BLOOPERS

You know...Life is not always picture perfect.

 

Some of you are like me, a lot of 'bloopers' in life before we get it right!

 

Happy Friday my friends...we may not be perfect picture, but Lord knowS we try! and we even manage to have fun in the process!

Today's Reflection:
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
-James 4:10

A BOY AFTER MY HEART

 Our home was relaxed today. Lucia is a little under the weather so we wanted to keep her home and rested. Henry had a bit of a meltdown this morning when I would not let him wear his green lantern underwear. His desire to wear the same green lantern underwear he wore yesterday (which now sit with the dirty laundry) differed from mommy's desire, so we had a bit of a stand off. Eventually the issue was hashed out over a 'Curious George' book and he settled for cars underwear, because that beat mommy's idea of sending him back to bed.

 

This is what my battles look like now a days.

 

 

After that, him and I spent the morning listening to Broadway music on Pandora, I caught up with cleaning and he caught some bad guys in his cars underwear and batman pajama shirt. It was a happy time. Then Abba's 'Mama Mia' came on and my son began dancing around with the biggest smile on his face. I immediately started dancing with him and thought if it were socially acceptable I would dance around in my underwear all day to Broadway hits. I stopped to take in the moment, my beautiful little son, happy, dancing to Broadway, doing his own thing, making his mommy so proud. I thought to myself, "That's a boy after my heart," then God tugged at me and said "that's exactly how I feel about you."

 

 

Today's Reflection:

Sometimes I am absolutely humbled by God's Love.
When I feel off beat, like I'm dancing to showtunes in my underwear when others clearly are not, God looks at me and loves me, and says...That's exactly how I made you.

Nothing can compare to that love.

 

"nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:39

I REALLY DON'T LIKE FOOTBALL..I THINK.

 You know, I just want to put it out there, that I am NOT a football fan. It can be boooring and I don't think I'll ever understand the rules. I couldn't throw a football or catch a football or probably even sell a football to a football team.  Yet somehow, I have compromised my position on this and partake weekly in the whole football experience. I blame my dad. Well, I blame my dad and brother-in-law who somehow tricked the whole family to partake in fantasy football. So although, I am not a football fan, I am ridiculously competitive and a huge fan of smack talking. So now, at least twice a week (three times if there's a Thursday game.) I am actually interested in who wins the game, who is hurt and who is going off.  I can tell you who I think the best Quarterbacks are and I even have a favorite kicker...hello Mason Crosby...how did that happen? So, I hate what's going on here, but I would for the record like to state that I really don't like football...I think. 

We got together for my Nephew Levi's Birthday Party on Sunday and somehow even that got hijacked by football. I was excited to put my children in football jerseys and get myself a new 49er shirt, I even made Steve get a shirt in the 49ers colors. As we drove away from the store everything hit me and I couldn't help but ask my husband, what have I become?

Okay, so I'll admit there are things I like about football. I mean I may be biased, but are these not the cutest 49er fans or what?

 

and you've gotta love those Sunday football naps...

followed by the "we've been watching football all day let's go for a walk" walk...

there's always food...

it does bring family together...

despite our differences...

and maybe we have to play a few games of our own....

but I think everyone still has a good time...

Okay, so maybe I do like football...I think.

 

Today's Reflection:

It's amazing how just involving us all in fantasy football, suddenly we are all enjoying football together.  I can't help but notice how profound of an impact we can all have on each other. I mean I seriously wanted nothing to do with football, but once I knew it was something we would all do together I was in.  I can't help but think how this can be translated into other areas. What if I decided, I will only speak positively and praise each member of my family, would that too catch on? What if I told them, I pray for you and meant it, how would that impact my family, how dramatic would it be if everyday we each took a moment to pray for each other and our needs...or just to say thank you for each other. And what a heritage we would leave to our children if we each decided together as a family, we will each whole heartily serve God. It amazes me the impact I can have on my family and they on me. Thank you Lord, for family, forgive me if I don't always make the positive impact  I should, let me start...today!

 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

-1 Thessalonians 5:11

THE END OF SUMMER EPISODE: CAMP LIFE

You remember on 'Saved by the Bell' how right before they would start the new fall season and go back to school they would always have Zack at home hanging out reminiscing about the summer episodes we all just watched? Well this is that episode.

First, Let me apologize if you didn't get that reference, my T.V. analogies may be a bit outdated. I thought I'd share some of our camping pictures that I never got around to. We love camping! Our kids have been going since in the womb (literally, I went both pregnancies!) One of our family favorites is Manchester Beach. We love the KOA there, it makes camping with the kids super easy and fun, so you can focus more on enjoying camp life!

 

The beach is just a short hike from the campground, so you get a little bit of the woodsy feel and a little sand in your feet!

 

I've been coming to this beach and taking this hike since I was a little girl, so it's fun to get to experience it every year with family and my children..

and although a few of us got sick this year...nothing beats camp life and the memories made!

I understand why Zack took time to look back on the summer...It's just a good time and I'd hate to go into fall without saying a little 'Thank You' to summer! Thank you summer! See you next year!

 
Today's reflection:
Sitting at home looking at the pictures of the beach and trees and dirt makes me so grateful for the amazing God who created it all!

^"Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let’s march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns! And why? Because God is the best,  High King over all the gods. In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, in the other hand grasps the high mountains. He made Ocean—he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!"
-Psalm 95: 1-5 (the message)

*on a side note...I giggled a little when I read this scripture from 'The Message', did the bible just say 'raise the roof'? I guess we're all outdated today!

 

THE PARTY DETAILS AND DISASTERS

You ever have those days when it feels like nothing is going right? Yeah...me too. The morning of Lucia's Birthday seemed to be one of those days. Let me back up...beep beep (that's the sound of me backing up).

 

We decided we'd throw our little girl a Pink Lemonade inspired First Birthday. We worked very hard on it and put all the home spun touches we could on it. Steve built a little lemonade stand, produce stand and bakery for the party. My mom and I made little felt sweets for the bakery and the night before the party I stayed up late finishing up little touches for the party and baking her a cake.

 

Well after all of that, on the way to the 'party site' all of our little stands flew out of Steve's truck and smashed on the freeway. In all the chaos, my birthday cake got smashed (see above) and less than a couple of hours before the party we hustled to put the pieces together. Okay..I'm downplaying that...after a meltdown, Steve rescuing pieces of wood off the freeway, lots of nails and paint, both our parents being put to work, and my freaking out and learning I am not a 'roll with the punches' kind of girl, we got the party back together as best we could. Oh and did I mentioned as the guest arrived I put them to work? Well, I did. But even after all of that, we still managed to have a lovely little party to celebrate our girl...the stands were rebuilt and the kids could have cared less that just a couple hours earlier they were on the freeway...

The tables were set...

and after years of having parties with monsters and bugs and cowboys and dirt, it was nice to have a little pink in our lives...

but best of all the guest of honor was surround by some of her favorite people...and some of mine too!

 

Today's Reflection:

Lord, thank you for a husband who loves me through my meltdowns and freak outs. For family and friends who always ask 'how can I help?' and mean it. For surrounding me with people who know I'm a mess and still come to my parties, and who love me and my children more than any cake or party decoration. Thank you for Birthdays and even Birthday disasters that sometimes teach us, what we really are made of.

 

thank you. thank you!