4th of July at home, EFA 3.9

Often we spend the 4th at a friends camp or fishing or off doing something, but this I made sure to take the day off and we closed ourselves in at home simply enjoying each other.  My gifts:

 

~ Sipping coffee.

~ Watching boys play.

~ Listening to the birds sing and the boys laugh.

~ Watching the "shows" the boys put on for us while they swung.

~ The zip line, even I enjoy it.

 

 

~ Archery.

 

 

~ Sampling the first of the raspberries, melt in your mouth good.

 



 

~ Chatting with my oldest.

~ Savoring him.

 

 

~ This back yard, a gift only God could give.

~ Roasting hot dogs.

~ A fire pit built by my three men.

 

 

~ Smores, and a boy who can make his own.

 



 

~ Watching my boys use sparklers and remembering when I was small like them.

 

~ Ending the night with an indoor camp out for two little hoolies.

He's a good man.

One of Strong man's biggest pet peeves to have just fallen asleep when I get this thought of "ubber importance" that spews out of my mouth waking him from his blissful sleep.  Usually it goes something like this: Oh hey did I tell you about so and so? or What if we went fishing for family day this week? or One of the boys said the funniest thing today....For the first, I don't, three years or so this was a nightly occurrence.  By year four it happened often but was always followed with a, "Oops sorry I didn't know you were asleep yet, never mind."  After a while he pretty much learned to sleep through these random thoughts.  Until I thought we had a major conversation once during this time and made a pretty important decision that he had actually slept through just mumbling here and there, but not really listening.  These days I do everything I can not to wake him and when I do he does everything he can to pay attention. 

Last night he was snoring away and I was just beginning to drift off to sleep when I saw a flash of lightning.  I knew there had been flash flood warnings and I knew the boys bedroom window was open.  The good wifey that I am didn't just get up and go shut there window to keep the noise out, but opted for a second opinion.  He's usually a lite sleeper and often my rolling over is enough to wake him, but last night I had to say his name twice and gently shake his shoulder causing him to gasp as he jumped about six inches off the bed.  That was about the time I realized maybe I didn't really need that second opinion and maybe I should have just shut the window myself.  Oops.  By that time I was committed and if I had simply said, "Oh never mind" Strong man would have been more then slightly annoyed with me so I just continued on with my quest for a second opinion.  He, full of grace, got up shut the window and as we were both closing our eyes again there was another flash.

What I failed to notice the first time I saw this flash was that actually it was flashing green and was flying through in our room.  We turned on the light, I stretched as tall as I could hoping to catch him.  Never mind the fact that our ceilings are 16 feet high when I myself am not even five in a half feet high making it virtually impossible for me to catch this guy.  It was after midnight so I wasn't even close to being in my right mind as I'm sure I've already proved.  (Hey, at least I didn't walk straight into the wall as I've heard other Momma's do at this time of night).  Strong man on the other hand he ran for a kitchen chair and a glass.  In no time at all that flickering little bug was beside his cousin all snug in a jar on the boys nightstand.  The house once again was quiet.  As I drifted off to sleep I could help but think, "Oh baby, that man is hot!"

See that little one laying on his back with his legs up dead...Yep that's the one we caught last night...

Here's to Maine summers.

It seems like this summer we've had rain two weeks out of every three.

With the first glimpse of sun I planted my garden like a wild women.  It just so happened to be on a Thursday, also known as the first day of my work week.  I was just a bit tired that week as I served, but it was worth it.

Somewhere in there, actually growing very well, are some yummy veggies.

And then it rained and rained.  So I now have a french garden.  Not really my idea of a sweet little garden, but it is a garden, so I'm happy.

When the sun shined again it was Father's day weekend.  I scrambled to find a cover for my shift and then we headed on up to the farm for a relaxing day of fishing.

And then it rained.

The next time we had a nice little break in the rain we rushed on over to home depot to rent a sander.  Strong man sanded at dusk while I worked and then the next day I stained and stained until I ran out of stain.  Turns out staining a 24x12 foot deck is no small feat.  I couldn't feel my arms as I carried tray after tray to my tables both that night and the next.

 

But before I could stain the stairs or support posts it rained. Again.

Then it felt like it had been forever since we last fished and we only had 30 - 50% risk of thunderstorms so we jumped on that 50 - 70% chance of NO rain and hit the brook, bringing with us this very loved tag along. (Three boys in the back seat of a car for long periods of time can bring out some very "interesting" noises followed by fits of laughter...)

