Sometimes Smiling Just Isn't Enough

A few weeks ago our small group met and instead of the usual, Pete and Lindi offered to make us dinner.  It was an impromptu birthday celebration for their daughter.  We ate entirely too many waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, strawberries and cake.  It was awesome. 

As I was looking through the pictures from the event, I realized that, while the kids smile, the adults are a mixed bag.  You have the people who smile:

Thank you Lindi and Jamie for posing for me and indulging my need to document every second of our life.

Sometimes they like to pretend I'm not even there:

Granted Pete is working at a hot grill, so I'll give him a pass on that one.  Steve likes to pretend he's talking to someone, while Shawn smiles, knowing he's being difficult. 

Never fear, I'll still post the pictures on the internet.  I'm ruthless like that.

Neither of these things happen as often as this:

I'm not sure if they just ate too many waffles or what.  It seems to be a common pose for the people we socialize with.

Then again, I also found these:

It's nice to know we found our people.

Friends Make The Good Times Better

One of the things we're most grateful for is our friends.  N's family doesn't live close and my family is small, so we like to bridge that gap with friends.  We're so blessed to be part of a church and small group that want to encourage, support and love on us.  They've accepted us without question, which if you know us, that's no small thing!

One of the biggest blessings has come in the form of friends for Zoe.  Being an only child most of the time makes it difficult for her to relate to kids her age.  She can be in a room full of other kids and want to play with the adults.  To have her form friendships with children who come from homes that value the same foundations that we do is immeasurable. 

To have friends who will play dress-up, as either a pirate or a princess, well, that's just something this mom would like to personally thank each of the children.  Perhaps buy them something special, like gold.  I can only explain how hard it is for mommy to wear a size 4T Sleeping Beauty costume to Zoe so many more times before she stops asking.

To invite us to their house for a lovely dinner.  Then throw in a trip to their chicken coop, a ride on their swingset and to sit around a campfire to roast smores.  That kind of love just warms the heart of this mother.  Not to mention having time to socialize with another mother who is also chasing her kids around, wiping noses and having her eyes in 600 places at one time.  It's nice to find people who are a kindred spirit and have an understanding that being distracted doesn't mean lack of interest.

Most importantly, to be loved on just because they can and want to. 

It's not uncommon for Zoe to wake up asking what her friends are doing and if we can play with them.  Or including them, by name, in her prayers before bed.  After all the fun times she's had with them, it's safe to say they're in her heart. 

I think it's one of God's greatest blessings.  To have your child have good friends, but to also have their mommies and daddies as your good friends too.  They add a depth to life that makes each memory a little more colorful and each get together a little more exciting.

Thank you friends for loving on us, accepting us and making our weeks brighter.  Our life wouldn't be the same without you.

Well, we'll see what you say tomorrow after you see that post!

It Was An Overnight Phenomenon

At beginning of fall D, E & I planted over 100 bulbs of flowers in the backyard.  It was exciting to see how the flowerbed would look in the spring with all the pretty flowers and signs of better weather.  I was secretly hoping that hole in my thumb was worth it.

One evening, after talking to the ladies at work who said their crocus were blooming I decided to check it out.  This is what I saw:

Signs of life were beginning.  Most of my tulips were up and with small buds on them.  My crocus were totally through, but didn't have blooms on them.  My hyacinths were coming in too.  That hole in my thumb was worth all the effort.  It was so pretty.

Then fast-forward to a week later and this:

The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming. It was like a little patch of spring right out my door.

But it doesn't stop there. There's more beauty just a couple days later:

They are so pretty.  I have a vase on our dining room table that is full of tulips.  It's wonderful.

Except that my crocus never bloomed and only two hyacinth ever bloomed.  Now, I'm sad to report that all my tulips have lost their petals and it's almost time to uproot them and plant some summer flowers.  I can't believe in 2 weeks all my effort is gone. 

The good news is that my rose bush is bigger than it's ever been and my hydrangea bushes are coming back!  I'm sure I'll be seeing more color in no time.  It just means that I'll have to dig and plant some more.  I'm sure I'll have three helpers to get the job done.

Running Won't Kill You, You'll Pass Out First

This weekend was full of marching and running.  On Saturday we participated in the Marmot March.  It's a 1.2 mile walk through Riverfront Park.  It's for the 8 and under crowd. 

On Friday we picked up Zoe's t-shirt and paint set.  Because it's an untimed event, the kids get a shirt to decorate and wear during the race.

Zoe was very excited to have a number.  She wanted to be number 3 like her age.  Unfortunately all the tags are #1.  Which is good for fairness, but bad when your daughter has different ideas.  We had to come up with a compromise:

Which worked out pretty well for me since it's her age and we can document that on her shirt. 

Saturday morning we woke up and got ready for the race.  Actually I think the first words out of Zoe's mouth, after good morning were, "are we going to my race yet?"  She was not excited at all!

