WATER BUGS

I love summer, but most of all, I love swimming in the summer! I have always been a 'water bug', when I was little my favorite place was always in the water. I remember taking my books in the pool with me, trying to eat in there and staying way past the point of wrinkly fingers. This summer is especially great for swimming because my little lovelies are becoming little water bugs too. I think what makes this especially sweet is that they are swimming in the same pool I spent most of my time swimming in as a little girl. It's pretty amazing for me to see them create some of the same wonderful memories I did when I was so little... 

 We even share the same great taste in swimming safety fashion, as you can see from below, I rocked the intertube suit (pretty sweet, I know)...

although, I took it one step further with the noseplug (they'll get there)...

and just like I remember, the worst part of the day is when it's time to get out of the pool...

Today's Reflection:

As my children grow and we discover more things about them, I'm amazed at how much they are like me. There is so much about them that is unique and special but when I get to see a little glimpse of myself in them, I feel connected to them in such an unspoken way. Do you think God feels this unspoken connection when he sees a glimpse of himself in me? When the good and the kindness comes through? When the love and compassion surface? Do you think he smiles and says, "She gets that from me?"

"Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

-Genesis 1: 26-27

A LITTLE TIME FOR CRAFTS

I thought I'd share a little crafting today. I'm always happy when I get a little time to create something. The ideas are plenty, but the time to do them is scarce. If I do have the time it's late at night or during naps, so whenever I can do a quick and easy craft, I feel a little sense of accomplishment. This one was done for Father's Day, I thought I'd make a little replica of each of the dads...

I started with little wooden figures found at the craft store, then painted them giving them the characteristics that each dad is known for. My bro-in-law's metro-sexual v-neck, my dad's famous lime green tank top and my husband's classic white tee and khakis.

Next, I added another layer of even more details, like glasses and gray hairs. I used a little felt to make my husband's hat that is a staple of his. I liked the look of no noses or mouths and at this point, if you knew these men, they were pretty recognizable, so I left them as is. 

In the end they made great little cake toppers for our chocolate cake. I just added a few more touches to the cake, like a banner and backdrop and voila, instant personalized craft!

You have to admit, the resemblance was pretty uncanny...

The sweetest part of this was that my son loved them! He could not put them down, especially his 'Grandpa'. He played with them all day, taking them in the bath with him and even to bed. He's already asked where the rest of the family is, so I think I just might have to make him more!

Today's Reflection:

Sometimes I'm not sure how other people get so much accomplished during the day. If I'm able to get everyone, including myself, dressed and fed I'm walking a little taller. I've been told this is just a season I'm in, having two small children but in case it doesn't get any easier, please don't tell me! I'm trying to stay motivated and encouraged to start trying to fit more and more into my day. I think the most challenging part of this is not comparing my day to someone else's, otherwise I can feel lazy and pretty useless. Isn't that a challenge in general? Not comparing ourselves to others? I'm finding comfort that when I start to lose confidence in myself and what I'm doing it just takes a moment with God, to remind me, he's helping me through each day and to ask him to continue guiding my steps and leading me.

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands."

-Psalm 90:17

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

So here's the hip haps on me lately, I got ridiculously sick last week out of no where. I won't go into details but chills and throwing-up was involved. That was just to explain my slight absence last week, but today's post is not about that. It is after all 'Loving where you're at Monday' and what better way to love where you're at than to get inspired by a little love. Meet our dear friends, Aaron and Lisa...

Yes, that's right, they're newlyweds! We were extremely blessed to watch these two say 'I Do' over the weekend. They are both very special to us, very true and genuine people, separately they were both people that Steve and I loved to be around and when love struck between the two of them, I think we all secretly prayed for this day. Here's a little bit of that day

We really enjoyed ourselves, even our little lovelies had a good time...

It's amazing how two people become one and from that how much that love can multiply.

