Project 52: May 31- June 6

 

Sunday Snapshot:

Our boys were matching and our friend's boys were matching and they all happened to be blue and white checked shirts!

Can't believe the weather is still nice enough for us to enjoy walks in the evening!

 

This week we had some work done in the kitchen.  We have had this single florescent light in the kitchen since moving in and we decided it was time for an upgrade. 

 

The kids thought it was neat to watch the guys at work, although for the most part we tried to stay out of the house.  It only took a couple days to finish.

This is the finished look, other than the texture was still wet as you can see.  We are very happy with it and it really upgraded the kitchen!!

The kids LOVE the Target dog!  As soon as we walked in the door Raelynn was asking if we could get a picture with the dog.  This was not our regular Target, so we *almost* didn't find him  He was hidden in the middle of the kids clothes.  Seriously, this dog represents so much of how mother hood is sanctifying and how we must seek and fight for joy.  Because today I was really hoping we wouldn't find the dog.  And I was really hoping they wouldn't ask to get out of the cart.  But they did.  Another opportunity to die to self and embrace the moment and give them joy.  Because it wasn't like we had anywhere to be.  They remind me to slow down and enjoy the little things.

This week was national donut day so of course we took advantage of the free donuts! We drove out of our way to find a Dunkin' Donuts before making a special trip to a grocery store in the opposite direction.  Then when we were at the grocery store I saw there was another Dunkin Donuts and the drive thru was not busy at all (which is why we got out at the previous one!).  As we are sitting in the van Raelynn says, "Mama, there is only one car in front of us.  Just them and our van.  God is SO GOOD! He is so good to give us a van." (Then she went on to say that since it was "donut day" she shouldn't have to take a nap). 

 

 

 

Winter is great because the kids can ride around the cal-de-sac.  Summer time, not so much.  So we bring the bikes in the house quite a bit! It entertains them and keeps them happy for a while.  Elliana is a pro at riding the bike with training wheels now.  Declan can do it, but has shorter legs so he struggles a little, so he sticks with the tricycle!

 

 

 

It rained again this week!

 

 

Lessons from a CD

Children are a blessing from the Lord.  I had always thought that meant children were a joy and just always made you happy and laugh and smile all the time. (this was obviously before I had children)  That is why I thought they were a blessing.  Really.  That is what I thought.

Enter four children later....and I know the true blessing they are is the sanctifying work the Holy Spirit does in my life through them.  The way they expose my weakness and sinfulness--the stuff I didn't even know was there.  Ridding my life of sin and being made more into the image of Jesus my Savior--now that is a blessing.  

But they sure do make me smile and laugh and are such a joy, too;)

Another way my children bless me is by the little lessons and reminders of who God is as I explain things to my children. Preaching things to myself even though I am speaking to them.

We love music in this family.  We have a lot of CDs to choose from in the van and I like to change them up frequently.  One day while I was changing the CD my kids started calling out to me in pure excitement, "A rainbow! A rainbow!" I was very confused because it hadn't rained. I quickly learned it was a rainbow on the ceiling of the van because the CD was catching the right angle of the sun rays.

So now every time I change a CD, the kids want a rainbow.  And usually I do try to wave the CD up in the sunlight so it will work for them.  It's just a fun little thing we do.

Last week we went to the store and as I'm changing CDs, my three year old asks for the rainbow.  

It was an overcast day (very rare, but they do happen!) and I explained that it wouldn't work because the sunshine wasn't out.  Then our conversation went like this:

"Why isn't the sun out?"

"Because God is allowing the sun to stay behind the clouds today."

"Then I will pray to God for sunshine."

(prays, "Dear Jesus, Heavenly Father, please make it sunny so I can have a rainbow. Amen")

Short and sweet and to the point, right?  But I loved witnessing the pure faith that she displayed in that.  She believes that God is the maker of the sun and in control of it.  She believes that He can make it sunny.  

I parked the car and while walking in the sun was peeking ever so slightly through the clouds.  

"Mommy! God is making it sunny.  I prayed and God is making it sunny!"

She sure is an opptomistic one, because it wasn't near "sunny" and I knew that it wouldn't be enough to make a rainbow with the CD when we got back into the car. I didn't want to ruin her excitement, but it gave me an opportunity to talk about how God definitely did hear the prayer and how we can take anything to God in prayer, but that just because she prayed for it to be sunny, that didn't mean God was going to push away the clouds and make the sun shine.  I remember saying something like "maybe God thinks the clouds are the best thing for us right now" and it was right then that I realized how much I learn and am reminded of while talking to my children.  It allowed me to explain that God is always good and he did hear the prayer, but His answer isn't always exactly what we want.  And even when He gives us clouds when we prefer sunshine, He is good and will give His children what is best. And I could point out to her that the sun may or may not shine, but God is still there, still good, and still worthy to be praised.

It was just talk of the weather, but it was so much more than that.  I'm so thankful for the opprotunities God gives me to speak truth into my children's lives and to speak it to myself at the same time.

And wouldn't you know, but when we came out of the store the sun was shining.  Honestly, I think I had forgot about it by then.  But she didn't.  She was so excited and it again pointed us back to God, who is in control of all things and who did indeed answer her prayer.  We rejoiced and praised God right there in the Walmart parking lot.  Then, we loaded up and made a rainbow:)