Day 3, and some tears.

Today is day 3. We spent a great morning at church followed by lunch and playtime at a friends house. It was lovely to spend the main meal with a family :) It's only three days in and I miss our chaotic, noisy, family dinners around our table. I'm so thankful for our church family who do an excellent job at being "family" to me during these times.

When I pulled up the driveway upon arriving home from the service - I found a gal from church and her soon standing on my back porch. I was surprised! They were holding what looked like presents and gift bags...curious. They brought the gifts inside and this is what I read:

You cannot know how blessed and special I felt in that moment. And still now. :) My 30th birthday week has begun and I'm so thankful for these people who love me and thought of me in such a special way! I get to open a gift a day and I'm giddy about it!

The girls and I are doing "ok" so far. Last night my biggest girl was struggling. She misses daddy so much, bedtime is usually his thing, complete with stories, rocking, etc. Big, fat, alligator tears just came and came - so we talked about daddy, we looked at pictures, and then changed the subject. I'm leaning so hard on the grace of God during those times, especially. I feel inadequate in those moments as a momma. How do I help my baby's breaking heart, when mine is aching too? Bah.

Tomorrow we start our full week. We'll have dinner and playtime at a friends house tomorrow night - and we have a craft and maybe a trip to the splash park for the morning/afternoon. Sounds like a good start to me! Thank you for praying for us and checking on us and loving us! Keep it up! 

Days 1 and 2.

Well, we survived our first full day and night without daddy... without any tears. Though, my 3 year old did get a little weepy at bedtime. I was so proud of her for being brave. Holding onto her "daddy snuggle shirt" helps, I think. :) I don't blame her for needing that... I have "daddy snuggle pillows" on our bed. Smells like old spice and his bath soap. {sigh}

Yesterday was spent:
-gathering craft supplies at Michaels
-pit stop at Kohls to look for sandals for the girls...and having no luck.
-lunch at Culvers after mommy's weigh in for WW. The irony there is...huge.
-filling up the pool in the backyard
-a mini water balloon fight
-swimming and outdoors time
-Pocahontas on Disney Jr. with popcorn!
-August falling down the stairs {more on that later...}
-Bedtime stories
-Mommy having rocky road ice cream after the babies were asleep :)

I was literally singing praises to God that they day felt so so easy. I received so many texts throughout the day from people telling me they were praying for us - and folks, we could tell! Thank you!

Today is the day where I have little to nothing planned. Which, could be fine or could be a disaster. I'm learning that busy little hands and minds leave little room for mischief and tears. We started the morning with breakfast and then the girls played with their toys for awhile. For Ava that meant Polly Pocket and for August it was repeatedly climbing up and down the kids play table. She is a climber, that one! Climbs on anything now. She even knows how to hike that little leg up on the couch and pull up onto it. yikes.

Anyway, while I cleaned the kitchen I set Ava up for some finger painting with her new paint set. At Michaels yesterday I had her pick out two pieces of big scrapbook paper so she could finger paint one and we'll balloon paint the other. She choose...PINK {shocking right} and turquoise! She did a great job creating a masterpiece and it lasted at least 30 minutes :)

When August wakes up we'll take a trip to the mall nearest us. Hubby bought me a pair of TOMS for my birthday - and I need to exchange for a bigger size. And since Target is right there... we may as well go in. I need milk anyway.

So, that's that. Keep us in your prayers? So far I'm feeling confident and loved and easily able to lean on the Lord through this. And, really, the girls just want my TIME - something I can freely give to them while daddy is away. We'll be good.

And, August is ok from her fall. That lil' bugger. She knows how to do stairs {though shaky} and loves to do it herself. Normally I walk behind her to go up and behind her to go down - last night she literally sped past me and attempted head first to go down the stairs. She tumbled down the 6 top stairs and landed on her back. I was paralyzed and felt like it was all slow motion. 2 minutes later she was fine and grunting for me to hand her a toy...and her bottle. Not a scratch! Praise God! She def keeps me on my toes all the time now. 

There they go

 

Elevate Students {and a few parents} head to Haiti. 

3am came right on schedule this morning. 

The alarm went off and hubs got up to get ready. I had cried the whole day prior and was thankful that my sleepiness wasn't allowing any more tears today. Today was the day of rejoicing - it was finally here! Months of meetings, planning, fundraising, and praying had all led up to this time. 

I tiptoed downstairs to mumble my goodbyes. I noticed how even at 3:15am he was handsome. It's in these moments where I can actually feel the grace covering me. How I can just say goodbye like that - turn around - and go back to bed. No fear. No panic. Just grace.

They made it to NJ around 10am this morning. They'll spend the day in NYC sightseeing. Tomorrow they'll board a plane and make their way to Port Au Prince, Haiti. Lord willing, we'll see them again next Sunday night. 

I miss him. Already. I knew I would. But I am so excited to see how the Lord uses this time in his life. I can't wait to hear his heart when he comes home. And now I pray and ask God to keep us three safe, here.

Oh, Iowa.

On our way home from church last night my gas light came on. I also needed contact solution AND a pacifier as all of them seem to have vanished into thin air! This would mean that now instead of just stopping quickly at Walgreens - that a fill up would be necessary, too. Have I mentioned it was just the girls & I?

And then as I'm driving down the road - I glance to my right and see THIS lovely summer storm brewing. Sure enough while I'm thinking, "gee, that looks bad", a weather service announcement came on the radio. Yikes. I've never seen or experienced a tornado - but, for all I knew there could have been one tucked into this here wall of cloud. {there wasn't...I found out later}

So that was how our Summer Solstice ended last night. So much for the "longest day" all year, huh?

