Catching up~

Where should I even begin? These past couple of weeks have been rather crazy, but good. Summertime is here but it will be a busy summer for our family. I cherish the moments that we get to spend together. Greg has been spending the last couple of weeks studying for an exam and I could not be more proud of him. He is amazing to me. I know it must be hard for him to balance his time out well and pour into his wife and his kids. He does an excellent job. Last week at the peak of a crazy schedule he mentioned that he would love to go play basketball. I encouraged him to go because I knew he needed a break from the routine and load of the week. Shortly after we had that conversation I saw him preparing all of the kids for swimming. Confused I went out to question when he was planning to leave for bball. Being the super dad that he is, he wanted to spend time with the kids and spent the evening in the pool. It was a lot of fun. It was also the first time this summer that we got to enjoy the pool as a family.

I finally was able to capture Dakota in the pool. I am so glad that she really enjoys the water!
She has officially begun to throw fits. She reminds me a lot of Cailtyn in this way. I think she understands A LOT and is ready for some minor discipline. I think I said in an earlier post that we are working on the word "No." Since then she has begun to scream when she knows that she cannot get her own way. Yes, she is young and she doesn't talk much but her understanding is great. It makes for some complicated discipline but I have done this before and try to remind myself that consistency is the key.
She no longer wants to sit still for anything, including a diaper change so I am also reminded of how hard it is to capture this age on film. She wants to get the camera every time I pull it out.

The older 3 have spent hours in the pool this week and have enjoyed the company of their friends. I want to continue to cherish these days that I have with them. I would not trade them for anything else in the world. At church over the weekend I had a few people ask me why I am not involved in MOPS or some other type of organization. When I answer these questions I almost want to laugh. I have nothing against MOPS or the many Bible studies or women's groups out there. In the past I have tried to squeeze them into my schedule but now that I have 4 little kiddos my schedule is full just from keeping up with them and keeping up with the house. I feel completely fulfilled with the time I get to spend with them and the time it takes to keep up with the house. I am meant to be here during this season of my life and I could not be more grateful. I am also so grateful for the friends and family that I have that understand the focus I have for my husband and my kids.

This week I have also been spending a lot of time in prayer for our country. With the elections coming up in the fall I feel as if every day until that time counts. Sometimes I feel my mind flooding with thoughts and prayers, especially late at night or early morning when I have some quiet time. I feel something stirring in my heart and I sense change coming for us as believers. I could be completely wrong and it could just be my pessimistic attitude seeping through but I truly feel that sometime during my lifetime we as believers and followers of Christ will face persecution here in America. The signs of the times are very clear. For the first time as I read through some New Testament scripture about the ends times and part of Revelation I felt a sense of excitement. In the past I have often processed this information with a little bit of fear in my heart, especially since I have had kids and what it means for them. But last night and this morning as I read and prayed I got excited. The Bible is clear that we will suffer for the sake of Christ, and many around the globe are already suffering and dying for HIS name. The joy came in knowing that whatever lies ahead brings me and my family one step closer to eternity. I long for that day and feel a sense of urgency for it to come. There is nothing for me to fear because HE WILL ALWAYS REIGN and as the David Crowder song goes, "WE WIN!"

Kinda makes me get excited.

May His Name be forever praised~