Well, summer is drawing to a close around our house.

Dan went back to work today.  (Because you know…pesky bills.)

Our family really needed this extended time together.  I didn’t realize how much until we were in the middle of the bliss.  I wasn’t completely conscious of how crappy spring semester was for us.  We all over-committed on some stuff and were run ragged.  Bleh.

But once 4-H and everything settled down, we got lots of quality time together.  Well, after we readjusted to parenting together.  We always have to adjust each school break.  Remember Control Country?  I have to let go of being the one in charge all day, every day and let him take the lead.  He needs to remember – again – that the way you lead a family is different than the way you lead a classroom.  But once we work out the kinks, we parent like a dynamic duo!

The adult responsibility part of parenting weighs on me heavily.  When I get to shoulder that burden with my best friend, the load feels so much lighter.  And we feel like a team again.

So cheers Summer 2013. You were good to us.

Plus. 

Today my firstborn turned six. 

Oh my.  He is such a delightful, spirited one.  He’s totally unique, surprisingly tender-hearted, and full of energy.  I adore him. 

If I could’ve only calculated the ways that crazy boy would turn my life upside down.  His arrival brought out so many things in my heart – good and bad.  He has been refining fire in the Silversmith’s Hands for my life. 

I’m so grateful.

We’re gonna have an Angry Birds party on Saturday with his little friends.  Even his buddy that is usually overseas gets to come!  So special.

Milestones are always a good reason to pause and reflect.  We are not where we want to be in lots of ways as a family.  There’s always something to work on. 

But when we stop and think about how faithful our God has been to us, it – again – takes the focus off performing well.  We’re not so concerned about all our inadequacies because He is so Adequate.  Sometimes I think the closer we walk with Him, the more junk we see in ourselves.  How very kind of Him!  First, because being aware is half the battle; but second, because if we’re getting closer to God and not seeing how we don’t deserve it…seems to me like that would lead to trouble.  No.  I know it would.  I’ve seen it in my own life.

It’s His mercy that keeps our eyes open to our need for Him. 

It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.

It’s His strong love that overpowers our resistance to His ways.

Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of a restful summer.  As we gear up to watch You be faithful in the coming school year, help us to surrender our plans and agendas.  We want to look back on 2013-2014 and be able to say only You could’ve done the things that happened.  May we love You and love people well.