The Word

The other day I went "old school" and pulled out a random selection of about 10 CDs I hadn't listened to in a while. In this mix was a Sara Groves album, and this song has moved me so much the past few times I've listened to it. It's convicting, true, and powerful. Thought I'd share.

The Word
by Sara Groves

I've done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it's very odd
That while I attmept to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise I could ever need

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

People are getting fit for truth
Like they're buying a new tailored suit
Does it fit across the shoulders
Does it fade when it get older
We throw ideas that aren't in style
In the Salvation Army pile
And search for something more to meet our needs

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

I think it's time I rediscover
All the ground that I have covered,
Like seek ye first what a verse
We are pressed but not crushed
Perplexed but don't despair
We are persecuted but not abandoned
We are no longer slaves
We are daughters and sons
And when we are weak we are very strong
And neither death nor life nor present
Nor future nor depth nor height
Can keep us from the love of Christ
And the Word I need is the Word that was
Who put on flesh to dwell with us
In the beginning

The Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

First Day of School 2011

Well, today was the big day. The day that Abby started back to school... and this time, Carson too! The start of the school year has been all that they've talked about lately, and they were both thrilled to pop out of bed this morning to get ready. (Except Carson asked several times, "Why are we getting up while it's still dark?!") Aaron and I walked them both to school and when we got to their classes, they each went straight in. No tears! Not even from me. (I think that's the big miracle here. I knew they'd be fine.) They both have great teachers this year, Mrs. Miller (Abby) and Miss Chestnut (Carson), and we're so excited for this year.

Abby got to her class and walked right in. She gave her teacher a hug and a little present, and then begrudgingly stood for a picture before we gave her a hug and headed out. She is so glad to be back in school, and when we picked her up this afternoon, she said she loved her first day!

I wasn't sure what to expect when we dropped Carson off, but he went in and gave his teacher a hug and (more or less) said hi. Then into the room, hung his backpack, and went to his desk. No tears or uncertainties. He just sat down and the little boy next to him offered him a crayon and they colored together. So sweet. Then we gave him a hug and headed out. He was a total chatterbox when we picked him up. They got to read and go on a scavenger hunt and he met the principal and the librarian and the nurse and he made two friends (both girls, no boys, really) and he got to play on the playground at recess. They have RECESS! He was so excited. I'm so happy he enjoyed it so much!

After we dropped the kids off, Aaron and I walked back home alone and tried not to talk about how this was the end of an era or how quiet the house was going to be when we got home. Luckily, we had plans to meet Jason, Natalie, Jenn, and Galen for a "Boo-Hoo Breakfast" after we all dropped our kids off. It was great fun and a great distraction. After that, as Aaron and I drove around, then we had the sentimental talks about how not so very long ago, Abby and Carson were just babies, and so on and so forth. We smiled and laughed (and were tempted to cry), and spent a great day together shopping and going to a quiet lunch. It was really nice. But when 2:30 rolled around, we were just dying to pick the kids up and hear all about their day. It was so fun seeing their smiling faces when they walked outside! We talked and talked the whole walk home, then filled out the giant pile of paperwork, and had reading time, and started to get back into the swing of things for the school year.

Looking forward to a great one!

Back To School Dinner

This year we had our second annual back to school dinner! I got this idea from my friend, Jennifer, and our family loves this new tradition. It was a great time to pray for, encourage, and set goals with our kids for the new year!

Our verse for the new school year is...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

[Note: I know I am very late in posting this! Just went through my pics and realized all the things that I never got around to blogging.]

Close of Summer

It's starting to hit me that this time next week, I will be a mother of school-aged children. And home all by myself. All day.

So many emotions.

I won't dive into them all at the moment (I'm sure Monday or Tuesday you'll find me here crying! Ha ha!), but I'm doing my best this week to enjoy my last week with the kiddos home. We're having a lot of fun! Monday we went to the zoo, and yesterday we shopped for shoes and went swimming. Today has been cooking day, since Abby in particular has been very into cooking lately. (I walked in the living room other morning to find her glued to Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, and she sits down and makes lists of recipes she'd like to make from Giada de Laurentis' cookbook.)

More to come, I'm sure, but here are a few pics from the pool yesterday!

PS - Aaron is FINALLY reading Harry Potter with me! I'm re-reading the series, and then after his brother started reading the books and much NAGGING from me (he told me I was being a terrible nag), he's hooked. We've been reading together every night instead of watching TV.

Mattie & Grandaddy's

This summer has absolutely flown by. I can't believe that school is starting in two weeks! Last week, this reality hit me and I realized that we hadn't had a chance to visit my parents over the summer like we usually do. So Monday the kids and I hopped in the car and headed to Howe for a few days. We had such a nice time with my parents. Some of the highlights?

- Dad, Carson, and I played golf
- Mattie put a feather extention in Abby's hair (this is all Abby can talk about as of late)
- Huck's catfish + La Mesa (some of our fav local restaurants)
- Relaxation and good conversation
- The Museum of Nature & Science and an IMAX movie

It was a bummer to have to leave Thursday, but we had a really fun, relaxing time, as always, and look forward to going back sometime soon!

Lake Day

Yesterday, we got to spend a wonderful afternoon with the RCCC staff out at Canyon Lake. It was HOT (we're in a severe drought/heat wave), but the water was cool and we had so much fun! We got to take a couple trips out on the boat, tube (which Abby LOVED... Carson, not so much), and Aaron grilled burgers for everyone. We're so lucky to work with such an awesome team of people!

Jackson, Carson, Braelyn

Madison

Abby and Taetem