By the grace of Taft

Alyssa was having a difficult night. We asked her to sweep the floor but she ignored us and continued to read a book, so we took the book away. This sent her into a furry. Emotions were high. After several minutes of frustration and unrest, Taft, who felt very concerned that Alyssa did not have her book, asked Erik if he could sweep the floor for Alyssa so she could have her book back. Erik said Taft could sweep the floor and Erik would give the book to Taft.

"And then I can give it to Alyssa?" Taft asked with big smile on his face.

"Yes, Taft," said Erik. 

Taft then turned to Alyssa and said, "I will sweep the floor for you and then I will give you your book!" And he did. Taft swept the floor and obtained the book which he gave to Alyssa.

I saw from this interchange how Christ feels about us and how his grace works for us. He is not tangled up in any of our sins, yet He sees we need help to obtain desired blessings. He, purely out of love for us and love for Heavenly Father, asks if He can sweep our floor, cleaning up messes we have made so that we can have our blessings. This is grace. And all we really have to do is accept His offer to do the work for us.

I don't know if Taft or Alyssa will ever remember this night. In someways I hope they don't because of the tension and the anger that was felt. But I hope we can remember the beautiful lesson that Taft taught us as we obtain and maintain our testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and His grace.

October in Review...backwards

We had our 3rd annual neighborhood pumpkin painting party! (This year it was actually more than just as and the Haderlies!) We had already decorated pumpkins with Nana and carved this big pumpkin because it was left over from preschool, but that didn't stop the kids! Taft spruced up our jack-o-latern and Alyssa added red hair to her pumpkin.

Diaper shipment came. Taft decided to take a nap in the box. 

Erik and Alyssa went on a bike ride (Alyssa)/run (Erik). They went about 8 miles. 

Joel takes interest in various things for an extended period of time. October's interests include the animal bingo game seen below and the Magnadoodle. We play pictionary with him. He also often requests that we draw dogs and cats. I have been encouraging him to draw and he is starting to create some interesting drawings.

Kent and Joel were particularly handsome one Sunday. I think it is interesting how different Joel and Kent's eyes are. I love both of them so much, though!

Pumpkin has been the theme for baked goods this month. Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin spaghetti sauce, pumpkin oatmeal cookies, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin pull apart bread. We finally finished the last can of pumpkin I bought at Kroger...over 2 years ago.

Grandma, Grandpa and Porter came to visit. Here we are pictured at Mt. Bonnell. We also tried Rudy's BBQ and ate at Torchy's. Sandy's Custard will not be repeated...I don't think it was custard. We squoze in a trip to Sam's Club, went to the Texas Memorial Museum, and played 5 Crowns. It was a fast and furious 2.5 days!

Kent...and those eyes...and that smile. I am a mother in love!

And Joel. I love him too! While at the playground Kent was sleeping in the stroller. Joel really wanted to look at him, but I told him no and took him away several times. Shortly after another little by started walking towards Kent. Joel became very attentive and said, "No! Dent, no!" He may not want to comply to me, but he sure will enforce the rules if need be.

On this particular morning we brought balls to the playground and rolled them back and forth and up and down slides. Joel and Taft took great joy in the game of it!

The kids got their spoils for the HEB Summer Reading Program 2019. I love when they gather together and do little projects. Sometimes it is drawing, other times it is building with Legos. They all participate at their own level, and they have a wonderful time!

Kent likes blueberries.

Joel likes to steal Kent's blueberries when his blueberries are gone.

At the beginning of October, over conference weekend, we participated in the First Archibald Revo(e)lu(a)tions Bike Ride. Our family rode 8.5 miles from Highland Village to Denton, Texas, and then took a commuter train back to Highland Village. At one point Erik was pulling Taft on an assisted bike and Taft had a trailer attached to him with Joel in it. Kent rode in a carseat in a trailer I was pulling. Alyssa and Taft stayed mounted on a bike seat for the full 8.5 miles! It was fun and memorable! We even got treats delivered by a drone!

We also saw cousins. Good news! Kent has caught up to Clara!

I thought Taft was particularly cute because he spread his blankets over himself so neatly. He also lined up his Duplo creations next to his bed! He is a man of order and it shows in the details. 

Also, Joel got Lasik.

That wraps up our October, except for the culminating events of Halloween and the Daddy Daughter Camp Out. Maybe those will be featured another day!

Cheerio!

