Practicing Gratitude 7.02.13

- This summer especially, I'm aware of our kids getting older, as they are entertaining themselves with creative outlets (which I do have to push, but not very hard): a treasure box of extra materials like empty oatmeal canisters, cardboard paper towel rolls, etc - Hud crafted a boat, complete with a fabric (hot-glued) sail. Basden and Es with needle felting (thanks, Auntie Cam, for introducing us to this a couple of years ago)... so awesome that they can do these things independently.

It stayed afloat! Glass shower tiles, wooden skewers & silk for a sail, Crystal light canisters
Es taking apart all those glass tiles one by one
Basden's creation
With their one-of-a kind bracelets (and belt)
Making a volcano (now on this one I felt like Mom of the year)
- Hud begging for a pile of discarded wood

- Bran spending a week in Watercolor with friends. His first text after they'd arrived to their house was that they have a pond in the backyard! (Nevermind the entire Gulf of Mexico right out front)

- The gifts Bran brought home from the sea - hats for the girls, sunglasses for Hud, and a coffee mug for me... perfect. Girls lit up when they saw them.

- Corbin’s “heavy” with work right now. That You’ve provided this work for him, and that he does it well, even in the midst of heavy seasons.

- Basden figuring out ways to swim without getting her face wet


- Her creative bandaids


- Basden's "cat bag" ~ first summer sewing project


- The girls' first pool-house sleepover. I intended to sleep out there with them, but Hud took over as protector.

Sweet girls. Love those grins.
And those.
- Shaun in our home this summer
 

- That my (sometimes intense) negative emotions are temporary. With offering them up to Him, God can change them even if the circumstance doesn't change - but He most often engineers the circumstances to improve in His time.

- "Toodles!"

- Skylar's baptism, and then getting to celebrate with her friends and family afterwards.

Surrounded by men who love her
And women.
Special, special people
- That in Hud's District game last week, when SW Arlington hit a grand slam and moved us from a one-run lead to 3 behind, I asked the moms around me about the tournament bracket and when we would play next. All the moms, including Daboo, responded with "Saturday" - which was when we would play with a win. And, we won!
Always in it.
Running the baseline... wish I knew what he was thinking??
A walking comedy act
Proud Momma
- A loss to the other SW Arl team a few days later - a 3-hour game with an extra inning when the other team got their final run with two outs. Painful, this baseball!

- Tom and Molly's news. A life-changing, generous, gift.

- What summer looks like


- Daboo's homegrown tomatoes - and the salsa they turn out!


- Blueberries from Daboo's garden ~ and in turn her blueberry jam- yum!

How cute is that?!
- Watching the puppies play and wrestle - so glad they have each other.

- Bran confiscating - and wearing - Corbin's old Tri Delt shirts from Baylor

- Basden wanting a hamster. Mommy not wanting a hamster, because I can just imagine our puppies with a new hamster. We'll see who wins this one...

- Cupcake yummies dropped off by the Howards - "just because." Filled our sweet tooth, but also lightened our hearts. 


- Blue Mesa with Chris and Sarah. Not only a fun dinner, but touched by the longevity and dear nature of their friendships. Foundational friends. And - their marriage - authentic - inspires us.

- Weather this week - highs in upper 80's??!  Coffee and a blanket on porch in mornings?!

- The Bannisters surrounded by friends, support, lots of meals, and people who love them coming alongside to meet needs and offer kindness

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles...   1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Comments

Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.