Just Be Present

I just loved this. Just what I needed starting back to school tomorrow. 

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We all hear it sometimes…the whisper in our hearts that says, “You really should be doing more.” It usually intrudes right into the middle of our ordinary. When we’re washing dishes. Or changing diapers. Or driving to work in the morning.

A wise friend of mine says that lie is a dangerous one because every time we tell ourselves we should be doing “more,” it leads to less…

Being less present where we are right now.

Less peace.

Less joy.

Less love for those who are right in front of us.

Can you trust that you’re where you’re supposed to be in this moment, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, and if that’s supposed to change then God will make that clear to you? Yes, be open to new possibilities. Learn. Grow. Take steps forward.

But say “no” to the lie that you must do more.

It’s simply not true.

So take a deep breath, lean into grace, and live fully where you are today…God is already taking care of tomorrow {and He’s the only one who can}.

XOXO
Holley Gerth

One of the best summer days so far...July 4th

Slept until 8:30. Latest so far this summer. 

Turned the TV off at 10:00 didn't turn it on again until 5:00. 

Stuck to my guns and did not let the kids turn on the TV (or any other screen) until they stopped whining and did their 5 minute pick ups. 

Set up a scavenger hunt with clues for the kiddos in effort to get Wilder to practice reading. 

Set a goal with Gwynny - Learn the first list of sight words for kindergarten - get a new Wonder Woman costume. Her idea. (Trying to make a little effort!)

Tried to teach my 3 year old that screaming is not the answer when she's mad or frustrated. Going to have to keep working.

Watched Wilder and Gwyneth work on mosaics for the new treehouse and marveled at how little treasures I've been holding onto for years are now getting a new purpose in their artwork. 

Got excited that the treehouse is almost finished! Love and miss you honey. 

Made a Starbucks's run on the way to Wal-Mart to buy groceries for dessert. 

Let the kids pick out new electronic toothbrushes. Oh the excitement. Whatever it takes people. Happy kids, clean teeth, it's a win win.

Kept my cool through all the owies, fighting, and not getting my way kind of crying. 

Played, really played with the kids today. 

Won some mom points and popped some black cats like a boss.

Watched as Addy kissed Wilder on the shoulder at dinner "because she loves him." I wasn't supposed to see, she let me know immediately.

Tried to accept Wilder's non interest in athletics today. Blake and I have both been trying to get him to run a mile fun run in the Owasso Ram Run next week. He just doesn't want to do it. So what do you like? "nature, art." Thinking about Cub Scouts for him. Just seems like it would be a good fit. Bad idea? Just how nerdy are Cub Scouts? Err...? 

Laughed, truly laughed, with the rest of the family at our creative Gwyneth. Wilder: "Gwyn you are hilarious." Also watched as she talked out loud to two neighbors on our walk this evening. Maybe, just maybe she is starting to come out of her shell. At dinner tonight she gave her fork "pants" by filling it with poked peas. (Sound like a familiar story dad?) This opened a whole can of sillies at dinner time. She also said "darn it mac and cheese and steak" on our walk this evening. What?? Where did you come up with that? "In my brain."

Had enough patience to let Addy ride her bike on our walk this evening. Hoping she is the one who will actually keep riding it. I love watching her little legs peddle fast. So cute! 

Made the yummiest dessert. Wilder and I named it The Sugar Bomb. We stuffed waffle cones with marshmallow's, berries, and chocolate, wrapped them in foil and put them on the grill. (Ok, pinterest) Then we topped it with ice cream! Definitely too much for the 3 year old. Her bomb exploded onto her plate and all over her entire body. 

The greatest victory: Somehow managed to give everyone baths and put to bed at 10:00 without getting grumpy from my own tiredness. I wish every bedtime could always be as smooth. 

It's the little things that keep us going right?

Today was a good day

Today was a good day. Actually yesterday was a good day too. We celebrated our 10th anniversary. I feel overwhelmingly blessed. I could list the reasons why I love Blake and what I appreciate about him. Simply stated, he continues to make me a better person. He is the one, who, when the cashier at McDonald's who cannot speak English gives and charges you for two more flurries than you ordered finds a mother and two kids to give them to. I, on the other hand, am just immediately ticked off and set to go get our money back. Geez...why wasn't that my first inclination? I sit and eat my flurry in silence and waller in my selfishness! Then I think how I am inspired to continue to give to everyone in everyway, everyday. Even when it means trusting God that he will provide in sacrificial giving. But wait, this was about Blake! Sorry.

