To the movies we go

One thing that has been great about my husband's job is that he has every other Friday off. It's nice to be able to take those days to do family activities at places that might otherwise be more packed if we were to go over the weekend.

We had been getting the kids excited about going to see their first movie in the theater, Winnie the Pooh. There really haven't been any movies we've felt comfortable taking the kids to go see so I was thrilled to see this was coming to theaters and thought it'd be a fun outing for our family.

I thought it'd be fun to make little movie bags for the kids and fill it with candy and some bean bag Winnie the Pooh characters I had found. I tried to keep it simple by using bags I already had and just printed off the image and taped it to the bag.

I also found some images online to print on iron-on transfer paper for their shirts.

The t-shirts were a hit. Sister calls it Winnie the Poop.

I knew we probably only had a limited amount of time before sister started to get antsy so I'm very thankful we had brought goodies to keep her entertained. My poor husband had her on his lap the entire time and you should have seen both of them after she was finished eating the m&ms. I died laughing when I saw them after the movie with chocolate all over her face, hands and both of their clothes.

It was a sweet little movie. Great for a 3 and 1-year old.

A Fourth of July update

We headed to my parents home in Arkansas to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. It was nice to go as it had been awhile since we've been there. While we were there, the kids helped Papa out a little bit with the chores. This one loved it.

This one did not.

And there was lots of time with Nana.

We beat the heat with a dip in the backyard pool.

My parents have an awesome pond just off the back of their home so the boys got up early to go catch us some dinner.

I couldn't believe how well little man did. I think they stayed out for at least an hour and a half. He was on cloud nine.

We sat on the deck, in our jammies, watching and waiting for the boys to return.

So they didn't bring home dinner...but they did catch 3 little fish while out on the water. N was thrilled to get a photo taken with his first catch. We tried to show him how to gently put it back in the water to let it swim away. He was so anxious he didn't wait for the instructions and plopped it right in.

And here is the crew.

Later that day nana made some cupcakes to decorate.

Here is how sister decorates.

And here is what I caught papa doing while he thought no one was looking...

And the finished product topped with a flag.

Dinner was quickly followed by an evening of setting off fireworks in the nearby court.

Daddy setting off the first firework.

This photo completely shows our kids personalities. We have "cautious" vs. "have no fear." And would you believe N ended up sitting a little bit down the street on my mom's lap in my parents driveway to watch the rest of them. He didn't appreciate the loud "boom."

Thanks mom and dad. We had a great time.

Dreams of gratitude

Some days I sit on my couch feeling sorry for myself. As the children nap, I look around thinking of all of the things I'd change in our somewhat small rental house. Wondering if we made the right decision to move, as we fight the inefficient air conditioner that has our main living area set at 84 degrees.

And then I read this. And God wakes me up. Shakes me into seeing how good I have it, and how unbelievably ungrateful I can be. I love when He does that, and I dislike it all the same. Who wants to be told how ungrateful they are?

And I'm content for the day. Thanking God for ALL that He has given to us. The abundance we have. The food that fills our fridge and bellies, and the opportunity to go to the store to shop for more when necessary.

But sadly it might only last a day or two and I find myself back in that same place of discontentment. Why does that happen? I've realized it's a daily struggle for me right now. One of many reasons we are asked to call on Jesus every day. To be in His Word daily so we don't forget how much He has given us. Have you forgotten?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not unhappy. Just a girl with many dreams wondering how they're all going to happen. And as I wonder how those dreams are all going to happen and fall into place, God challenges me to wonder if those dreams are what I should be dreaming of in the first place? Afterall, He is the one "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20). He wants more for my life than I can ever dream up.

So today I'm looking for the doors that God is opening, and perhaps closing, for our family. Doing my best to seek His Will daily in a world that constantly reminds me to seek my own. This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16). Oh to have rest for your soul.