The "P" Word

I just don't have it. I mean...I've worked with kids my whole life. And there are days I totally nail it, but some days...I just don't have it.

And I want to have more of it. I want to be patient {the "P" word}. I really do.

And then the house is trashed and Miss R somehow gets in the bathroom and unravels an entire roll of toilet paper. And D only does his chores half-way and then the "Cleaning lady" - ahem - I mean the dishes didn't do themselves {and are piling up endlessly}. Not to mention the piles of paperwork and to-do lists that never seem to get smaller. My nerves get shot. And then patience goes right down the drain.

So then the hyper active 7 year old and the temper-tantrum-throwing toddler need a fresh loving face and instead get the worst of me. The non-patient me.

I am confident I'm not alone. But I'm also confident it doesn't have to be this way.

We're doing our summer "Boot Camp" on Fruits of the Spirit @ church. And it's so very interesting how God is talking with me about these "fruits" that are {and should be} growing in my life.

Tonight, I had a treat for each child {a starburst}, but if they were PATIENT and waited to the end of the night, the treat would be far greater {a secret to them, but it was an entire pack of candy}. About 30% of them chose to wait, agonizing and watching their friends eat their starbursts right in front of them. But I assured them, their treat would be greater if they could wait. They did, and they were so happy and surprised to get a starburst PLUS a whole pack of candy at the end of the night. 

And as I retold it, I got a little catch in my throat. I need to remember this in my life, too. And I'm holding out for the greater blessings ahead. But I'm not going to lie - Patience is not my strong point OR easy in any way, shape or form. But I know God will grow it in me as I dwell in Him.

Because it IS all about dwelling in him. How else will we grow these fruits? And how many of those fruits still need to grow in my life? So many, though I do see evidence of the work and growing that has gone on.

In the area of love, I have truly. truly grown. God has used people, situations, and long, hard conversations to understand that that's all we're REALLY here to do...love. {See this post for more details.}

So, I look forward to a future blog post...the one where I can talk to you about God's work in my life regarding patience. Because there are many things on my heart that I'm pleading with God about. And I hear Him whispering {through a PreK lesson on patience} that the best is yet to come. The best. Is yet. To come.

And so I wait.

Daddy-o

Father's Day...a day to reflect and give extra love to the Daddys in our life.

This guy.

The kidlets both adore him. I mean...it's just beyond anything I've seen before. And it's well deserved. I'd rather them be influenced by his temperament and personality than mine. :)

He laughs with them, he tickles. He sings and is so very silly sometimes. He walks with them, and most everything he does, he tries to do WITH them, which is so fun to watch. Big D things he's "the stuff" when Daddy lets him help out. Baby R literally squeals when she sees him. It's precious.

So, Mr Mayor - thanks for being the best Daddy for our kidlets. Thanks for loving them more than humanly possible. Thanks for the sacrifices that you give...constantly. Your influence is great. And the little things you do matter in a really big way. :)

This guy.

   

He's got four strong-willed, independent, smart {and sassy} grown adults for kids. We all picked fantastic spouses {if I do say so myself}, and so far, we've given him 13 wild & zany grandchildren {and growing}.

He's always been full of wisdom, but as an adult, I see it more and rely on it at times. I am thankful he's only a phone call away. And I'm thankful that he's not just my dad, but my friend.

Daddy - thanks for all the laughs, corny jokes, and silliness. I literally would not have remembered things if it had not been for you being goofy and coming up with rhymes for it.

Below are some of his favorite words from the Word {Lamentations 3}. And I often, as I miss him, will look on these words and just soak them in. Because aren't they beautiful? And so true. And so refreshing. I'm thankful for a Daddy who lived this out in front of us. I don't know what life would have looked like without you...but I'm thankful to be yours. {I love you, Daddy-o!}

 

This guy.

Those fierce blue eyes love me deeply, this I am sure. I am thankful for quiet moments on the porch, loud moments in the workshop, wet moments near water side, and life moments throughout them all. Thank you, Grandpa, for being a steady influence of goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness in my life. I love you more than words can say!

