Life in This Country Town

I have exciting news to share and it involves turning my prayers into praises. Our home is under contract! As you all read in my blog, The Potter's Hand, we acted on faith and purchased our "Growing Up Home." It's the home, the kids will do homework in, play forever outside in and eventually take prom pictures on the staircase. We are in awe of God's timing and goodness. Because of our faith move, we've been anxiously waiting for the Lord to do something with our old house. At times, we've questioned our decision, feeling irresponsible for moving without selling the house but the Lord has shown us that He is a good and faithful God. Thank you Lord! This is a major stress off our backs.

Life in this country community is wonderful. I can't help but meet several people at the local Food Lion or park and talk for what seems like hours. It's a community where you'll hear the cashier say to a customer,"Well I'll be praying for you." And I imaginarily lift my hands to God and say,"Thank you Jesus! I feel home again." 

It's also a family centered community. I've noticed that the local moms  really value time with their kids. It makes my heart happy to see family being in the forefront of people's lives. This past Saturday, we took the kids to the local park and found a softball game going on and a unique event the little ones could participate in,"Art in the Park." The kids loved it! It was very relaxed and carefree. Afterwards we took a walk through the woods to find adventure.

So simply put, the Lord has proven time and time again to be faithful. There are countless examples in my life of waiting on God...infertility, medical scares, employment and now our house. Why do I ever doubt the Lord is listening? I suppose I need to work on not being a "Doubting Thomas." Thank you Lord for being so faithful. I'm forever grateful and in awe of Your Power.

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."”
John 20:24-29 ESV

Momma's Summer Camp 2016

Ohhh my, this is the last summer before Baby Girl goes to Kindergarten...it just has to be special. These last few months are going to fly by and I want to make every day count. So I decided to create my own Summer Camp schedule. Everyday we would intentionally do something fun together. Here's the schedule I created.

Monday-Craft Day

Tuesday-Field Trip Day

Wednesday-Cooking Day

Thursday-Pool Day

Friday-Lunch with Daddy Day

The schedule seemed fair enough...a little bit of staying at home (so we don't spend money) and a little bit of adventure. It also kept me from living my life on the road and just enjoying the kids at home.

Our first Field Trip was to Duck Donut in Short Pump, Virginia. Woah! Those were some good donuts. Just slightly warm with whatever drizzle you wanted on top. I opted for vanilla frosting with raspberry drizzle, while the girls enjoyed cookies and cream on top their chocolate donuts and Baby Boy chose cinnamon sugar.

Now you know it's a known fact that you can't sugar em' up and make them sit still. So we headed to a quiet park that I knew wouldn't be crowded. Shhh!  I won't divulge the "secret" location because I've learned that when you take multiple kids to a park, your stress level is A LOT lower if the park isn't crowded. However, if you're real nice to me, I'll tell you where ;) Here's some pics of the kids burning off their donuts.

Everyone was all tuckered out when we got home. Baby Boy fell asleep in the car so I laid him on the couch. So sweet.

The next morning, my Baby Girl crawled into my lap and I kissed the top of her head. "I can't believe you are already five," I told her.

"Mom, always remember what I told you, okay."

"What's that?"

"That I will never leave you. I'm going to live in my own house in your backyard. Okay? And mom, you can come visit me whenever you like."

Ohhh sigh. My heart melted. I kissed her head one more time.