I thought I would be more ambitious this summer, but I think this slow pace is healthy.  It's given me time to think.  During the school year I have to start the day so early to enjoy quiet moments before the rest of the family wakes up.  This feels like a mental vacation.

I've come to a few decisions with all this thinking time.  I'm learning that my carefree, dreamy personality also keeps me from completing projects.  But after reading the book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World," I was inspired to focus on one thing at a time.  By asking God, "What do YOU want me to do next?" I can appreciate every small gesture and embrace those childish interruptions.  I believe that God gives us each moment for a reason, and I don't want to waste my gifted life.

After such a great trip to visit family a couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed the growing independence of my kids.  They slept in the same room, giggling, keeping each other company, and playing quietly together in the early morning.  I felt the freedom of not being as needed, so that I could concentrate on other things.  This brought the realization that I could be done having babies.  I never wanted to have only 2 kids, but I have always wanted to adopt or foster.  So I am hoping that we will be in a position to start that process in a few years.  I still want to fill up this house with family. 

After a series at our church entitled "Jesus Creed," I started trying to meditate on the words, "Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love Him with all that's in you, love Him with all you've got" and "Love others as you love yourself."  It goes along with my prayer to ask God what HE wants me to do.  With such a focused mindset, it helps me avoid unnecessary distractions, but see every task as a divine appointment.  To be less hurried, less stressed, and feel less pressured. 

Happy vacation.

I've been visiting my grandmother's house and my childhood home for the week, and I am having a wonderul time.  Usually I feel so overwhelmed trying to take care of and entertain my kids alone, but this trip has been different.  I guess it's because they're getting older.  And it helps that my dad took a couple of days off of work and my cousin has spent a few nights here.  No boredom this week!  Here's a list of my favorite things about a week at my grandmas:

• Kids sleeping in until 10:00a.m.  This is a first for our family!
• Catching lightning bugs/fireflies, which was one of our summer “to-dos.”
• Spending days playing at the park.
• Making new friends and running into old ones at the community VBS.
• My old teachers saying I haven’t changed a bit.  That’s okay with me.
• The kids sharing a room, so they can talk until they fall asleep and play when they wake up in the morning…and I have a quiet night’s sleep.
• Playing with cousin, Teddi, who is Brody’s age.
• Finding my cheerleading pom-poms from high school and watching Brody, not Bella, play with them!
• Swinging on my grandpa’s old porch swing.
• Cooking dinner with my cousin, Megan…..

*sigh*  I just need to do this every summer, even though I miss my husband.    This is a great time to reconnect with family and old friends without feeling rushed.  And the kids are making great memories. 

I'll post pics next week.

Yesterday I was reminded of how we can let the busyness of life take away moments of joy.  It is hard to find a balance between the "doing" and the "being," and it's so easy to give into the pressures to find worth in living in fast forward mode.  Think of what we would miss!
 
I too often try to achieve balance on my own, but I think I'm learning that only God can guide us spiritually on the right path.  I wanted to share this with you:
 
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (The Message version of Matthew 11:28-30's "my yoke is easy and my burden is light.")
 
Today, I hope you can enjoy simple moments amidst a crazy world.