The Song of a Season

My parents are going back to Singapore this week after being right here in town with us for more than six months.  I've said it before: this has been an intense season.  And that my parents get to go back overseas to finish the work God has called them to is nothing short of a miracle.

This morning during worship, I was sitting between Shane and my mom.  A few songs in, the music for Matt Redman's Never Once began. I turned to my mom and said, This is like the anthem for this season.  Then we sang.  And I don't know that I've ever experienced a more powerful moment in worship than that.

Because we can truly say, not just in words, but because we've lived it...

Never once did we ever walk alone.  

Never once did you leave us on our own.

You are faithful, God, you are faithful.

The gifts of this season have been precious.  My parents have been intentional to spend time with each of our children individually, which they all loved.  I wouldn't trade these days for anything.  God alone has been very, very good.

And forever we will say, "You're the Lord our God!"

Always Know What He Is Into...

Big Brother, Little Brothers

Hello, Summer

Silas had his last day of school yesterday. We all piled in the van one more time to take him to school. He looked and acted so big all day. He wasn't sad at all about school ending but is looking forward to a summer full of sun and birthdays and activity. Getting to the age where he can anticipate things is really delightful.

Yesterday afternoon was so gorgeous that I texted a couple friends to come over and play in the sprinkler after naptime. We got the water table out and the splash pad Blaise got for his birthday and all the kids (10!) had a blast. This was Blaise's first summer water day experience and he loved it. He is walking all over now, is super independent, delights in just about anything, and is pretty fearless so the whole thing was pure joy for him. When Shane came home, I announced that it was shaping up to be a great summer.

We Survived

I sold our infant carseat this week. It had been sitting in our attic since Blaise outgrew it and I realized that it expires a year from now. I couldn't see letting it sit there all year with no one using it. So I put it up on a Facebook sale page and it was gone before the morning was over. I felt like part of my heart ripped out as the lady walked away with it. All three of our boys came home from the hospital in that seat. The memories associated with it are sweet. But the pages are turning to a new chapter, I suppose.

In the past day, Blaise has gone from baby crawling and taking steps to full-fledged toddler. As much as I am loving seeing him toddle about the house, I can't help but have a pang of grief as we watch the baby years fade to the rear-view mirror.

On the other hand, when the lady tucked our carseat into her car and pulled away, as tears welled up and that lump just sat there in my throat, I also kinda wished I had a friend with me to hug and cheer and pat me on the back a bit. Cause I guess you could say we did it. We made it through a season. And we survived.

The Sweetness of Twins

"You're my best friend, Simmy.  Don't forget that you are my best friend.  K?"

I am sure that some day soon we will move the children around, have the boys share rooms, and let Lieren's space be more hers.  But right now, it just about makes my heart break to think about them not falling asleep, heads together where their beds meet in the crux of an L.  And it's just so sweet to see them, two children growing up in the same family at the same time, sharing just about every experience together, but processing every detail completely different.

Because they make it obvious...

One is a girl.

And one is a boy.

Oh Spring, Where Art Thou?