When we got outside it was sprinkling.  Neither rain, nor sleet, nor the coziness of a warm bed were going to keep us from this race.  We loaded up the jogging stroller because even though it was only 1.2 miles, there was no way I was going to carry her.  There was also a chance that I would need to be pushed since my training for these types of events usually involves some good intentions and lack of actual doing.

Please notice all the snacks.  A walk for Zoe means snacks to enjoy along the way while someone else actually walks.  I will take credit for it.  I have the same philosophy about walks too, but N won't push me in a stroller anymore.  He's so insecure! 

About 2 minutes into the race, our girl decided she wanted to run too.  Actually ended up running most of the race.

The entire race was within our park downtown.  The course was lined with mascots and cheerleaders.  Zoe got approximately 50 high-5's along the course. 

Our girl with her ribbon and balloon for completing her very first race. 

After this, you went to get snacks:  frosted animal cookies and a mini loaf of bread.  Since she didn't get to snack at all along the way, she dove right in:

Ever since her race, we've been recreating the event at the house.  Sometimes I get to be the cheerleader and do the high-5'ing and sometimes I get to run.

It was actually just a warm up for my race on Sunday.  Bloomsday is a 12k race that's been going on here for the last 34 years.  My mom took me along in 1985 when I was a mere 7 years old.  I've been hooked ever since.  I've missed a few years along the way, but it's so nice to be back at it. 

I say that now, after the Aleve has kicked in and bed time is near.  I had other thoughts right around mile 4 when I was starting the biggest hill known to man. 

It was an absolute reminder that next year, I'm getting the stroller and N can push me.  Better yet, maybe I can pass for an older 8 year old and do the Marmot March instead. 

If Zoe has any say, I'll be getting practice around the house while she's my cheerleader.

A Little Activity is Good For the Heart

In the spring our weekends are filled with rain, wind and open fields.  It's soccer season for D & E.  However, this year E isn't playing on the field.  We bring Zoe along, so there is playing just not in an official capacity.

D's team is a force to be reckoned with.  Typically D likes to play goalie.  That makes it a nail-biting experience for us.  It does make her easier to spot.  What I find most amazing about the goalie is they scoop up the ball, head close to the ground and aren't even a little afraid of being kicked in the face.

Like I said, D's a soccer pro.  She hussles, scoops, kicks and wears the uniform well.

E on the other hand likes to provoke her daddy.  She'll hip check him when he's not looking, jump up to grab his hat off his head or try to tackle him. 

It's not uncommon for me to look over and see this:

Personally I think E's just figured out a way to be thrown around and it seems to be working for her.

When you don't find E like this, you find her like this:

Zoe is always trying to convince her that there is some great adventure to be had just over there.  That usually involves running, kicking an extra soccer ball and generally hanging out with her favorite people in the world:  her sisters.

All this activity makes my heart start pumping.  Not from over activity, but because it gets a little bigger each time I see our girls together.

How to Perfect The Roll

Up from our house is an elementary school or as Zoe calls it "the park." When the weather is nice, we take Zoe up there for some swinging, sliding and general energy-draining activities. I'm not sure what happened in the last month, but this girl has more energy than time in the day.

Perhaps I've just lost some of mine.

Last Friday N came with us. It's always a treat to have him with us because 1) he typically has more energy than I do to play along with Zoe and all her energy-draining things and 2) because he works so much, we don't get to see him for a good portion of the week. We like to have a little family bonding time when he's home. He graciously offered to have that bonding time at the "park".

When he comes along, he tends to teach Zoe some crazy things. He tried to teach her how to jump off a swing. Which she tried and ended up needing her hand kissed because she got a boo-boo from it. Poor thing got his need for adventure and my coordination.

He also taught her this, which I can't confirm or deny may have been my idea:

What? It's Not All About Me?

Our interim pastor is doing a study in Philippians about this life not being all about me.  Or you.  Actually it's not about any person.  I don't know why I feel like I have to qualify that.  Other than because I feel like I'm being kinda pushy about it. 

Anyway.  Back to where I was.  Life isn't about me.

It couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm always falling into the all about me trap.  A pity party is something I like to host for myself a few times a year.  I serve chocolate and tissues because the tears, oh do they flow.

It usually happens when I'm feeling overwhelmed.  Which is often because I tend to be a controller.  I like to plan and I expect that plan to work.  99.9% of the time God has something completely different in mind.  When the change in direction happens, I have a farwell pity-party for my great idea and go God's way.  I'm sure He's rolled His eyes on more than one occasion at my lack of trust.  And my grieving process. 

N's close to finishing school.  He's got one more year in his program.  The interesting thing is, he can get a job in his field now, with only one year under his belt.  It would be really great if he could get something in his field.  Mainly because the job he has now, while we're greatful to be employed, isn't what he wants to be when he grows up.

I can feel a snap coming.  It's not really a snap, but more of a bend.  I'm trying really hard not to let my ideas form.  I'm trying really hard to just say, "God, show us your way." 

Since that's basically the topic at church, I decided to read through Philippians and see what God was saying to me.  I came across Philippians 4: 6 & 7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes I think He's talking straight to me.