Elijah turns Six! NERF Gun STYLE

How in the world did this little guy turn 6 today??? 

I cannot believe that my youngest is so old. 

We celebrated today in NERF war fashion. 

 The day started off with birthday breakfast which consisted of Toaster Strudels (birthday boys choice) 

We celebrated at grandma and grandpas after our Sola gathering.

Then... 

He got to invite 2 friends over to do something fun in the evening. 

 He chose Dart Warz! It is a new indoor NERF gun indoor battlefield by our house. There have been lots of Groupons lately for it and that's how I found out about it. It did not disappoint! 

listening to the rules and choosing the weapons 

After an hour of battling, we came back home and ate Mac and Cheese (his choice) 

and celebrated with cake and presents.

Happy Birthday Buddy! So glad you're my son. 

Sophia's Softball Skills

 Sophia started softball last week and its been fun to watch her learn and get better. I also love that this is her own thing separate from Arianna. When you have twins, they end up doing everything together. But as they are getting older, we want to try to encourage more uniqueness and individuality between them. Arianna has been playing the piano for a while now and we are splitting them up into two different fifth grades next year. Its hardest on Arianna. Sophia loves the distinctiveness. Sophia also seems to be the sportier and tougher of the twins, so this suited her to a tee. 

Soph was really excited to start batting practice- 

she did decent and wanted me to video her so her daddy could see. 

Water fun all summer long

 My crew just loves swimming! 

We are so blessed to have a pool to use all summer long 

that is rarely crowded when we go in the mornings. 

I swear I have little fish for kids- they swim for hours and never get tired of it! 

 We also have a plethora of creeks and splash pads around town that we love to visit. 

Stormy weather

For some reason whenever Mark is gone, we have these horrible summer storms. 

I don't mind them during the day but at night they are the worst. 

Thursday, we had the coolest storm around dinner time. 

Hail was falling like snow and they were HUGE pieces. Plus, we had this gorgeous rainbow and the sun was shining with patches of blue sky. SOOOO cool! We have an awesome Creator. 

 The kids ran outside and picked up the hail in cups. 

Ari put hers in the freezer to show dad when he returns. 

I have also been working part time for a friend's home inspection company. I answer phones and book inspections from home. I appreciate the flexibility and ability to make money while I am with my kiddos. It has been going well until Thursday- it was a rough day. I made a bunch of mistakes. Ugh! My sweet friend and boss, Nathalie, called to encourage my weary heart. 

Love those friends who encourage and uplift by speaking truth.

I struggle with the desire to make everything perfect and right and when I screw up and things aren't the way I think they should be, I get so discouraged. I was reflecting this morning on the fact that I don't have to have it all together because Christ has it all together for me! I am in Him and because of His work on the cross for me, I do not have to prove to people that I am perfect or good at everything I touch. That is pride and it is sin and it comes from a desire in my heart to make myself look good and gain praise rather than bring glory to Christ. I should gladly boast in my weakness because then Christ's power is displayed as He works through my weakness to bring Him glory. So glad that Christ pointed these things out to me and that He loves me and redeemed me even though I suck and fail at this over and over and over... 

 I think Paul sums it up perfectly in 2 Corinthians 12:10 - 

"But He said to me, 'MY grace is sufficient for you, 

for MY power is made perfect in weakness'. 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, 

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Tearful Goodbyes

 Mark took off to Kenya on Wednesday. He will be gone for 3 week. This is his 4th year going with teens from Valor. You would think the goodbyes would get easier. They were not. 

It probably didn't help that we dropped him off at 9pm. The kids were tired and they were SOOO weepy. They love their daddy so much. Elijah woke up this morning and the first thing he said was,  "Mom, I sorta am missing daddy right now." 

I am so glad Mark gets this opportunity every year even though it is hard. 

Please remember him and the team in prayer over the coming weeks. 

He did make it safely to Nairobi in the middle of our night last night and they will be spending some time in the city before heading out to the country.