A play date including happy meals for dinner, painting, and ice cream for dessert made for two happy girls.
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The Joy Project
The summer weather pattern of afternoon thunderstorms has settled in this week. The sunshine usually follows rather quickly. You had so much fun playing in the puddles and getting completely drenched before nap time.
For your birthday Mimi and Popi got you a Kindle . Listening to music is one of your favorite things to do with it. Today you asked me if you could download the Pandora app. Your favorite artists are Mandisa, Toby Mac, and Jamie Grace. I love listening to your voice sing out to the Lord. You are a gift to us in countless ways.
I love your heart so much Bubby. It is so tender and full of compassion.
You painted your paper, you painted your face, and then you painted mine. And then it poured down rain. All of the paint and papers blew into the yard. We laughed and screamed and got soaked together. And then you played in the sink. You made mess after mess with the water. It is an hour of a Saturday that will forever be in my heart. I can still feel the cold brush of paint on my cheek and hear your giggles and voice as you painted mama. The beauty of simple. I cling to it.
We had a wonderful night visiting Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom. It's always something watching the highs of lows at this place. I am so grateful we live so close and you can experience the magic often but in smaller increments of time. We love to visit the parks late in the day when the heat is gone and the crowds have thinned out.
For as long as I can remember whenever we lay down together this is how you hold my hand. I cherish these quiet moments with you. Just us. Together.
Today we had a fun playdate with new friends and we all had a great time. I am always amazed how God brings people into our lives. I am so grateful to share talks of faith, motherhood, and life with friends that instantly feel like family. Seeing God's footprints in our lives is one of life's greatest blessings.
Summertime arrives with a feeling of freedom each year. I can remember this feeling from when I was a child and still feel it as an adult. But there was always this feeling of nostalgia too and an unexplained feeling of sadness. I remember always crying to my own mama at the end of each school year. Saying goodbye to a year of memories, a year of milestones, a year spent with a special teacher. It was always so hard for me.
Last night, I was putting y'all to bed when that same lump came in my throat and the tears came out of nowhere. In that moment, I realized in such a real way, that as we say hello to another summer, we say goodbye to another year of memories and milestones. The years seem to keep forging together into one long memory. No matter how hard we try, time doesn't stand still. It was a reminder I needed at the end of a long day. A reminder that yes, the days can be long at times, but the years seem to pass in the blink of an eye. So in the midst of it all, even on the hard days, I want to linger, just a little bit longer.
You have been watching your big sissies have sleep overs together for years. It is now your turn. I love watching the relationship between the two of you grow. It is so special.
The long summer days are here. Many hours in the water and sun have brought back the afternoon nap. You have been having so much fun this year learning to swim all by yourself and you are exhausted.
Today we all went over and played with your cousins' ten ducklings. They were so precious and fun to watch.
Mama and the big kids sat on the back porch working on math, while you played in the yard making mud pies and special stew. Love these simple days.
It will be many years before you really realize the value of your your relationship and bond as sisters. I see it now and I am so grateful.
Some days surviving means cereal for dinner and lake swims instead of your evening bath. Learning to let go of perfection is essential in getting through the days that aren't always easy.
Today our sweet Mimi turns 65. What a wonderful milestone and reason to celebrate the life of someone so special to all of us. Mom, you have been such a rock for our family for so many years. You are always there for each of us and have showed us so much about love and servant hood. Thank you for giving so much of your life to your family. We all love you so much.