Summer is…

SPRINKLERS!  Because let’s be honest – you’ve got to be able to cope somehow in Texas.  And I fully subscribe to lots of water as our family’s coping mechanism of choice.

Generosity, Beautiful Things, Humility, & Freedom

Who knows where this post could go.  All over the place, apparently. 

I recently had one of those days where you just feel your ugly.  You see how it tears at your heart, how it drives you into loneliness/anger/pride, how it affects your family…ugh.  When these days are not in my face, I flee from them.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?                                              Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:21-25

I have come to realize that the end of pregnancy brings about oh-so-many emotions in me.  Many of them are crazy, many of them are dark, many of them are beautiful…but there is much for my mind to process.  And I find I am fearful.  I must learn day after day to run to Christ, who will take graciously relieve my burden and grant me His peace.

‘It is for freedom, it is for FREEDOM,  He’s set us free!’

Jimmy Needham

I have been so blessed by friends these past few weeks.  Through meals being dropped off, through kiddos being picked up and being whisked away to a fun play date (who knew there was such a ministry in having an extra car seat?!), through a smoothie being dropped off at my front door during nap time(s), through friends just wanting to listen to how life was going - community has blessed us richly.  I am storing these up in my heart, desperate to remember them, to remember how loved and cared for we felt.  I have been humbled and blessed by feeling God’s arms around me and my family through these pourings out of simple generosity.

Summer Catch-up:Louisville

About a month ago, I was able to head to Louisville to see one of my dear college friends get married!  And my parents met me there – delight.  Oh, and I got to have this little jaunt solo.  Oh my goodness, Donald dropped me off at the airport and I really didn’t know what to do with myself.  But, I was able to dig deep (hah!), and managed to enjoy being still, being quiet, enjoying a cup of coffee slowly, and read many-an-article about the Queen’s jubilee.  I’m jealous of myself just remembering it…

(my parents have these amazing peony bushes that they had moved from my grandparent’s property – they’re so beautiful and one of my favorite things about home – my sweet momma brought me a whole bouquet of them.)

(walking around the city )

I just felt so blessed by this weekend.  Blessed that I have a beautiful family in Dallas who would all rally to watch my two little beauties so I could have a weekend away / blessed that my family would drive down so that we could share some time together before another life change and share new experiences / blessed by friendship -though separated by miles and circumstances…there is something beautiful and graciously “permanent” about old, good friends.

 

(the beautiful bride…and oh wow, look at that big belly…is anyone surprised little fella is supposed to be bigger than Nate?!?!)

I love that there is a little group of us who capture so many memories through the food that was consumed – this is true of almost every Wallace getaway.  The food is one of the most delightful aspects of any experience.  Louisville – you did not disappoint!

Summer is…

watching fireworks on the roof of the car while drinking Italian soda…

laughing with sweet friends…

Hope your 4th was fantastic!  There are always so many great articles that circulate around the 4th that are humbling and are a beautiful reminder of the privilege that it is to be a citizen of this country.  Thankful for freedom.  So, America – Happy Birthday.  To quote Abi, “oh wow, America is really old.”  (Because to a then three-year old, being around for hundreds of years does seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things; the idea of countries being thousands of years old is lost on her :)

Happy 4th Birthday, Abi-girl!!

(pictures from yesterday as we celebrated our Abi)

Goodness, 4 years ago this little beauty came into the world:

And she has made every day since then more rich.  We love her for her kindness, for her inner (and we think exceptional outer!) beauty, for her beautiful faith, for her love of laughter, for her intelligence, for her love of learning, for her delight to be with and care for people. 

We have learned much about our gracious God through parenting her and through watching the world through the eyes of Abi.  Parenting this precious girl is a life-joy of both Donald & I.  She is just a fantastic little lady.

Of course there is the not-so-lovely.  She is 4, afterall.  But in those moments we see grace, emotion, and perseverance come through as she journeys and tries to figure out this wide, wonderful world. 

Sweet Abi-girl; we love you for the ways that you are uniquely YOU.  We pray much joy and growth in wisdom as you navigate being 4.  We are thankful that you love your creator and we marvel at the work that He is doing in you!!

It’s been a beautiful year…