Get out of town....

One of my most favorite momma's wrote this amazing post on her blog and I want to encourage you to take the time and go check it out.  You will be so encouraged!! 

Waiting for Someday

Wild Onions & Flowers

Been fishin' & hikin'

The sweet boy loves to fish!
There is a large, stocked pond on the farm.
So we take our learnin' to the pond and do some fishin'
and it has been good for the soul!

Been doin' some hikin' too...
and learnin' in the woods....
and it has been good for the soul!

And we invited the sweet boy's family
since they all love to fish
to the large, stocked pond on the farm
to do some fishin'
and it has been good for the soul!

I'll admit....so you can judge

Sometimes I am just in the mood for a little country, the kind from when I was a teenager and the songs made you think there was a perfect life somewhere out there for you.  The perfect life that involved a handsome cowboy, a picinic on a sunny day or under the stars, a dance with no music, and most definitely an old Ford truck.  I don't know why this stuff still appeals to me because there is no such life that is truly a country music video.  I've been thinking how this music really affects the minds of youth, even myself as a youth.  On one hand it makes me want to crack up laughing...but I think that is because I know the Truth.  For all of those who don't "get it", I ache because they are longing for a fake reality.  A fake reality only sets up unrealistic expectations which will cause all kinds of issues.  I guess I survived.  Nevertheless, it is somewhat amusing to me to listen to my Faith Hill Pandora station (minus Garth - gag!!). 

Oh...I also have a Celine Dion station on Pandora, which plays Boys II Men, Backstreet Boys, and the such. 

Truly Exhausted

I want a vacation!
I want sunshine!
I want water!
I want some serious Vitamin D in it's most natural form!
I want sunscreen!
I want sunglasses!
I want a big glass of ice water with slices of valencia oranges!
I want to hear the laughter of little girls!
I want sand (shocking, but yes...I need sand)!
I want summer!
I am truly exhausted!
Ministry never ends...whether it be a mother's ministry to her children,
a wife's ministry to her husband,
or her personal ministry for the kingdom.
I know ministry never ends.
I don't want it to.
I love serving and loving.
However, I would love & welcome a season of rest.
I hate to say it because I don't want my rest to come at the expense of a new hole.
Yet, as the theme continues, I am trusting the Lord.
His plan is supreme.
It is perfect.
His ways are higher than my ways.
His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
Whether I get the rest I am dreaming of,
or the hole I am worrying about,
I will press on in ministry.
Because I am here...
FOR HIS GLORY
and HIS glory alone!

(Interesting note:  I originally had written "I need" on those beginning statements.  As I read back over the post, I realized HE knows what "I need" so it is more "I want.")

Roller Coasters

Roller coasters have always been a thrill I have enjoyed.
My dad introduced me to them when I was just old/big enough to ride.
Every summer we made a trip to Cedar Point and I would cling to his strong arms.
I trusted him to keep me safe and not to put me in harms way.
He was my daddy.
Course, as I have gotten older, I am a little more choosey about the coasters I ride.
No more wooden ones for me....except maybe for the classic Blue Streak.
Now the girls cling to either Scott or myself IF they even work up the courage to give it a try.
However, real roller coasters at the amusement park are far from the emotional roller coasters of life.
There isn't much of a thrill to life's coasters.
Just worry....and trying to remember we shouldn't worry.
However, my dad taught me a very important lesson when he would ride the coasters with him.
I can trust the ride if I cling to my Father.
He does not desire to put me in harm's way.

Double Digits!!!

My precious firstborn turned 10!!!  Yes...I am super late on posting about her birthday, which was in March.  It was a bittersweet day as the sweet boy's momma's funeral was in the morning and then we left for a day of fun in Columbus.  Her present from us was a coupon to get her ears pierced (which she hasn't felt the courage to do quite yet), a family bowling trip, and then a "Groupon" for a cooking class.  I had purchased 2 for the price of 1 thinking Anna would go with her but Anna wasn't quite to sure about it so we invited a friend.  The cooking class was in Gahanna so we went early for a "KIDS EAT FREE on TUESDAYS!" deal at Mongolian BBQ at Easton.  We stopped at Archiver's too because she really enjoys scrapbooking.  Each girl got $5 to spend.  We made a trip in to Trader Joe's too because seriously...we LOVE that place!  It was such a grand and special time because my mom, sister, and nephew joined in on the fun.  I love the special"ness" of celebrating birthdays!!

A Birthday Tribute

The sweet boy's momma celebrated her first birthday in heaven a few weeks ago.  Of course, this was painful for her family.  The sweet boy wrote a tribute to his momma that would make any mom's eyes water.  His precious cousin put music to the lyrics he wrote and put together a video.  It was priceless and I know the sweet boy's momma's heart would have been so touched.  The family went to the cemetary and each one wrote a note to their momma, put it in a balloon, blew the balloon up with helium and sent their notes to her.  The sweet boy came over the next day for tutoring and asked if we could have a birthday party for his mom.  Of course!

Wild Onions & Flowers

A week or two ago when the sweet boy's daddy came to pick him up I knew I still needed to review the homework he needed to complete for the next session.  As I went to go round him up I found him back in the tree line with Cash.  Just the two of them....hanging out as buds, exploring, getting dirty, having fun.  As I called for him to come in I noticed as he got closer he had something in his hands.  When he finally reached the back deck, a smile was beaming across his face as he proudly displayed a plant (with roots) he had dug up and asked, "Cara, do you know what these are?  Wild onions!"  Although I was truly delighted I wasn't exactly sure what I was supposed to do with them so what does any mother do..."Let's get a container to put them in!"  The onions have brought so much delight to my heart and joy to my spirit.  They are another lesson about boys.  I love my wild onions and forever will wild onions hold a special place in my heart.