Today I had the pleasure of spending it with three little versions of Blake and I. In some moments pleasure would have been an overstatement. Today was a hard day actually. I woke up tired.  I had to fight for patience today and even let words come out of my mouth that I regret. But with deep breaths and apologies we made it through. The good much outweighed the bits of nagging and arguing among all of us. (Blake was at a track meet today). As time goes on I am more able to appreciate every moment for what it is - and deal with whatever challenges my kids present in a manner I am proud of. (not always, but I'm working on it!) I want contentment in the now and present and the as is. In all of it. Contentment brings so much joy and peace. There have been several seasons in the last few years that contentment has been a struggle.  I consider the contentment I have gained an enormous blessing.

Today:
I participated in a food coop for the very first time. Something I've wanted to do for a while. The kids were excited about all of the different fruits and vegetables that we brought home. Addy helped wash. Wilder counted and made list of all the vegetables. The girls took the two butternut squashes and made them their babies and carried them around the house for about an hour. (Seriously! why do we buy toys?). The kids and I made strawberry bread with the strawberries in our basket. Yummy!!

We went to the library. Expanded the kids knowledge of Earthday, Red Kangaroos, and Robots. Good stuff.


Gwyneth managed to put together a pretty darn good cowgirl costume from what she could find around the house. Complete with a lasso made from one of dad's brown shoestrings. Wilder followed and came up with a pretty good costume himself. So random.

Addy said things like "it's not a problem" and "I can handle it" and shook her head very matter of factly several times. Cracked me up.

Wilder and Gwyneth played chase around the house for a long time. They hardly ever play like this so I enjoyed the laughing and squealing.

After being in the kitchen for several hours I attempted to sit down and read for a little bit while the kids played. I think the same relation between washing your car and rain exists between me reading a book and Addy peeing in her pants. Who was I kidding?  Reading is for AFTER the kids go to bed silly goose...unless it's reading books to them.

I got to watch the delight on the kids faces while playing with their daddy at dinner.

Like I said, I consider it a successful day when there is more laughter than arguing. I just love watching these precious little rugrats and their different personalities. I love their ideas. I love their tender hearts. I love how they make me laugh. I love their innocence.

Thank you Lord for today, for our now. For blessing us beyond measure. May our hearts be forever grateful.

Have to start somewhere

What better way to start blogging again than with documenting a birthday milestone? Never mind the lifetime that has passed since my last post. Let's not talk about that right now. Summer vacation is here and we celebrated Adalyn's third birthday which was May 16th. I guess she decided she would go ahead and turn three despite my begging for her to stay two. Once I accepted the inevitable was coming I finally decided to plan her party. Last minute. Probably the most fun I've had with a themed birthday - Rainbow Party!! Rainbows are just cool. Kids love 'em, I love 'em. Maybe it's how the colors blend into each other so magically or the joy of seeing one in the sky. Maybe because they're just so easy to draw. Whatever the reason, the kids loved it. There is something about home parties that I just love. I can remember as a kid how special it was to me when my parties were at home. It's so gratifying for me to do the same for my kiddos. Here are a few pics from the party.

Little helpers! They loved mixing the colors for the rainbow cupcakes.

Little miss. She loved being the center of attention.

Day after cupcakes!

Building her rainbow. Missing a few colors but that's ok!

Aunt Bre's finished rainbow for baby Ellia.

Nobody died from too much food coloring consumption.

Addy with her best friends Halle and not pictured, Eleanor! Addy's birthday sign created by Gwyneth!

Rainbow kabobs! So pretty!

I so enjoyed making this. 

and...I love streamers. :)

Happy Birthday Addy Jane! Love You!

Proud of these

Fall collages made by my after school art students! Enjoy!

Yes and No

I can say YES to:
Fruit. When Addy asks me for her third cutie within one hour. 
Art. When Wilder says he wants to make art which means another mess on top of all our current messes. 
Dreaming. Looking at costumes with Gwyneth eight weeks before Halloween.
Letting go. It's ok if you wear two different shoes out of the house...this time because momma's tired.
To starting over. To new days.

I can say NO to:
Saying No. No, Addy it is not ok for you to tell your mother "NO"...even if your brother thinks it is hilarious. 
Wilder's outfit leaving the house. Only my boy could manage tie dye, camo, and stripes in the same outfit. 
Unrealistic expectations. Really, because only so much can happen in one day. 

Thankful for a reflective, relaxing Sunday :)

1st Day of Kindergarten