Growing Kids, Turning 40, and Loving My Life

The last number of months have been full of lots of living....ordinary moments sandwiched in between some pretty amazing stuff.

Our kids grow and change and learn new responsibilities, yet in many ways, my days flow from one to the next and can feel rather mundane.

I spent much of my winter taking my boys to basketball practice and watching their games. I absolutely love watching them play and improve and learn real-life lessons from the game of basketball. I am so proud to be their Mother. 

On February 28, Logan turned 14. Soon after his birthday, he got his permit...and took driver's ed....and now has his official paper from his driving instructor waiting in our safe, until time to get his school permit this fall. 

We all went to an Iowa basketball game for Logan's birthday.

He also grew about 4 inches this past year and every now and then, as I look up to him, I wonder just where in the world the time has gone.

Leon and I took our annual weekend away the first part of March. This time we got a hotel close to home. The children stayed at home and the boys did all the chores. Leon's brother and wife spent the nights with our kids. It was a delightful weekend away. We took one, poor-quality picture the whole weekend.

Life has had a lot of ordinary moments, as well. If a cowgirl emptying the dishwasher is ordinary.

 And the 9 year old learns to cook...

 And then I turned 40! What a birthday! My sisters from MO and TX (almost) surprised me for the weekend. Leon got a hotel room for us for a night, and we also spent time with the rest of the family. It was a very, very special weekend and I felt very loved and celebrated.

 And then one night some friends showed up in costume and kidnapped me for the evening. Pedicures, riding the carousel, and a delicious meal....

Turning 40 isn't so bad...

Easter weekend we had plans of going fishing, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Leon suggested making donuts.....and I said, "Only if you help."

 And he did a great job of frying them all....

 Our wonderful taste-tester stopped by to see if they were edible.....he usually smells donuts from miles away.

Easter Sunday traditional photo-

And we planted garden....

Our first campfire for the year-

Our first hike at the reservoir for this year-

AND WE FINISHED SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

The girls and I went to the Tulip Festival in Pella with my Mom and some more family....

Yesterday was Mother's Day.....

I was thoroughly spoiled. Lunch at Red Lobster with the family, a nice, long walk alone, movie and popcorn last evening, and The Pioneer Woman's lovely red dishes from Wal-mart!!

The last several months I've been doing a lot of reflecting on where I am in life right now compared to my life oh, say, 5 years ago. In the area of our children alone, we are in quite a different stage. I find it super exciting, to watch them grow and change and mature, but it also means a shift in parenting, and I'm not always doing so well in that. Leon often (gently) reminds me that they aren't 4 years old anymore, and I need that reminder. Honestly, I love, love this stage but it also has its challenges. 

One of the best things that's happened in the recent months is the healing of my own heart and the way God has led me to walk through some past pain in order to experience freedom. I am seeing his promise of Restoration for the year 2016 come true. 

As for this blog, well, I am praying that God would give me my voice back, so to speak, to be able to write again. So far, it has felt safer to keep a journal of sorts for our family's adventures and day-to-day living. And we'll see where God takes it from there.

Happy, happy spring! It's a delightful time of the year!

He is Risen!

Easter has been so special to our family this year. We enjoyed a special sunrise service this morning, breakfast with our church, and then our regular service. And while 7 AM was quite early to get this bunch to church, we just rejoiced again in the Power of the Resurrection. Lunch was pancakes and sausage and then we enjoyed our long naps. The boys are out searching for mushrooms with their Dad and the girls and I are just chilling. Today is a Family Day for us...and we needed it. There's no one I'd rather spent time with then my own little family.

I couldn't help but think of my dear sister-in-law, who would never have left the house with a mismatched bunch like this. Her family was color coordinated and dressed to the T. I, on the other hand, discovered my oldest son wore white socks to church with his black pants, and my youngest son was smeared with grass stains due to some wild after church activities. I guess you could say the 'power of the resurrection' and the 'look' in my husband's eyes made me just let it go. While I admire my wonderful sister in law, and it may happen here someday, but this year, we just went out the door as we were.

Here are some of my recent favorite pictures:

These two are the very best of friends and I often watch them together and realize what I never had. They just don't know how blessed they are.

A guys night of fishing...2 hours and 39 fish!

I turned a normal lunch time into a restaurant meal. The children were thrilled!

Oh, the fun of their first ever Easter egg hunt!

We invited some of Leon's family over for a picnic.

Leon's parents, my sweet in laws.

Leon's brother, AJ, and Grandma Miller

Cousins

Sister Love

When I was born, they were 14 and 18. I am sure they thought of me {us} as an unhandy amount of work sometimes. Twins aren't a piece of cake really, unless you happen to be fortunate enough to have 2 {almost} grown daughters. Needless to say, my Mom highly recommends twins. Karen kept us clean, clothed, fed, and well trained. Mary kept up the yard, garden, and lots of other things.

Mary got married and moved out a week after our 4th birthday. I really don't remember her living at home. Karen was in and out, with home being her landing place, for a number of years. She finally got married at the ripe old age of 29. ;) I have a lot of good memories of sharing a room with her, talking all grown up with her, and probably making a royal pain out of myself sometimes.

But I was never very close to my sisters.

Somehow, since I'm married, that relationship has changed. My sisters are some of my greatest mentors and friends. They know where I came from, and hopefully can at least dream of where I'm headed.;) They encourage me by their walk with God. And even though they are both over 50 now, they aren't passive about their relationship with God, but are continually seeking Him, and growing in their walk with God. They challenge me in some way every time we're together.

So imagine the fun we had, surprising Karen for her 50th birthday!

I am blessed!