Splash the Puddles

I've been contemplating lately, what I really want for my children.  There are many things I want for them.  I want them to one day marry beautiful, godly women who adore them. I want them to do well in school and have a positive reputation.  I want them to be well recognized for good manners.  I want them to appreciate playing outside and using their imagination.  I want them to be kind and loving toward others.  I want them to be respectful to adults always.  I want them to appreciate the things they have and understand how blessed they are.  I want them to meet, early on, friends who will stand by their side through their lifetime.  There are many things I want for them. But one thing overshadows them all, and honestly I believe this one thing will dictate all the others in some form or fashion.  What do I want for my children?  I want them to understand early in life the love that God has for them. I want them to know that nothing they do can make him love them any more than he

Lord, Today I give you my boys-I surrender to you, my own expectations of who they should be and I ask you to use them mightily. Lord, I pray they would be young men who love and honor you-young men who stand apart on their own choosing, because they love you.  Wipe away my expectations of perfection, the limitations I subtly assign them, and help me to gracefully parent them, embracing their weaknesses as opportunities to love deeper and point them to you.  Lord fill any gaps, and empty places in there life and keep them humble. Grow in them a compassion and generosity towards others. Help them to give sacrificially and love unconditionally.  Teach them to find themselves only in You.  My prayer for Walker and Will, Lord, is that their life would be filled with a purpose-a fully engaged relationship with you. Lord don't allow them to be distracted by a "religion" with standards, rules and expectations but rather 100% committed to and aware of your grace, mercy and love. 

Next week our school will observe Red Ribbon week.  We will celebrate giving drugs "the boot" and raise awareness as we promote a life lived drug free. It's a wonderful program-I fully support it. It's a fun week, lots of opportunities to come to school dressed as you usually would not-camo day, team sports day, etc. There are poster contests, t-shirt designing contests, parent involvement activities and more.  That being said, there's a huge part of me that is not looking forward to next week. This year, at the innocent age of six, my oldest son will learn the word "drugs."  He will know after next week that a substance exists that can alter your mind and body in a terrible way. He will have a little more awareness of the darkness of this world. And while I know I cannot shelter him from things of the world forever, my heart longs to fight for and protect his innocence as long as I possibly can. He is, after all, my baby.  Drug awareness is important. S

I love taking pictures. It's a hobby I'm really no good at, and don't really care to be-I just genuinely love capturing memories in a 4 by 6 rectangle I can have forever.  Truthfully, I haven't printed pictures since I printed the ones from Will's arrival day and the few days that followed, with the exception of ones Walker has needed for projects here and there.  The pictures in our home are dated-most from when we were only a family of three.  Despite this, I love a good photograph. Or a bad one-doesn't matter to me. What I love is the memory it holds.  At times, I'm lovingly picked on by my family and closest friends for whipping my iPhone out to capture everyday moments. And let's face it, I'm  probably also made fun of by some Facebook followers who don't really care to see how high my boys can climb. But you know what?  I truly don't care. I know a moment I want to hold in my heart forever when I see one.  My grandmother cherished pictu