VBS

My children have had a ball at VBS this week.  Their "theme" is Walk This Way and they are collecting gently worn shoes to be given to people that have none.  They are learning stories from the bible and they are learning more about how we are His hands and feet.  That is a conversation that we talk a lot about.  It is my fervent prayer that my children will have a heart for Jesus.  I pray that they will always find ways, be it small or big to help someone along the way.  Our life journey can be filled with many road blocks.  We need to be reminded that Jesus cares.  Dear Jesus, please use Callie Grace and Caleb (and me) for Your glory.  Thank you for allowing us to be silly and to have lots of fun!

Wacky hair day

Silly sock day

No shoe Thursday!

Why do these 2 pictures look like it is a foggy day??!

Father's Day

On Sunday morning, we all went to church and then came home and had grilled hamburgers for lunch.  Before we had our prayer, I asked Callie Grace and Caleb their favorite thing to do with their dad.  Callie Grace said she loved to dance with her dad.  Caleb said he liked fishing and going to Carolina football games with his dad.  I prayed and thanked God for our meal and asked God to watch over Kip and direct his paths.  I prayed for protection and direction over our family.

It is often easy for us to get caught up in the day to day schedule that we sometimes lose sight of our true purpose here on earth.  We were made to share Jesus' love with one another.  It is my opinion that love begins with your family.  But why do we lose sight of loving and caring for those closest to us?  That is a question that has been on my mind so much lately.  I have been on my knees praying that God will use me for His glory.

Kip, if you are reading this post, I want you to know that I am praying for you.  I am praying that God will wrap you in His arms and give you His strength.  Dear Jesus, please direct my family's path.  Help us cling to YOU.

Random Post

My mama and daddy have been on my mind a good bit lately.  I am not sure why but the songs that we sang together have been on my mind too.  Some were silly but I guess they were the bright spots in my childhood.  So much of my childhood was difficult but these songs always brought me happiness and made me feel like all was right in my little corner of the world.  For the sake of my children, I want to document the names of these songs.  I think they know many of these by heart as I have carried on the tradition with them.

Songs I would sing with mama:
Jesus Loves Me
KKKKatherine, beautiful Katherine...
Casey Would Waltz...
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Frere Jacques
Kookaburra Sits in an Old Gum Tree
Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man
Deep and Wide


Songs I would sing with daddy:
Once Upon A Time...
I'm a Ramblin Wreck From Georgia Tech...
Amazing Grace

I am beyond thankful for these moments of memories in my life.  I pray that my children will look back on their childhood and talk about all of the silly singing that I did with them and the times that we sang about Jesus' great love for us.

June 2nd - School's Out for Summer!

Yay!  I am so ready for a break.  It has been a great year for Caleb and a learning year for Callie Grace.  I want to make this summer memorable for them.  I want them to enjoy being children.  Their childhood is fleeting fast.  I want to be more intentional with them!
Here is a pic of their last morning as 2nd and 4th graders!  You can tell that they are excited and still half asleep! :)

A few things that are on our agenda for summer are:

1. go to the zoo

2. go to playground

3. swim

4. have picnics by the pool

5. have some play dates

6. go roller skating

7.go to the beach

8. play baseball (Caleb)

9. spend the night church camp (CG)

10. VBS

11. visit the library

12. try to make time for a visit to GA

13. go to Hiwire

14. go camping

15. get Kona Ice or Pelicans Snoballs or both!

16. ride bikes

17. bake some goodies for our neighbors

18. do some type of art (make jewelry, draw, knit, paint pottery)

19. play piano (CG)

20. put together a big puzzle

21. go to the riverwalk

22. go to the movies

Thoughts to my 10 year old daughter

May 6, 2016

Dearest Callie Grace,

Somehow, you will be ten years old in 2 days.  My beautiful blessing will be 10.  Your kind and loving spirit brings me more joy than you can ever imagine.  Your intellect is something to be admired.  Every night, I thank Jesus for your life.  I pray that you will share with others your love for Jesus.  It is very difficult to put into words what you mean to me.  I am your biggest cheerleader.

As you are rounding this curve to becoming 10 years old, there are a few things I want you to know…

1.      Keep Jesus as #1 in your life.  Pray for Godly friends and also pray for your future husband.

2.      It is not your job to keep the people you love happy.  Not me, not Daddy, not Caleb nor your friends.

3.      You should never be afraid to share your passions. Anyone who teases you for what you love to do is not a true friend.

4.      It is okay to disagree with me and others.  You are old enough to have a point of view and I want to hear it.  Your perspective is both valid and valuable.

5.      You are so very beautiful.  Your face now holds the baby you were and the young woman you are quickly becoming.

6.      Reading is very important. I am so pleased to see that you share in the love of reading.  Getting lost in a book is the best possible thing to do.

7.      You are not me.  We are very alike but you are your own person, completely and fully. I am going to be here for you, no matter what.  The red string that ties us together will stretch.  I know it will. And once the transition is accomplished there will be a new, even better closeness.  I know that too.

8.      It is almost never about you.  What I mean is that when people act in a way that hurts or makes you feel insecure, it is almost certainly about something happening inside of them, and not about you.  Believe me, I know how feelings can slice your heart, even if your head knows otherwise. But maybe, just maybe it will help you to remember that we don’t always know the path that others are walking so be gentle with them.

9.      There is no single person who can be your everything.  People, including me will let you down.  Always lean on Jesus to help guide you.

10.   I am trying my best.  I know I am not good enough and not the mother you deserve.  I can be impatient and raise my voice. I am sorry.  I love you and your brothers more than anyone else in the entire world.  I wish I could be better for you.  I’ll admit, I don’t always love your behavior, and I am quick to tell you that. But every single day, I love you with every fiber of my being. No matter what.

Callie Grace, always remember that I love you more today than yesterday but less than I will tomorrow.

Happy, Happy Birthday, my 10 year old girl! xoxoMama

Caleb's Prayer

My precious boy is loud and rambunctious.  He has one speed and it is lightening fast! I love that he is all boy and if I am being honest, it can be exhausting.  Maybe that is why, when I see the glimpses of Jesus in his life, my heart swells with thankfulness.

During prayer time last night, Caleb prayed that everyone would have hope in Jesus.  Amen, sweet boy.  That is my prayer too.

Dancing the Night Away

Caleb and I had so much fun at his 2nd grade Valentine's dance last night.  He was a true gentleman.  We danced and laughed a lot!  Thank you, Caleb for these precious memories.  I am beyond lucky to get to be your mama!