Putting it all together

This morning I can't shake the deep thoughts. Which is good. And, I don't really even try to shake these kinds of things really. While cleaning my girls rooms I thought about them and what they need, who they are, who they will be. I was reminded with each toy placed back in the bin, each dress hung back up, each tutu stored in the dress up closet... that this job is intense. Sometimes it paralyzes me. I'm their mom.

I read an article last night put out by the Gospel Coalition on teaching our children Civility. Ye-ouch! Ah how my heart was convicted. And you know, I thank God for that each time. What a mighty God to care about us so much that He sends His Holy Spirit to convict and work on us. Amen! Would you take some time to check out the blog post? Just click here. :)

In other thoughts -
I'm reading through 1 Kings right now. I love it. In college when I knew a speaker was going to go through that book {or any of those Kingly books} I tried to be front n' center. The storybook type reading just seems to click with me - I can picture myself in the story. Funny how maybe that's even the point. :)
Today, however, was about Solomon's building and building and building some more. I'm not a contractor or engineer....so, reading about cubits and inches and what not maybe wasn't "awesome". All the same its just really encouraging, if nothing else, to read of Men of God who were following His plan! I see the parallel in my own life so often and I am continually reminded, still, of David's challenge to Solomon before he died:

"When David was about to die, he instructed his son Solomon,  “I’m about to leave this world. Be strong and mature.  Fulfill your duty to theLord your God. Obey his directions, laws, commands, rules, and written instructions as they are recorded in Moses’ Teachings. Then you’ll succeed in everything you do wherever you may go." 1 Kings 2

The civility article mentioned above drew me back to thinking about this passage last night. David challenged Solomon to be mature, fulfill what the Lord had called him to, obey really in all things. Though David was not a perfect father - he was the "man after God's own heart". He knew that above all things that leaving this legacy of faith and character in the Lord was what really mattered. And I want to be that kind of parent for my daughters. I want our faith in the Lord, how we treat the people in our lives, how we LOVE to be such a focus. I want to bless my children with an example of civility - not for the sake of civility - but to glorify the Lord and lead my children to Him! In this way we will see success!

I guess what I'm trying mostly to say here is - how thankful I am when the Lord pieces these things together in my heart and mind. Days of learning things seem to be woven together beautifully over time.

Getting ready for "THE" week

As much as I try NOT to have a countdown to hubby's departure, it is happening in my head anyway. :/ I even got teary eyed today thinking that next Sunday it would be me flying solo with the girls at church. BUT I am SO EXCITED for his trip - truly!

Anywhooo... This week I found some time to jump on Pinterest and gather some ideas for the time while daddy is gone. Who knew kids needed so much more attention and direction when just one parent goes away! I've learned my lesson and will not depend on Ava to entertain herself {entirely} next week. Here's a peek at what will be happening in our home during daddy's trip to Haiti:

 

Balloon painting! 

And, after we are done painting - we'll hang the balloons on string to dry. Those will then become a "Welcome Home" banner for daddy! :)

 

Toddler skeeball!

I held onto the last diaper box for this one! 

 

Mess-less finger painting. :) These are ziploc bags taped down - filled with paint. Think magna doodle type deal!

And, last, but not least -

I'm looking to do something like this:

 My hearts desire is to be gentle, kind, and patient with my girls. I have been struggling lately in each of those areas. Bah! Brad and I are going to concoct some sort of rewards system that I hope to carry on into Ava's preschool time this fall. I'd love to hear your ideas on this. Pinterest had a TON of similar ideas. 

So, yea, lots to prep for. Not to mention getting daddy ready to go and out the door. So thankful he doesn't leave until Friday! 

I'm doing really super great with my weight watchers this weekend - which is so encouraging. I had a few weeks slump, only losing ounces or even gaining a pound here and there. Annoying. I've been enjoying lots of fresh veggies with olive oil and sea salt {yum!} and keeping close track of my "Points". I lost a pound since Friday. A pound people. This is all fine and good and motivating - until - I got my Midwest Living magazine in the mail with THIS as the cover. Yep, how does one feel motivated to lose weight when drooling looking at this? I'll tell you - they have cucumbers in olive oil and garlic salt instead. I know...be jealous.

Good thing I love my veggies... and can factor in something like this with WW. I love that program! Granted, it may mean eating raw veggies the rest of the day...but, I could do it. :) 

We are officially into having Sunday nights off for the summer around here. Normally we would get together with church friends or something - but, tonight its a laid back, messy living room kind of night. Hubs is excited to turn on 60 minutes - or favorite show. :) And, I'm excited to just be home and together. Praise the Lord for a summer rest tonight! 

And, if you are in the area - let me know if you'd like to get together next week. We would love to plug in some fun play dates! {is that lame to say??? oh well}

Summer Days...BBQ's...Bounce Houses

 

Do you remember being a kid and how FUN these things were? I do. And I have to tell you how much I'm loving watching my own children love them now. Well, at least, the 3 year old. :) 

Today we had our church's annual Backyard BBQ and Classic Car show. The parking lot was full of antique and classic cars, people checking them out, tents set up to eat in, etc. And it was HOT HOT HOT! A perfect summer day for a BBQ. 

I'm trying to be very intentional this summer in making each day count. Summer seems to be over in a blink - and, after not really having one after our horrible experience last summer, we want to really make a mark with this year. So far we have done the local pool, our splash park down the street, the farmers market, church bbq and tonight we'll go swimming with the rest of the staff at one of the church members private pool! :)

Hubby heads out of the country on Friday and I'm trying to think of a few creative ideas to do with the girls. I LOVE being home - it's easier, safer {usually}, and free. But, I see how sometimes its almost necessary to get out and get moving. So, what kinds of summer fun things do you do with your families?

*photo taken from SBC fb page :)