~Bokeh~

i am fully aware that in real life, no kid has "bokeh" all around them
they all have attitudes,
stain their clothes,
get sick,
pout,
wake up in the middle of the night wanting water,
and are generally speaking, exceptionally needy, 
but I would swear that this girl exudes "bokeh"
she is full of life
and simply,
the best surprise ever.

~stacey

~NotesFromToday~

1. It's just never fun when one of your kids tells you they feel a little lonely. It's even worse when they maturely say, "I mean, it's fine, don't worry, but I'm just saying…that I do."
The Holy Spirit reminds me that:
"By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life." (2 Peter 1:3)
So I say truthfully,
"Focus on who you can bless….someone who may need a friend that you can be a friend to….and pray about this. Tell God how you feel. He knows your needs…every one of them. He made you for fellowship and will meet that need for you. In the meantime, look outward…..BE a blessing to someone."

….see, I fully believe that pity parties happen when you are self-centered and "me focused".
Of course, we need people but:

"And this same God who takes care of me WILL supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

God is the only answer to our needs.
Our need for self worth
for provision
for satisfaction
for joy.
He IS the only lasting answer.

If it's true for me, it's true for my kids.

We Mamas just have to take off the mommy hat that makes us want to scream, pitch a fit, or punch somebody,
and instead,
put on the spiritual mentor hat…
 because after all, these little ones in our homes that we call our children are actually little adults we are stewarding.

2. Tonight my 5 year old gave her friend two, TWO slap bracelets.
Initially, I was SO proud.
(You have to understand the attachment to these coveted bracelets to understand why I was so proud of this unprompted act of generosity)
We get in the car after church and I say,
"Baby, I am so proud that you gave away two of your bracelets!"
"Well, it's fine, because I did not like doze colors anyway, but she loved dem."
(pretty sure you don't get credit for giving something away that you don't really like)
she is, after all, just 5…..so I'm still a little proud.

3. Super Target for groceries is a great idea in theory but in reality, I park on the right side of the store (mistake #1)
I get completely distracted by the $6.99 Emma size shorts, and the shoes, and the picture frames,
that by the time I make it to the grocery side, I'm worn out.
I usually make it to the milk, toilet paper, and produce, and that's it.
I'm o.u.t.

4. I completely lost it with my third grader in math today.
I always think of my mom and how she was always more intense than my Dad when it came to school.
She was never out of line but definitely more "passionate". (I love you, Mama.)
Now I'm sort of glad, and I'm like,
"man. I get it. I totally understand why she was like,"
'NO! THIS IS AN ADVERB!! AN ADVERB ANSWERS HOW, WHEN, WHERE, HOW OFTEN, AND TO WHAT EXTENT!!"
I mean, I feel her pain.
All these years later.
I have nothing but respect for her teaching the four of us knuckle heads all those years.
She will have extra jewels in her crown in heaven for sure.
Back to me, yes, I apologized but brain cramps in your own kids/students are really, really frustrating. (especially when the kid is really rather bright)

5. THESE are my downfall.
Good thing Brad only brings them home once a year.

We are all messes in some degree.
Love your kids.
For heavens' sake, TEACH them.
Don't throw in the towel.
Extend to them the love and grace you want extended to yourself.
Tell them the truth even when it hurts.
Every once in a while, picture your littles as adults. It's an interesting change of perspective.
If you go to Target to buy groceries, park on the FOOD side.
Say you're sorry when you mess up.
DONT eat chocolate covered macadamia nuts. (that way, there's more for me)

"Superman" ice cream.

The reward for showing initiative in the Wall household.

Raindrops are miraculous.

~stacey

~DIY Incomplete~

We went to Lowes.

We got everything exactly as specified.

This "little simple quick easy fun no-sew" DIY would be a cinch.

Historically, Brad and I are not habitual DIY kind of people.

I mean, I have a glue gun, which I do actually sometimes use,
Brad is a master hanger and stud finder,
I can sew a button on,
but that is pretty much the extent of our DIY-ness.

The problem is,
I have lots of ideas that I am unwilling to pay top dollar for.
Most times, my Dad, Brad, and my Mom are the Terrific Trio and I play the role of Chief Observer and Helper Person. We they get all kinds of things done. 
Mom and Dad are out of town and because I am notoriously impatient, I searched up a handy dandy detailed instruction of this little project I wanted completed THIS weekend.

