daddy dates

 scrumptious!

more scrumptious!

Josh and I have been trying to do special things with the kids lately to make sure we are balancing love with discipline. It is so fun for them to be at an age to take them on dates. Last week Josh took Hallel to the $ Tree and Sim and I stayed home to play blocks. Hallel came back with a pink piggy bank and a popsicle tray. Josh said it was so fun to see her get excited about a pink piggy and wanted to get Sim a blue one too. The next day the kids and I made some orange juice popsicles with fresh strawberries! I love summer treats.

This Friday is my turn to go on a date with Josh and I'm super excited! More to follow...

 he turned his hat backwards all by himself to make some serious builds

 making strawberry pops

 scrumptious too!

old fashioned fun

 My Grandpa was a collector of junk and restorer of cars. When we were little girls we rode in the local parade in his bright yellow Model T and threw candy to the kids. Some of our favorite memories of Grandpa and Grandma's house were dressing up in my Grandma's vintage clothes and playing "wedding" outside on her lush green grass and throwing hydrangea flowers on the ground during our pretend ceremony. If I remember right I was often out voted by my other 3 sisters and had to play the groom's role.
I think that through these young memories I have a special place in my heart for vintage things and just
having old fashioned simple fun.
This week when the kids were looking out their favorite window where they look for deer and other animals and watch daddy leave and return from work. We noticed that they could see their shadows up on the wall. Seriously, for how many centuries have kids been enamored with their shadows? And it is still so much fun! We entertained ourselves until the sun shifted and they were gone! I love having simple fun with my kids.

monkeying around

My favorite little monkeys just being themselves!

little mamma with her Bunny Bjorn

 Making oobleck

 ooey gooey fun

Super duper slide at a local carnival

Hallel in jumpy house heaven

sistas

funny faces

 shaving cream

 making designs

 the artist

 laundry day

favorite climbing tree

 cheese

sore muscles

It has been a while since I have used some of my muscles and quite frankly they are sore. Let me explain...
My brain has been getting quite the workout this semester. I had the opportunity or need to take two classes this semester. I haven't been in school since babies and I lost all of those brain cells through pregnancy (which I've heard you never get back-yikes!) it was a bit challenging. I finished my last all day Saturday class last weekend and it was a great feeling to turn in my project and be finished. It ended up being a good class on how to relate to families in our communities and churches. I was challenged to think about the struggles that are in our churches and how to think proactively towards helping them. I have a passion for the family and realize how many practical and spiritual needs are present in our church. This may be over simplified but I love the Scriptures in 1 John that talk about the love of Christ being our greatest weapon (so to speak). My prayer is that I will be humble enough to love others purely. Especially my dear little family.


My patience muscle is way out of whack. I'm not even sure if there is a muscle there, ha! We have been in a holding pattern for over two years now. February 2011 Josh interviewed for a teaching job and was runner up for the job. Since then it has been filling out apps and sending his CV along with trusting God for the next step. This last year has been another year of miraculous provision of God from Josh graduating, to being able to teach 3 classes here at GGBTS and the opportunity to be published! We are so grateful to God for His tender care each day. And with this we look in anticipation for what He has next. I don't know if the fear of the unknown or the waiting just to know is more challenging. I do know that Josh and I are being stretched in ways that we haven't been before and so that is good. I hope my demanding heart is being softened to the Lord's leading.


The other muscles are just those fatty stretched out baby muscles! They sure do stretch far in pregnancy but are pretty saggy after. Josh and I often say, "boy are we getting old". We have been on a baby diet for over two months now with no progress. I started jogging last week but just haven't been real consistent. I guess I shouldn't have given in to all those baby cravings. oops! I think my love for food is a consistent reminder from God that I need to have discipline on a daily basis.


To say the least the soreness will hopefully turn into some serious tone. I know that as I look back through life some of the things I treasure most were hard in the moment and definitely a product of grace, sweat, tears and sacrifice. So here's to a great workout of the mind, soul, and body!

1 Corinthians 9:24-26a "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So i do not run aimlessly..." 

I couldn't post without some pictures of my favorite people!

a special visitor

Last weekend we had the treat of my mom coming for the weekend. She was an incredible help to us by staying with our kids while Josh was out of town and I was in class. But more than that we had an incredible time with her. The kids absolutely loved having Grandma's full attention and love every moment. I am pretty sure Grandma read "Goodnight Gorilla" to the kids at least 50 times in 4 days.
The weekend started out with a lovely visit from my sister, brother in law, and adorable nephew. Mom and I took the kids to the beach when we had a gorgeous 80 degree day. We are so glad you came Grandma!!! Thank you Grandpa for letting her come and minister to our little family.

 This is when my mom first came. I love how Lita is fixed on Hallel. They both love each other so much!

 Grandma with the babies (4 of her 11 grandkids)

 Hallel and cousin Jeb

 Simeon and cousin Jeb

 Lita bonding with Jeb (they are 3mos apart and Lita is almost as big as him)

 Digging for sand in Sauslito

 Making sandcastles

 Simeon in action

 Intently listening to stories

 Lita Marilee with Grandma Betty Lee

 And more stories...

I had to post this one again because I love Lita's smile!