We need more trees!

Well, this weekend has been crazy busy and fun!
We celebrated hubby's 33rd Birthday!! We attempted an outdoor movie night, only to get rained out. BOO! But we snuggled into our 1,000sq ft house with 11 adults and 7 kids.
But today we broke out of the house! We went to our local Botanical Gardens, and we walked everywhere we could. Let them play at the WOW (World of Wonders) kids area, where they have a water play yard. And in the giant sand mountain where they can live their Pirate Dream!
A long our venture we discovered this amazing Cherry Weeping Willow. It was like a safe haven from the sun and heat, it was amazing. And the kids enjoyed it so much. My kids are not blessed to have trees in their yard to climb so this was very special. The trees where almost saying "Come climb me!", with their low branches, and knots designed just for their small (well small Lena feet lol). They got first hand lesson from their daddy as well. Which seemed to bring out the kid in him! I loved it. I also sat back with our youngest (Too much mulch for her to eat) and saw my children looking up at it. Looking at how the tree branches intertwine, and create an amazing canopy.  Then my son asked why the branches looked like vines and asked, if you could swing from them. Oh how the brain works!



 Then they discovered a tree under the willow that had what looked like arms open wide waiting for a child to sit in them.

And they took to them as excited as seeing a loved one! They ran to it and asked their daddy to help them. They didn't wanna leave either, my son looked at me and said "We need more trees". Oh how I agree, we need more trees! We need the free play, be wowed by God's creation and enjoy the great outdoors! 

I hope sometime this week you get out and enjoy a tree or two!

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

Blessings

Tina

Embracing Imperfection

What in your life is perfect? 

Perfect house, husband, kids, job, your week, body?
 What are you struggling with just letting be imperfect? 




My friend (Mala, she has a small business called Aunt Molly's Big Fat Bag) made this bracelet a few months back and I felt like God was showing me. Telling me that I didn't let go still.

 And I told her as soon as she perfected it let me know! I need this constant reminder. Because I struggle with Embracing Imperfection. And since this past Sunday (July 5th) I have worn it every day, it has helped me so much. I have stopped and prayed when the kids didn't listen, I have smiled when my baby wanted to be held instead of playing. And the biggest thing I let my kids bring out every craft item to craft with! And I just let them do, I didn't micro mange or freak out because stickers where all over the floor. 

I am slowly learning to embrace a messy house, a pile of laundry, and fussy baby who just wants me. And I am not perfect at it, but coming around to what God has in store for my imperfections!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings
Tina

Just let it go!

So as most know me I have the hardest time letting go. Letting go of control and just letting it ride. The past 4 months have been the hardest, Yes Nessa is 3 months old but I count my 9th month in this post. It has been the hardest because for once I have a needy baby. Meaning she needs and only me! I love her dearly and look forward to our relationship but man can she wear me out.
Anyways today due to lack of sleep and behavior issues we summed the children to clean their rooms and organize them, while I figured we could do small projects. Well I started projects and Nessa would start fussing. If I held her she was happy and giggled. I tried the rock and play, floor gym, swing, even the Ergo. Nope, none of that worked, this girl wanted my full on attention. And no one was to get in her way.
As the day wore on my patience grew small, I wanted to accomplish something! Besides nursing, diapers and cooking. I do that every day, I really don't mind it but I wanted a project to complete. I wanted to feel validated by doing something that changed something in the house.
We sat down to dinner and we finished dinner and the kids ran off to finish their rooms before showers and bed, I looked at my husband and said "I just want to do something!" and he said something that 5yrs ago that would have started the biggest fight. "Sometimes you have to accept that you can't do much right now", now that ladies and gentlemen would have fired me off and made me say things disrespectful and hurtfull. Or maybe even not speak to him and just slam cabinets, or walk off to the bedroom with Nessa and act like he doesn't exist tonight. But because A- I have learned that doesn't solve anything B- God gave him to me, to lead me and be the voice of reason and C- I have learned to hear blue through pink after 10yrs of marriage (thank you to the study Love & Respect). Now I haven't perfected hearing blue through pink, so I am not the perfect wife who says "oh thank you dear! I love you all" the time. Sometimes I do step on his air hose and waits til he turns purple. But tonight, I heard God say "Listen! He's not saying accept it you won't be doing anything til she's self sufficient. He's saying I know it bothers you, I know it frustrates you that you are not going and being 'do it all mom' . But let it go and let me help you. Accept that you need me, it's ok."
And I listened and I heard, and I still tapped on the air hose a little with my disgruntled attitude. But I accepted and let it go. With being a mom of 3 now life hasn't been the easiest transition for me, but I still love every minute of it. And I know God will bring me through all of the trails of this new path of our life.