Date Night

Time is just scoot, scoot, scootin' by around here. Realizing that makes me more aware of just how quickly the time spent with my kids all day every day, how quickly those days will be gone. When I was younger, all I ever wanted to be was a mama. I didn't have dreams of  carrying a briefcase, catching the bus and heading downtown to a high rise building. Just wasn't me. I did, however, dream of finger painting with a toddler, nursing my babies, and reading books, cozied up together on the couch. I never thought about life after that. Never. I simply couldn't wait to have littles of my own. I didn't think about them getting bigger. Time seemed to take forever to get to the part where I actually had those kids. And now I have an almost first grader, a four year old and 20 month old. Thinking back at how quickly time has passed since the first one was the 20 month old just kills me. I cannot believe he's six. Needless to say, whenever I get alone time with any of the kids, well, it's priceless. When they get all of me. When I hope that mental picture of whatever cute thing they are doing stays vivid in my mind forever.

Selah and I had a date at the park last week. I loved every minute. I put my phone away, I didn't look at my watch. We went down the slide as much as she wanted. We swung, her little body molding perfectly to mine, until she wanted to stop. I noticed her smiles more, I saw the way she looked at me, happy to be with just me. To have that sliver of time just for us. I love her so much it hurts.

When Isaac was this age I couldn't imagine what having a six year old would be like. It seemed like it would be forever until I would have to face the agonizing day of watching him walk into a great big school building with people I don't know, learning things I didn't teach him. Not being there when his light bulb went on. I still want to be there to see that face he gets when he "gets" it. And here we are, a couple of months away from that very thing. Kindergarten was tough. I cried for at least the first week after dropping him off. I don't want to think about making lunch for just two kids.

This week I've noticed a shift in Gabe's confidence. Where there was once a shy boy who couldn't articulate his thoughts, well, now there's a bigger boy who's trying out new words. The other night while driving home from Dorothy Lane Market, Gabe asked "mom, where are the groceries?", we were all sort of shocked. He doesn't usually say things so clearly.  Isaac, in all of his big brother excitement said "Gabe, where did you learn such a big word?"  It breaks my heart. On the one hand we are ecstatic that he's learning, moving ahead. On the other hand...well, I feel like we've failed him. We shoud've had him in speech sooner, we just kept thinking that he would all of a sudden "get" it. I'm so very proud of him. He's teaching me to be brave. My prayer is to see him walk into preschool come fall with a slew of new words and the confidence he needs to make new friends. Gabe, I love you so much. Thanks for showing us how to take on new challenges.

I love my kids. I love watching them grow. And, although it breaks my heart in all sorts of way, I will love letting go.

XOXO,
Angie

Fruits of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:22

This parenting thing is tough. I want my kids to be ALL of those things listed above. Difficult since they live with me and I'm not all of those things. Not even close. I'm workin' on it.

We made a chart.  A Fruits of the Spirit chart.  I've had this idea for awhile now and thought it would be a great thing to try out over summer break.

We need this chart, I won't mention any names but a certain six year old was in time out three times during the making of the chart. His wasn't turning out quite like he had envisioned. He got upset. A little self-control, perhaps a little patience would've been good at that precise moment...like I said, we need it.

We listed each item we are working on and assigned a piece of fruit to it..  Love is an apple, joy is a banana, etc...  At the end of the day, probably before bed, we will go through each one and see if we've been successful with each item. If they have then they get to draw that piece of fruit on their tree. 

At the end of the week we will do something special like miniature golf, a visit to Young's Jersey Dairy, Chuck E. Cheese or bowling...anything fun. If they work hard all summer we've promised Kings Island. They. Are. Motivated!

Wish me luck. I have high hopes that this will be what made the difference...next they will be solving world hunger or curing Cancer. A mama can dream, right?

XOXO,
Angie

FYI

Just thought you should know :)

Happy Day out there!

XOXO,
Angie

Summertime

Summer. Is. Here.

Know how I can tell??

School's out!

I think I'm more excited than Isaac is! 

I want to make it memorable.

I want to make it fun.

I want to make it productive.

I want to savor, cuddle, teach, enjoy.

I have some big goals for summer.

High expectations.

I'm looking forward to the challenge of making it great.

What I'm most excited about is the camping. We don't have it all mapped out just yet but it's gonna be great. I have so many memories of family camping trips. Huddled around a campfire, the perfect smore's stick in hand, talking late into the night. Who can forget sleeping several to a tent, wrapped in quilts my stepmother (the most amazing woman I know) made for each (5 at that time...now 7) of us. Waking up to a fly buzzing and then landing on any exposed skin it might happen to find, shooing it away in hopes of a few more minutes of sleep. Oh, and the mosquitos?!  It's a long standing joke in our family that they love me. And my brother, Jesse, but mostly me. Seriously, if you want to go camping and you don't want to be eaten alive by the blood sucking critters sit next to me. You won't be touched.  Promise.

Anyway, those memories are the best, most treasured times from my childhood and I can't wait to watch my littles make memories of their own. I've talked it up pretty big, it better be good.  This time around though I'm looking forward to holding a sleeping Selah in my arms by that campfire and watching her big brothers roast marshmallows, staying up late with my guy, talking and gazing at the stars.  Making memories.

What are you most excited about for summer?

XOXO,
Angie