windows down

As a family we have really been trying to focus on keeping the Sabbath day more holy.  After all it is one of the 10 commandments that God has given us for our benefit.  If we treat this day just like every other day then how is that keeping it holy? How is that setting it apart from the rest of the week? If Sunday doesn't feel or look different then are we using it as God intended "as a rest from our labors"? 

As I've been teaching the Old Testament this year I have read over and over how the Lord commands the Israelites time and time again to keep the Sabbath holy.  The beautiful story of the manna is such a tangible representation for them.  I've wondered what's the point of keeping the sabbath day holy? Why should it be considered holy? Why does the Lord value tje Sabbath so much that he put it in a list that includes not killing and lying?

As I've pondered this something that has been impressed on me over and over has come when I've thought about where the sabbath came from.  The first "sabbath" so to speak was the 7th day of creation when the lord tested from his labors.  I think this shows how much the Lord values and respects the creation.  It was such a sacred event that he rested for a whole day to marvel at what He had done.

The Sabbath is a day for us to rest and marvel at what God has done for us.  I love it! I look forward to this day all week.  

A couple months ago we had stake conference and on the long(er) drive home the kids were getting restless.  In an effort to distract the children John put the windows down and let the cool approaching fall air blow in.  He encouraged the kids to feel the wind and enjoy the drive home.  It was a magical moment and the kids loved it.  I'll never forget driving home with giggles in the back seat and my hair whipping around my face with my love by my side on that beautiful peaceful Sabbath drive.

Joy school lately

Joy school has been incredible! We have made so many memories and learned and strengthened beautiful friendships.  I am so in love with the Joy School curriculum and what has been taught to my children.  We have the best group of kids and moms and I am so honored to be with such a special group of people.  My children look forward to going and once every two weeks it is at our house and that is fun too. Evaleigh is starting to open up more socially by doing the hand motions and singing to some songs, that is a big inprovement for her.  She is not one to show off unless it is her idea.  I have enjoyed watching her social skills change and grow over the past few months. Here are some of the many many things we have done:

Nature day

Feed cows

Ride on BOB

Paint with feet

Trace our bodies

Homemade applesauce 

Bake cookies

Make homemade veggie soup

Go to a zoo

Made pinecone peanut butter bird feeders

Plant seeds

Make ghosts out of trash

Halloween costumes

Assembly line for apple toast

Puppet shows

Learn about our bodies communication honesty the earth and so much more! 

And COUNTLESS arts and crafts 

We love this program and the friends who do it with us! 

walk in the light

These little balls of energy and I had been cooped up for so many consecutive rainy days that we bursting at the seams and had to get out of the house rain or shine!

So two days ago we slapped on our rain coats and plugged in our twinkle lights and made the most of the gloomy evening.  They were drenched and muddy but oh so happy that none of the dirt even mattered.  Laundry could be done and shoes cleaned but the outside was the solace we needed.

Evaleigh loves tiny things. And somehow she tracked down a small part of my key chain that had broken off and was laying in the mud.  She brought it to me blowing the whistle at the top of her lungs and asked me to do the same.  Then I noticed the small keychain attached to it with two tiny foot prints and next to it it said "Walk in the Light."  I pulled her close to me and read it to her and then sang her Teach Me to Walk in the Light.  It was a moment I never want to forget under the glow of the twinkling lights teaching my daughter about faith and the gleam of the Saviors love and gospel.  

The spirit filled my heart as I watched her stomp around yelling "walk in the light walk in the light!"

Then we all share a big piece of eye of round roast that I had been slow cooking in the oven for 8 hours. Yum. 

Nature walk

Sometimes you just need a good fun day out in the muggy weather and soaking wet ground because it's the first break from rain in days!  I let the children lead the way on our nature walk and we weaved in and out of the woods.  I couldn't keep up with how many dozens of times they tripped in the rain boots that are several sizes too big for their little feet but they were so happy and determined and right in their element that nothing could keep them down. We help "spidy sticks" and whacked them in front of us while we walked so that we wouldn't run in to spider webs, because that is the WPRST feeling! 

We found ourselves down at the creek where they waded for over 30 minutes and walked up and down the descending water rock slides.  They were soaking up every bit of it that I dared not to speak but only observe.  Except when Evie yelled "snake " and we had a quick conversation about how I only want her to tell animals that couldn't be in our woods like Elephant and Alligator.  That way if there really was a snake I would know it wasn't pretend play.

Such a sweet and simple afternoon I got to share with my curious nature loving children.  We are soaking up Stock Gap all we can before we move to Athens at the end of this year. It will be so very missed by us.

Time Out For me and my sister

This weekend was so very needed. My sister and I went to Time Out For Women here in Atlanta.  We heard incredible music and brilliant speakers.  I was inspired and reminded to follow my dreams boldly.  One of my favorite things said was by Whitney Johnson when she talked about being both a ship and a harbor.  That explains exactly where my soul wants to be and what it wants to be doing. 

It is so hard to balance all I want to do and be in this life. But with the guidance of the Lord I know it can be done.

I had amazing opportunities to meet some women this weekend who spoke to my very soul today and at the end of the conference my sister and I stayed behind to speak with them and it was an honor.

I'm so grateful to spend the time with my sister.  I'm grateful for her friendship and her unending support. In fact she just helped me bathe and put to sleep four children all while helping to clean my house, go through Avetts clothes, and help me get organized.

"Because I have a sister...I will always have a friend."