Friday, December 26, 2014

Celebrate Good Times! Come on!

Holy smokes! Who knew a week could vanish as quickly as this week seemingly is? It's the mother load of celebrations this week in our house with one birthday after the next. I've replaced Sun through Sat with the following names this week; Alyvia's birthday - Break - Anderson's birthday - Break - Jesus birthday - Break - Thiele's birthday. Needless to say I am flat broke and next week will retreat into a hole for rest. 

While it has been "full", to say the least, it has also been extraordinary. Birthdays are a wonderful time to recount all the things that make those people in your life so great. A time to tell them all the ways your encouraged by the way they do life and excited for the future (also a time to eat entirely too many desserts). 

Kicking off the week with our first born beauty was spectacular. Her heart is so gentle and wise for an 8 yr old! She takes time to remember the most important things and always values quality time over anything else! 

Then our second born's celebration kicked off, complete with an extended family Christmas! His heart is wild and adventurous. He loves to build incredible towers then take them captive then destroy them. The art of creating and then reimagining and creating again. His mind is so mechanical. Without any directions he assembles almost anythings. He is a blessing for sure. 

And then the big one! Christmas Day and another wonderful birthday to celebrate. It's ine of my favorites because we all have a reason to super celebrate. We always wake up and get into our ridiculous pajamas while I read the story of Mary & Joseph and the wise men. The kids love to recall how God came and fought for our hearts and lives. They're so intent every year, each ear peeked and listening. From that point forward we do very little other than enjoy what we believe God intended us to! Family and laughing and sugar snacking!

Now we're on a break day but tomorrow holds another extraordinary reason to celebrate. Her name is Thiele and she is consistently Mother of the year (sorry other mothers). I've never seen a woman who could love so many kids so well. She often reminds me of my grandma because she is so patient and gentle in her approach. Beyond her ability to lead the kids well she is an incredible friend. She listens better than most and mostly because she actually listens (something in trying but failing miserably at). 

This week is always a whirlwind that moves at warp speed. It's also an incredible reminder of the many blessings I have in my life each and every day. I'm so thankful for my family and our crazy loud house. It's the little moments of insanity each day that bring the greatest aha moments. Wishing everyone a relaxing end to this year and refreshing start to the next. 


Monday, December 15, 2014

The moments in between

Despite having woke more than a couple times throughout the night (Azariah is preparing us for the newborn stage) I woke up feeling immensely grateful. Also sleep deprived but mostly grateful. Our weekend wasn't too far out of the ordinary yet it felt extraordinary. 

Saturday morning Anderson woke to streamers, balloons, and an impending surprise party. While he excitedly guessed who was coming and what kind of cake, Thiele and I did the adult thing. We ran like chickens with our heads cut off, scrambling to finish everything by 11am and to hide the never ending mess (next year an afternoon party). As the friends arrived one by one the house became increasingly boisterous! We hadn't hosted a large group of Anderson's friends before only Alyvia's. The difference was noticed immediately and even now there is a ringing in my ears. From the chanting of "pizza...pizza...pizza" to the bean bag fights and tumbling towers, life (and noise) was everywhere. The wild hearts of so many boys pushing the limits without fear and without regard for gravity. I was so impressed by their sense of adventure and the creativity of their young minds. It awoke a desire for adventure in my own soul. 

After the party we did what every respectful mom and dad should. We left all the mess and climbed into bed to watch Star Wars (on a 13" TV/VCR combo). It was a rite of passage for the older kids and for me a nostalgic ride down memory lane. For Anderson it was the perfect continuation of an already memorable day. 

Kids teach so much more than they are taught. Their wild sense of adventure, ability to create in an instant and vocalize the things they love are beautiful to encounter. Hearts so full of life and able to decipher things of value. Another milestone achieved in our household, the first all boy kindergarten party, and a reminder to be purposeful in the adventure we're living day in and day out. Don't take the little things for granted because more times than not the little things sustain your soul and give life to continue in the moment.