Earth Day 2013

Naturally, I like Earth Day.  This is no surprise to anyone.  My sweet husband was pretty sure Earth Day was on Friday.  But, I knew it was today.  Because you see, I like Earth Day.

          

No super cute earth crafts…because I am not that creative or that organized to have had that forethought.

No major outings to the many excellent places that have Earth Day Celebrations…because I forgot to bring Abi a change of clothes (didn’t think gymnastics leotard and spandex capris would be appropriate) and I’m not always brave enough to conquer large ‘celebration’ types on my own with the three kiddos when William will probably need to eat (aka, nate gets strapped into the stroller for safety control!).

BUT….we can handle outside time with friends // hitting up the park // generally celebrating the splendor that is the beautiful earth we’ve been given!

we planted some flowers in the side bed that we made a few years ago…very earth-day of us, don’t you think?

we found the largest snake to date…just over 12 inches…I love that these two argue over who can hold the snake.  We’re all totally cut from the same cloth.  Love abi’s face.

“I just love that the earth makes me think of Jesus.”

-Abi Wallace, when asked what she loves about the earth…heart is smiling.

Oh, these girls…

So, we got chickens.  I still giggle when I say that to someone.  They are SO fun and we are enjoying immensely our little homestead in the city.  Future blog post: our garden (or should I say, another attempt at our garden).  Seriously, we want a homestead.  But, still have access to excellent restaurants and museums.  Urban homestead = Wallace haven.

But, these five girls.  They are creating dust in our office, sweet little chirps in our ears, and shall I say a little love in our hearts.  Who knew one could love chickens?!

Cliche alert!!  We got these cute ones for Easter…on Good Friday:

Some introductions:

  

This is Lizzie (short for Elizabeth) – her breed was favored by the Royal Family in England…hence Elizabeth :)  She is so sweet and was the cutest chick for sure.  Super puffy.

Here’s Harriet.  She is my favorite.  She is the largest now and is like the big sister.  Kind of looks out for everyone.  I really hope she’s not a rooster (5% chance she is) – I would miss her if we had to give her back. 

 

Please meet Merida / Brave.  She is darling and RED.  A natural fit into the Wallace house!

This is Silver.  She is the most loved of all of the cuties.  Definitely marches to the beat of her own drum and is the most loving to everyone.  She loves to perch on shoulders and is quick to fly out of their brooder.

  

And this crazy is Daisy.  She is almost as big as Harriet.  We describe her as the girl next door.  Not the cutest to look at, but is pretty sweet.  Although, she is getting less sweet as she gets older!

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Reading back over this, I sound crazy.  Or a weird chicken-lady.  Friends, keep me accountable.  BUT, they are so fun and do totally feel like loved pets!

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They are crazy big now – and it is insane to me (the pictures above are from when they were 3 days old, they’re 3 weeks now!) that they will keep on getting bigger for a while!  We have about one more month of inside chickens until they move to the great outdoors.  Which means that D&I need to get in gear and build a coop!

More posts to come on these girls, I’m SURE!

Easter

 

Easter was just so special this year.  After reading a pretty impactful article, I feel as though my mind and heart were graciously tuned into seeing this city of mine with an ‘Easter person’s’ eyes.  To want to extend and claim the hope and freedom that Easter offers.  To enjoy the sweet traditions and pastels that Easter brings with it, but to feel the burden to not only allow my heart and my family to be satisfied in this.  HOPE, LIGHT, TRUTH – Easter was filled with these things, and we are grateful.

The theme of our church’s Easter service was ‘The Parade Is Coming!’ – and it was awesome.  Compete with marching drums and all, our hearts are in anticipation for the parade of Christ!  On the flyer that was passed out:

DEATH LOSES.
NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE.
Grief will be undone. He will disclose the purpose of our pain.
No more greed and self-absorption, no more poverty
and insecurity; NO MORE LOSS.
No more flesh-consuming cancer, no more genetic disorder,
NO MORE DISEASE, NO DYING, NO DEATH.
The parched tongue will be dampened by the Living Water and the hungering soul satisfied with the Bread of Life.
No longer looking as through a glass dimly lit.
We shall see Him face to face, as He is. And we will be like Him – THE IMAGE OF GOD FULLY RESTORED.
Our bodies will be as His –resurrected, recreated, physical.
We will touch His wounds; He will kiss our scars and
wipe the tears from our eyes ONCE AND FOR ALL.

These words will be read and re-read this year.  They are so true and so beautiful.

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Happy Birthday, sweet MC!

We usually enjoy spending Easter with D’s parents, but this year Easter fell on Mary Claire’s 2nd birthday and Malia was down in Houston – so the festivities started a few days early!

Donald’s parents are so great to bring over an awesome celebration – of course, complete with an egg hunt!  Nate TOTALLY got it this year.  So very fun.  Abi’s sweet nature shown, as she graciously gave up many of her eggs for Nate to find them.  Not the ones with money in them though…smart lady :)

   

 

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Easter Sunday was filled with celebrating and hopeful hearts, yummy food, a lovely drive with delicious coffee around White Rock Lake, and some more egg-huntin’!  The end of the day left our hearts happy.

 

     

 

 

And of course, this will be its own post…but until then…the five Wallace ladies (donald does not like that I’ve given them the Wallace name!)

We hope that your family’s Easter was filled with true celebration and rejoicing!

Science School – well, kinda

Oh Perot Museum – we sure do love thee.  Of course, your early childhood offerings will always be referred to in our house as ‘Science School’ – but hey, that’s what you get when you had a killer program at your old location. 

Abi’s taking a class at the museum – and it is just so awesome.  Stellar teachers / stellar curriculum / everything that makes this zoo-education nerd in me get REAL excited.    Their dinosaur unit just ended and they are currently diving into the world of plants and seeds!

(can you tell we visit the dinos QUITE a bit?!)

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So, just a little plug for the Perot Education Classes.  To quote Abi when asked where she has learned the most (the girl has had quite a little tour of early educational offerings in Dallas, poor thing)…”Hmm, well, I think Science School.”  Enough said.

Sanctification through Motherhood

This glorious thing called motherhood – without a doubt – the biggest tool that the Lord has used to change, sharpen, and mold me.

And I am continually mystified by it.  How motherhood gives me no greater joy.  Yet, it is through revelations during ‘it’ that I have had some of my darkest moments.  I am frequently left baffled – left with my mouth open – left wondering ‘how in the world did that just happen’ – left wondering how I was entrusted to raise these little souls – left totally spent at the beauty and enormity of it all.

I have been having some dramatic days as of late :)

‘Hear my cry, O God. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge , a strong tower against the enemy.’  Psalm 61

Yet all of the drama gets reduced to something quite simple: I am the daughter of a most loving God.  Pray more and believe in its power!  Give thanks continually.

 

Even as I type these words, I am somewhat chuckling because I know that I will be dramatic and crazy and overwhelmed all too soon again.  And God, in his graciousness, will teach me lessons that are so very simple and wonderful in nature.