Slipping Sand

Lately, it feels like time is sand slipping through my fingers. Isaac is growing in leaps and bounds, turning into a handsome young man instead of the boy I have doted upon. Lauralyn, mature and lovely, looks older than her friends, easily passing for 15, not 12. Kristin approaches her final year of elementary school. It is Daniel and Joshua who keep me grounded... knowing I have a bit more time with them... but even so, Joshua is getting harder to hold, and soon, I will no longer have a child on my hip.

I had hoped to keep up with their days on this blog, but I have failed. Memories are easier to quickly post on facebook or instagram. There is sorrow in knowing I may not remember it all... that they won't remember it all... but I am reminded that memories of the past can quickly become idols. And I try to remember the shiny, happy moments, even though so much of it has been filled with frustration, exhaustion, and failures on my part as a parent.

Yet, these years of watching my children grow have been a precious blessing. The relationships made along the way have been gifts, too. I longed for my kids to have roots that would not be torn up by moves, and thus far, I have been blessed with the longings of my heart. Lifelong friendships, a unique and often taken for granted gift.

So, I will try to soak in these final years of Isaac and Lauralyn being in our home. It goes by too quickly. I will blink, and they will be gone... starting their adult lives. While that grieves me, it also thrills me to see them become the people God has called them to be.

Joshua... almost 4

Joshua... let me not forget the way you belly laugh like no other.

How you look up at me with the largest smile and ask, "You happy, Mommy?" To which I always reply, "I'm happy you're my baby."

Your excitement at the smallest things.

The funny "sad" face you make.

How you are fearless... which is sort of frightening.

The way you exclaim, "A ghost!" whenever you walk open a dark room or closet.

The way you say, "smismis tree."

Your love of apple sauce and how you like to eat it with a little spoon (1/2 teaspoon).

How much you love play-doh. And playing in the dirt path with your cars and trucks.

Your favorite phrase, "I like it."

Seeing any animal, "Look, it's so cute. It's a baby."

Hiding things behind yours back, and sheepishly saying, "I have a 'prize for you."

Your awesome dance moves. And wrestling moves.

Middle Kids Trip

In an effort to spend time with our kids on a one on one (or two on two) level, we went to the mountains with Daniel and Kristin for a weekend adventure. Blessed with a great place to stay near Black Mountain, we enjoyed exploring and went tubing down the French Broad River. What a great mini-vacation!

July 4th Maryland Trip

Because of the amount of trips this summer, we decided it would be easier to divide and conquer on some of them. So, I took Isaac, Kristin and Daniel up for a 3 night stay in Maryland. It was unusually cool and wet (with exception of the afternoon we arrived and squeezed in a boat ride), but we enjoyed 3 nights of great fireworks because of the unpredictable weather.







The sea nettles were in full force, therefore no swimming happened, and fishing took over. There was much success with our fearless fishermen and women. Grandad was a worthy angler guide buying gross blood worms and cutting them up for bait.





In the end, Lauralyn and Daddy had a good time together wrangling Joshua at home. It made the trip a little (a lot) easier not chasing a 3 year old by the water's edge, and the drive was much quieter. But they were missed all the same.

Oak Island 2016

This is the first year since Isaac was born we didn't plan a family beach trip. The main reason we planned the trip for the past 10 years was to spend a week with Nana and Grampa Don... with them moving a mile away, we are able to see them whenever we are able.







With a big trip planned to Illinois, and an up coming anniversary trip to Savannah, we opted for no beach trip... until my friend (who is blessed with a mother-in-law who partially owns an ocean front beach house) invited the kids and I to join them in June. I was able to go 3 of the nights and Lucky LL went for the whole week. Chase joined us. Two moms and 9 kids. We had a great time!









The beach bum I am greatly appreciated the time on the sand, watching the kids play, enjoying the best moments of summer.

The Shaker Village

On our way back home from Illinois, we stopped at the Shaker Village near Lexington, Kentucky. What a fabulous spot! We learned a lot about the Shakers and their history.

The full day we spent there was Daniel's 8th birthday. Not many people get to go on a carriage ride and river boat on their birthday, but Daniel did. Such a fun way to spend a special day!





































A beautiful end to our journey!