Sometimes you just gotta!

HOME!

Nothing is as inviting as your own home after a long time away. I missed my garden a lot but must say I am encouraged by the produce I see coming! My recap to come right now I'm off to bed.

Sea World

The Wedding

The wedding of the year took place on Saturday. My little Sister Sarah got married. Grace was the flower girl and I had the honor of making her bouquets(which I think meant more to me than her.) Here is a glimpse of the weekend.

 Pictures courtesy of myself :D
My little sister Kayla and Grace the flower girl.

 Walking down the stairs to meet her groom for pictures.

Splashes of Grace: The Boy at the Door

He sat by the door in the waiting room of my chiropractor's office. Baseball cap low over his eyes. Like most teenage boys his clothes were three times his size, baggy bottoms and all. He was everything typical of a teenager trying to fit into his surroundings. He was everything I dreaded being around. One to many times I have come into contact with a boy who looked liked him. Who often was to busy texting on his phone or talking with his friends to pay attention to the lady in front of him with five kids walking his way. Often using four letter words as adjectives and nouns and walking through stores like the world owed him something.

I picked Titus up in his carseat and started on my way out. We made eye contact, he stood up, he smiled and asked Can I get the door for you ma'am? Not use to this type of treatment I was beyond shocked. I returned his smile and thanked him. He didn't know but he was a splash of sunshine in my day. A splash that has had a lasting effect. A little act of kindness that I have remembered often in my day to remind me how I would like my children to act in the future. A reminder to pray my Children show Christlike attitudes to those around them and a reminder to myself that when I hold the door for others it may just be the ray of sunshine needed in their life. It may be only a simple act but it may have a lasting effect. Splashing a little of God's grace into their life. I pray it does.

Fun in the Sun!

Finding Rainbows

Backyard Missionary

There is a baby crying upstairs. Two two year olds battling over a toy. Dishes in the sink. A mountain of laundry to be done, and I do mean MOUNTAIN. Newly painted walls with a purple marker. Cracker crumbs by the front door feeding the ant problem. It is my day. My life. It is less than amazing. There is no WOW factor unless you hear the noise level right now. No pat on the back thanking me for a job well done. No appreciation for the million dirty diapers changed. It is your mission field. What did you say? It is your mission field!

My mission field. You can't be serious Lord. Nope it isn't Africa, South America, Europe or Asia. It is right here. My backyard. I bet if you asked a missionary who does serve in those countries what life is like they will tell you it isn't glamorous. Being raised by Missionaries myself I have a little bit of inkling of what Missionaries go through and the sacrifice that it takes. Remind you of something?

Motherhood, raising children to love Christ and each other. If you ask me sometimes the loving each other part is a little more challenging. It is my mission field but I don't see it that way. Usually my thoughts run in the direction of "another day, another diaper". I scamper through these days like they are just any ole day. I want to work on that. I want to start seeing my life and all that surrounds it as my mission field. Because there is no greater need for missionaries than MY own backyard! Think about it.

Luke 10:2

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Let us not forget the harvest that are our Children! The Harvest that surrounds us each day whether it be the checkout lady at the grocery store, our next door neighbor, our mail person EVERYONE we come in contact with.

"Lord I confess I don't view my life through your eyes. Oh Lord give me your vision, your love, your grace so I can be a better Mother, friend and raise these children that you have entrusted to me to love you and love others" Amen!

Meal Plan Sunday

Meal Plan for this week!

[A] Flautas | Avocado Orange Salad [B] Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas | Black Beans with Cumin and Cilantro [C] Colorful Black Bean and Shrimp Salad | Herbed Flatbread [D] Couscous Stuffed Peppers | Black Bean & Corn Relish [E] Grilled Vegetable and Orzo Salad | Herb Bread

Courtesy of Relish!

I am a heathen

I am officially a rule breaker! I bought the kids a 12ft in diameter plastic pool that is 3 feet deep. The rule breaking part is we got in trouble a couple years ago for having a pool because it was against our HOA(Home Owners Association) Policy. So I went against policy and bought a pool for the kids and myself so I could have something to work out in that helped my back issues. If they have issues with my pool they can 1) Watch my kids for free while I go to the YMCA and use their pool 2) Babysit a couple of times a week for me so I can survive summer without school in session. Because what is a Mom to do with her kids when it is 100 degrees and 90% humidity? Stay indoors the whole Summer? I think NOT! I am sure I will get a visit or a letter asking us to take it down and I will take it down in August.

A bit of randomness

I made an appointment with the nutritionist that works with my Chiropractors office. The appointment is next Thursday(a week from today). I am not sure what to expect but it's free and I decided I needed to do something proactive.

I also bought a dress for my Sister's wedding. My goal was to be 15 lbs lighter by now but much to my dismay that didn't happen. However I am down to two cups of coffee instead of six so THAT is some progress! I love my coffee too so it's been difficult.

My back is healing although very slowly but progress is progress right?

The garden is going through a growth spurt. Oh my I cannot tell you enough how much I LOVE my raised beds! I even added a couple flower boxes in between to attract bees.

I think it turned out rather nice.

Wordless Wednesday