I am doing laundry at 10:00 tonight in an attempt to get a jump start on a busy week after being gone for 5 days. Ruby came to spend a few days with Chad and the kids, which we all appreciated, while I got to go to Malibu, California to the Pepperdine Lectures with some of the women I work with in children's ministry. It was an amazing trip! I enjoyed every minute of of our time there but was glad to be home with my family today on mother's day. I wrote the last post about the challenges of parenting the day before I left. I have to say that there is nothing like a few days away to refresh and restore my soul. I got to enjoy a book on the beach while I was gone called, God's Whisper in a Mother's Chaos by Keri Wyatt Kent. It was an easy read with only 10 chapters. She speaks of simplicity in a way that I found refreshing. Here's an excerpt:
"Simplicity is about slowing: To hear God's whisper, to live in his presence, I need to slow down. . . For me simplifying is listening to God instead of the messages of our culture, and believing that it really is okay that I don't always keep my house spotlessly clean. It is okay that sometimes I don't always look or act loving. It is okay that I'm not always patient with my kids. It is okay that I don't always have everything under control. My life is messy.
From that acceptance of myself, God's grace takes me to simplicity, a focus on him that puts all other things in proper perspective. When I let go of keeping impossible standards, I begin to live in God's presence."
I love that. Here's to a week of simplicity in the midst of chaos! I will post some California pictures soon, but for now here are a few photos of the kids:
Ava and K-Papa on a bicycle built for two! She
was so proud not to have to use training wheels.
Pierson loves to brush his teeth. I have to make sure I shut
my bathroom door. If not I will usually find Pierson on
top of the back of the toilet with his toothbrush.
One morning, Pierson was a little late in waking up. I thought I had a
minute so I went ahead and jumped in the shower. When I got out this
is what I found in his bed. Ava climbed in there with some toys
and was taking good care of him. Sweet siblings!
4 comments:
YOu are so right about simplicity and having more of it in our lives. I hope that I teach my kids to enjoy the simple things in life instead of a busy schedule. Hope you have a better week and I'm hoping that for me too. Love you sweet friend and thank you for all your encouraging words.
So I just read your Parenting is Hard post and I'm telling you, it was like I wrote that!! I had Buster come read it and we both said "thank goodness someone else is going through it too!" Not that I want that for you:-) but the more stories I hear from people about the struggles their kids are going through, makes me feel like mine is a little more normal!! I will pray for patience for you and for Ava's sweet little heart! Do the same for us:-)
We need a big sis like Ava!
Those pictures of your kids are so sweet! I'm glad you had a refreshing trip to remind you that you don't have to have it all together all the time. Your kids are blessed to have you as a mom!
Post a Comment