you cannot anticipate. I think this is also an appropriate application of the principle "You reap what you sow." If you always take the easiest way out of a situation, you don't stretch yourself and when an opportunity presents itself, you are not prepared to take it on. How many times this has happened to me!! Thankfully, I am really learning (and learning to love) having higher expectations of myself. My life has certainly been enriched by this and I am seeing more victory than ever!

Happy Friday!!

Sisters - Best of Friends, Worst of Enemies

Confidante and betrayer; protector and victim; exhilarator and bore; champion and foe; experiment and experimentor. These are words that describe my relationship with my sister. Someone that has been through so many of the same experiences and yet has experienced them from such a different perspective. Someone who knows the good, the bad and the ugly ... and still loves you. Like the time I stole my mother's lighter (yes, I smoked at 14) and took it to Alabama when my sister and I went on vacation and my sister caught me and blackmailed me into doing everything she wanted me to the whole trip. Or when she was studying to become a Christian and we talked long distance everyday with questions and tears as she gave up her old life for her new one. I am seeing the same dynamic between my girls. I love to see them lost in play together, and I hate all that bickering! Here are some moments throughout the past several years of my girls together.

Cute but killin' me!

Two is such a fun age in many ways. They are so cute and you can still scoop 'em up and just love on them. Then there are the weeks (such my last 2) when they test your inner being. That boy of mine is requiring an awful (and I mean that literally) lot of attention. I literally can't take my eyes off of him. His latest is going outside by himself when I am half dressed. Today he took off into the woods! I am tearing around the house looking for my shoes so I can catch him. Let the training begin!!