The Wood Pile

Last night our friends Clive and Van came over to play for a while. We all had so much fun! As I was pushing Clive on the swing he looked over at our woodpile and asked "What are all those tree stumps for?" I thought that was so cute! But it also reminded me of a lesson I learned a while back and wanted to blog but just haven't taken the time. So... here it is.

Brother Hampton, from church, dropped off a truck load of firewood about a month ago. It sat at the end of the driveway for a couple of weeks. Ryan and I were both busy and getting it stacked wasn't a huge priority. (Secretly maybe we were each hoping the other would get around to it first!) In the end, thankfully, I wound up with the task.

Now, stacking wood isn't really something I necessarily enjoy doing. And it seemed to be taking FOREVER! Every time I returned for a load the pile looked like it had multiplied. On one of the trips though I noticed how high the stacked pile was getting as well. And my heart just filled with gratitude. The Lord provides for us. The wood pile had been almost depleted from this past winter yet here it was, completely replenished. What a blessing! It made me reflect on all we have and I was able to see the Lord's love and concern for me and for my family. I'm thankful for the service we have recieved and I'm also thankful for the opportunity we have to serve others. I know that is one way that Heavenly Father answers prayers.

A little bird told me...

My family is truly one of my greatest blessings. I have a wonderful, supportive husband who works so hard for us and I have 3 beautiful children. However, sometimes being a wife and a Mom is Hard. (Notice the capital "H").
This is what I was thinking when I pulled into the driveway tonight after a very long night and a very long day. I was thinking about how sometimes the rug gets pulled right out from under you when you least expect it. (It didn't help that I sat in the car after running errands with all the kiddos and listened to two very sad country songs.) Anyway, as I was unloading and thinking how hard some days are, I decided I needed a hug. So I unbuckled my snuggly little 2yr. old who is sooo full of love and I wrapped my arms around him and sat there on the floor of the van. Kind of feeling a little bit bad for myself, which is so annoying, I know.
Out of nowhere, okay, out of the huge tree hanging over our driveway, a bird decided to poop all over my foot (which was only in flip flops) and the bottom of my jeans. Eeewww! And I just started to laugh. (It may have been in disbelief and hysterics at first- but then I really did laugh for real.) So thankyou, Bird, for letting me know it could be worse!

It's official...

I am the mother of a Kindergartener. Hard to believe that 5 years have passed since Avery came to our family. The time has flown by but it's also hard to remember a time without her. She was so super excited for school to start. She jumped right out of bed and got ready to go. She did not stop talking from our house to the school. Her teacher is Mrs. Langefeld (that's who I was hoping for) and she seems really great. I got a long hug from Avery and a concerned look but then Mrs. Langefeld took her hand and off she went. No tears from either of us. (Although at one point my eyes welled up a little bit.) Later I took Mason and Brittain to storytime at the library then I really started to miss Avery because we've done that almost every week. Mason kept asking where Avery was going. When we went to pick her up she was all smiles and she loved her first day. Although she can't remember anything they did. She did say they did no math. She can't wait to go back on Monday. I'm less excited about having to be somewhere by 7:50 a.m. five days out of the week.