It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Super Hero!

N is a man who enjoys looking on Facebook, but rarely, if ever, puts anything out there.  He knows that Pinterest exists and that I spend about 20 minutes before bed each night checking it out.  That's his extent of interaction with Pinterest.

Or so I thought.

Last week he said to me, "I saw this really cool way to make jet packs out of 2-liter soda bottles.  We need to make this happen." 

Because I had pinned this little kid-friendly craft to my Pinterest page I knew exactly what he was talking about.  He downed some Mt. Dew for the craft, shopped for spray paint and tissue paper and let Zoe pick out the yarn for straps.

Honestly, I've never seen him this excited to make a crafty thing.  He loves doing the Pinewood Derby cars for AWANA, but this is something totally outside his previous foray into crafty things.  I'm not gonna lie, my heart just about wept from tears of joy.  With all the years of going to super hero movies, learning to play Halo on XBox, trying to understand World of Warcraft, etc. and now he's initiating crafting.  It's almost like the little parts of life came together to make things right in the world!

Not to mention that a certain 5-year old was beyond excited to have a jet pack.  Even if she didn't understand how soda bottles were going to transform. 

Zoe and I went swimming with some friends and when we came back there was a lovely patch of metallic gray on the lawn.  Clear evidence that a certain daddy was totally excited to have a jet pack and save the world.

When Zoe realized it was time to become a super hero, they couldn't make those jet packs fast enough.  They did pose to show me how tough they are:

Zoe loves her so much that the other day she was talking about going somewhere and this was her comments:

Could I take a plane?  No!  Could I take a bicycle?  No!  I'll have to use my jet pack.

She didn't seem the least bit upset that, as her third option, is was the only mode of transportation up for the job.

Dog Days of Summer

Summer for us involves tons of water.  None of us really like being hot, so we find ways to cool down.  There are a number of options:  sprinkler, kiddie pool, YMCA, splash pad, Columbia River, kind people who let us use their pool...

We aren't picky.  We've utilized each and every one of these this year.  Sometimes when it's really hot and we're in Oregon, I'm 3/4 tempted to just go up to random houses and see if they have a pool we can take a dip in.  100+ degree temps will do that to a person.

Since Zoe has learned to put her face in the water, her fear has subsided.  She splashes, jumps, dips all the way under and smiles the entire time.  We are so glad she's a fish like both N and I are. 

Part of my evenings consist of getting home, changing clothes, packing a picnic, lathering the sunscreen and heading to a park with my favorite girl. 

I'm so incredibly blessed. 

Small Joys of the Week 5

I think I'm finally back in the saddle after VBS.  It's amazing what taking a week off work for VBS can really do for your stamina.  Here's the small joys:

1) A successful VBS.  I heard just this morning from my friend that a family in her small group sent their kiddos to our VBS and LOVED it.  It's always nice to hear from people you don't know that it was enjoyable for the kiddos.

2) This child:

She is 100% in the mood to play in the water.  Every night it is either the pool or the sprinkler.  Last night it was the sprinkler.  Afterward she decided she wanted some ice cream, but since ice cream is cold, she needed earmuffs for the chill. 

3)  Mid-week dates to the splash pad with my girl.

4)  Trips to Oregon to see N and get away for a bit.

5)  New books!  I've been a complete reading kick lately.  I've started the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness.  It's a mix between The DaVinci Code and the Sookie Stackhouse novels.  I love them.

6)  New possibilities.  This past week I've been struggling in some areas, unsure of what God's plan is.  I have no doubt that He has an amazing plan, I just can't see through the forest.  Some small glimmers of light are shining through and planting little seeds of hope.  I'm excited to see what God's showing us and know it'll be perfect in His time.

Post-VBS Quiet

This past week we've been at SonRise National Park VBS.  I took the week off work to spend time with my people and prepare for each evening's festivities.  We had an amazing time.  We transformed the church into a national park, without sap or bugs.  Honestly, that's totally my kind of park. 

