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.

Just dropping in...

to say that we're still here.

Finding lots of things to entertain ourselves as we continue to learn our new surroundings and figure out what and where to get involved.

The backyard of the rental house we're in is less than desirable. The inside of the house was completely redone but the outside is another story. We're hoping to spruce it up a bit by planting some seed out for the summer. Sure hope it takes! The "men" spent an hour picking up the sticks that fall from the huge cottonwood tree we have behind the house.

She LOVES pushing around her babies.

Perfection. In life perfection truly is a game that normally no one can win. But this game of Perfection is a hit in our house. And we all jump when the timer goes off and the shapes pop up.

Nana came for a short visit last week while she was nearby visiting my grandmother. It's nice to be able to live closer and no longer have to plan week long visits that require an airplane.

Photo overload

I really want this blog to tell a story. More for my own personal journal-keeping purposes really. So be prepared for quite the overload of photos you're about to encounter. And for once in my life, I didn't get too chatty!

We've been trying to find a lot of things to keep us busy these days. Here is little miss playing our new game trying to catch the butterflies Elefun.

When we moved into our rental house we noticed a duck sitting on a nest near our front door. We've been watching her daily to try to see when those ducklings hatch.

It's fun to watch her leave the nest and when she comes back she stands in one place for awhile, making sure nothing sees her climb back into her nest. (Note added: Later today I went out to get the mail and looked at where she normally sits on the nest. She was gone and the eggs were cracked. It doesn't look like they hatched so I have no idea what happened???)

These two play like a brother and sister. It's all love one minute and "mine" the next. I do love it when they make each other laugh and play chase around the house.

This one has big personality.

This is how we get our exercise these days. And if one wants up on daddy's back, they both do.

Yes, she has big personality, but she is also very sweet.

We had a quiet Easter here at home.

I'm not sure what made me think letting the littlest participate in the egg dunking was a good idea. She was stained green for the night. And so was I.

You can see where M ended up after her dunking incident and getting frustrated she couldn't eat the eggs.

The finished product.

Easter is our time as Christians to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That will always remain the focus for our family, however we also have enjoyed letting the kids have baskets the past two years.

I had purchased a few items over the last couple of months that I set aside for their baskets. (Target $1 bins are great!) And I'm a big fan of new books for spring/summer.

There really isn't a good place to take family photos in our rental house, and it was pouring outside...so I set up the tripod, we huddled in front of the door and begged the kids not to move.

They really are sweet kids and I'm so thankful for them.

We're Okies!

Well, we arrived in Oklahoma 26 days ago. And I have yet to post a single thing about the move! I have loads of photos to share but instead of giving you photo burnout I'll put them up in a couple of different posts.

Before we left Arizona I wanted to take some photos around the house. Even though we were ready to move, I also knew I'd miss the first home we bought together, the home we brought both of our children from the hospital to and the 7 years of memories we made while living there.

As a family, we were apart for over 5 months since my husband took his new job in Oklahoma. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

But we survived. And are thrilled to be back together again. I tried to pack as much as I could before my family came to help us move. Packing is not easy when you have two little ones around!

I've learned a lot over the last several months. I've learned how to push through when you don't want to. I've learned that even when things look grim, someone usually has it worse than you do. I've learned to pray ALOT.

I've learned I don't want to live life without my husband. He is my partner and friend. We are much stronger together than apart.

The kids rooms were always so peaceful to me. I loved escaping to them to play with the kids since we spent most of our time in the family room throughout the day.

We're living in a small rental house for the moment while we figure out our new surroundings and next steps. I think I will miss the kids decorated rooms most of all.

Curious George is a family fave.

I'm looking forward to watching this little boy grow up in a new place. In our new home.

I'm not sure what I was thinking taking the girls room photos at nightime without a flash.

These are just a few of the frames that filled Miss M's bedroom wall.

The very first dress I made for my sweet girl. I had to hang it up on display because it might be the only one I make for her! Hopefully not though.

The kids love to look up at this photo wall and point to themselves and other family members.

And for the final embarrassment. We ended up having to drive 2 trucks to Oklahoma. Crazy? Yes. I'm so thankful both my husband and my dad were there to be able to drive them. It was a scary trip driving through the curvy roads of Arizona and the windy plains of Texas. I won't ever do it again.

The Lord watched over us and we made it safe and sound. Whew. I think the trip took years off our lives. Now onto our next adventure!