We had just finished lunch, Brad had just finished hours of turkey hunting
which translated to a sense of eternal gratitude on his part to me. 
(I really don't mind his hunting but he considers four hours in the woods a luxury and is always profusely thankful that I "let" him do it.) ….works for me.

"Baby", he says.
"Lets go do this. I'm actually even excited about it!"
I respond sweetly, appropriately, but sarcastically with,
"May the force be with us, Luke."

He chuckles and in classic Brad Humor says,
"Honey, there ain't nothin' up there in that play room that can make me mad. I've prayed over myself and I am r.e.a.d.y. Come on, let's go."

I laughed so hard my eyes teared up because I know him so well.
Oh it's funny.

Let me just say that two or three hours, one drill, 5 holes, endless twine, 10 feet of cut, ripped, and stretched canvas, a ton of ridiculous laughter, no cuss words, and all patience intact later, he's napping and I'm on the back porch. 

Project?
Oh no, it's not done.
I "picked" the first instruction set I found. 
Who does that? A little more research would have been smart.
But that's okay.
Today is not the day but it won't lick us...we will get it done.
Sometimes there is wisdom in waiting.
Almost 18 years into marriage, 
I've learned when to fish and when to cut bait.
I've learned when to say when.
I've learned to live to fight another day.
And thank God I've learned a little of the value of sometimes being able to laugh when things don't go as planned.

~stacey

p.s. the project was a teepee…..should've mentioned that earlier….curiosity did kill the cat, ya know.

~BestEasterEver~

Definitely my favorite Easter so far.

I feel like I've said that before but I am confident this is really it.

For us, Easter isn't Easter bunnies or a miniature Christmas level of gift getting.

Yes, there are baskets, usually before Sunday, that have some candy in them. Yes, we color and hunt eggs, we put a little extra thought into looking extra special on Sunday morning, but that's about 20% of our weekend.

Easter is the celebration of my Savior.
It's a concentrated time to focus on His ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus gave His life for me….and you.
I so cannot fathom His being willing to live, serve, teach, suffer, and die for me…..
I'm left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
I owed a debt I could never repay.
He covered it.
Paid it in full
He, Abba Father, as our Pastor reminded us today,
is searching for,
looking for,
and longing for us!

Some of my family was able to be here this weekend.
My Brad, my Mom, and brother-in-law were chefs extraordinaire.
We had ham, smoked chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs.
We had friends over that brought pineapple casseroles, broccoli casseroles, and desserts that were the best...in the history of ever. 
:-)

we enjoyed fellowship with people who have like hearts and minds.
we have been blessed by friendships with people who are
givers~
easy to be with~
leaders~
low maintenance~
of good character~
servant minded ~
and just plain fun~

PreK Easter egg hunt

in the mud, no less, but such fun

these three on the front row here…

is there a more perfect picture of the things we ask our kids to do 

that make absolutely no sense to them?

these babies were so preciously cooperative for the preschool Easter photo op

but I think it's pretty obvious….

they couldn't care less…

but still they compliantly stood there

as long as they could possibly stand it.

I just love them 

I am pretty sure that I am blessed to be a part of a

community with an inordinate number of stellar parents

who are just a few years behind me...

rearing some stellar children.

keep up the good work, mamas and daddies!

these little ones are priceless~

~squishy babies are the best~

~Sunday Morning~

~The 6 of us~

I sometimes can't believe all these are my people. 

I don't deserve them.

~All The Grands~

I've never seen better looking or more kind hearted grandparents.

Thank you, Lord for a Godly heritage.

this baby is not even mine, 

but I would claim him in a second.

i recently told his mama

that if he ever went missing

to come check my house first.

Sweet sister and her family.

If you looked up the word "servant"in the dictionary, "Ashley" would be the definition

Jon is a magic worker in the kitchen and is the king of organization

Lauren is the best big girl cousin you could ever want

Anna Kate is the perfect playmate for my girls.

My nephew just enlisted with the United States Marine Corps.

#proudaunt

~ready to hunt for some eggs…or balls
… as some little ones called them~

 

it's pretty humbling when God brings people into your life who do nothing but enrich it.

these people are life GIVERS…not life TAKERS.

you know the difference.

My little town is blessed with some fine people

and these definitely fall into that category.

oh and did I mention that we are on spring break this week?

I may or may not have stayed in bed until 10:00 this morning (thanks to my mom)

I won't say I live for school breaks but I will say that

humanly speaking…..not much makes me happier!!

~stacey