Wednesday, July 11, 2007

All signs of God's blessings to me

Enjoy the laundry mountain and the flapping refrigerator door, and the screen forever open, and the flies challenging your wrist agility, and your name being called by voices of all pitches.....and keep the camera going! All signs of God's blessings to you




A dear friend sent me an email yesterday and this was the final paragraph. It was like she was standing in my home watching. Her words described the scene so well. But her words said something else that I don't want to soon forget. These are "all signs of God's blessings to me" It is so easy in the midst of it all (including the flies because the kids are continually leaving the screen door open) to forget that these children and their childhood is a "blessing to me." I have noticed some real changes this summer as my kids are getting older. We have very little to no routine, except that we know the pool opens at 1 o'clock. The summer bedtime is whenever we finally crawl into bed. Even our two year old is staying up way too late. Mealtime is 6 pm , 7:30 pm or maybe 9ish if we have been outside playing or whenever someone is hungry. Our family room is now the deck where we watch lightening bugs, tell stories or fly kites. Last night there was just enough breeze for three of our kids to get their kites in the air. It was very cool looking up to see a rocket, dragonfly, and huge rainbow colored shape high in the sky. So, I will keep the camera close, not worry about the laundry pile, ignore the continuous flapping of the refrigerator doors and treasure the many pitches of "mom" being called out throughout the day.

Here is one of my many blessings. I think he was saying, "get the fire started dad, I am ready for s'mores.!





20 comments:

melanie said...

you go little man, chewing on the bag and all! treasure these days of summer and enjoy every minute!

Anonymous said...

Adorable!! And hooray for the curls growing back! We all thought the big haircut was the end of them.

Judy said...

Cute picture! I, too, LOVE the curls! Our routine is also getting further off schedule by the day this summer it seems, but I've noticed that our kids have gotten to the point where they can handle it. In ways that is so nice, but in others bittersweet, since it means they babies anymore! All the more reason to cherish every blessed moment!

Susanne said...

What a beautiful quote Chris! I really brings perspective dosen't it?

Those curls! He is so adorable!

Janis Rodgers said...

Smores! That is my favorite snack as well during the summer. LOVE the picture! It is hard to forget that these are all blessings when we are in the middle of the chaos. The key is stopping and enjoying it. Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you and yours, Chris!

Deidre said...

I just posted something similar about this very same subject - A Home Where Grace Lives. These are certainly days to treasure.

Linda said...

A sweet picture Chris. It sounds to me like a perfect way to spend the summer and make happy memories for your family. You have much wisdom and your children will see you as God's blessing to them always.

Terri said...

Thank you Chris for reminding us that the days are full of Gods blessings in our children and the things they do and enjoy. And for reminding us that they pass all too quickly.

Tammy said...

This was beautiful! My family has been gone camping for a half a week, and it was funny...last year when this happened I must have needed a break because I was thrilled to the time alone. This time, not so much...and reading this post makes me even more ready to greet them tonight and embrace the chaos!

(And love those curly locks!)

Tammy said...

PS...your friend's simple quote in an e-mail is incredible. I copied it and am going to use it as a wonderful reminder!

Lori said...

Beautiful post, and I will have two smores please YUMMM =))

Kim said...

Awwww...Chris, This is so sweet! And what a handsome little guy! I love how you are spending your summer..it sounds fun and relaxing.

Kim

Heth said...

What an important reminder! Thanks Chris! (He is adorable!)

Christine said...

What a wonderful post. It brought me to the verge of tears...

Your son is precious!!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

so true...i just told hubby yesterday.."you know, one day i'll be able to buy a 12 pack of cokes and they will last a week instead of 1 day..but then i'll be crying because that means my kids are gone.."

it takes a conscious effort sometimes to remember all this chaos is indeed a blessing! Great post! :))

Mary@notbefore7 said...

What a beautiful reflection on your summer. Keep enjoying those kiddos!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, and like you . . . our summer schedule is way off track, but we cherish the memories we are making together as a family. I figure it helps us all to understand the flexibility that comes with being a follower of Christ. Sometimes he calls us to do things out of the ordinary and set apart from schedules. Just consider this time training for your kids to be "flexible" :-)LOL.

Lovely Post,
<>< Kelly

Tammy said...

Stopping back to check in...hopefully everything is fine and the reason you haven't posted in awhile is simply because you and your family are doing just what this post said...flying kites and eating s'mores! :)

Rachel Anne said...

Perfect, perfect description of what summer should be like for kids. Before long the schedules and routines will have to kick back in, but for now its awfully nice to enjoy a summer's pace.

Smores sound good!

Joy said...

Hi! I'm new to blogging; found your blog on a christian women's blog. Look forward to meeting new friends. Enjoyed your cute blog!