Perspective and things around town

 I took the kids to the library today and look what I found prominently displayed in the library.  I am getting more and more amazed at how society is changing and what the world is celebrating these days. Why should I be surprised really?  I know many gay people and love them.  I really do.  It's a hard topic for me because I guess I don't understand it fully.  But something I can't get away from is that God says it's sin.  Although I think Christians should be known by their love, I hope I never become so complacent with sin that I actually celebrate it.  I have struggles of my own and I am certainly talking to myself here too.  This is my blog so I can talk about controversial things on here.  It's so freeing.  Thank you!  I feel better.

I've heard these chapter books aren't too hard, and so I picked up one for Gwen at the library.  She read the first chapter to me all by herself tonight!  At regular intervals she would look over at me and say, "I'm pretty good at this!" It really made my heart glad.  I want her to practice her reading before school starts.  I found out recently that Gwen will not have Spanish class this year in school.  That has made me determined to continue her learning in language at home.  My mother-in-law has access through her library to an online resource for learning Spanish, so I will use that.  If I could give my kids one skill it would be speaking another language.

Claire is reading a book to Romy.

Gwen reading in bed.

Toys sometimes don't get played with...but my laundry basket does!

our pool is always filled with neighborhood kids.  I hope our kids have good memories.

 I have been short tempered lately.  I became aware of it the other day when Ben gently told me I seem exasperated all the time.  I told him I was. :)  So my goal for today was just to enjoy the kids... not yell.  I read my Bible, prayed for strength, and set off.  I did very well until bath time.  We'll see how tomorrow goes but I'm trying to be intentional.  I heard today on a radio program from a man that daughter died at 21 months from some mysterious illness.  He said his daughter had previously scratched a coffee table and he'd been agitated over it.  But that night that she died he came home and noticed the scratched table and wished that she could be there to do whatever she'd like to the table.  It was a constant reminder of what is truly important.  I was moved by his story, and so... I've noticed these following flaws with our house in a different way tonight.

Life in the Old Lane

I guess we should let everyone know... we're having a baby...watermelon. Here it is. 

Ben and I got a rare overnight away recently.

Yes, my neck started wrinkling at 38.

We saw many interesting people.

That being their own steins to coffee shops.

Interesting church signs

Pretty contrasts in flowers.

 
Gwen got this mermaid mosaic for her birthday. She helped at first, but then it became my obsession.

Summer Days

These summer days are flying by. Here we are having shaved ice with friends. 

We finished the living room and got some shelving and tv stand. We're enjoying the new set up.

Vacation in Alabama

Here we are making snow cones with Zeke's new maker.

Gwen got a singing bird and gum with birthday money.

Ben painted the living room and also put in new flooring.

 We spent a week in Alabama. Here are my niece and nephew, Clay and Chloe and my kids. They aren't little kids anymore. I enjoyed talking with them.

Picking blueberries was fun. And hot.

 We always have to go to the bug museum.

I can't get enough of this toothless grin!

Skating rink.

Splash pad.

Breakfast nutella mustache.

Summer Sweet Summer

Today we celebrated Gwen's 7th birthday. 7! Here are some friends. 

 We recently lost our minds and got a trampoline. Here's Paw Paw giving it a try.

 Her birthday this year was butterfly themed. We made butterfly food and put it outside, but no butterflies could make the party....except this butterfly pinata.

 We've made a renewed effort in chores. Here is a little boy with great bathroom cleaning skills. He is going to really bless his wife one day with these skills.

We also have lost our minds and are repainting the den. We took the plunge and painted the brick fireplace.

Gwen got a thing you suck bugs into and inspect them. She loves it.

3 generations of homes for hackers fans.

Ben is brilliant. He designed for the pinata to hang over the trampoline. It was fun watching kids jump and swing. (One at a time)

 Reading sweet cards from friends. She can read!

Toothless neighbors and Zeke.

She was so very excited to pull her front teeth herself. I personally can't get enough of her toothless grin.

 We saw a baby bird learning to fly. Cute! I am enjoying the kids and gardening and swimming lessons and all that summer holds.