In the Moment

Why is that I feel all philosophical after I've worked?  It's either the harsh realization that there are MANY people worse off than anything I've dreamt thus far or the fact that I'm tired enough for my brain to slow down and consider life.  Probably a little of both.  Anyway, we were playing at the park this morning.   Katie and Mary played on the swings - they love to share the one big swing even though they get "squooshed" as Katie puts it.  Then they did the rollie slide - over and over, while holding hands (so cute!).  Katie then found a friend, as she does every time we go anywhere and was playing with her friend.  Jack and Grace were on the basketball court for camp.  Mary discovered the tunnel on the playground.  Of course, she still called it a "slide," but it does have a decline, so close enough :).  She would scoot herself down while watching for me through the little holes.  Once she got to the end, she would turn around and crawl back up.  She would giggle and laugh.  It was so relaxing to see.  In that instant I realized I was not thinking about the chores that needed to be done at home or the work that laid ahead of me.  I was in the moment, and the moment was amazing.  Praise be to God!

 

A Pictoral Guide to June Summer Fun

Summer "started" a little late for us this year due to our wonderfully cold/icy/floodingly long winter.  Finally though, school was finished.  We started off with our "tradition" of going to What's the Scoop? with Joey and Patty for lunch.  The kids love the ice cream and crane machine, and it's fun to walk downtown from school to start the summer.  The first official day of summer was a rainy, chilly day (par for the course this year).  We canceled our plans for the White Sox game and instead had a fun day hanging out with Lynn, Celeste and Patty and their boys followed by running some errands.   We were thinking we should be looking for a new house to fit the new baby and all, so we started out looking at houses.  We are currently in the mindset that we like our house, neighbors and location much too much to move, so we are purging, cleaning and rearranging with the idea of eventually adding-on (someday :))…

The next week was beautiful. Swimming lessons started and summer reading and the craziness of summer :). 

On that first HOT Saturday of the summer, we made a trip to Brookfield Zoo.  It was really fun, and we all took SO MANY pictures :).  

Lunchtime/nap time

Trying to cool off 

  Then came Vacation Bible School during the second week of swimming.  It made for a hectic week – swimming at 8AM then VBS from 12-3.  We were all exhausted in the evenings.  Patty and I did the story time section again this year, but Mary stole the show each day.  The kids would come into the church and immediately call for her to sit by them.  She obliged some days, and others she teased by dancing in the aisles.  She had a wonderful time with all the attention.  The theme was, “Building the Kingdom of God” with service projects every day.  The children had a great time and learned so much about the ways they can help, no matter how little they are.

Jack and Grace both celebrated their birthdays the week of VBS.  Celeste made their absolutely delicious cake and cupcakes :).  Hard to believe they are 8 and 6!!!  They both wanted *big* things this year.  Grace has entered the realm of American Girl dolls, and Jack has wanted a camera of his own for years now.  Well, my aunt and cousin gave Grace my cousin’s AG doll, Kirsten, which was so wonderful, along with a bunch of clothes, a bed and BEAUTIFUL chest.  She just loves it!  Jack got an older camera of ours.  Believe me, he takes better pictures than I ever did with it!

Summer has been terrific so far – it is beautiful and relaxing and going by way too quickly!!!  We are so blessed and are thanking God every day for the gift of being together!

Happy 4th of July

We are eagerly awaiting our new computer hardware so I sit here typing from one of our laptops.  We are very thankful to all of those who serve our country and give us the freedom that we all cherish and enjoy here in North America.  Please remember that Freedom is something that God has given all humanity and it is something that we should not take for granted.  FREEDOM should be recognized from a Christian perspective as our opportunity to do what is RIGHT.  It does not always translate to doing whatever we want or desire.  The image of freedom equaling the ability to do whatever we want is what is often popularized and portrayed through secular media and / or our own inner desires and the pressures of the society we live in.  Have a happy and blessed 4th of July and be thankful to all of those who have given their life for our FREEDOM!