Ccamping With Kids

Oh the ups and downs of camping with kids. There were definitely several times this weekend when Drew and I looked at each other, just wondering why we even brought those rascals with us, but then there were also sweet times when we wondered what we would ever do without them there. This camping trip really was a learning experience for us, and I think we'll handle bedtime a little differently next time we go, but it really was such a blessing to enjoy something that we love to do so much with our little girls who we love so much. It was so fun to see them play together in the tent and help tend the fire (from a distance) and do all of the fun outdoor activities with us. I am blessed for this fun, family opportunity and I really hope we are helping to create some great family memories for our girls. Abbie just kept saying, "this is fun camping" and I feel very blessed for that.

A Morning Workout

Today I feel blessed for how well Abigail and Lauren did at my morning workout. A friend of mine started up a mom's bootcamp kind of workout early in the morning twice a week where the moms workout and the kids all play. Well, the first one I attended didn't go so great- oh, my girls played, but it was mostly on me while I was trying to workout. I wasn't even sure if I should come again with the girls, but they got up so darn early this morning anyway that I decided to go for it : ). And they did much better. Abbie and her friend Addie played together the whole time and Lauren didn't start climbing all over me until the very end, and I look forward to even more progress next time. These morning can be such a blessing in so many ways- its a workout obviously, which is great, but it's also social for both me and the girls and it's a great way to enjoy some time outside early in the day. I look forward to more success in the weeks to come and am grateful for this blessing today.

Some Much Needed Playtime

I've been struggling recently with staying super positive with this whole parenting thing. Honestly, sometimes my girls just drive me crazy, and that in turn drives me even more crazy because I really want to be a great mom and to enjoy every minute of this journey. Tonight I feel so blessed to have some much needed fun, playtime with Abigail and Lauren that just really brought everything into perspective. I feel very blessed for that hour of kisses and hugs and wrestling and laughing that reminded me of how great these girls really are despite all of the troubles they sometimes give me. I love those girls and I love being a Mama, and I especially love the great moments of joy that come along- even if they seem a little bit farther between than I might choose. : )

A Prompted Visit

Today the girls and I stopped to check in on an old friend who has been having some health problems. It was so great to see her day brightened by my little rascals during our surprise visit. The blessing for me, though, has been seeing my girls getting to know and love this woman more and more over the last few months. It's so great to see them get to know other people-even if they don't see them that often- and to really remember them and interact with them when we visit. I really hope that through some of our random visits to different people they will continue to develop a love for others and for serving them. And today it was a blessing to see that empathy start to grow.