If your house is anything like ours, getting myself and three kiddos ready for church Sunday morning can be anything but a holy experience!  And my husband's a pastor for cryin' out loud!

Here's some encouragement:  remember that GOD does not look at the outside (kids messy bed hair or our bad attitudes, mom's clothes pulled out of the laundry because that's all that's remotely clean....I claim all of these today!)  GOD loves us (stinky clothes, bedhead, bad attitude and all!)  :)  Now go dig some clothes out of the hamper and let's get to church.

This is how we feel about going to church with you today, Momma!

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.  By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.  And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:19-25  (NLT)

Contentment

Father's Day

Dad's had a lot going on at work lately and was traveling on Father's day. Mom and Dad had a condo on Sanibel Island the following weekend, so we decided to get together and celebrate there. My brother picked up Chinese food on his way out to the island and we had a great time swimming, eating and playing. It was a beautiful evening, breezy and not too buggy...so rare this time of year!

Dad is sportin his nekkid lip look...he has had a moustache since he was 18 years old and has trimmed, but NEVER shaved it!!!! Forty-ish years!!! Isn't that wild? Well, his staff celebrated a big deal at work and he promised early on that if all went well that he'd shave. And they made sure he held up his end of the bargain with a little party and some clippers. So funny! I like his new look and I think our smiles look more alike than ever now. :)

It's the little things...

Our little toddler is keeping me on my toes!  And as you can see...

 my time online is limited these days because my hungry baby might just eat the computer.  Ha!  :)
The slower pace of summer is just what we needed.  Here are a few of the "little things" that I'm relishing lately...

Oh, for the LOVE of babies with bed-hair.  Babies with bed-hair until 1:00?  Thank you, summer vacation.  Lots of playing and swimming going on around here...but one little activity we're all enjoying is keeping a journal.  Sometimes they write freely, and sometimes I give them a little prompt to get those creative juices flowin'.  ;)

 I think sweet baby hair swirls and curls are one of life's sweetest sights to behold.

 Charly...where are you?  Or as Camille says..."Ca-ow Ca-ow, aaaa oooooo?  This girl doesn't go anywhere without her huge purse hanging on her arm.

A new discovery (thanks mom, for the idea!) Almond butter+oil on top=a big giant mess to stir.  Enter the hand mixer.  It works!!!  Took a little muscle, but it really works.

The ONLY show on tv I care to waste my life away watching enjoy.  :)

Only one more day of work for my man before his two week vacation....that REALLY makes me smile!! :)

the old apple trick....

worked again!   Graham loves his new look and has been doing his best alligator wrestler impression.  ;)  His hair has gotten SO long and has got some serious curl in the back.  Daddy's ready to "summer-ize" his look, but I like it.  The longer it is, the younger he seems to me, and I'm sick 'n tired of all of this growing lately!   I'm so grateful that even though he's getting bigger, he's never too busy or proud to spare some sugar for his momma.   It's amazing to watch my boy becoming more and more independent.  Speaking of independence...he also learned how to ride a bike this week!  Yay!

It's been a big week for Mr.G.

A report from the front lines

-rescue a climbing toddler from peril (repeat about 100 times)
-repair Barbie's amputated leg
-attack mount laundry--vowing never to lose this much groud again.

Baby Steps

Millie's a super cruiser, a lightening fast crawler and climbs like a monkey...and now she can take a few steps, too. On this night, she had an audience to provide plenty of encouragement. :)  Time to fall into bed-I'm worn out from chasing this cute little girl all over the house!