Today's Reflection:

Love can be a bit contagious, but unlike the illness that left me curled up in a fetal position last week, it's the kind of thing you want to catch. It's the kind of thing you see and instead of wanting to turn the other way you find yourself walking right into it. Love between friends, love between strangers, love between family, love between that one person that makes your heart skip a beat unlike anyone else. Loving where your at is easy when you put a little love on.
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. "
-1 Corinthians 13:1-3

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Sorry for my absence yesterday! We took a little road trip out of town to look at a used RV. It was a bust. Well, the RV was a bust but not the trip! We went a little up the road to the city of Benicia, I've never been, have you? We usually like to travel with a gang of people, so we brought my parents along as backup. The RV ended up being a little too rusty for our us, but the town it rusted in was pretty cool. We ended up driving by the water and took a little detour from going home, taking in the beautiful sunset and a little Pirate Pizza. It's regul-ARRRRH pizza (see what I did there?) just in a cool pirate themed restaurant, Steve and Henry were very impressed.

So the hunt is still on for the RV of our restoring heart's dreams, but until then we're trying to make the most of the bust!

Today's Reflection:

It's probably a lot easier to just pack up and go home when things don't go your way. I don't always have the gift of seeing the bright side of things. When you don't let the "busts" in life get you down you can run into some pretty spectacular things. In the long run, I'm finding that my time is better well spent looking for experiencing the bright side, than dwelling on the disappointments.

"Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

-Ephesians 5: 15-17

IMPERFECT HEROES

I've been racking my brain trying to find the right words to describe the fathers in my life. I probably don't tell them enough and in the proper way just how much they mean to me and how much I love them. I mean, from the outside, it can sometimes look like they don't do much...

but they do exactly what we need. They're there for us, to hold our hand right when we need them...

They love on us and make us feel like the most special girl in the room...

and even though sometimes they can make us mad or feel like they just don't get us, they still stick by us with open arms just waiting for the moment we realize how much we really do need them...

and I realize, just how much they mean to me and what an impact they have made on my life. My dad, who for as long as I can remember has been my Hero. My imperfect Hero who cried with me at the end of Titanic, who let me try new things and quit new things knowing eventually I would discover my way and my talents. My dad, always first on the scene when I had a flat tire, always first to say "That was good Mija" My dad, who let me wear a "where's the beef?"  shirt when I was a little girl because he says "you loved that shirt!" My dad, who still to this day will tell me he's proud of me.

And this guy, the rookie dad who has all the makings of a great. The man who I am blessed to have in my life. I watch him work tirelessly to give his family the world. He is up late at night and early in the morning with me, anytime they cry. The man who when they are sick will sleep on the floor in their bedroom to make sure they are ok. The man who gives what he has to his children, his time, talents and love. He may not always get it right, but they don't need him to. He is their imperfect Hero, made just for them!

Happy Father's Day, I hope you had a good one!

Rookie dads and Afro dads...

I mean, Pro dads!

CEREAL AND NERDS

Day four of Henry being sick. He seems to be doing better, hasn't turned the corner yet but I know it's close! Steve stayed home to help me, which I greatly appreciate because it's been quite a task juggling a healthy baby and sick toddler at the same time. I had to send Steve to the store to get some medicine and juice for Henry and to my surprise he returned with several boxes of arguably un-needed cereal.

At first I was told "They were on sale," which normally gets my approval, but upon further inspection I got to the real reason...

and like a little boy he yelled out "I hope I get Darth Maul!" and with that he was digging in to find his prize...

Queen Amidala...what little boy wouldn't be excited?

At least now he has a summer goal...to collect all 8! Although he tells me he doesn't really need Jar Jar (oh Jar Jar, nobody loves you but me).

Today's Reflection:
Sometimes we don't always get what we want, when we want it. I've had many moments in my life where I wanted something to happen and it just didn't, even when I prayed for it, I still wasn't given it. I find it extremely comforting, and lovely actually, that even when my circumstances seem bad and undesirable, God is in a way wooing me. He's whispering, "don't worry it may look bad, but I've got it all worked out, just stick with me kid" Stick with him, trust in him, know that although my son was not healed immediately he was listening when I prayed. To know that he hears me can be comforting in itself.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
-Jeremiah 29: 11-13