All 10 Popes

Growing up, going to school there were two days most look forward to. The first day of school...and the last. Ok, so there were some in between, but we are talking about MOST looked forward to. It isn't a whole lot different with home schooling, but I must admit now I get that feeling that you teachers must feel at the end of the year...sweet relief...and it sure feels great! This year the kids helped me put together some games for an end of year par-tay. But first we decided an end of year photo is a must. Here is to our future veterinarian and firefighter...Lord willing... Koen, of course, was upset (just a little) that he did not have a sign. I love you Koen boy. There was a lot of chalk smashing and drawing and that helped Koen feel better. Balloon throwing. More Balloon throwing. Balloon Races Pizza Making Some finger paint. Found this idea at this sweet blog. And why not just chalk paint ...

I have decided that if I'm actually going to pin something to Pintrest that I am going to attempt to make it or use it for inspiration...that it will be used as a tool and not as another distraction. This may be wishful thinking on my part...a high and lofty goal, but in the weeks since opening an account I have: ~ Bought from Goodwill for $7.00 (yes, I KNOW $7.00) a rather unattractive dresser piece, painted it barn red and replaced the knobs with new ones from Menard's. Did you know (I did not!!)  that people that bring in their paint that was not mixed to their liking is sold on the back shelves and it is a whole lot cheaper to buy? I got 2 gallons of paint for 10.00. My primer was more than that!! ~Painted this rather dull looking island (another Goodwill purchase) this weird blue color (another returned paint color) that I love. The bummer is that is isn't the Ol' Man's favorite, but he said as long as I don't paint the table this color, it...

This thing we call mothering, it has been hard as of late. This bending low. I've shared that I don't want to do it sometimes. That sometimes, I want to rise up and do things my own way because that bending low, it hurts and it doesn't look pretty.  This girl. She's growing. The girl who grew inside me when I was just a girl. She is becoming her own. I see it. I see Christ richly dwelling inside her. I see the battle. I see the heartache. I see the triumph....though they have seemed to be few and far between as of late. She loves deeply. She feels deeply. She wounds deeply. And I'm almost sorry to say that she is more like me then I would ever want to admit. She is fiery and passionate. She takes things personally, and overanalyses. She has a hard time loving those close to her sometimes, yet loves and sacrifices and cares. This girl: She. Is. Lovely. She is full of beauty. And I do forget to tell her this often. This girl, I can't imagine m...

This is what I see when I look up from my computer. This is what I look at daily as we walk this wondering wisp of a life together. I am reminded with every glance. Because in this crazy thing that we call family life it's the feelings that get in the way. And those feelings they can get big and crazy too. Because as much as I would like to say that I always feel like my children are a blessing, there are these times when I don't. This I know in my head, my heart even: my children are a blessing.  But oh, how my feelings can betray that knowledge....  Can't I just have the floor (any floor) clean for an hour? Half an hour? Ok, 5 minutes? Will you pullleaassee, child, nap longer than 30 min. so that I can get the island painted that minty green color I'm excited about? Why are you arguing...again...and again...oh, and again? Who cares what seat you sit in? I'll never in a million years understand that! Do children in Africa argue about where to sit? I ...

Just a few gentile reminders for your summer adventures.... (click the pix for a larger version) These four have a way of reminding me of what is truly important, to laugh at myself often, how often I fall short, to see the wonder in the small and that life isn't about getting, rather it is about bending low in giving. This is why I need Jesus above all, I need Him....

This boy of mine he never stops moving, even when he is still. He is seven and loves to run crazy wild and free, parachute off our couches, wrestle ‘til someone is physically hurt, climb the tallest tree, venture into the unknown (AKA the woods by our house), tease everyone he loves especially his big sister. He especially loves to figure out just how a thing works…even if it breaks the thing. Run into the house with something wiggly, squirming, and usually with an ick factor of about 11. He then loves to put them in jars and watch them. This boy of mine also loves to read. Yes, read. He loves to have his adventures in books. Funny, I never thought he would love them. Those things that can open a person up wide and help them find an adventure, a life even they never thought they would take or have. Never. Not once. Did I think he would LOVE them…. The library. He loves going there too. As the biggest Love in my life and I chatted about this surprising developme...