Unlikely

It was a rainy Sunday here today. But these days we pretty much play outside no matter what, so ended up with kids biking and stomping through the puddles, turning up their heads to drink the raindrops. 

All of a sudden Simeon (who always seems to have a plan) decided he would "bury treasure". Off he went and returned with one of Lieren's plastic gold bracelets. She then ran to get more while Simeon asked if we had a treasure chest. 

No chests were to be found and once we had made it clear they could only each bury one thing, we all tromped to the back where they picked a spot. 

We dug. We buried treasure. We felt more raindrops. And we used sticks to mark the spot. 

Then it seemed good to paint the sticks. 

It was dirty. They were messy. Everything was damp when we called it over. 

But they were happy. 

And I was pleased to be reminded that often happy comes in the unlikely of rain and mud and a bit of creativity unleashed by the reluctant yes. 

#nonaps

This little guy had too much outdoor sun and fun the last few days. He fell asleep on the way to watch his siblings play soccer tonight.

This moment was over quickly, though, when he opened his eyes and realized where we were. He loves to watch and kick a ball around with Daddy on the sidelines. 

In other news, all three big kids scored in their games this evening!

*Sigh*

There have been some moments this week. Moments that take my breath for just a second. Like the moment all three big kids were riding around on the driveway with no training wheels. Or Blaise stomping around in big boy underwear all, I got this. Simeon looking so tall all of a sudden. Lieren reading bits here and there. And then today I glanced back and there was this...

Listening to Vertical Church Band and Matt Maher and Hillsong. 

And I remembered walking the sidewalks of Louisville just the two of us, listening to the wind; not seeing it but knowing it was there. And somehow that toddler will be seven soon. Seven seems so big. But these days five seems big too, and so does three. 

When Blaise was born, the sum of our children's ages was 5. By the end of this summer, that number will have jumped to 20. 

It's crazy, this thing with kids growing up. Lots to notice, lots to teach, lots to love, lots to forebear, lots to challenge, lots to trust and a whole lot to treasure up. 

Hard At Work

Silas asked to do 10 or 11 extra jobs to earn more screen time today. So everyone was hard at work this afternoon. I had to be a bit creative to come up with that many things he could do but we made a list and he is completing it right now. 

And all the other kids have found their own kind of "busy"...

Workin' Hard

Learning summer chores today...

...my baseboards may never be so clean!

Soccer 2015

The three big kids started soccer last night. The weather has been beautiful and it's so nice to look forward to these evenings outside...

It, of course, was not without it's drama and tears and whatnot but everyone survived and ended up saying they had a great time. So we call that success around here.