So grateful of this picture Bubby took of us--it is such a treasure to me.
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The Joy Project
Today, I noticed that you had the sweetest little freckles on your cheeks. I don't know exactly when they showed up because neither of us remember seeing them before. I couldn't quite seem to capture them the way I saw them, but I still loved this picture of you.
Today I watched the two of you playing at the resort pool. I love that you have each other. It's such a blessing to observe you together, looking out for one another, entertaining each other, laughing together. It doesn't matter what hotel we visit, the pool is always a hit for you all. And if you add in a slide, it is even better.
We have visited the Magic Kingdom many times in past few years since moving home to Florida. As we leave the park and walk through Main Street, you always see the beautiful balloons being sold and ask to get one. We explain to you that we don't "need" a balloon and that we should be grateful for a nice day spent together. This is true. It's also true that we are usually very tired by the time we are leaving and often we do not have cash to buy a balloon. It is indeed simple to just say no. But today was different, today we said yes.
We went to Disney for a long weekend away. It was so nice to have this time together as a family. I think the game room was even better than the Magic Kingdom this time. I could be wrong, but it seemed to be the highlight.
This week you have enjoyed playing in the sprinklers so much. You loved trying to drink the water as it shot out. I remember doing this myself as a child. Some things in life are timeless.
The porch has been our classroom the past few weeks. We have loved our time doing school and having lunch outside. The weather has been perfect and we have appreciated every minute of this mild winter in Florida. The older I get, the more I live life, the more I see the beauty in the every day. It was a seemingly simple afternoon on the porch for our family, but I love all the details about this ordinary. I see that two of you are still in your pjs at lunch time and I value this slow life we get to enjoy in so many ways. And then I see you girls, always performing, trying to get your brother always to join in, but this day you weren't so successful. I hope my eyes will never stop seeing or being grateful for the simple moments of life together.
It's hard to get any school done when it's this gorgeous outside.
You have been kicking the soccer ball for as long as I can remember. Your love for this sport grows more and more with each season. I love watching you so passionate and so focused. In a few weeks you will begin a new season and I cannot wait to see you back on the field.
We all enjoyed having Daddy home for four straight days this weekend. The weather was beautiful. We flew kites, went on the boat, played outside and just loved being together as a family. It truly is a gift.
The joys of having a little sister. I wonder what baby Sissy was thinking as she quietly looked through your All About You book?!
The three of you love to sit and create in this room of our home. You draw for hours on paper, cut things out, and paste them. You write scripts here and make up plays to present to us. There is always something going on in this spot. Today baby Sissy and Bubby worked together quite some time while Mama and big Sissy did some school work one on one. You were quite proud of something you had written all by yourself today. My cup runneth over.
Today we worked more on the letter A. I am loving the curriculum we recently started and I can tell that you are loving it too. Drawing A's in finger paint quickly turned into painting your face.
We picked up this kite today at the dollar tree while purchasing Valentine's Day treats. You guys all had so much fun with it by the lake tonight. You were so proud you could do it all by yourself. I love the simple joys in life.
We've been spending hours on the porch over the past couple of weeks. We've done reading, math, science, and other school work while we enjoyed this beautiful weather. Today, once you finished school, you enjoyed creating with different supplies we had around the house. I loved seeing the puppets you created.
We spent the entire day outside again today. We sat on the porch to do school and eat lunch. We played in the backyard and at the beach. It was beautiful. You were jumping waves as a boat drove by and squealing in delight. You danced and sang in the sunlight and then every so often you paused. I love the in-between moments.
The weather for February has been gorgeous so far. I really think that winter is my favorite time of the year in Florida. The humidity is rare, the sun is plenty, and the bugs are gone. We do get days cold fronts every now and then but for the most part we have mild winter days. We spend so much time outside together which I love. I love watching the two of you together always.
It doesn't get much better than Disney at night. I love the beautiful lights, the fireworks, the electric parade, and the cool breezes in the air. We had so much fun enjoying a little bit of "the magic" last night for a few hours. It was the perfect way to end the week.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
This week was challenging. Bubby broke his arm Tuesday night while playing on his scooter. The next morning you had your dental work completed. The following day we had a follow up with the pediatric orthopedic doctor to look at Bubby's arm. The ER doctor explained on Tuesday, that because of the location of Bubby's fracture, he may need surgery. Each day, through it all, I felt God's whisper to me to trust in Him. He had you all in His care. He had me.
It was astonishing to see how calm and strong you were at the dentist. There were no complications; in fact they were able to complete 2 visits in one day. This meant that you wouldn't have to have sedation a second time. It was truly a blessed experience. The next day at the orthopedic doctor I was so comforted to have such a loving staff help Bubby with his arm. We received the news that he would not need surgery and three weeks in his cast would heal his arm. This was another blessing. I kept thinking how Daddy was supposed to be in the Middle East all week, and how grateful I was that his trip had been postponed. But, what I felt the most during the entire week was a sense of peace that I know only God gave me.
Going through hard times is never easy but it always makes me grow closer and stronger in my walk with Jesus. As you get older, don't run from the hard times, embrace them. God will do amazing things in your life if you seek Him. He is waiting to show you how much He loves you.
This week we played I Am by Crowder on repeat. I believe these words were a comfort to all of us.
There's no space that His love can't reach There's no place where we can't' find peace There's no end to amazing grace
Take me in with Your arms spread wide Take me in like an orphan child Never let go Never leave my side
I am Holding on to You I am Holding on to You In the middle of the storm I am holding on I am
Love like this Oh my God to find I am overwhelmed With a joy divine Love like this sets our hearts on fire
This is my resurrection song This is my halleluiah come This is why it's to You I run
There's no space that His love can't reach There's no place where we can't find peace There's no end to amazing grace
Today, I embrace this smile and laughter and appreciate it in a new way.
It has been a long week between an extensive trip to the dentist and a broken arm. I am really thankful for the weekend. Today I praise God for being with us through this crazy week. I am made stronger through Him.