While Rico Suave took the older two to church this morning–I stayed back with the younger too. Some times you just to have your own service at home. This morning was one of those times for me:). And during that time, this was one song that really ministered to me (love the words to this so much)…
(Just in case the YouTube version wouldn’t show up or work–the direct link is here: http://youtu.be/b61wsBdqrKM
This weekend has been action filled. You know–one of those when you have 4 kids 7 and under…sports + birthdays for various ones…a day you felt like you needed a spread sheet for;).
Friday after a full fun-filled school day–we took Parker to his tumbling class and waited outside in the van for an hour for him to finish. Just easier to wait there some times. AND we totally support his grand idea about needing to take this class in order to learn how to do a back flip–he thinks it’d be cool to do one after touch downs one day. Love his long term planning. Here’s Frankie baby and momma waiting while Laney played with my phone:)
THEN on Saturday morning–we jumped into our first Saturday of soccer games…what our Fall Saturdays always look like–Loo’s games followed by P’man’s games.
Loo and M (one of her best friends) playing against each other–funny to see them both so serious and not giggling over dolls here…
and then the next hour it was P’s turn…
For 2 hours momma just parks it in a chair at the end of the field–cheering “THAT’S YOUR BALL!”–and watching the babies play soccer in the practice net beside me. And laughing at them as they walk to the concession stand together…
Are they not the most precious brothers ever?
Every year–Rico Suave coaches, and Paul is helping him out this year. (Paul’s little guy and P-man met when they were just 1–and they’ve been buddies ever since). These two take the boys camping together–so fun watching them coaching them together–they definitely have fun…
Then we had birthday party fun to attend. With 4 kids 7 and under you really do need a spreadsheet for Saturday sports, birthday parties and such;). Sneaking in a little momma love…
Among the crazy–this weekend was a tougher one for my momma heart. Thankful for my sweet loves that constantly remind me how blessed I am–and who make me want to continue to walk by faith. They are my miracles–each a step of faith…each a miraculous story–and a reminder that we can trust the Lord with whatever He has for us. I’ve walked around a lot in the last week and weekend (to be perfectly honest…with a big lump in my throat–every have those days???) quietly asking the Lord for His JOY. From the outside, all looks wonderful, crazy, fun–there’s still stuff inside this momma’s heart that just feels like a discombobulated pile of empty that I’m not sure what to do with. It’s like “going on a bear walk” and when you see the water–you know you can’t go around it, you can’t go over it, you can’t go under it–you have to go through it. Swish–swish–swish–swish–swish. Coming out of the grocery by yourself, you catch yourself singing Dori’s tune under your breath, “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.” You are learning to walk by faith when your heart doesn’t feel like it at all. It’s easy to walk by faith when everything makes sense…watching things perfectly fall into place and standing with your hands lifted high in amazement and joy. It’s really a lot of fun to walk by faith in those times! It’s another thing to walk by faith when the why, where, when and how’s don’t have any clear answers yet. Walking by faith during those times–oh, it feels so different!
And although I know my heart should just be sitting and letting the Psalms pour in (the Psalms do minister to my soul)—I have a confession of something that has really helped bring a new excitement this week…totally of this world;). Last weekend–Richard asked me if there was anything that he could do. Now you are going to laugh at the first thing that came out of my mouth. “Disneyworld.” In that moment, it made us both burst into laughter among the seriousness that THAT came out. We’ve never been–and in our 8 years of parenting we’ve talked about it here and there–and then forgotten. BUT since that moment–we’ve spent each night up late planning a last minute…really fun get away…to the happiest place on earth:). Some times you just need to have FUN together–so that’s exactly what we are going to do! We made the announcement TONIGHT–we played music from Disney while playing musical chairs and when they sat down in a chair I asked them to reach UNDER their chair and pull out a t-shirt that would give them a clue about a special trip mommy and daddy were going to take them on. The t-shirts had Micky Mouse on them–and lots of squeals followed–with the 3 year olds jumping up and down dancing…and some swatting and silliness with their new t-shirts too. Laney has already made a countdown calendar and before bed tonight she marked off the first day. Can I just say HOW MUCH FUN this has been do plan with Rich each night?? (Thanks for the inspiration my dearest friends from all your fun trips there–and thanks to my friends on Facebook for single handedly helping me find all the deals!) AND for you Disney frequenters–you know it’s something else that we’re going in a couple of weeks–Cinderella’s Royal Table was OF COURSE booked–but I called this morning (when I should have been at church) at there was an opening!!! Can you believe it? Okay–I know some of you are shaking your heads at me…but apparently this is a big deal for a little princess–and it’s something else to get an opening a few weeks before your last minute visit–or so they say;).
Now–for the week ahead. Momma has to hurry up and get my training on for American Heritage Girls…some how I got talked into being one of the leaders for the Tenderhearts…so I’ve got some training to do before our first troup meeting on Tuesday!
Blessings to you all as you keep on swimming no matter what comes your way this week!!!
Thank you Kelli Kelly, Stacey Maljian and Meggan McFaden for reminding me tonight how blessed His name always is…
Love y’all,
Andrea
by admin
I can’t wait to hear about the trip. I have skimmed the website for Disneyworld, but I have no idea where the “deals” are out there. Hopefully, you can help some who haven’t taken kids there with ideas for where to look. 🙂
Andrea –
Here’s a tip from my brother and sil who live in Tampa and have done many long weekends in Orlando with their family.
Go to the park EARLY (8 or before if it opens earlier). The park is almost empty, the lines aren’t long. Go at it hard until about 11:30 – by that time it’s getting hot and the park is beginning to fill up. So just when it’s getting crowded, take a break, go back to your hotel, eat lunch, take a nap, hang out by the empty pool (everyone will be at the park). Then mid to late afternoon, head back to the park – everyone else is hot and tired by then and headed back to their hotels for a break so the park empties out… You get the idea.
Hope you guys have fun!
Just wanted to encourage you that one morning you will wake up and realize you haven’t had to sing “just keep swimming”. Hugs from this side of the disappointment… Life is different but His joy is waiting for you friend!