Surviving on smiles, laughs and a whole lot of grace

I must admit, laughter doesn't come naturally to me. I love to laugh and take opportunities everyday to do so, but my natural disposition is not particularly carefree and comical.  Due to current life circumstances I know just how important it is to laugh and smile everyday.  I'm stressed, overwhelmed and a whole lot of other things right now so I am taking a moment to document how I'm surviving on smiles, laughs and a whole lot of grace right now.

Lydia lost her 9th tooth last week. She left this endearing note for the "tooth fairy". It made me smile. I was also dog tired and needed to go to bed early. In order not to forget my tooth fairy duties (as I have before) I went in early only to find out she had just turned off the light and was still awake.  Ah well, I'm glad the note assured me I didn't ruin her fun as she already knows I play the role of tooth fairy.

Lot's of love with a side of extortion!

The girls and I went on a nature walk and had fun throwing rocks, counting landmarks to retrace our steps and using super human strength to break rocks.

I am also grateful that my friends make me smile! My journey to understanding friendship in adulthood has been such a learning and growing experience but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have women in my life who I can really count on and depend on for the things that really matter. Two beautiful orange mums (my favorite) greeted me at the door this week, a gift from a friend. Her kindness and compassion for me during a very difficult season were a reminder of just how much I am loved.

Most importantly I am experiencing the grace of God in the "daily" of life. The kind notes from friends who care, the encouragements from my children that they love me, the support of a faithful and Godly husband. God is teaching me, molding me and shaping me into who He wants me to be. And though I am in a season of pain and confusion right now I have never had as strong a hope. Hope that is secure because it does not depend on my circumstances or the people in my life but it stands secure in the person of Jesus Christ. I am known, loved and recieved just as I am by the Savior of the world, that truly is a whole lot of grace.

Blessings!

So many posts.....

I have a long back log of posts on my computer and my camera.  I know I am not the only person who does this as I have seen several other people write "catch all" posts.  This is our last month in pictures and short stories.


After Christmas I stocked up on crafts for next years Advent countdown activities and some other discounted winter activities.  I have been saving the snowman and other winter crafts assuming we would have some snow days.  However with such unseasonably warm weather we only did this one activity, making a gingerbread house.  I am sure we will have a few more to do but if not we can save them for a fun winter day in the summer.

Busy hands making a gingerbread house on a snow day.

Sneaking a sample

Love her beautiful smile!

Finished product

As a family we love spending time together and we value just being home together.  By the world's standards we are depriving our kids by not putting them in tons of extra curricular activities and by taking them to all kinds of events.  We are ok with not living up to the worlds standards in these areas.  We do like to celebrate special occasions though and Lydia had an accomplishment worthy of a celebration.  We went to the local 50's diner and had lunch as a family.  

The girls really are becoming such great friends!

Sometimes I wish that as parents we could choose the moments when teachable opportunities arise.  One day, as we were coming home from running errands we noticed that the playground of a local school had trash thrown all around.  We assumed it was vandals because the garbage can was so heavy no animal could have pushed it over.  We had a teaching moment in the car about what we should do when we see something that needs to be done even if the timing is inconvinient.  Needless to say we dropped off some things at home and  went back to clean up the playground. 

In the end it really didn't take very long and the girls and I had a great feeling of accomplishment.  The opportunities to serve and help others don't always cross our paths at convenient times but it is important to do what we can anyway.  In our society so much of our lives is lived in the rush to get things done and to go from one place to another.  We often don't have time to see the needs around us let alone help out in any way.  I want my life and the life of our family to be different.  I want us to leave enough room in our lives to help out when there is a need and I want to always be praying for eyes to see the world around me as God sees it. 

Some trash needing picked up

Not an accident

Two girls eager to help our community even at the seemingly most inconvenient times

Thanks for reading.  Blessings!