Paw & Lily

A few weeks ago Paw and Maw came for dinner after Paw had some continuing ed nearby.  I think everyone else had gone back inside at the end of the eve but I found these two in the backyard goofing off.  We all know Lily loves to put on a dance show.  She got Paw to participate with her.  They each took turns.  One would sit in a chair while the other danced then vis versa.  Is this a hoot and the epitome of Paw?!  One loves it as much as the other!  Goofies.  We have it pretty good!

 Then onto the swing set.  It was late and clearly, I don't know how to use my camera.  But the point is clear, right? Paw is sweet and goofy and loves some grandgirls.

More May pics to come!

Answer

In general, I've been doing really well lately.  Feeling much more peaceful and trusting about where we are and what our life will look like.  I am so so thankful for that.  I was feeling sorta d.o.n.e. with the exhaustion of grieving.  Its been such a huge praise to think about the healing He has done.  
Tonight I looked at something (on social media) and I just felt it.  I felt my heart spiraling.  Look at them.  Look at ALL that they get.  And yet I also just felt like 'NO!... I just can't spiral and be sad and look at others'.  It was just a quick silent desperate prayer.  And only a half believing one.  God, help me.  (I don't even remember what I said in my head.)  
And then it came a few moments later.... 
Three times. In church this morning I noted that Job repeated the point three times.
I myself will see Him
with my own eyes-- I, and not another.
And then I realized-- because of this-- the loss, the grief-- I don't hope in life being cute (oh, I love cute).  That is a mercy, his grace to me.  I hope in Him.  And I hope because---

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end He will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see Him
with my own eyes-- I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27

And like that, He takes me back to being thankful and trusting.  And just to know that He is so personal to stoop enough to one day let me see Him.  To know that He sees me enough to let me see Him.

TCI: Day Four

Let's go back to Turks and Caicos, shall we?!  Its been too long. 

On our final full day there, we just explored up the beach by our resort... up and around the northwest point.

There is just something so good about no agenda.  Just walking, exploring and piddling along as the mood strikes you... On the first day, we'd made it up to the point but we'd left our flip flops on the beach somewhere so it was too rough on our feet to continue on.  We made sure to hang onto our flops so we could keep going on our last day. 

Some of our piddling finds... 

Now looking down the western-ish side of the island

 The terrain was really cool... we called things moon rock, lava rock, and then big hunks of coral!

 Pools of water up on the rocky area

 Deep quick sandy area... 

 Love me some Michael, esp Michael at the beach, in the sunshine, eating a lobster shell... 

 a shallow area b/t two rocky areas

 Sea biscuit?

 Look at ALL of the shells and coral!!!

 Now we are headed down the western side... Look at the water!  

A new shade of blue... sort of a navy!

 How many conchs did Mike blow?

 This sail boat made us think of Robert, Alvin, and Ski.

 Somebody pinch me!

 An area the water had carved out.

Then we headed back... more beach finds... 

 Going in for a dip!

 We were gone for about 4-5 hours!  So fun to do all of that walking in the sunshine and thaw out after a looong winter.  Just what the doctor ordered. 

Later that afternoon, we sat by the pool (in the shade!) and read.

The interior of our resort.  

This reminded me SO much of Morocco.  And made my heart happy to travel again.  Oh, how I miss it.  Love this season too but it was fun to think back on the gift of a season of travels in our 20s.  And its always fun to dream of living somewhere a little more tropical!

 Squeezing in another late afternoon trip to the beach!

and a paddle boat ride!

 not so fun without back rests.  :(

 And the sun goes down on our last day in Paradise.  

Thankful for every minute!

Field Trips

A few weeks ago I got to go with BOTH of the kids on their spring field trips.  ;)  I'd gone on Peter's fall trip so thought I'd go on Lily's spring trip but b/c of the way their classes are, I was more needed for Peter's.  

I loved having a sweet van full!  :)  I love the international component of our preschool.  I'm glad my kids have had exposure to it so early.  It definitely won't be the case for us in the years to come at their elementary school.

 Peter's classmate and friend, J, came along with us at the park.  J and his brother are now a part of our church family thru adoption two summers ago.  It was a blessing for me to have the chance to hang out with him and get to know him.  And thankful for Peter's little friendship with him.

Of course, Peter found the baby goat and got it to come over to him. 

Love my tall boy! 

 Getting a tow up the hill!!

I still went along for Lily's a few days later.  Another mom and her daughter rode with us so that made it fun!

 Required Bear Pic

 We tapped into our rebellious side and went off the beaten path with another mom and son.  I'd never made it to this part of the park before.  We got to see these crazy, huge, sorta creepy fish.

 How cute.  I try to dream that Lily could have some wave to her hair but there's probably no hope for that.

And the preschool year is coming to a close.... two weeks to go!  I am pretty excited for summer and the lack of schedule and extra time with my kids.  

Just get {RUN!} out of the house!

Sometimes I have to tell myself that....  Otherwise, I would perpetually be inside trying to bring order to the mess that erupts repeatedly.  ;)