Currently, Caleb and Seth are playing with the dog.  Sarah is pretending to be “an angel wolf named Angel but she doesn’t have any wings.”  Grace is getting ready for the dentist.

I woke up this morning at 6:30 and couldn’t sleep anymore.  I quietly opened the door to our bedroom and saw that there were no teenage boys sleeping on the couch.  How nice it was to be the first one up.  (Rich had already left for work).  I got out the thick yellow “Life is Good” mug and made a cup of coffee, ignoring the very messy kitchen.

I went outside with my cup.  One of the things I love to do is walk around looking at my gardens.

This summer has been such a joy.  I think I’ve mentioned this before, but with Sarah now five, my body has been free from the demands of pregnancy and nursing for 3 1/2 years now.  I feel better than I have in almost 20 years!  I loved being a mom of preschoolers so much and God’s grace has always been abundantly enough for that stage of life, but I’m still honestly thrilled to be moving out of those years….enjoying the seven children I have….and having a little extra time these days to enjoy other things, as well.

Nothing important, really, just quiet simple living.  Gardening, reading to myself and the kids, spending time with friends and family, learning more and more about Jesus and His life-freeing ways, stumbling along daily in need of His grace….free from guilt and condemnation.  Yes, it’s been a wonderful summer.

My friend Alyssa is so good about joining her children in their activities and fun.  I thought of her when I went swimming in the pond yesterday.  Why don’t I jump in more often?  It’s not that I don’t like ponds….it’s just that I guess as MOM I feel like I’m better off on the sidelines as Watcher of the Children.  Of course, I’m not really the athletic type, either.  I’m just not.  I don’t like running or spending time deliberately exercising.  The only sport I ever really loved was gymnastics.  So I do continue to turn those cartwheels.  But I really do admire my running friends!  (and husband)

The water was like bathwater on top.  I swam along the top of the water, noticing the little water bugs skimming along on their magic legs, smelling that pond smell that will always remind me of my childhood.

*A Little Walk*

It was an Evening of Toads….during our walk we saw about 10 of them, all in various sizes.  The spring away quickly, making us laugh, but we always catch them and say hello.

 

all those bare feet

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Pictures I Took This Morning While Drinking my Coffee

I love this spot in my flower beds, especially the morning glories which are now in bloom just underneath the sunflowers.

I’ve never grown a watermelon before.  It gets bigger every day, we (the whole family) love to look at it.  Pat it like a baby.  It’s going to be strange to eat it later on this summer.

ANOTHER!

basil

Seth woke up.  And then I had a friend to walk with.

Together, we thought about how the older kids were going to camp soon, and the funny ways of our dear departed Billy-Cat, and then we saw our cat Sam.  We thought about church and I told him why I love to go.  (because I love to be around people who love Jesus just like I do)  He doesn’t like church because it’s too long.  We watered some of my plants together, made up silly songs, and he let me join him on the swing.  We saw a spider and watched it work on it’s web.  I thought of knitting needles and zip lining but the spider is an expert.

Baby boy was holding a cat.  He said he’s not a baby.  But I said he was my baby.  “I’m not your baby anymore.”  Suddenly I felt like writing a sad country song.  I’m sure it would be a big hit.

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“Don’t wish me happiness.  I don’t expect to be happy all the time……it’s gotten beyond that somehow.  Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor.  I will need them all.”  Anne Morrow Lindbergh