Inspired

The boys have been sick for the past couple of days and believe me Jonathan tried to get out of school today as well. But he is on the mend, and I told him he gets a 3 day weekend which put a smile on his face. Anyway lately we have been going through a Blue's Clues phase around here and everytime it goes off the boys want to make or do whatever Blue did. So yesterday we made fire engine ships. Jonathan pulled stuff out of the recycling bin and went to work. Then of course we had to see if the ship would float. It did but sadly the people inside drowned due to water getting into the ship. You see he used a cloth baseball to plug the hole. Nicholas however made a paper ship, and it didn't survive the water. That didn't bother him he was enjoying playing in the water. After we tested the boats Jonathan was off to make a submarine which he made out of a pepsi bottle, and he used the top to the bottle this time to plug the hole. Alas I think he got bored with that project because he never tested it out to see if it worked. Living with boys is interesting, there always seems to be some sience project going on around here most of the time. And I think that is awesome.

Fun in the Garden

We went to Cheekwood this weekend and got lost in Fairy Tale land.

The sword and the stone I have to say was the favorite. I wonder why?

They enjoyed climbing up Rapunzel's hair too.

Ah sitting by the fire waiting for Rumple Stilskin. I don't think I spelled his name right. Oh well. We had a great time the boys and their friend ran around for about 2 hours and the best is they went to bed at 7:30 and didn't get up this morning until almost 7:00. I think I might make them run more often.

The First Day of the First Grade

Getting his stuff ready to go.

Can I help brother?

It's time to go.

And we are off.

Now could you please leave Mom I have work to do.

I only cried for a moment when I left. He is getting so big. He is very excited about being in the first grade.

More August Pictures

For this little man the summer has come to an end. He starts 1st grade on Monday. I'll try not to cry. My babies are growing up. Enjoy the pictures everyone. Don't forget to look at the ones in the blog below.

August Pictures

The Many Faces of Molly

Jonathan did a photo shoot with Molly today. Here are the many faces of Molly. Enjoy!!

Learnig To Live Like I'm Forgiven

Lately I've been struggling with my imperfection and God's forgiveness and grace. The guilt I feel because I don't think I'm a good mother. I always feel that there is more I need to give and if I don't my boys lives will be disastrous. I'm not a perfect person or mother and that is hard for me to admit sometimes. Anyway God has a way of speaking to me that lets me know that everything is going to be okay. We went to a new church on Sunday and the pastor spoke about worry. Why do we spend so much energy on the things we can't control? Those things need to be sent to God in prayer and then you won't worry so much when you truly believe He has those things under His control. Ah you find peace. I've been praying more lately during the day. Being more honest with God about my hurts and fears. Going to my happy place and saying out loud a lot, " I choose joy!" I wonder if my kids think I'm crazy? But they do have a mom that is a little more patient now. So God sent me the message at church but I was still struggling. I have a devotional book that is title When God Thinks of you...He Smiles, that I read a page in once a week. This week He sent me this prayer, and it was exactly what I needed.

The Sea Remains the Sea

Dear Lord, today I thought of the words of Vincent Van Gogh, "It is true that there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea." You are the sea. Although I may experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts in my inner life, you remain the same... There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love.

My only real temptation is to doubt your love...to remove myself from the healing radiance of your love. To do these things is to move into the darness of despair.

O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know that there is ebb and flow...but that the sea remains the sea.

Amen

Henri J. M. Nouwen

I really needed this. It is teaching me to live in God's grace. Change takes time and He is a patient God. He knows I'm not perfect and that I'm working to change the things I need to change in my life. God is faithfully right here beside me. So I'm learning to worry less and trust God more.

Ocean in Motion

We did go to the Ocean in Motion program last Wednesday at the nature center, and yes I did forget my camera. We had a lot of fun though. Jonathan learned about what this area was like along time ago when it was under water. He got to make a fossil. We walked around in the stream. We are getting very good at finding living creatures in the streams and creeks around here. They took a trip to the beach and found all kinds of creatures. And he also got to be a rain cloud and get wet which I think was the best part of the program for him. Nicholas did some of the things but mainly he and I hung out in the nature center where there was air conditioning.

This week is a busy week so my next blog will probably be a week from Monday. Jonathan starts first grade so I'll try to get those pictures up of him going off to school. That is if I remember my camera.