more for my waiting heart

"Those who sow with tears 

    will reap with songs of joy. 

⁶ 

Those who go out weeping, 

    carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

    carrying sheaves with them."

Psalm 126:5-6

What if the returning is never here and now?  Somedays it is.  Somedays it isn't.  Sowing with tears right now, eager to reap with songs of joy.  Learning to take my mind off myself, imitate Christ, glorify God, and take pleasure in and from Him alone.  

embrace the camera: shaving cream fun

As I'm sure lots of others have done this summer, we busted out for the first time ever shaving cream cans and went at it with our kiddos.  At first, they were timid and confused.  It was funny.  Andrew & I were squirting them and finally they got the hang of it!  It was so.much.fun.  All 5 of us were covered in shaving cream and ended up in the little pool splashing and playing!  Anna was so funny...she just stood around as we covered her in shaving cream.  She was too stinking cute for words.  Elijah participated by sleeping through it all and Ren took our pics.  Andrew also (shockingly) got her feet and neck into the shaving cream game.  Love my fam.

linking up with emily, enjoy!

tea party

The library hosted a fun little tea party for 3-5 year olds and Madeline & Simeon were very excited.  They talked about it for DAYS and then got all dressed up and ready.  The party was very formal and sweet and they read a few tea party books and then were seated at fancy tables and served fancy foods like teddy grahams.  My kiddos loved it!  Their papa came & visited with them they were super cute talking with the other kids around them.  Thankful for free fun events. 

happy birthday anna!

You are 2!  Anna, I want you to know that we love you so unbelievably much!  You have added so much goodness to our lives and we thank Jesus for you.  You are funny and kind, you love lots and play well.  We can't get enough of your cute little smile and silly little laugh!  You have a small vocabulary but your understanding of the world around you is impressive!  You listen and learn all the time.  You love sitting on the potty but not actually doing anything there.  You love being chased around and tickled.  We love love love you little girl!  

oh anna...

My baby girl is about to turn 2 on Sunday & Anna is quite the character around our house these days.  Some would say she kinda runs the place.  Or at least runs her mama.  Which basically is like running the whole shebang.  This pic captures a very typical and regular event in our backyard.  Oh, Anna, good thing you are precious.

At a few days shy of 2, Anna is full of sweetness.  She is curious, happy, loves to laugh, adds words to her very small vocabulary daily, loves to dance and turn in circles, loves swimming and being naked, loves her sister & brother and follows them around, races to her daddy whenever he comes home from work, and mostly, adores being with her mama.  I can say that because I am her mama and also because it is true.  :)  Love you baby girl.

hello goodness

What a beautifully busy world we have had this last week!  By the goodness and grace of God we've been blessed to welcome baby Elijah into the world and into our home!  He came into the world on Wednesday, June 27th weighing 7lbs 11oz and 21in long.  He is a wonderful bundle of cuteness and has brought so much joy into his mama's life and all of ours.  We are so thankful to have Cyrenthia & her sweet baby boy in our home.  The verse she has chosen to prayer over his life is Psalm 46:1,

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."  

We pray that God would always be Elijah's refuge and strength and help as he grows and that he would love the Lord all the days of his life.  Now, for a picture show.  Because, oh my, he is precious!