THE 4TH!

July 4th is a BIG holiday for us. It is our Christmas in July! I cannot tell you how it became such a big deal maybe growing up in Canyon where it is an all day event. There's the pancake breakfast in the morning followed by a parade and of course the fair on the square complete with corn dogs and funnelcakes. Tradition follows us every year as we celebrate with our other family, the Hairs (Amy's parents). We have a cookout at their home in Canyon and then journey to Conner Park to enjoy fireworks. Every time is a thrill as it seems to be coming sooner and sooner each year. I love stirring the anticipation in Lily as it approaches, telling her about the fireworks, parade, and homemade ice cream! This year was no exception to all the fun, I just cannot believe it has come and gone......

Summer Fun

We haven't been to the pool much this year but we did cram in several pool days in the week my sister's in-laws were out of town. They have a huge yard with trampoline and pool and lots of running room. Lily's cousin, Loni, taught her to hold her breath and go under water. To my suprise, she did it and kept doing it! She also loved going down the slide and got such a thrill that it led to my going home and "seriously" talking to Jason that we must have a pool!

One of Those Days........

You know the days when everything seems to go just right? It is a beautiful day, the house is clean, you feel organized and prepared whatever might come your way. Jason has been out of town and doesn't return until tomorrow night and somehow we have made it thru the week minus any major catastrophe. God has been teaching me about His grace and I must say that when I learn to be obedient and heed His words, I find LIFE! Days like this seem to be few and far between but is it possible that I am now learning to truly flow with Him? Not that every day I will wake up to a clean and organized house and a two year old who is so pleasant to be with all day but that in the midst of those others days and today I may be full of His peace and presence. To joyfully cooperate with the Holy Spirit? This week (by anyone standards) may have been a difficult one, playing mommmy and daddy roles. But, this is my testimony......that His grace is more than enough and His peace despite what is going on around you truly does carry you through. God is relentless with His goodness towards me, this is what I have found to be true.........

Biting Off More Than I Can Chew!

Well, I have done it again. Thinking I can do it all and then in the midst crying out to God, "why did I start this?" I am mainly speaking about home improvement projects, all of the sudden thinking our home needs some serious changes. Then, in the midst of all the chaos realizing (by way of the Holy Spirit) maybe I'm the one that needs the changes and I am just taking it out on my house! Could this be the truth? I am in the cycle of needing to accomplish. Am I alone out here? Feeling like the Lord has shown and given me so much, I'm feeling stuck. Like He has spoken really wonderful things and I got so excited when we were on the lauching pad but now that we are in "orbit" going around in circles, I'm thinking, "let's go back where everything is fresh and exciting!

This is where submitting comes in handy, to let Him complete the work in me that He has begun......oh, the edurance........GRACE, GRACE, and more GRACE. Thank Him for His wonderful and sufficient grace. Flowing in His grace and not against it. Did someone just turn on the light? To let myself go and flow in the current of His spirit. All is accomplished (even home improvements) by the Spirit of the Lord. Anyway, He is the ultimate designer/decorator.......have you taken a look at the earth lately?

Refreshing Rain

Well, let me start off by saying that the Lord is so faithful and knows what I need before I do. I have not been spending time in His presence lately. Just busy, preoccupied, and most of all lazy. I just didn't feel like putting the time in. I felt I didn't not have time to sit and be still and receive. Being impatient, my cry to God was "I don't have time to dwell can You just give me a quick shot." But then today came and my dear friend and I were on the phone gabbing away as usual and she said "let's go spend time with the Lord instead of talking about it." GREAT IDEA(inspired by HIM of course). So I grabbed my Bible and retreated to my patio before naptime was over. Immediately it began to sprinkle and then came a soft rain. REFRESHMENT! The Lord set the whole thing up. I think HE was waiting with anticipation all day for that very moment. He began to talk about how He loves to LAVISH on me. He has been waiting to refresh me and breathe Life into me and He needed me to settle down, be still and receive. He is not obsessed with the last few days and weeks. He is obsessed with LIFE - and HIS PRESENCE brings life! HE is the LIVING WATER. Come and drink! Take HIM in! He desires to breathe life into your spirit. HE is BEAUTIFUL...............

The Way to Spend Sunday Afternoon

After church, we made our way to Jeff and Saundra's Lake Tanglewood retreat to have lunch and lots of fun. Sy & Lily enjoyed the watermelon as you can see and then we headed down to the water for some fishing and lots of laughs. The kids loved touching the fish and Lily tried to kiss a few of them. She really has no inhibitions........much like her Daddy. I am still wondering what traits of mine she has! There was lots of adventure that day including Lily's shoes getting lost in the lake. Have no fear, Daddy to the rescue. I had a blast watching Jason(waist deep in the water) trying to feel around for those shoes. Almost ready to give up(after 20 minutes) he finds them right under the ladder he used to climb down into the water. Oh the relief that I wouldn't have to go trekking thru the mall for replacement sandals!! Now that's the way to spend a Sunday afternoon.