Boys and Mud.

Earlier this year, the boys and I borrowed a book from the library titled Mud. It instantly became a favorite. When Spring finally arrived, the boys couldn't wait to get outside and play in the mud. They couldn't wait to ..."Stir it. Stick it. Dig it. Dance it".
And they did just that.

Sometime later, I found a recipe on Pinterest for "Clean Mud". (made from shredded bar soap and warm water)

We had a blast with it. We started out at the table. The boys could squish it and stir it, but then it got messy.

We decided to move our mud to the bathroom sink. That is where the real mess, er, fun, began.

Once the boys started getting carried away, we moved the "fun" to the bathtub. The boys played and bonus, got clean!

I highly recommend it, but next time, we will play with it outdoors.

Simple Moments.

 

In these simple places, it overwhelms me, grips me really. That God, Creator of all the universe, loves me, accepts me and covers me. Little me. I'm free. I'm redeemed. My choices, my mistakes, all that stuff... they do not define me. My Savior Jesus Christ made that possible. And I give Him all the praise and glory. Yes, even in this little moment. My heart explodes with thanksgiving.

Sand, Sun and Fun; Our Family Vacation.

Two weeks ago we went on our annual family vacation. This consisted of me, B (my husband), my parents and our three boys.

To quote my sweet Zeky,"it was the best time of my life!"

Mom and I drove down with the kids Friday night. Night, as in through the night. We figured less stops, more rest for the kids, etc. It went fairly well. It still took us thirteen hours, but I must say, the boys traveled well.

While it took a few days to acclimate, (you know, with three little ones) we had such an amazing time away. There's something wonderful about waking up, eating breakfast and heading to the beach, daily. Packing picnics and just romping around the beach all day long. And then coming back to our condo for lazy late afternoons. Evenings were filled with good food, shopping, leisure walks, and more time at the beach.
Most of the week, we were all smiles. So much laughter. So much love. So much sun.

It was so fun to watch all three boys chase the waves, build sandcastles, laugh and play together. It was time to unplug, unwind, and forget about all the mundane and worries of "life".

 

I cannot tell you how many times throughout the week that I prayed for families everywhere. That they would be blessed to have time away together. To refresh, recharge and just enjoy being together. This trip is always such a blessing to our family. It's so nice to just have ...fun... together.

My beautiful momma goes everywhere with us!

Lunch at the diner with all my guys.



Feeding the ducks and fish at the Boardwalk



Z and ice cream!

E and ice cream!

The boys finally get to ride motorcycles!

Headed to the Boardwalk

Z at the pool

baby boy at the pool

Always silly.

We found TONS of these little "urchins" burrowing in the sand.

The boys loved picnicking at the beach.



Daddy is so fun.

E wanted so badly to "surf like the big boys".

We're already looking forward to next year!

...

This moment. And boys.

Running errands, by.my.self.

 ...taking a moment to think about my beautiful boys

and my OHSOAMAZING husband (!) and how good they are for me; how beautiful life really is.

It feels so good to just.breathe.

In silence.

 

 

...Why is it that "the world" has already set my boys up for failure? "Because they're boys." I would never ever be naïve enough to think they will be perfect or never mess up. They will make mistakes.

 

 

But why can't we hope for difference? Why can't we raise our children to hope in Jesus, to hope in good. To believe that they can be men of integrity, respectful, kind, protectors of good and truth? It's my duty to at least try. At least cover them in LOVE.

 

And I fully believe in them; I BELIEVE they will do great things. 

 

 

 

And we can accomplish this through our faith in Jesus Christ.