Remember These Days

Some days I just wish I could see what the future holds, and then I remember, heck no!

But I do wish I could remember so much about THESE days. Namely, this cheesy grin:


And the joy of this silly boy:

And how dang cute my hair looks here!

And how cute my boy is too. :) Ok, back to reality. But honestly, sometimes, Levi is so precocious in certain moment I just want to bottle it up. He's a ham, through and through, but such a cute ham.

Warries!!

Just over a week ago we went out to a local "pick-your own" Strawberry farm. Levi, loved it more than was probably healthy. He LOVES to have some "warries". Except he ate A LOT of them. Like, literally, probably his own quart.

This was my son, helping pick some "Warries". And trying to eat them all out of the bucket.



Levi, checking out the eating situation.



This is how covered and satisfied he was with his loot. :)



Levi enjoyed moving the row markers. Which was entertaining but slightly not helpful to the workers.

And then he enjoyed running with the stakes (see background). Yep, we're very observant parents.


All in all, great fun was had by all, only a few bug bites were experience. Me? I forgot I'm allergic to straw, my legs didn't appreciate this later that night. But, we now have tons strawberries in the freezer. Yum.

Did I mention I don't really care for strawberries? ;) Ironic, huh?

Why Bother?

I was asked the other evening why I don't try to make money with my blog. You know, increase my readership, get some advertisers, etc...

I had to think a while, even after I gave an answer, if I really didn't want to. I don't so much. I would love it if it happened, but I'm not so sure I want to put the work into it. Which made me evaluate why I even have a blog in the first place.

Way back when (2004, oh so long ago) I'm not even sure why I did, other than a boy (not my husband) told me I should 'cause I could write well.

Now? Why do I write?

I write to remember what my son is up to. I write to remember how he's growing and how I was feeling and reacting to all that was going on in his life. I write because someday I won't just be able to remember his smile and the funny things he does any time I want. I write to keep track of our lives. I write to reflect on things going on in the world. I write to share my struggles and joys. I write to share our burdens, and to ask for prayer. Mainly, I write to remember what God is teaching me, and to give Him all the glory. Because that should be the focus in everything I do, to give God glory and hopefully point you a little closer to Him.

I know that if I put in some effort and learned a whole bunch, I could probably make some money at this. Maybe I should, not really sure. Is that how God wants me to help provide our income? I don't have a strong yes, do this thought right now.

So why bother? In the hopes that somehow, someway, what God is teaching me will bless your heart and give you a desire to seek Him for who He truly is. And maybe, just maybe, to remind us all that this world is not our home and to hopefully stir up a thirst in you for something that this world can't satisfy. To seek Jesus with your whole heart.
Because, let me tell you, there is nothing else worthwhile. I may share recipes, stories, laughter, pictures, parenting techniques, etc. But nothing is more important than the truth that without Christ, life is without purpose and full of despair and eternity holds no hope.

A Day on the Lake

This picture is why my husband is rubbing "Icy Hot" on my shoulders. Or what's left of them. It was a hot and horribly humid day here. Our dear sweet friends (He also happens to be our pastor) :) Darryl & Pati took us out with another friend's daughter on their boat. I somehow ended up spending most of the time being flung about on a tube. Great fun!! And it was sooooo gorgeous on the lake! Not too hot at all there.

Levi got to go for a very calm ride on the tube. He enjoyed being able to watch the "car!". Boat that is. :) All things that go are cars to him. Ah well. He seemed to enjoy riding in the boat while Momma was being whipped about. He was very relaxed and placid. He sat still for such a long time. Kind of weird but nice!

Gillian needed a picture with Levi on the tube. :) Darryl thankfully stayed on board in case of danger. Andrew even got to drive the boat. My man at his manliest?

It really was such a fun and relaxing evening followed by some yummy dinner and s'mores around the campfire. What a way to cast away any cares. I am soooo very thankful for such amazing friends and awesome Pastor & wife. They have blessed us over and over again these last 5 years. They are truely gifts from the Lord. :) And lots of fun too! I may have said something outrageous and got expected response. Hehe...

Then and Now - The Difference a Year Makes

This (above) was Andrew and Levi last night at our local baseball team's game...
And this (below) was them last year around the same time at a game...


This (below) was Levi and Andrew enjoying the fireworks this year: (Notice the look of awe on Levi's face, pretty cool)


This (below) was Levi last year at the festivities:


It's a little crazy the difference a year makes. My son's growth is the most visible and obvious. Last year he was finally starting to eat cereal and applesauce. This year mealtimes are becoming less of a battle as he discovers his tastes and we learn to trust him that he knows if he's hungry.
Last year he was a bald, bald baby. This year he's had 3 haircuts and has a full thick head of the stuff.
Last year he was somewhat sitting up, working hard on it, this year, he's running and climbing stairs like their nothing.
Last year he slept through the fireworks, this year he said "Oh" a lot. :)
That's some of the physical. There's some of the negative that he can say no and throw fits now. Not so fun.
It makes me wonder what next year will bring. My son will be 2 1/2 years old. I wonder if it will be less dramatic. He's already talking some, running, etc... I get the feeling everything will just be more distinct. He'll hopefully be saying sentences, and hopefully have a little more control over his clumsy feet. :) I wonder if it will be easier or harder that he'll be able to communicate better? Will he get less frustrated? Will he talk my ear off or just be as busy as he is now?

Here's the thing, I may not know, but my Heavenly Father does. He sees everyone of Levi's steps. Even those that will eventually take him away from my care. Levi's days are already numbered. God knows where he will go and when. He knows how many days he will have. I can only pray they will outnumber mine and that they will honor Christ. That's all I can do, pray hard that my son will be called and that he will choose to glorify God with his whole life.

The even better thing? If you had told me a year ago all that would happen in the next 12 months, I would have cried and been so afraid. Why is this better? Because I didn't know. And I didn't need to. The Lord knew. He knew what this year would bring and that He would walk us through it. Cancel that, Carry us through it.

So no matter what the next year brings, I will still say and believe the truth in Psalm 63:8
"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."

Because that's what God desires. My soul clinging to Him for my very existence, and He will uphold me. That may not look how I think it should, but He will not fail me.