Summer Shenanigans and Accomplishments

Stop reading if I've said this already, but the night before summer started I was panicked. I did not know what I would do with Alyssa home all day. How would I give her all she needed, engage with her, play with her, help her, entertain her and take care of the three boys and their vastly different needs, too? 

Fear unwarranted. We had such a fun summer! The days were relaxed but busy as we played outside, ate popsicles, went to the library, napped, played at the splash pad, and did 1,000 other things. It's all a blur now, 2 and 1/2 months after the last day of summer, but it was so good. I am thankful for the time we had together!

Filling the slide with rocks. It took all morning, but what an accomplishment!

Trip to San Antonio with Donuts at Gordough's for dinner

We picked the donut with the 2 foot gummy snake on it...

Funny tricks

Lots of Duplos and Legos

Crafts - Alyssa always keeps herself busy doing crafts. This summer was the summer of rubber band bracelets, and animals, and accessories for the animals.

Reading Books - 3 Summer Reading Programs

Trips to Nana's House

Kent Small and Happy

Joel growing growing from baby to toddler.

Joel's favorite book was 100 Things That Go. I returned it and he found another copy on the shelf and checked it out that same day!

Joel and his "Smile"

4th of July Celebrations

Pancake Breakfast by Erik and Kids

Tarrytown Parade

Living the Dream

There are so many people who do so many cool things! I admire people who host podcasts, food blog, teach piano, give sound parenting advice, have a small business, compile book lists of beautiful literature, run miles faster than a 12 minute pace, have beautifully decorated homes, share tips for being super frugal, and travel the world in their AirStream (taking beautiful pictures and enjoying nature all the while). Part of me longs to do these things. Why can't I figure it out? What do I lack that these other people have that have brought them to where they are today? What do I need more of to be like them? I want to live the dream! 

Part of the problem is I don't know what "the dream" is? What is it that I am really longing after? Money? Fame? Influence?

Maybe...

But what if I already am living "the dream" and I've just been duped into thinking it is something else?

I think a sense of purpose is important and necessary in living "the dream". People who do all those above things have a purpose. They are accomplishing something, and progressing in very visible ways! It is exciting to witness and I am sure it is exciting to experience. 

I have a purpose, too. It's just a little more common and everyday that the one in a hundred, or thousand, or million. My purpose is to love my children, care for them, nurture them, and teach them. This is my job. It is the most important, most primary job I have. It is not glamorous and picture worthy by the world's standards. 

Changing diapers, making breakfast, and lunch, and dinner, cleaning up messes, keeping house; those things aren't always the most fun. 

But there are so many wonderful moments like reading stories together, playing Legos, eating delicious snacks, going on fun adventures, getting hugs and sweet wet kisses, listening to ideas fresh and new to these young, formative minds, taking walks, and playing at the playground, just to name a few. 

Though there is a slight restlessness inside of my as I think of what more I could and should possibly be doing, I also try to see that right in front of me is "the dream".

I will never regret the hours I spent with my kids. While I am with them, am I really seeing them?

Opportunities ebb and flow like the lapping waves of the sea. Am I taking the opportunity to listen and learn from these wise old souls harbored in fresh new bodies?

Satisfaction comes from a job well done. Did I do my most important job well today?

I don't know why some people can do so much. Their influences are felt like the warmth of the sun by all who choose to stand in their light. Yet, instead of being discouraged that I am not they, I will remember that I am a blanket, just big enough to cover those little bodies seeking warmth on a cold winter's day.

I will be content with my life. I will strive to live in my peace. I will seek the Lord's guidance and know that ultimately I stand accountable to Him. I hope I can do my best with what He has given me. I hope to be the steward he would have me be.

"The dream" is truly right in front of me. May I not let it pass by because I have my back turned, looking for something else. 

...

Epilogue

I started the post trying to find out something about myself. I wanted to know why I seem to long for something else, something more visible. I don't know if I figured out anything while writing this post. I still have this knot in my stomach wondering why some people can do great things with education, jobs, careers, social media posts, and I fall flat in those areas. They can do those things and still be a good mom. Why can't I? I also wonder if the knot is a stirring that I should be doing something more. God needs to use me to be a greater influence than I currently am. But then it's not requisite that I run faster than I have strength. I find peace in influence mediocrity. 

I think there may be more to come as I explore this part of me. Maybe I will find a way to do something a little more. But I also hope to stay centered in what truly matters and never let dreams and ambitions rob me of what is lovely right in front of me.