An Unexpected Surprise

Nothing surprises our Heavenly Father.  He knows everything!  We, His children, do get to enjoy the gift of surprises.  Unfortunately I often see "surprises" as roadblocks and not gifts.  Last week we had a BIG surprise, and there was no doubt that it was a BIG gift!  We were given the opportunity to enjoy our friend's condo at Pawley's Island for the weekend.  The moment that I realized that all the "cards" were falling into place for us to go, I was a little panicked seeing as it was Tuesday afternoon and we were going to leave Friday morning, but I was reminded of the chapter I have been memorizing. 

Psalm 139:1-6

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
³ You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
⁵ You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Thank you, Lord, for your unexpected and overwhelming gift of sweet memories at the beach!

While chasing birds Levi fell in the water and then decided he didn't want to wear wet clothes :)

Dainty little girl feet

Big strong boy feet

Every house should come with a mirror like this...hours of entertainment!

 Levi would raise his stick and say, "Mighty War-dah!!"

This is the mighty warrior who didn't get his way.

 Mary Kathryn learned a new "trick" while we were gone!

Our last morning it was windy and chilly, but I was determined to have swim suit pictures.

Levi's beach vocabulary:

"bowling suit" = bathing suit

"back'a beach" = go back to the condo

"ocean" = go out to the beach

"robins" = all birds, including pelicans & seagulls

(we did get this one straightened out)

"tabs" = crabs

"ping-ones"  = penguins from a movie he watched

"turtle shells" = sea shells

"Noo-thules" = noodles

"Sake-u" = thank you
"mighty War-dah" = mighty warrior

A Servant's Heart

Poor Mary Kathryn was still hungry and had food in her bowl when I jumped up from the dinner table on Friday to prepare Josh's lunch before he headed into work that night.  I was running behind, dinner was late, and Josh needed to get dressed; so Mary Kathryn was gonna have to wait.

I was walking into the kitchen and I heard Levi say, "Feed Mary Kathryn" as he climbed into my chair and began to feed her.  What a sweet boy and big helper!   

He even helped with clean up. 

When she was finished and wanted to get down he played her a song on his ta-tar (guitar).

Watching Levi serve was worth the extra clean up!

Spring Break with Lyssa

We love it when Lyssa comes!  It's a guarantee that LOTS of fun is in store.

She brings her stethoscope to practice listening to our hearts. 

She always has new "useless" knowledge to share. 

She loves muffins from The Bagel Shop" and carrot cake from Sullivan's...Yum! 

She will sit in the car with the kids so I am able to get all my errands done in 1 afternoon.  Then we have time to go to fun places like Target and the library! 

She reminds me to laugh at the crazy things Levi does. 

She also reminds me that Mary Kathryn's willful personality makes her extra special, NOT difficult. 

She makes me feel young and I do crazy things like go to the 9 o'clock movie. 

She reads Levi the SAME books over and over every day, even when she has a sore throat.

Thank you, Lyssa, for spending your spring break with us!!


Pictures from our week together:

After decorating his face with stickers Levi came to tell me he was ready to go outside 
(with his shoes on the wrong feet and no pants).

Lunch date with Momma

Matching blue eyes

We spent one afternoon helping Daddy work on new bee hives

Practicing her Miss America wave :)

I was thankful for the 2nd set of arms to hold

Miss EXTRA SPECIAL who decided not to nap that afternoon

a wheelbarrow + some worms = a VERY fun day with Daddy

This is why God gave us a Daddy...

I was delighted to pull in the driveway just in time to capture these memories. 

...thankful I did have to participate.  :) 

 

...by the cross are sanctified

"Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.'' - In the Cross of Christ I Glory 
John Bowring

 The tears were flowing as we sang this in church Sunday morning. How is it my heart could ache and rejoice at the same time? How is it that there is peace when the answer was "You were not chosen."?  

What at a blessing that after receiving disappointing news about the position at work Josh applied for we were able to spend the afternoon as a family playing and laughing.  The joy of the Lord does abide through ALL times! 

playing "guitar"

 for the record Levi picked his outfit, army man pants & George

And in the midst of the sadness the Lord sends this very exciting opportunity to be "famous" for a day!!  Out of the blue I received a crazy phone call from the local newspaper asking to interview me.  They were doing an article on a new study that has put a "price" on the duties of a homemaker.  They wanted to know Why I chose to stay home?  and What my thoughts on this study were? It's not very often a stay-at-home mom is recognized on the FRONT page of the business section with 2 pictures and a full page article.  Who knew I could be making $96, 261?!? 

Lord, be glorified in us through these situations.  We trust You are making us more like Jesus as we joyfully accept ALL that You give us.

"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"

Job 2:10

My Own Little Spot

 It's not very often I have something I get to call my very own. My whole world is shared with my 3 favorite people. What was once the breakfast table is now my very own sewing and crafting nook!

This little set of drawers is my favorite item on the table.  It was Momma's and she asked if I'd like to have it.  Each time I open the drawers I smile as the memories of watching her sew just pop right out...handing and collecting her pins, ironing for her, the smell of the machine as when it gets hot, and the sound of the scissors on the table as she cut out her pattern. 

 

My first project was cloth napkins.  The paper napkin holder has been replaced with this cute bucket and these happy colors.  Momma said I needed to practice making bobbins, threading the machine, and different stiches, so I changed my thread with each new set. 

Project #2 was a pillow case dress!  It's far from perfect...a little short and the hem stitching resmebles the curvy mountain road we take to get our Christmas tree...but it's wearable!