Summertime Sleepover

This was Caroline's first and Rebecca's last annual Jr High Girls' Summer Sleepover.  Somehow I've earned the title of "Craft Mom" for the event.  I am thinking about passing the title on.  I came up with the craft about 2 hours before the event.  

 I'm only there for about an hour and then it's off for a date night with the hubs.  But that little hour is sweet and it's fun to hear these girls thoughts and ideas.... they make me laugh.  Such delightful young ladies.

 After I left, they went on to take a night hike, roast marshmallows, dance and play games.  The morning brought a scrumptious French Toast Casserole (by Chef Layne) and some skeet shooting with Mr. Hall.

 Martha is the sweetest of hosts and enjoys sharing her home with these girls each year....and for many Jr High events.

 On the way home after I picked the girls up, they both shared how the best part of the night was when Rossana shared about loving others and investing in others lives even if they are not the same as you. 

 Her words were meaningful and took root.  

 I am so thankful for Rossana and Layne and Mr. and Mrs. Hall and all the those who take their valuable time to invest in these kids lives....

 ...and find great joy in it.

These are the memories that last a lifetime.

 And this is the season of their lives...

 ...when the truths take root and go deep.

 Grateful.

Swim Lesson Gratitude

For all the new friends I made this week.... in the pool.

 

For how the girls delight to assist me... when they could be sleeping in and vegging out.

 

 For the cheers and beaming pride in their momma's eyes 

and for feeling a sense of accomplishment.

 For how they learned to "push away their fear" and tried new things and succeeded!

 For how the weather man projected storms everyday 

and not one day did we get rained out!

 For the sweet things they have to say and the sweet way the say it.

 For getting to teach a "big kid" group and learning strokes and diving and waking up a little sore from modeling the butterfly stroke...it's been a long time!

 For Caroline and Caroline.

 For 16 swim students, four hour days, and the fun way God provided for our needs.

 For the Martin Family who graciously share their pool with us.

For Summertime joy and the fullness of life that is found in Him.

Under the Water

I've been teaching swim lessons for a few weeks now.  Every week is different.  Every group is different.  Every kid is different.  I love them all.  They have the sweetest thoughts and ideas.  On day one they are thrilled to be there.  On day two they are feeling a little unsure.  On day three they often walk into swim lessons  saying things like:

"I don't wanna go under the water."

"Please don't let me go under the water."

"I don't want to go in the deep."

"Mrs. Alisa, are we going under the water today?"

I usually respond with something like, "I know you don't want to go under the water." in a very kind and gentle voice.  But since they are LEARNING to swim, being "under the water" is a necessary thing.

Yeah, well, in this here "life pool" I thought I was swimming good until God decided to take me a little deeper and then I got a little anxious and said things to Him like: 

"I don't like the deep."

"This is scary."

"Can we go back to the shallow.  It feels safe there...and comfortable.  I like comfortable."

But as long as I've been walking with Him, I know that God likes the deep water.  He likes to keep us at a place where we desperately cling to Him for dear life so we don't drown.  And pretty soon we realize, "You know this deep water isn't so bad.  I can do this."

Until He decides to take us deeper. 

What if you jump  

Just close your eyes  

What if the arms that catch you  

Catch you by surprise  

What if He's more than enough 

What if it's love

(Nichole Nordeman)

"Pull!"

I recently overheard my daughter talking to a friend who had been given his grandfather's gun.  She proceeded to tell him all the animals he could shoot with it and what kind of shells to use for which animals.

Last night we had a little shin dig at McConnell Hall with Andy's guys and their families.  It was nice to have the fellowship with them all... a happy evening.

 

 We shot some skeet ("We" being Andy and the girls) and I admired their skills.  My two dainty girly-girls were popping skeet left and right.  And their father hit a few too.

 "Pull!"~ Shoot!~ (Drop the Shell.)  and again and again.

 This chick shot three in a row...more than once.

 I'm glad they are growing up with a variety of skills.  

And I'm glad they like to go hunting and fishing with him...

 

 ...cause then I don't have to.

 It was a fun-filled evening.

Grateful for the gift of it!

Fourteen Years of Gratitude

  1.  Grateful for her birth...it was LONG, it was hard, but it was all worth it.

 
2.  Grateful for her delight in others... it is genuine and kind and truly seeks the good.

 3.  Grateful for her friendships.... for how she likes to have lots of them, and how she enjoys people- their thoughts, and ways, and ideas.

 4.  Grateful for how she loves her sister, for their beautiful friendship, for how God chose to make them close in age and close in spirit.  Caroline's birthday card to Rebecca:  "Thank you for being a great friend, for loving me and always looking out for me."  She is that kind of sister.

 5.  Grateful for her wit and smarts.

 6.   Grateful that she is not only my daughter, but my sister in Christ.  Praise God for her salvation.

7.  Grateful for the gifts God gave her and how she sharpens me and encourages me.

  8.  Grateful for her weaknesses and watching His power made perfect in them.

 9.  Grateful for how she makes me belly laugh... for our "car talks" about life and being at a place in her little life where she "gets it" and can laugh at the days to come.

 10.  Grateful for how she likes to antique shop, and fabric shop, and clothes shop, and get some Starbucks.

11.  Grateful for how easy it is for her to say, "I'm sorry."

 12.  Grateful for her delight in the little ones, her joy in the things they say, and how God is shaping her nurturing skills through the cutest of  munchkins.

 13.  Grateful for how she doesn't mind leaving her clothes on the floor and her bed unmade...because I am nothing like that and, in a small way, wish I could be at peace in a mess.

14.  Grateful for FOURTEEN years with her.  She is a precious part of our family.... a joy to have as a daughter and a sister and a friend.  I'm glad God chose me to be her momma.

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!