So much has happened lately. Do you ever feel like you just aren't slowing down? Like no matter what you do to try and relax, it's not happening? Like God is intent on stretching you even though you thought you were the laffy taffy that was about to break apart?
This is how I'm feeling these days.
This morning, I woke up and felt that tight squeeze around my heart--you know that feeling--the one that speeds up your pulse and could easily overwhelm you if you let it. I sat down with the coffee that I can't seem to quit and glanced at the big white board in my office where Sophia had been playing school. On it, she'd written this:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
I know the verse from my childhood, but reading it again this morning, I was drawn to the phrase "lean not on your own understanding."
Sometimes things look illogical. They don't make sense. But God's peace is leading you...and I believe you can't go wrong if you follow the peace. I'm trying to remember that even though May has brought with it many, many challenges. Some good things too, but some craziness!
1. I finished my book. Adam bought me flowers.
Finishing the manuscript for my first contracted novel was the strangest thing. Exciting, scary, nerve-wracking... pretty much every emotion you could think of. Now I write the second book in the series and soon I will do the rewrites on the first one. It makes for a hectic schedule, but I absolutely love it! Still, it dredges up so many feelings of self-doubt of the who do you think you are kind. Nasty demons, those ones.
2. Ethan graduated kindergarten. He was equal parts happy and sad. Happy because he got to wear this cool get-up.
Sad because he won't have the same teacher next year.
He loved Mrs. Munch. I think he likes her more than he likes me. I wish she could just go up to first grade with him!
3. Ethan learned to ride a two-wheeler.
After about two hours of practice, he was off and running. It was awesome. He was so excited. He even said, "Now those boys won't make fun of me anymore." Which tells me that stuff (which I wrote about in this post) sticks with kids. And that makes me sad.
4. We have roses in our yard. We planted them last year but they didn't bloom until this spring.
We love them. It's sad that the storms recently have blown the petals off of lots of them. They are so pretty.
5. We are coming up with new and exciting family nights. Sitting in the driveway eating ice cream after grilling out was last week's. (Creative, no?) We've discovered the important thing isn't what we do, but that we're doing it all together. Notice Sam is practicing his wink. This was the first time we tried Tofrutti, which is non-dairy ice cream, but I have yet to figure out what it's actually made of. Sam liked it. That's all that matters.
6. I took some family pictures and also some senior pictures of this girl:
Raeanna is one of my favorite little actresses. She was one of our disciples in Godspell and every time I see her perform, I just get happy. She's oozes stage presence! More from our photo shoot later.
7. My Big Picture Scrapbooking Class is now open for registration!
It's called PERMISSION TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE and it's a project to help you give yourself the a-okay to be creative. To take the time each day/week/month to sit down, free from obligation and create something. I will write more on this later too because it really is one of my soapbox issues! Go here to check it out! :)
8. Of course, you know about the long and rambly trip to the E.R.
9. And then there was our short trip to visit my sister and her family. Sam's first flight.
I could tell you it was a peaceful car ride and flight, but I'd be lying. Sam is so strong-willed. He wanted to walk, carrying his suitcase...not holding our hands...not in the stroller. It was exhausting... but so worth it. I got to see this chick:
Doesn't this picture show you she is clearly the litle sister? She's always been the goofy one...and no one (not even Adam) can make me laugh like Carrie does. In fact, we were recently out (Adam and I) and he did something that had me rolling and he said, "I made you laugh like your sister does!" (He was quite proud of himself... but this is the first time in a long time he's been able to do that.)
And my husband's a funny guy.
10. I don't really have a number ten unless I take a picture of all the home projects I am starting today, the potty chair that's calling Sam's booty and the multiple writing deadlines I am loving right now! Good, crazy stuff!
The big thing for me this summer is to take time to enjoy these guys...
Because it goes too fast.
And summers are supposed to be long and lazy.
I have a feeling this one is going to go fast and crazy.
I really missed blogging last week. It's good to be back! :)
