.family sunday.

B - It's been such a treat to have you home this week, even if it's because you've been sick. We all have missed seeing you since flight school started.

J - We got you a doctor set this week; you love it, even though you are squeamish, like your mama, at the sight of any real owies

W - You started a new nighttime ritual of going outside to look for the moon after we get jammies on. It's so cute!

A - I love picking out new clothes for you, which is good because you are slender, but tall, so you are growing out of clothes way too quickly! You are wearing 9 month sizes, little one!

.morningtime.

Do you ever get caught in a funk?

For me, it has been one of those weeks. Things just didn't "go right". And, admittedly, a lot of it was an attitude issue on my part.

I had a list of excuses to justify my attitude, but that's what they were: excuses.

But, today is new. Thank goodness.

 

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22, 23

.dear joe.

Remembering the sacrifice of our dear friend, Specialist Joseph White, killed in action five years ago today.

 

Dear Joe,

Your mama calls today "Joe's Day."

Five years seems so long ago. So much has happened. And yet, five years has flown by.

We have three kids now...did you know we gave our oldest son your name as his middle name?

I think of your family often, and pray for them all the time.

We miss you. We are so grateful for the time we had as friends.

The sacrifice of your today for our tomorrow's is ever in our hearts.

We look to the day when we can see you again.

Your friend,

Laura

 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

.minimalism - part two.

Have you been working on minimalism in your home? Are you ready for another truth?

Minimalism truth: If your blessings become your burdens, then are no longer a blessing.

Kids' toys are a prime example of this. Our children are so beyond blessed to have so much. But if your time is spent constantly picking up toys just so you can walk across the floor without stepping on something, your blessings have become your burden.

 



My sons parked all their cars in my daughter's dresser when I was repainting it



 

A practical application of this is a secret of mine: every time I clean my boys' room, I get rid of something. Usually a board book that has had the binding snapped, or a shirt that lost a battle with some ketchup. And, you know what? My boys have never noticed. It may seem small, but one step at a time towards minimalism is how this works.

 

 

So, Friend, if you find something that began as a blessing becoming a constant source of frustration, let it go. Let it become someone else's blessing.

.weekend fun.

It was one of those weekends...

...nothing eventful happened...

But we were together. Eatin' popsicles, swimmin' in our pool, and just relaxing.

Some of us relaxed more than others.

 

It was "sweetness to my soul."

 

 

.family sunday.

I know I missed last week...oh, well...

B - Thank you for the moments this week of just being with your boys. It is so special to watch the three of you!

J - This week has been all about candy corn and pumpkins for you; a boy after my own heart!

W - You had some hard moments this week, but I'm so proud of you for using your words to share what was wrong.

A - Your little voice is so sweet, and this week you have been working so hard on talking. It's so cute!

 

.minimalism - part one.

A friend recently asked me for a few quick tips on simplifying clutter. After I'd written her an entire essay in response, I realized a series here might be nice. I'll be posting once a week on one of my favorite subjects: minimalist living.

 

 

Here's a minimalism truth: getting rid of the thing does not mean getting rid of the memory.

 

 

Did you catch that, Friend? Getting rid of something material does not diminish the immaterial.

 

 

Baby items are a big item for this truth. I love my children fiercely, and even though I am so excited to see them grow and change, remembering their sweet baby days is important to me. But I do not have a tub full of clothes; my children don't even have baby books. I kept the outfit each baby came home from the hospital in (that was about the only day they each fit into something sized newborn). And I have a small collection of cards and other mementos laminated (I'll be sharing about that in another post). But that is it for baby things.

 

 

And you know what, Friend? It is freeing! I can focus on enjoying and cherishing than trying to save all those little things. And I carry my memories with me, regardless of where we live or if a box gets lost in a move or if a natural disaster destroys my household goods.

.we will remember.

Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.

President George W. Bush

I have sat here at my keyboard for awhile now...struggling to find the words to share. But words aren't enough in this moment. The evil witnessed thirteen years ago is still fresh on this anniversary. It occurred to me this morning that I have lived longer in a post 9/11 world (and have for several years) than before 9/11. It has been our friends, our peers, and our coworkers who have chosen to pick up the fight against evil; they have chosen the safety and freedom of others over their own tomorrows. And today, we remember men, women, and children who left their homes never to return.

To those who are grieving, may you find comfort.

To those who are at war, may you come home soon and safe.

To those who are free, may you cherish your liberty.

.three months.

How has it been three months, baby girl?

three months of your sweet spirit in our home...

three months of dresses, and hair bows...

three months of us loving on you...

three months and we already can't imagine life without you, sweet thing!

.family sunday.

Well, family, another week has come and gone with you...time flies by sometime, sweet ones.

B - Congratulations on your first solo in a helicopter! I'm so proud of you and how hard you've been working and how far you've come!

J - This week you have mastered counting! And you are awesome at it! Watching you learn and discover is such a joy, Sweet Boy.

W - Your attitude this week has just been so great, kiddo! I love your use of words instead of tears to ask for things! Your loving heart warms mine!

A - Baby Girl, you are the sweetest thing...there's just no other way to say it! You are the best little sidekick ever!

.oh, brothers.

Without fail, every time I leave the house with my three kiddos I get a comment that "you sure have your hands full!"

True.

Usually literally, although I think most people mean it figuratively.

My boys are busy.

We have daily battles about naps, snacks, sharing, indoor voices, bedtime...typical toddler things.

 

But I am choosing to treasure these times...

...eavesdropping on lisped conversations between themselves, laughing at silly faces, running races, singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" at bedtime, racing toy cars...

It's so easy to get overwhelmed with crazy work schedules, minor health issues, the frustrating weather, and a dirty house.

 

My hands may be full, but it's a good full.