Unfortunately the only thing caught was Strong man's behind.  The good wife that I am died laughing as I pulled the hook and worm out of his pants.  The bugs however had found some very good catches causing us to retreat.

As we watched the rain clouds build up for the billionth time we enjoyed the backyard for a few more minutes.

 

We entered this time into the rain with a family pizza night and some indoor tenting.

Here's to rain, and sunshine, french gardens, and half stained decks, and most of all Maine summer adventures.

Does God have an answer?

Some say God only gives them an answer when He says, "Yes," the rest of the time being silent leaving them unsure if He is saying no or not now.  Some say that God says, "Yes and no."  The quietness is His way of saying no.  Some say that God says, "Yes, no, and wait."  Wait simply means to not give up on your request, but that you should sit back put your feet up and wait for the green light.

What do I think?

I think that God has an answer for everything.  I do understand God often says to wait, but I find that typically it isn't simply just because; He always has a reason.  Not only that but I find that He usually isn't asking me to wait, but rather asking me to learn so that I will be prepared for His answer.  Even more so I find that often after I have learned I see He was giving me His answer all along...(So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. ~Luke 11:9-10)...I'm secure in this answer.

What do you do when God hasn't even cleared the fog enough for you to inch forward?

My dearest boys, remember this:  Sit where you are with the Bible, His words in writing.  Sometimes this is the only truth we can see with both our eyes and our hearts.  Sit, search, study, inquire of Him, and trust that He finds joy in teaching you.  Know that just as I savored your first steps, your first words, and the look in your eyes every time you fully understand.  One day you will be fathers and one day you will savor these moments.  One day as you savor the learning of your children remember He savors your growth as well.  You are after all His little men.

Take this gift of learning that He has to offer and allow Him the joy of teaching you.

 

The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him.

~ Ezra 8:22b

A four hour break

A little over a year in a half ago my then acquaintance, Military wife, and I had a burden to build into mother and daughter relationships and encourage the daughters to live pure lives.  Without question our church gave us the green light to make this conference happen.  As we began to plan and search out speakers it quickly became obvious that WE were the speakers God had picked out.  Feeling incredibly inadequate we did it.  (Here are two blog post you can read for a quick overview of our weekend and preparation: An overview and My other half)  That was a very good but VERY intense experience for the two of us.  While we began simply as acquaintances with a similar dream, we ended forever bonded.

Three nights ago we went out to "our" restaurant just because we could.  Lately life has been kind of heavy for both of us in different ways, I think.  That night we just let it all go and for four hours we talked everything and nothing.  Mostly we just simply were and sometimes simply being is what's needed most.

Gifts...
~ Friendships formed by God.
~ Walking life together even if not often.
~ Picking up where we left off.
~ Leaving refreshed.
~ Sushi.
~ Giant chocolate chip cookies and coffee.

When...

... Laundry piles high and floors are perpetually dirty.
... Brothers antagonize each other and Momma turns blue from it all.
... Mania regains its strength striking again, my soul exhausted yet determined to win this war.
... I spew words of fire, unable to call them back.
... Hearts are heavy as battles rage among spiritual brothers and sisters.
... Some I care for tell me they "would rather go to Hell then become a christian", because they've been hurt too many times by those in the church.
... I stand in the dark asking, "Now what?"

When life, like the laundry, piles high.  When standing on my tippy toes I can barely see the Son. 

Slowly I wade through willing myself to keep my eyes steady, knowing that if I blink those piles of life will come crashing down.  The story of Peter defying the laws of science, walking on water to Jesus continuously playing through my mind.  The part where he drops his gaze for just a minute, forgetting to trust.  I may be like Peter, walking on water, mentally speaking, but I am determined to learn from his mistake.  I am determined not to blink.

Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

~ Isaiah 26:4

Summer days are for...

Fresh fruit.

Worms and dirty boys.

Fishing adventures.

Dried up streams.

Grandpa's who carry little boys through grass twice as tall as they are.

Nature's surprise treats.

Naps to end wild adventures.

Picnic lunches in the back yard.

 

Stories read in the sun before nap time.

Backyard fun.

Sun showers.

Summer is for reviving the soul.

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him all stars of light!

~ Psalms 148:3