Valuable Lesson Learned

I learned today that when two little four year olds are quiet there definitely is trouble a brewing! My four year old and her dear friend were supposedly playing dress up in my daughters room. I decided to help my sons with home work, and pack lunches for tomorrow...(good to stay ahead!). The girls had only been unattended for perhaps 30 minutes. My daughters friend's mom came by, and seeing as the girls were obviously having a grand time, we decided to chat and have a cup of tea. While we were chatting, we hear a strange noise coming from my living room. We investigate.... and see water pouring down from the ceiling through the overhead light fixture/ceiling fan. We rush upstairs to my bathroom and to our astonishment our girls were, oh so happily sitting in each of the two sinked vanity, bubbles flying everywhere, water over flowing the counter top to the floor, with two inches of water already standing! Thankfully each girl was safe and no injuries incurred. We mopped the floor with EVERY towel in my linen closet and went to assess the downstairs damage. Though it looked daunting we called a neighborhood handyman who is kind, wise, and retired so we could do as much clean up as possible before Mr P's arrival home. We used a borrowed steam cleaner to suck up as much water as possible from the carpet in my living room-- and the fan has never been cleaner! I am thankful for gracious, kind, neighbors who come to help in a pinch! I am thankful the girls learned why we don't just leave the water running and running. I am thankful for a husband who take our adventures all in stride! I only wish I had a picture of the joy on their faces! They were really having a grand ol' time!

Treasuring the Moments

Once again we've had a glorious summer and have much to be thankful for! Last night at a neighborhood back to school gathering I sat with a friend sharing our children's teachers and hopes for the new school year; we marveled at how big our boys are getting. My oldest feet are now just a bit bigger than mine and she shared how she now shops in the men's department for size 10 1/2 shoes for her seventh grader! The time we have to hold our precious ones is short indeed!

During a recent trip to an area park full of rolling hills, trees to climb and animals to see; my "little" boys both held my hands while chatting away about this and that. I beamed at them, treasuring the moment, while their once small hands, that are now much bigger are in mine.

These moments I treasure are gems indeed as time speeds on.

As I linger over the last few days of summer I am amazed at how much my children have grown. This season of our lives has been blessed with many hikes, twilight walks, and bike rides, which brought about chances for me to catch glimpses of the persons God is growing my children into. As I might be tempted to worry about the choices they will make I am thankful that they have a growing faith in God. I know mistakes will come, yet God will be there to bring about the good in them.

Fun on the Fourth!

Over the fourth weekend we went on a camping trip with some dear friends. We had lots of fun fishing, swimming, and relaxing! This was our cabin, though small on the outside, inside it was amazingly spacious!

Relaxing with the boys!

Fourth of July girls!

Fishing fun!

All the kids!

Fire truck rides.

Hanging out with Mr P!

Baseball in the street.

Baseball would not be complete with out the cheerleaders!

Sm ores!

The finale of events was a great fireworks ceremony that started off with a trumpeter playing the Star Spangled Banner. We are so very thankful for our country and for the many men and women who protect our freedoms.