Relenting

I've not got many organized thoughts but I found these pictures on Mike's phone over the weekend and they were too cute not to post.

{they must just be pouty to be getting their picture taken b/c surely they wouldn't be pouty about getting ready to ride Paw's new super-fast jet ski}

{a documented sweet moment of sharing the new bike that Nee Nee gave Peter.  

Be assured, its not often so kindly shared.}

{Remember the clouds from this post?  The cute ice cream cones before that storm arrived.}

We are just a bunch of beautiful messes, loved & cared for by God, but flailing and crazy on our own. 

I was a little (or a lot) of a mess over the weekend.  Feeling daunted by this crazy job of raising children and managing everyone's desires and expectations and wills (mine being at the top of that list). I think it was the culmination of coming back from vacation and readjusting to school year life (and we're not even really in school yet!) and just the crazy pace (and amount) of life in our culture.  Its quite overwhelming.  But I feel like God was gracious to bring me to my breaking point and in that to finally bring some surrender (at least until it re-builds- who are we kidding) of my control and desires and expectations and hopes.  And then comes a little peace... some relenting and releasing.

And the reminder of this verse:
The one who calls you is faithful and HE will do it.  (1 Thes 5:24)

Even if its different that what I thought or imagined.  Its better, even as that's hard to imagine b/c it brings HIS Kingdom in my life, not just my kingdom.  HE will do it.  

In Home Spa Services

For the second day in a row, Lily told me that she wanted to put lotion on my legs.

  A dream come true for me.  I loooove physical touch.

Checking out the dry skin or "ash" as they say where I grew up ;)

 She put multiple coats on for me... 

and each time she told me what she thought the dolip of lotion looked like... :)

 The touch of those hands is so sweet.

No shame, no shame... dry old legs on the blog now!

But how could I resist?!?

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20

tonight at dinner

"I don't like toad food."   -Lily

(aka: tofu)

First Week of Preschool

We headed in for an open house (new this year) on Wednesday morning.  The kids got to see their rooms and meet their teachers but I stayed with them.  

They picked some monkey grass blooms to take in to their teachers (tho we didn't really give them... I sorta chickened out b/c of all the chaos that is an open house... and they forgot).

 This is how Peter greets his school day and his teachers.  I just love it. 

 Then this morning we had our first official day, tho only 2 hours instead of 3.  

Lily was a little stand off-ish this morning, as you'll see in these pics.  I assumed it was her nerves.  Though, in general, she has been really excited.  She's started pretending school... craft time, snack time, kisses goodbye.  She has been excited to go with Pete, excited about her teachers.    

BUT by the time, we headed out to go (we took pics early), she said "Its gonna be so fun at school!" and she eagerly ran into her classroom.  Yay, Lily!

Peter is clearly the big man on campus!

 Lily's turn to hold the sign.  

She totally wanted to hold it, but then she still wouldn't share any smiles.

No affection, please, Bro!

 All done, Mommy.  

I had to get Peter to stand here alone for old times' sake.  His last two years of preschool are here and here.  I wish there were pics of him standing at the top from the first year for a more true comparison.  Man, can you believe how they grow!!  

Its my little man's last year of preschool.  I am SO thankful for his time at preschool and for the chance to affordably have my child educated in a place that has a spiritual bent, tells him about Jesus, talks about the Lord, the Creator of all things, teaches him the sovereign God's character, etc, etc.   I met with some moms this morning to pray for the preschool and I just prayed that I really hope it counts, that the Lord would really use these years in their lives to learn about Him.  I still feel like a young mom, I have no idea what our future will look like, or what its like to parent older children.  The first one is always an experiment.  But I just hope and pray that God would shape this boy's heart.  And I already see evidence that He is.  :)   

We couldn't be more thrilled with BOTH of their teachers... really!  I am so thankful.  Peter's is a mom of 3 boys and just seems awesome!  Lily's is a friend that we've known for many years and couldn't be more happy to have her teach Lily.

 

 It feels like a such a special year to really savor b/c its our boy's last one at home all day and b/c they will get to be there together at preschool.  :)

  I am also thankful for the start of the school year too FOR ME too b/c its also the re-start of a community for me, as people/moms/friends are around the church more often.  I also love the international community that is our preschool.  It is such a gift in helping our children learn to love everyone and learn more of a global perspective (not that they can really do that at 3 & 5 but the first ideas and seeds and love are there).  :)

Pretty Pictures

Mike took the kids for some back yard play time and nature search.  

I think the pictures he took are so good!

Sand Castles, Soccer, and Surfing

There was lots of this last week.

So we did lots of this... 

 We signed Peter up for soccer this fall... so we got some practice in on the beach!

Little Sister begged to play too when we went for sign ups.  

But I think she'll have to wait a year even tho I think she'd love it.

 Mike went surfing the majority of the days.  His teenage days at his grandparent's beach cottage and dreams of being 18 again kicked in.  :)  

It was great exercise and as he said, "Its a lot more fun than running!!"
I'm loving me some hot surfer dude husband.  :)