Summer Camp

Mary-Michael had her very first day of pre-school summer camp today, which was really also her very first day of pre-school! She left me with no tears, was happy to be picked up and excited to return tomorrow. 

Sweet baby girl growing up! 

Frazier had to take his turn at smiling for the camera. 

John 14:6

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

James 1:27

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to take care or orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Check-Ups

On Monday, the kids had their 15 month and 3 year check-ups (we were a little behind because we had to reschedule twice.) Two hours at a doctor's office with two kids is just not that fun, so I was incredibly thankful that Geoff could take some time from work to help out. Both are doing well and meeting their milestones. Our sweet girl even answered questions from the 5 and 6 year old milestones. The doc was impressed and so were we! She also reminded us again how tough she was with no crying after getting blood drawn or her finger pricked. Frazier did plenty of crying to make up for it!

Here are their stats:

Frazier
Height - 2' 8" (51%)
Weight - 25 lb 3.5 oz (69%)
Head Circumference - 50.5 cm (100%) - yep, he has a very big head!

Mary-Michael
Height - 3' 1.6" (51%)
Weight - 30 lb 6.4 oz (39%)
BMI - 33%

Mud

Thank you, God, for bringing the rain, which caused my weeds to grow by leaps and bounds in the garden, and therefore distracted me so that Frazier could also enjoy the rain we've had. The rain that has made many fun mud puddles. 

Momma

Such a sweet word. A sweet sound coming out of my babies' lips. No title have I ever worked so hard for and probably no name has ever brought such challenge, frustrations and me saying, "God, what am I supposed to do right now?" Let's be honest. I had a vision of a quiet car ride to go up to Northern VA today, so that I could write, reflect, share some news, etc. I've heard at least 20 "Momma"s in the last 90 seconds. Momma-I have to go potty. Momma-look at that big truck. Momma-when will we get to Grandma's? Momma Momma Momma Momma Momma!!! And so you learn the skill of flexibility and spontaneity and remember that with children, life is an adventure and nothing planned ever goes according to plan. And that is OK because really, we're fooling ourselves if we think we're in control. Anyone ever feel like that?

Today I am reminded that not everyone has a good relationship with their mother, some have lost their mother and some have never been able to be called Momma though they desperately wanted to. Wow am I thankful. My Momma is an amazing woman. And while I see her often because she is so generous to take care of her grandbabies, we don't have a lot of time to talk. At least time that isn't filled with "Nonnie, Momma, Nonnie, Momma." So, I love our tradition of spending the day before Mother's Day together. Yards sales, pedicures and a big lunch were on the agenda, and we had a great time fulfilling it yesterday. I know I am blessed.

I look back at my babies in the back of the truck. They are now sleeping. Peace. All is well. And I am blessed. My kids test me, but they are learning. They are figuring out this wild story I have brought them into. When they want nothing more than a moment to read a book or get a kiss or just be held, I am reminded I can't get this moment back. I can't get this time back. God has chosen me to lead, guide and love these beautiful, precious babies. With that perspective, all I can think is, "What an honor. What a privilege." 

But there is laundry overflowing, work not done, weeding to be done, a thank you note waiting to be sent and dog hair on the floor. Why do these dogs shed so much?! (I think I ask that at least once a day.) And thus the reason I can't even look at Pinterest to learn the 25 things to prep your child for kindergarten or how to make hairbows to coordinate with each outfit. If only! And so it is that not every moment is a peaceful one or one where I can sit and color, and I tell myself it's ok because they're learning independence and how to play with each other. And without the crazy hard moments, I probably wouldn't appreciate the sweet ones so much.

And really, my "Mommy guilt" would feel all-consuming if not for the grace of God. Some days all I can do is pray and thank God for the craziness. Though at times I am merely crying out because I'm desperate, I am reminded through it that I am blessed. Because really, we are so blessed. So fortunate.  And at the end of the day, my kids don't care about a clean house. They care about time with me. Intentional moments of love. And silliness. Boy do they love when Momma gets silly.

So, here's to making meaningful moments. Each moment creating a childhood for these little ones that we are privileged to love. Make the most of it. 

Happy Mother's Day.

P.S. That news I have to share will have to wait, and it should because it deserves a post all on it's own...

Niger, Priscilla, Crawfish and back to Niger

That title sums up our crazy weekend! No, we didn't get to go back to Niger, but we did get to support the annual golf tournament to raise funds for this wonderful country. Geoff played a round of golf with his dad, brother and friend, and I sold raffle tickets and manned the 15th hole. The tournament raised over $119,000 to go straight to the people of Niger. AMAZING!

Our friends that we went to visit in September in Niger.

Saturday morning I journeyed with some of the other leaders of our women's ministry team to see Priscilla Shirer live. It was wonderful to just attend the conference (and not work one!) and be with some women who have had such great influence in my life. Our time was so filled with God's presence as we studied Gideon, sang some amazing songs (Priscilla's brother led us in worship and was on The Voice last year with Christina's team), and prayed some incredibly moving prayers. It was a really sweet time.

Geoff picked me up after this and we headed to our first ever crawfish boil. My wonderful in-laws watched the little ones, so that we could have an adults-only evening. The weather was awesome, and crawfish are actually pretty good. The party was put on by a friend of Geoff's from his small group who grew up in Louisiana. The crawfish were flown up from the good ol' South the night before. Really? I didn't know people really did that!?

On Sunday, we headed to Warsaw where Geoff spoke with a few others about his experiences and life-changing trips to Niger. They were literally the sermon for this small Baptist church. It was really sweet to be a part of  the small, traditional service, and I know there will be a few more folks heading over to Niger as a result of what they shared. We all enjoyed a delicious brunch at the Inn of Montross (a true hidden gem) after church. It was really an awesome weekend and a nice change from the last several weekends of men and machines...

Actually, the last few weekends have been really nice. With Grandma and Grandpa here, we had some good really family time, and the men had some nice bonding time working on clearing the land to prep them for pastures. It is going to look so pretty, and I can't wait to see our cows out here! One step closer to official farmers.

Grandpa and the kids surveying the progress.

Assisting Daddy.

Checking out all the progress.