The Intentional Life

I just wanted to take this moment to acknowledge 3 important men in my life: My dad, my husband, and my father-in-law. Dad, thanks for being the provider and leader of our family. Thank you for your Godly example and support through the years. And for being there for our family. George, thank you for raising up a wonderful son who makes a great father himself because of the example you showed him. Thank you to both of you for the Grandpa's that you are to our children. It's so awesome to see the generations continue and the legacy you pass on to them. And to my wonderful husband and father of my children: Thank you, Paul for being the provider and leader of our home, the example of God's love through discipline and mercy. I love each one of you. Happy Father's Day!

Lately I have felt like i am often taking the easy route in life and not moving outside my comfort zone. Sometimes i see this in my parenting (ugh, i really hate to admit that) and often in other areas (i.e. allowing someone else to be the welcoming host instead of going up and introducing myself to a visitor in church) I have been convicted to try the more difficult route and see through with the challenge. With my parenting it would be to stay calm and patient even though i feel like i am ready to blow (one of the residents referred to this as the "Hulk Mom," you know the guy who turns large and green when angry. Not one of my better self-descriptions :( in other areas it is going up and talking to new people (I'd rather be the wall-flower), being self-disciplined and sticking with a devotional time daily (and not letting it fade a week or two into it), and in my personal life - signing up for and completing a half-marathon. All of these things take self-discipline

I had the best of intentions to post before now but...well.... : ) This last month we emerged from the house to enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine! Owen is into wanting to help. In whatever task Paul or I is(?) doing, Owen is always running up to ask "Can I help?!" So he's often helping Paul fix things and helping me cook. He loves to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer, and gets out the sweeper to sweep after supper. Hannah is picking up more and more words each day and has quite the vocabulary. She cracks us up daily and loves to be all decked out in a hat, shades, boots, and several layers of clothes. Maddie is continuing to develop and had her 4 month check up yesterday. She is 14 lbs 14 oz. She is doing really well holding her head up and enjoys hanging out on her belly. She has even started to roll a little from belly to back. Maddie is starting to babble and throughly enjoys watching Owen and Hannah run around. Summer is here and school is