Camera Dump

I have been itching to document the past week. It has been rich with birthday celebration, family gathering and the grand finale of Juliana finishing kindergarten. Unfortunately disease has also loomed over our household infecting everyone (minus Daddy), and the TLC for my family has kept me from blogging. Life, it's what happens while you're making plans, right?

Now here I am, blogging from the bathroom. I filled up the bathtub for Trent and Sammy and I'm hopeful this will entertain for at least 15 minutes so that I can get this post done.

Pause.

Someone pooped in the bathtub, there went that strategy.

Trent is now reading and Sammy is pulling the wipes out of the container...let me do this as fast as possible. 

Under the Sea Pool Party

Juliana's Birthday Dinner at Grandma and Papa's

Last Day of Kindergarten

There you have it. Perhaps one day I will go back and caption all the photos. There is so much I want to say, so many emotions that are stirred with each picture.

A sensory overload of smells and feelings... the baby shampoo I still wash Juliana's hair with and the weight of her body as I hugged her goodbye on her last day...Trent's laughter in the pool...the smoke from 6 birthday candles...Samantha, the ways she clings to me...my dad measuring Jules on "the wall"...wanting her party to be just right...

We are surrounded by so many people that love us. We are blessed.

Happy Weekend.

Six Years

Dear Juliana Grace,

Today you are six. I can't even write those words without tears blurring my vision. Six. Today is also the sixth anniversary of when I became a mommy.

Six years ago Daddy and I walked those hospital halls willing you to come faster, but you little lady, you came into the world on your own time. You still do everything on your own time, when you're ready and not pushed.

I remember seeing you for the first time, holding you close and exclaiming "my baby, my baby" through laughter and tears. Daddy was captivated by you and still is.

I remember exactly the way you smelled and how you felt in my arms. I remember my hands shaking as I buckled you into your car seat for the first time. And so began our journey together.

I have been a student of you for the past six years. I am six years wiser, six years blessed. Through you the Lord has given me mere glimpses of the kind of love He has for us.

I have kissed your sweet cheeks over a million times. Watched your dimpled knees and thighs turn lean and knobby. Carried you to preschool and walked you to kindergarten.

We have spent six years skipping, dancing, creating and cuddling. You're so full of life Julebug and your spirit is contagious.

I know I can't keep you little. But I can help you blossom. I pray everyday the Lord will give me wisdom as I raise you and discipline you in His ways. I pray that your heart will be for Him, that you will use your intelligence and vivacity for His purpose. 

You are so special. Beautiful inside and out. Happy 6th Birthday sweet girl. I love you so much it hurts.

Our journey together is far from over...

xoxo~Mommy

$70

Come next month we will have lived in our house for 4 years. I can't even believe how quickly time has passed and that we have added two children, one born within the four walls of this house. Our backyard has been the last priority on the long list of household to-do's.

We (Drake's mom and I) made a small enclosure for the kids to play until we had the means to expand and really do what we want. As we are getting close to that point I thought I should cough up the money to purchase a couple of chair pads so that we could sit out there and get a feel for how we want our backyard. $70, I spent $70 on two chair pads and you would think we added another bedroom to our house. We have spent more time as a family in our backyard over the past 4 days than we have in the past 4 years.

It. Is. Wonderful.

We have been out there every night under the stars, music playing, kids dancing.

Amazing what transpires when television is out of the line of vision. Conversations, relaxation, family time.

After two days of backyard bliss, we coughed up another $70 for two more chair pads. I cleaned off the patio table, handed down to us from Drake's grandfather, that we had never used. Morning coffee, quiet time with the Lord, breakfast, afternoon snacks and dinner has all been enjoyed around the forsaken glass top in a span of two days. Amazing the fellowship a table with four chairs (plus chair pads) has brought our family. Wish we had done this sooner.

If you ever stop by and we don't answer the door, come around back, we'll pour you a drink and maybe by then we'll have two more chair pads.

Big things are happening this weekend...someone special is turning 6. Can't wait to celebrate her.

Now back to party prep...

Remember When

I started off the morning with coffee in the backyard. Just carrying the pot out there and sipping in the fresh air made it taste better. However, I'm sure it had less to do with the fresh air and more to do with the enjoying part of it. Usually I'm sipping in spurts as I scurry around the house meeting two dozen needs that aren't mine.

Mama needed a time out this morning. A time out to enjoy her kids {and her coffee}.

Even though less than an hour later I was crying (mostly due to exhaustion), I enjoyed this moment.

The season is changing again. Winding down some things and gearing up for others.

{Awana award ceremony}

{Golden Spoon to celebrate}

Even though there's still a couple weeks left of school, my kiddos already have sand in their scalp and ears. Like a moth to a flame the beach has been calling us.

Even when the sun's not out there's something so calming and freeing about the seashore. For this weary mama it's become my happy place.

 {thanks Misty}

Drake has been gone almost every week for the past six weeks. I don't want my eagerness for this time to be over to mar the memories. I will want to remember when I cheered on my girl for finishing Awana and how a chased a fearless baby all over the shoreline.  I will want to remember a little boy who is happy as long as he is wherever I am. Truth is being home with three small children is hard, however it also the best thing in the whole world.

It is refining and it has chipped away at the selfishness that has rusted over my heart. I am always wanted. Whether it's to wipe a behind or kiss an owie, someone always wants me. Perhaps one of my favorites is that I get to see myself played out in the kids...and it's not always bad.

{lil' sister loves to play mama}

{so does big sister}

Most of my childhood memories include my mom. I might cry sometimes because I'm so tired (my guess is my own mom did too), but my memories include her because she was there. As much as I want to remember this time with my kids, I want them to remember this time with me. I can hardly wait for the day one of them says "remember when mom..." Sticky floors, sleepless nights and shower-less days will all be worth it.