School days!

Here are pictures of my lovely little girl on her first day of school (yesterday).  So far, the transition has been wonderful!  She loves her teacher, loves her classroom, and is looking forward to getting to know her friends.  The BEST part:  I have wanted to WALK my kids to school for as long as I have wanted children.  What a blessing to live 2 blocks away from her kindergarden!  We have walked to and from school together these last two days, and it has been a wonderful opportunity to talk about life, to pray for her upcoming day with her, and to share stories of my own childhood school experiences.  It has been exactly what I hoped it would be.  I'm so thankful.

P.S.  The 2nd picture if of Hannah and her principal.  I was taking her picture out front and he walked over and asked if he could have his picture taken with her.  He is super nice and great with the kids.  She was, of course, tickled pink!  You can see it all over her face! :)

End of summer countdown!

18 days until the start of school!  We're cramming in as much fun as we can until then!!!

Garden Art

We're trying to cram in all of the fun we can before school starts in a couple of weeks!  Yesterday we went to one of our metro parks and participated in a kid's event on "Garden Art".  We heard a presentation from one of the park scientist and then got a chance to make our own art for the garden.  It is so fun to watch the kids learn more about the world that God has created for them to enjoy!  

Pizza night!

We started a "make your own pizza night" at our house this summer.  Here are some pictures from this weekend.  We are pizza fanatics, so this is a little way to have our pizza and save some moo-lah at the same time. :)

Birthday Girl!

I'm very late in posting these pictures of Hannah's birthday!  She asked for a "big girl purple room" for her birthday this year.  While she was away at Mimi and Pop's house, I painted her room and got her all new purple bedding.  It turned out really cute.  She was very surprised when she got home.  She also had a "Fancy Nancy" themed birthday this year.  She has really gotten into those books.  We ended up the birthday week with a princess tea party.  Sadly, I have no pictures from that, as I was busy helping the girls make tiaras and serving little sandwiches and cake. :)  Hopefully I'll get some pictures from the grandmothers to post later.  

I'm SO VERY THANKFUL for my little girl, who is not so little any more.  She has brought more joy into my life than I can say.  She is full of compassion for others; she is kind-hearted and generous; she is quick to forgive.  She often bolsters my faith with her love for Jesus!  I dearly love my little gift and look forward to seeing what the Lord will continue to do in her heart and life.  

Vacation pictures

I'm slow in posting pictures from our vacation two weeks ago.  We went to Hilton Head, SC for a week with my family.  We had a wonderful time catching up with everyone.  I hadn't seen one of my brothers since Christmas, so it was really good to hear what is going on in his life.  We had tons of fun and did a lot of stuff together.  The kids then went on to spend a week with Ken's parents and Ken and I got some much needed alone time.  

I think my favorite parts of the trip were the times that Ken and I got to spend with our kids.  We went down two days before everyone else got there and had our own "mini vacation".  One night at dinner, Harry put his arm around Ken and said, "Your my best friend, daddy!".  This was especially meaningful to us because Harry has typically been a "mommy only" boy.  Ken and the kids really grew closer together over the week.  I'm thankful for the time we could all spend together. 

Finding Joy in the Walk

I've been reading through an excellent study on the first Epistle of John.  This week's lesson was on having fellowship with God and finding that fellowship once you lose it.  One of the points that struck me the most was this: in our present culture of business one of our major idols is productivity.  "What have I produced today?" is the question that seems to define our worth in society.  Now, as a stay at home mom, I really struggle with this!  I often look around at the end of the day and think, "How can I have worked so hard and see so few results?".  I have a difficult time understanding the concept of investing in things that do not produce instant, measurable, visible results.  

What does this have to do with fellowship with God?  Fellowship with God is not something I can  produce in my life by checking off my "to do" list.  To experience fellowship with God requires me to slow down.  It is a relationship that can not be rushed or forced.  J.I. Packer talks about this in his book, "Keep in Step with the Spirit".  He points out that a life lived in contemplation and prayer and in observance of the people that God has placed around you is set in direct opposition to our present culture of business and productivity.  Yet we all hunger for the intimacy, warmth and affection that a life lived before the face of God will afford us.  What is the answer?  Slow down!  Invite God to "interfere" with your schedule!  Look for Him everywhere; listen for His voice; spend time in the Word and in prayer talking to Him.  

As I was reading this morning about slowing down, I was reminded of a scene from a movie that I watched recently.  There is a beautiful scene in "Becoming Jane" that reveals the mindset  of the two main characters, Jane and Tom.  Jane lives in a part of England that is known for its landscape, forests and wildlife.  Tom is forced to leave London and spend some time there in the country.  As they walk through the woods, Tom hacks his way through the beautiful scenery with his head down, seeing nothing.  His intention is to travel from point A to point B.  He is met with frustration as the plants and trees block him from his goal.  Jane, on the other hand, takes the meandering path through the woods, traveling slowly, enjoying the beauty around her.  She takes her time, touching the plants and trees, soaking in God's creation.  

I feel like these are the two approaches to life.  I can either hack my way through it with my head down, or I can enjoy the path that God has placed me on.  Either way, I will reach my destination, but my EXPERIENCE of the walk will be drastically different.  I believe it is possible to "get to heaven" without enjoying your journey with the Lord.  Fellowship with God is the POINT of life.  How can our lives bring Him glory if we don't enjoy Him?  How can we enjoy Him if we don't slow down long enough to get to know Him?  If I hack my way through this life I will miss out on the pleasure of knowing God, knowing my husband, knowing my children.  I will miss out on the joy of being known.  I will miss out on the beauty of the world He created for us to enjoy.  I will miss out on the job He has given us to do--to make His glories known to those around us.  I want to reach my destination, and I want to find joy in the walk as I make my way there.   

P.S.  Pictured above is Harry at the beach.  He was the only kid who slowed down long enough to sit with me and watch the waves.  I was shocked by this, because he is typically my "doer".  We had some sweet time together, watching the waves going in and out.  I am thankful for the moments he "slowed down" with me.