five (part 2)

(a couple additions to my earlier post)

1. Daddy says that this 5th birthday is a bit hard on him too (don't worry he's not weeping)



2.  Hannah insisted that after swim lessons we take pictures of her special birthday crown
(oh yes, we actually still have last year's crown - that's how special these things are to her)

 

3. Apparently, even when 5 year old's want you to take pictures of them
they rarely stop moving long enough to accomplish said task.

 

3. singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles is still really cool at 5!

 

 

 4.  Just in case you don't remember, we have another birthday in our family tomorrow
(yes, my oldest kids are 2 years and 1 day apart)

being

Yesterday and today I have taken such joy in putting my kids down for naps.
We read a book together and then I sit on the floor of their darkened room and I sing.
Song after song - camp song, worship song, kid's song, songs that my mom sang to my sister and I.
I sing until Peter's eyes start to close and Hannah finally settles down.
And I find that there is something beautiful about that moment of slowing down and doing nothing else.

At 7 months pregnant, much of life right now is characterized by my own need to slow down.

And you know what?
I don't mind.

I enjoy sitting at the table with the kids gluing random stuff to pieces of paper.


 

I delight in watching Peter's chubby fingers squeeze the glue out of the bottle.

His very serious expression about what he is doing.

Hannah's joy at successfully bending a pipe cleaner.

Watching Peter try on Daddy's shoes

and shuffle all over the house.

Observing them as they ride bikes in circles,

around and around and around again.

And sometimes get a ride.

 

I've been reminded a lot recently that God created us to be.
We are human beings and not human "doings".
Our value comes not from what we accomplish in a day but from the One who made us.

My kids and this growing little one inside me are constantly giving me the opportunity 
to slow down, be and just enjoy it.

Now I'm off to take a nap.

joy

This morning, I made my favorite scones (with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips) -
just because. 

I find myself hoping every morning I will have the time to make them and my mouth watering at the thought of tasting them, but then my to do lists and my little people take center stage and I put them off for another day.


I love the verse in the Bible that says,
"Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 118:24)

And I decided that today I will embrace the joy of fresh baked scones and I will let my vacuuming, sweeping, and windexing wait for another day.

It's also pretty reassuring when Matt eats a scone and declares, "That was simply wonderful."

I agree.