397 - 419 (July 1, 2011)

397. Avonlea discovering her hand
398. Dressing the boys like twins
399. Toddlers with sticky fingers
400. Sanctus Real
401. Rubbing noses with Avonlea
402. HE hears my voice evening, morning & noon (Psalm 56:17)
403. Matt's works of art side by side (flower arrangements & his painting)
404. The view from my kitchen sink
405. Long drives and deep conversations with good friends
406. Summer sandbox socials
407. Making a new friend at the library
408. Storytime
409. Making it through a whole church service with all 3 kids by my side (with a little help from a friend)
410. Xrays & physical therapy
411. Trying to be a good steward and seeing God provide miraculously
412. Cole talking to himself excitedly
412. Cole putting more tan one word together "momma happy" "baby had (sad)"
413. Close encounters with a sweet little chipmunk
414. Double rainbows
415. Pictures taken with little fingers
416. Peanut butter pie
417. Kids spinning in our hammock swing
418. My precious daughter asleep in her boppy
419. More old cell phone pictures

Comments

The second half of the serenity prayer

I think I've heard the serenity prayer a million and one times, but I just recently found out that it is never quoted in full. The second half is wonderfully encouraging! "God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next"

I'm just not feeling it

I have noticed something interesting about myself when it comes to opening the doors of our home. I am the first to admit that fifteen minutes before our guests arrived the place was a mess. I was barking orders to my kids, scrubbing our toilet, stuffing things in drawers and searching for underwear (yup, probably dirty) that pop up in the most random places. I don't mind admitting that I don't have it all together, but I have a hard time letting anyone see it. I am the same way when it comes to my emotions. If I'm really struggling I tend to pull away. Just last night I found myself tempted to postpone a scheduled visit with a few close friends because I had no desire to admit to them that I felt like I was coming apart at the seams. Praise God, I dragged myself there and they gently began the process of gluing me back together by simply listening & loving me - despite me. And then there's "grace in the midst". I love passing along thoughts, ideas an...

Wienerfest

We didn't make it to church this Sunday. Its a family tradition. The Maine Wienerfest - we landed there accidentally 5 or 6 years ago and fell in love with the hundreds of dachshunds competing. The costume contest has always been our favorite, I mean who can resist a puppy princess - definitely not Avonlea (our six year old daughter). But this year, the race got my vote, hands down. Photo - pixaby.com Those precious doxens racing to the finish line. Their owners, treats in hand, calling out to their beloved pets, hoping they will run straight to them. The ginormous grins, giggles and cheering - all brought on by the pups' confusion as to which way to go. No one was looking at the disoriented dogs with even a hint of frustration. Not a single person had a scowl. Everyone delighted in their efforts. And when one of the adorable runners finally figured out which way to go and ran as fast as his little feet could carry him, we all jumped to ...

Grace in the Midst

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