Wordless Wednesday

Sanibel/Captiva Sunset - June 2010

Wordless Wednesday

(Yes... I know it's an oldie, but it's a goodie.)

Tuesday Truth

"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.  Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced.  This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 

-- 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message)

So blessed by these two

Being raised in the church my entire life and coming to know Christ at an early age, I think I always assumed that life as a Christian should be a cakewalk.  And the second that things go awry, I find myself wondering where God is.  Through recent months -- all without coincidence -- I've been sunk into an in-depth small group study of the book "Radical" by David Platt.  Also in recent months, I completed a Wednesday night Ladies Bible Study by James MacDonald, "When Life Gets Hard."  In addition, I have watched several dear friends face heart-wrenching health issues with their children.  Through this series of events, I've realized that as Christians we're called to endure suffering just as Christ did on His journey to the cross.  Luke 9:23 urges us to daily "take up your cross and follow Me." 

I so easily get caught up in my own little pity party, poor me, poor me and it's so very pitiful.  Though we are called to suffer just as Christ suffered, enter in His unfailing and unshakeable compassion and mercy and strength.  That's the ticket for big-time endurance.  As the scripture above (1 Peter 4:13) clearly points out, trials are put in our lives -- not by coincidence (because nothing is coindental with God) -- but for a very particular purpose:  To refine us and make us more and more like Christ. 

Back to my own pity-party sob story...  When I look at the "trials" happening in my little life compared with an overall world view, what I thought were a big deal are so very, very small.  All of a sudden, I am washed with the realization of God's overwhelming blessing and provision in my life.  Such that I could never thank Him enough.  But, the story doesn't end there.  How great a God that even He cares about my pitiful problems and is in complete control of every situation come what may. 

Morning by morning, new mercies I see...

Memory Monday

It's Garden Time!  This time last year, we were about to embark on a new adventure...a garden!  It was definitely a success and we have bigger plans this year. 

Just last week, Harrison planted seeds for seedlings in his mini greenhouse.

More garden news to come soon!

Who Loves the Zoo? We do!

We had the most fun last week with Harrison's school on his field trip to the zoo.  It was the prettiest day and the kids were (mostly) well-behaved, but they had a blast!  The most exciting part were all the new baby animals recently born.  We were able to see a baby zebra, baby giraffe and baby cheetah all born in the past few months.

African Elephants

Giraffes

Macie, Meghan, Harrison, Logan

Otters

The Lone Rangers - West-O & Briggy D

Riding the Carousel

More Giraffes - A Fan Favorite!

Sock Hop!

Harrison's school celebrated the end of "S" week with a Sock Hop.  I mean all-out poodle skirts, golden oldies, greased hair AND ridiculously cute 3- and 4-year-olds dressed in such garb. 

Surprising to me, Harrison was such a wallflower the entire time of the party.  I had to force him out onto the makeshift dancefloor and then he didn't dance.  At least he looked the part! 

Now Brig on the other hand?  He was right in the midst of all those big kids and having a blast.  If I would have thought it through a little better, it would've been cute to dress him up too!

Slick Rick

That pouty kid in the middle?  Yep, that's Harrison just watching every else.

That groovin' kid in the middle here?  Yep, that's Brig shakin' his thang!

Doing the Limbo - How low can ya go?

The best part?  Ice cream sundaes!

Slumber

From probably the time that Brig could sit up -- 7 months or so -- he has slept in a kind of folded over position.  Like he's sitting upright and then his top half just folds over.  I don't know if this has something to do with the weeks he spent in my womb breeched in this very same position or what.  But obviously, this is his most comfortable sleeping position.  

Up until a few weeks ago, I had yet to get this on camera.  I snuck in his room towards the end of his nap the other day and snapped these...

I love to gleam over (especially my) sleeping babies.  So peaceful and perfect and dreamy.  For a split second, it seems as though all is right with the world. 

Singin'!

It's a well-known fact that my Harrison loves to sing.  Wait, actually, he loves to make noise, but singing is probably his favorite form of noise-making!  He sings to himself all throughout the day and if you ask him to sing him a song just for kicks, he'll belt one out in a split second.  Remember B's 50th birthday, here?  Yep, no shame in his game. 

The last Sunday night of every month, our church does a little something different than a regular Sunday evening service.  We meet earlier and have "Celebration Night."  Think modern-day dinner on the grounds, but inside (in the A/C) on cushy chairs and you've got it.  So we eat and fellowship and carry on and it's always a good time...and really good food.  But in lieu of a sermon, the stage is opened up for anyone who'd like to recite scripture, share a testimony, perform a skit, and even...sing a song. 

During January's Celebration Night, while different kids in our church family were doing various things on stage, Harrison leaned over to me and asked, "When's it gonna be my turn?"  I shouldn't have been surprised, but explained to him that you had to sign up ahead of time if you wanted to sing, but we could talk about it and if it's something he really wanted to do, then we'd sign him up next month.  Every Sunday night that followed he'd ask me if it was "Singin' Night."  When the time rolled around for February's Celebration Night, we talked about it and he said he wanted to sing a new song he learned at school. 

And in his true sweet-souled style, he belted "Thy Word" in front of our church family.  We videotaped him, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to post the video here.  I'll research it and try again.  But for now, here are the photos.

So proud of him!

Lovin' the "mackerphone!"

On the big screen too!

Mama's Kitchen Helper

It's Spring!

In true Florida style, warm weather makes an early comeback...and it's about time!  So long cold temps!  I'm a true warm-blooded Southern girl and can tolerate very little of dreary gray winter days - I crave that sunshine.  Even on the hottest, muggiest August afternoon, I never find myself wishing for winter and cold weather.  BUT, nearly every day of the winter when the days are short and we're holed up inside, I am dreaming of sweet, sweet summertime. 

So, here's a recap of what our bunch has been up to over the last month or so. 

Number 1 objective?  Get outside!

Brig's first adventure in the mud...L.o.v.e.d it!

...until I took a truck away from him to get him to look at the camera.  Not so happy.

There's my Smiley!

Read the hat people - "2 Cool." 

Sweet Cousin Claire

Sandboxin' with the big boys

Sweet Cousin Tyler

"Seriously, Mom?"

Brig-Bear loves that swing!

Boys and their toys.

Tractor Time with Daddy.

Another mud adventure.  (This is a recurrent theme round these parts!)

...and a cute boy in the pink swing at the pond!

Peanut & Jelly Massacre of 2011

It's no secret this kid loves his peanut butter in jelly, BUT he makes a ridiculous mess every. single. time. 

This is how Brig's lunch unfolds nearly every day...

"Get in my bell-lay..."

"Oooo, it's so good!"

"Of course I didn't make this mess...don't know whatchur talkin' bout?"

And the subsequent Clean-Up of 2011...