Being Intentional

Oh how I long to live intentionally! Thoreau said, “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die discover that I had not lived.” I love this! I intend to live deep. I want to use each and every day that God has given me to bring glory to Him and love others well. I do not want to waste any of the precious time that He has lent to me.

This leads to one of my goals for the year - do something fun with the kids each day. This may seem like it goes without saying; however, it's crazy how easily I get caught up in all of the "to do's" and find myself at the end of the day wondering if the kids actually had any fun WITH their mama that day. I want to enjoy every moment of their sweet childhoods, make memories to last a lifetime and build relationships that will do the same. God has blessed us abundantly with these sweet children and we SO appreciate the gift. =)

So here are some of the "fun things" we've done this year:

We planted a garden together. Andrew got a "big person spade," Lily got a princess one and Caroline and Emma Grace got Dora spades. I was really impressed by Lily's great work ethic! She stuck with me long after the other kids had left to play in the barn.

The kids love to help in the kitchen! Here we are making a blueberry pie for Memorial Day.

Ice cream cones on the front porch!

This was one of my crazier ideas - taking the kids to play at the creek by myself while 40 weeks pregnant. Fortunately some friends joined us later. The next time we went, we took Daddy - lesson learned. ;o)

I taught Andrew & Lily how to make balloon animals using a kit he received from our wonderful friends, the Stahl's.

Easter Egg hunt at church with friends

I'm trying to make a point of going outside with the kids rather than always using that time to get stuff done.

We love going to Young's!

Tea time with my Lily. =)

Playing with baby chicks at Henderson Farm ;o)