And this guy.

He's celebrating his first Father's Day in Heaven with God, the Father. And today, even though I'm happy for him, my heart aches for him and for my aunts, uncle, & mom...A reminder that we're just not home yet.

Thankful for his silliness and obsession with duck-tape. I'm thankful for his generosity the way he loved all his family. But mostly, I'm thankful for his deep love for God and what that looked like lived out in life.

I am a truly blessed lady, to have {or have had} these men in my life. Their influence will not be known this side of heaven, but I'm thankful for it anyway.

Read past Father's Day posts here & here.

I'm Proud of You

Tonight as I tucked you in, I squeezed you and told you how proud of you I was.

Imagine my shock...my dismay...my surprise when you asked why...

So I told you. I told you as many things as I possibly could in that moment. That I was proud of your soccer skills, how you are focused and determined out on that field. I told you I was proud of the friend you are. I told you I was proud of how smart you are and that I can't wait to watch God's plan unfold for your life.

But I'm proud of you for so much more.

I'm proud of who you are. I'm so glad that you love Jesus. I watch you with your sister and am in awe...even when you're annoyed with her, you're loving. I'm so proud of the brother you are.

I'm proud of the helper you are around the house. I literally couldn't handle this place without you (so that means you can never leave!). I'm proud of the builder you are. You can make ANYTHING out of legos. Anything. And that's just awesome.

I'm proud of the reader you are. Your interest in books is so fun to watch, and I can't wait to start our next read-aloud book. Sometimes I think you understand on a deeper level than I do...it's pretty impressive. I love to watch you read to Miss Ruby.

I'm proud of all the things you've overcome already in life. You have no idea...or maybe you do and just keep holding your cards close. Nothing in this life is going to phase you, and you are going to do great things...this I am sure.

I am proud of the things you're passionate about: cars, legos, having friends over, Wild Kratts, learning, soccer, Ninja Turtles, Transformers, etc...And I love learning about these things right beside you...because Momma just doesn't know about these things.

I'm proud that you ask a million questions. Some people are annoyed by this in their children, but not me. Every time we learn something new, we grow brain cells {really! We do!}. So ask away, my love! Let's grow your (my) brain!

I'm proud to have you for a son. I love spending all these extra hours with you this summer. I can't imagine my life without you.

And please...don't ever forget...I'm proud of you.

                         

Friday Faves {7} - letter style

Dear my view from the kitchen sink:

Thank you for that.

How could I ask for more?

Dear Terre Haute Children's Museum:

Thanks for the great day with my kids and some friends.

Miss R loved "driving" the tractor.

Big D loved shooting balls to targets from the 2 story "tree house."

And me?  I loved being enveloped in a giant bubble. How have I lived this long without experiencing that?

Dear dentist:

Thanks for working quickly on my little man.

Thanks for telling me he's the best patient you ever had. 

He sure was brave, wasn't he?

Dear Big D:

You amaze me. 6 cavities and a root canal on a baby molar...and no flinch.

Not even when they gave you the shots.

And it was super cute when you tried to talk for the next 4 hours...{hehehe}

Dear Brian Keith Daniel:

This painting touched me as an adoptive momma {who might not be finished yet}.

That baby boy is just waiting...you can see it on his face.

Thank you, Jesus, for knowing all my children before I ever do...hold on to them until I can...

Dear cheap popsicles: 

Thanks for bringing Miss R so much joy. She loved her first one this week!

Also, can you please have more red per package, as those are the only ones I love? K, thanks!

Dear Big D:

Vacuum? Yes, please! 

Thanks for finding joy in chores, for it makes me find joy in mine.

I love having you home.

Dear kidlets:

I literally can't imagine life without you.

Please keep loving each other {and being so photogenic}.

And Rachel @ Finding Joy - thanks for doing this every Friday, even though I only have done it 7 times. You inspire me.