N even created a waterfall in our sanctuary.  I have no idea how his mind works.  I see a baptismal and stage.  He sees a forest with waterfalls.  Here he is testing out the kiddie pools and pump.

We were elated it worked.  Then Wendy, the master artist did this:

We had a running waterfall all week.  The kids LOVED it.  It really added that extra something to our VBS. 

We had 89 kids come through.  We had over 100 people who helped get this VBS up and running through prayer, supplies, decor, and their time.  We are indeed blessed to be part of such a church family.  Thanks for the great week.  Only 359 more days until next year!

Fun at SonRise National Park

This week is VBS.  Since my mom and I are the directors, we are running in about 654 different directions.  It's part of the love of the ministry though.  Each night we get to hear kids singing, "God's got it" and learning how Jesus will meet all their needs.

Each night we hear laughter and excitement.  It's part of this crazy job that fills my heart.

Then there are these two:

That's Zoe and her cousin Micah.  Micah is her shadow each night and moves to sit next to his cousin.  They say good-bye about 752 times each night with hugs.  Love to see how these two love each other.

The best part, D is working in crafts and E is enjoying time with the other 6th graders.  I'm hoping to wrangle them all up for a picture. 

I'm so blessed God is showing me His continued blessings in my life this week.  He's definitely "got it!"

Small Joys of the Week 4

1)  Random dates with Zoe during the week.  Her excitement for them is contagious.

2)  Young adult dystopian novels.  I'm currently reading these:

Love them.  They took a bit to get into, but now I can't stop.  The third novel comes out in October. 

3)  Other people's creativity.  We have some crazy talent in our church.  They have totally transformed the church into a forest, to include redwood trees that are the height of the room.  N is making a real waterfall today. 

4)  Time with D & E.  It is much needed.  Our hearts are running low.

5)  Refresher VIA from Starbucks.  I'm really digging the Very Berry Hibiscus.  Although the name reminds me of the song "Hula Hibiscus" from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

Have a fabulous weekend.  I'll be in the forest with the creative people watching them create while I enjoy some berries and Hibiscus!

Some 3D Glasses and Pink Sparkles

This week I took a Tuesday off for a few reasons:

1) I really needed a mental health day.

2) I got to be a mom during the week!  I love being with Zoe and doing the things she LOVES to do.  It feels my cup.

3) We're in full-on VBS mode around our house.  There were some errands that needed running.  Since it's high 90's around these parts, a car with air conditioning is a great thing.

Monday evening I took Zoe on a date to Ice Age: Continental Divide in 3D.  She was so much fun.  We share popcorn and water.  She talked through 90% of the movie.  Which N accuses me of too, come to think of it.

Tuesday we woke up earlier than I had planned and while I was making coffee, Zoe had 876 things she was ready to play.  First up being "funeral."  She got out her piano and some nice jewelry for us to wear.  Her stuffed dog Zoe's sister Grace died.  She was to play the piano while I talked about Grace.  Then she sang a song and announced to the fake congregation that, "we'd be available in the kitchen after the service if anyone needed us for their funeral."  Ah, my little entreprenuer.  I think we need to work on a little life lesson called, "time and place."

After breakfast it was time to head to ice skating.  I found a skating outfit on Ebay for $25.  Normally I don't put my business on my blog like that, but in the skating world $25 is 1/6 of what you spend elsewhere.  Most skating outfits that are pink and have sparkles cost $120 or more.  Since Zoe will likely grow out of this one in exactly 6 weeks, I'm not going to spend $120 or more on a costume.  This little find was like finding Atlantis and Noah's Ark all in one day!  Isn't she cute?

She skates with her adorable friend K, who asked Zoe on a playdate.  Zoe was beyond excited because "you know mom, she's my BFF, even if she doesn't talk very much."  She a quiet girl, but I think it's because Zoe does ALL the talking. 

I'm so blessed to be this girl's mom.  She just lights up my world.