Thoughts in my head...

I'm just coming off a 10-day vacation & trying to get back into a routine...whatever that is. I'd really like to avoid all laundry & housework, but I don't think that's very realistic. Especially since I keep tripping over all the laundry & whatnot.

Words like "whatnot" are what come from watching too many episodes of The Office and Scrubs while trying to avoid housework. Obvi! (Thank you, Joy the Baker , for new fun terms like "boom" and "whateves".)

Did you know it's hard to grill chicken when the gas isn't hooked up to the grill? Pan-fried, anyone?

We'll be eating potatoes, onions, and zucchini for the next 3 weeks straight. I'm so thankful for our bountiful garden, I just wish it was a little more varied & didn't produce quite so many at the same time! I like zucchini about once a week, thank you very much.

Our girls are off to camp & it's weird to have an incomplete family. Seems off-balance. I miss them already & can't wait for them to come home.

I learned something new last week about my cousin-in-law. (Is that even a term?) She's amazingly talented. This should be no surprise, but it was the first I learned of her craftiness. Not the sneaky, evil kind. I'm a little obsessed with these magnets. They are way cute! And the little baby booties & made me wish I was having another baby. But just for a minute.

My sister-in-law, who I already knew was crafty, (and YES, I mean the sneaky, evil kind!) ;)taught me how to make magazine bead bracelets. We had fun being irresponsible together. At least it felt that way. I had no clue where my children were, I didn't make my bed, and I didn't make any meals. (Thanks, Bill!) I rewarded my irresponsible behavior with 4 great water bottles, which I proceeded to melt in our dishwasher the first time I washed them! Oops.

I really, really miss Tennessee. Mostly I miss the weather. Mainly because it's one hundred and sixty nine degrees here. Seriously. I love being home again, but does it have to be so stinkin' hot? I'll be forced to walk around in my bathing suit all day at this rate. Oh, wait. That's what I did in Tennessee. Maybe that's what I miss...

Pausing...

Summer is a busy time.

Little bodies are active and little brains are chock full of creative ideas - like fort building, weapon making, dress designing, molding, drawing, cutting, gluing...

It's often hard to appreciate the creativity when all I can see is the mess that's left behind... But today. Today I choose to pause. Today I choose to revel in the creativity, and ignore the mess. Today I thank God for these little minds.

And if I'm completely honest...

Today I'm glad that these precious children are learning responsibility and are old enough to clean up their own "creative chaos"...

So that this momma can put her feet up & pause just a little longer...

And finally...

What I learned - by Noah Voth

Mrs. Streck. I have learned that Math is hard but I stick up with it. Language is esey but slopey. I try my hardest. I am sorey that I talk. You are the best teacher.

Summer vacation...

Yay for summer vacation & simple motivators to get the kids helping around the house.

And thank you, Netflix, for instant streaming of Phineas & Ferb! ;)

Yes, I use TV as a reward & motivator. Why do you ask?

Today...

"Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me.

When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance." - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

"But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God..."
- 2 Corinthians 1:9

"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:20

Happy Easter!!

We had a fun weekend with Phil's family for Easter.
We got to celebrate 8 years...

We got to love on a sweet boy & have fun sister-talks...

We got to decorate sugar cookies...and do a fun craft...

We got to relax a little and enjoy "down" time...

We got to experience the thrill of the go-cart & be mechanics...

And we got to defy all the regulations we learned this week at Agricultural Safety Day. Who says four-wheelers weren't meant for EIGHT?!?!

Thanksgiving...

Dear God -

Thank you for this day.
Thank you for everything.
I love you.
You have the coolest powers.

Love, Noah