Freeze Frame!

After typing the title I realized that it is an '80's song...but in writing this post my goal was to capture a moment in time. Days are busy ladies- can I get an Amen! My head often feels like it is spinning and turning with all the things I have to do: laundry, dishes, diapers, boo-boos, mail, bills, meals x3, homeschooling, toddler play, infant time, doctors visits, swim practice, baseball practice, boy scouts, church meetings, etc. etc. I could go on but you have your own list and get my point. Life can be exhausting and I do not even have trouble saying no to the extras. With four kids you don't have much extra space for extras- and yet even a few things can fill up your schedule. By the time the weekend rolls around I'm tired- heck by 9:00 PM Monday through Sunday I'm tired and sometimes fatigue starts to rob my joy. So slowing down to glimpse the chaos through a different lens can be oh so helpful.

 Lily's frequent stair parties.

 Out to dinner for first time since Chloe's birth- whoo hoo!,

 Family birthday celebrations-

 Mamaw time-

 Lily redecorating time-

 We are studying Ancient Egypt and Jay was dressing up. He jumped out at me while I was on the phone with Orlando Health- slight distraction, especially since the first time he jumped out his "skirt" popped off and he was standing there in his whitie tighties with a mask and plastic dagger. You can't help but laugh- eased the moment as Orlando Health was calling to make sure we got our labor and delivery bill- "Um, yes we received it. It's not due for a month right?" "Oh, yes, we just wanted to make sure you got it." I guess the 10k they charged my insurance and received wasn't enough for a super easy, non-complicated delivery and one night stay. That bill was separate from the others we received from the anesthesiologist and in house pediatricians- but we're not annoyed... oh no....wow. So I welcomed the funny distraction.

 Ben likes cowboys and after coloring a few in his book he dressed up!

 I drew  this Egyptian Coffin for the boys and they had fun coloring it-

Celebrating Chase's grandma's 93rd birthday and someone gave Lily a huge piece of cake, which she gladly gobbled down. She has my sweet tooth- poor thing! Jana loved watching her eat!

 Banging on the same piano her Mamaw practiced on as a girl!

 Chloe picture time! She turns four months tomorrow!

 Lego masterpieces- Mom, take a picture so we can send it to Lego Club Magazine!

 Kitchen party- Lily moved another rug to lay her blankie down.

 Enjoying fun with cousins.

 Vacation time- Lily looks like one of the Lollipop Guild from Wizard of Oz.. she wishes to welcome you to Munchkin Land...

 Daddy time with Chloe!

Outside in Beaufort, South Carolina- lots of bubbles and mosquito's!

 Jay loving a pony ride! His teenage guide was less than thrilled :)

This pony was named Starbucks and kept stopping and refusing to move- poor thing missed his double shot of espresso!

More Egyptian work- Jay does fabulous drawings, he is talented!

It's good for the soul and misty brain to be reminded of how blessed I truly am with these arrows and their daddy.  I hope that regardless of your circumstances you will admit the same. There is so much beauty within our homes but also outside around us. Take some time to slow down and enjoy it. Life moves quickly, we know we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, children won't wait to grow up- they do it, darn it, whether we choose to relish it or not. When we feel burdened or weighed down or tired the remedy is found in Scripture!

So I leave you with this verse:

Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise

his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his

benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the

pit

and crowns you with love

and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with

good things

so that your youth is renewed

like the eagle's.

 

 

I can breathe a little easier after reading that- how about you?