Splash the Puddles

About two months ago, we moved into our new home. One of the biggest and most unexpected blessings about that, has been having neighbors with children our boys' ages. No stress of prearranged play dates or meeting places, the front yard will do just fine. We get home earlier than the neighbors, and each day, without fail, one and usually both of my boys eagerly await their homecoming. Typically, the anticipation of their arrival begins from the moment we pull into our driveway, which is usually a good two and a half, sometimes three hours before the neighbor family comes home. (Praise Jesus for teacher hours!). "When will the neighbors be home?"  If I had a dime for every time I've heard that since mid-August, I could seriously retire early. Like now. They know the answer. It's the same every day. So, they fill the first hour with a snack, some screen time and homework. At this point, the excitement is kicked up a notch. Time is getting closer, to when they will ...

Last Sunday, very quickly, I came down with some violent fashion of a stomach bug. Hours later, just before I was going to attempt to snuggle up in my super comfortable bed and fall asleep, Walker started with it too. It began for him in such a way that demanded he and Will vacate their bed. We drug a twin mattress into the living room for Walker and moved Will to our bed to sleep with Cliff. In an attempt to isolate the sickness, we decided I would sleep on the couch right next to Walker's make shift bed on the floor. That night, my head laid directly in the spot I call "my happy place" in our home. Next to it sits an end table where my Bible, journal and current study find their home. I sit there, sipping my coffee, spending time with my Lord under the illumination of one of my favorite lamps as the morning rays shining in on me. Usually, I curl up under my pink bunny blanket my daddy gave me as a little girl and the dog snuggles up beside me. I love this place. A lot o...

An empty tank of gas won't get you to work. An empty container of shampoo won't clean your hair. An empty pantry won't feed your hungry brood. (I actually happen to know those last two to be fact from just this past weekend). An empty bank account won't pay the bills. Empty promises leave you disappointed. Empty nesters often feel lonely. Empty bags of chocolate contribute to the onset of depression. (I kid). Empty toilet paper rolls leave you, well.... poo. Empty stomachs yearn to be filled. Empty thoughts reveal ignorance. Empty hearts long for fulfillment. Empty: 1). containing nothing; not filled or occupied. 2). lacking meaning or sincerity When we encounter empty things, typically we experience a lack of productivity, fulfillment and satisfaction. I never enjoy finding the chocolate ice cream container empty in the freezer. Ever. Empty things don't provide. Empty things disappoint. Last night, my husband stood on the plot of land where our old church building ...

I've been in a place of steady wait for a little while now. Over the course of the last few years, I've heard the Lord speak to me about a direction He will take my life. Others, who knew nothing of what I'd felt Him speak to me, have confirmed through their words to me, that they see the Lord moving me in that direction as well. I've dipped my toes into the waters of what's to come, and it's exhilarating. Those moments where the tides of change rushed over me, gave me a new sense of living. New passions ignited, opportunities given, and words of affirmation spoken over me in those moments gave me glimpses into what will be. Then, as quickly as the tides of change rushed in, the waters pulled back. Thus began the season of now, the season of wait. It's not been easy. In fact, it's been quite frustrating at times, including now, if I'm being honest. I'm hungry for more. I thirst for fulfillment of what's been revealed. I'm ready to be us...

I read an article this morning about a cat napping in a manger at a church in England. The clickbait that caught my attention read something like, "cat kicks baby Jesus out of manger for a nap, world goes wild..." As I read along, I was pretty entertained, as this cat is apparently the resident church cat. She gets into various types of church mischief. She once jumped into a coffin, which banned her from funerals. But, the further I read the more I realized the click bait I had fallen for-the world wasn't going wild at all. At least not in the sense that I interpreted it to be. On the contrary, like myself, the church people were pretty entertained by the cat's latest stunt of kicking baby Jesus out of the manger to nap. And though that's a silly thing, one that makes animal lovers all over the world giggle, it made me think. Today, who is in my manger? Who is in your manger? What, church people, are we entertaining ourselves with? Like the cat, how often do w...

This morning was a bit chaotic, as mornings can sometimes be when you have to get yourself and two small ones out the door by 6:35 a.m. My alarm went off at 5, and apparently I turned it off instead of hitting snooze because I didn't wake up again until 6. That meant I sported yesterday's pony tail today. I carried one boy to the couch and fully dressed him in rushed desperation while he was still sound asleep, and quite literally drug the other one out of bed by his feet. He's basically too heavy for me to lift, but I can definitely pull his little tush to the ground. Wake up, sleepyhead. They were essentially lifeless the entire getting ready process this morning. We were ten minutes behind when I realized I couldn't find my keys. Fifteen behind when we got to the car and I remembered the two crates of bottled waters in Walker's seat. I sat my coffee down on the console and climbed out of my seat a little huffy. Took care of the crates of water, settled back into ...

As I was leaving a place the other day, I hugged the neck of a sweet friend, as is our custom way of saying goodbye. I started walking off, and she called out, "Hey-" I turned to look, there was a pause and then she said "I love you..." "I love you too, I replied" with a smile and continued my trek out the door. Exchanging "I love you " isn't uncommon for us, so it felt normal in the moment. As the day went on though, I pondered the nature of the interaction and something about it felt unfamiliar. So, I shot my friend a quick text and asked if there was something else she wanted to say in the moment but hadn't. She replied that there wasn't, but that she just felt like she needed to tell me she loved me. A bit later in the conversation she shared that her thought process in the moment was, "I just think she should be reminded that she is loved and seen." It was sweet, and I appreciated it, but honestly, I pondere...