stop the rush

Please pardon my writing block. I have sat down here several times, trying to wrap up and present to you a concise description about something... everything... And well, I've been at a loss. 
So, I snap pics. Here's a few thousand words.

Resurrection Rolls on Easter, because death could not hold Him down, for He is risen!

34 years times 365 days the Lord has made = such a gift!

"mommy and me" road-trip to Ohio with middle one for the auction of my grandparents' estate

This working 3 jobs, on top of the rest of the life of raising 3 boys has been a little bit crazy. We have seen God's sustaining hand. But, something's gotta give, and I'd rather it not be my sanity :) In a few weeks, I'll be done teaching preschool in the mornings, then we'll re-evaluate what is best for our family. Until then, it's back to the basics. 
Learning to sur-thrive. 
Reprogramming myself to ignore the mound of dishes staring me down as my not-so-little-guy falls asleep in my arms. {Wondering will this be the last time...?} To swap plans to make dinner for piecing together leftovers in order to be with the guys who have been at school all day. To sit and enjoy an afternoon with him regardless of everything on the list. To notice and marvel at what they have made rather than nod my head in the middle of lesson plans. To stop the rush. To listen to the One who delights in our presence and loves us enough to speak peace into our hearts. 

Listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,

He speaks peace to His people, His faithful ones.

~ psalm 85.8 {NLT}

 above: a robot from the recycling bin.  below: "these guys are headed to new york," he says.

I'll be back, but I've got a boy turning nine. NINE! in 4 days. Years ago he taught me that my presence is far greater than anything I can do or buy or make. Oh, how easily I forget.

 Once she stopped rushing through life, 

she was amazed at how much more life she had time for. 

~ Rubin

outside

Yesterday was one of those days.


Andy gently nudged me from the nest and gifted me with the space of quiet.
He even set my bike out on the sidewalk for me. 
He takes care of me, that guy.

Someday I may be able to put into words the whirlwind of stories and emotions and events from this past week {turning 34!, celebrating the Resurrection and the Life!!, "mom and me" road-trip to Ohio with my middle son for the auction of my grandma's estate, conversations in the car, another flood of sewage in the basement, call from my love at 11 pm on his way to the ER with a head injury from indoor soccer, new parenting challenges, to name a few}.

It's been a lot to process, and I didn't think I had the time to do so. 

Truth is, I didn't have the time not to. 

Somewhere in those 30 minutes of open eyes and stillness, pedaling and listening, I heard:

be careful what you treasure.

make the most of your days.

this is not all there is. 

AND, never ever second-guess your husband when he suggests you get outside for awhile. 

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

~ psalm 86.11

Happy Monday, friends!

Wishing you all moments of fresh air and open eyes, 

chances to be reminded of who you are and who you want to be.

crafting memories

Pack bags. Check. Road-trip. Check. Leave it all behind. Check. 

Splash in the waves. Chase seagulls. Boogy-board. Triple Check.

Build sandcastles. Collect seashells. Catch crabs. Picnics on the beach. Spot dolphins. Try to swim with them.

Visit loved ones. Ron Jon's. Tijuana Flats. Barnes & Noble. Lotsa coconut popsicles. Backyard soccer games. Hunt for geckos, catch them, set them free, repeat. Puzzles and breakfast. Nerf gun wars. Farmer's Market oranges. Blockus tourneys... 

(above: my new skirt that used to be a turtleneck! 
but that's a different type-of-crafting post :)

how is it we almost have the same size feet? when did he grow up so fast?!

I just kept wondering...What will these boys recall years from now? 

How will these moments shape their idea of what is fun and relaxing? 

What souvenirs are locked away in their minds to remember these days?

When we look back on our lives, what we will remember are the 

crazy things we did, the times we worked harder to make a day stand out.

~ Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

On the last day, we stayed at the beach as late as we could, pulling our blanket further and further back as the tide continued to move in. After we were as far back as we could go, we packed up our things. Sat on a bench overlooking the ocean, eating our snack, watching the waves and the surfers, reminiscing over favorite memories...Miles' was chasing the birds, Jack's was catching lizards, Jude's was catching crabs, Andy's was staring off into the horizon. Mine was all of it {with boogy-boarding in a close second place}.

I was struggling to leave, singing in my head with Boys2Men it's so hard to say goodbye... Then, I had flashbacks of being at that very spot nearly 9 years ago with 4 month old Miles, pregnant with Jack. SO much has happened since then! So much good and unexpected, and good coming from the unexpected. 
I love vacay-mode, but I value the ways real life has shaped us, who it is making us. It's so important to take time to retreat and rest {and, we were so blessed by these dear people who offer pastors a free place to stay to do just that}. I hope to someday sit back down on that same bench and reminisce over all of life that is yet to come and the many ways He has been faithful. Until then, we're gonna continue to seek what it means to 

take hold of the life that is truly life! 
~1 Timothy 6.19

Just beyond this computer screen, there is life yet to be lived! 

People to look into their eyes and smile, to love and pursue. 
Moments to craft. Memories to be made. 
A day that could stand out...