The Benjamites

The Lord is teaching me contentment. To be honest, being a mom is a lot harder than I ever dreamed. Back in the day, when I would day dream about being a mom, I thought it was going to be this blissful experience where there was only laughter and total and complete obedience(the first time asked:) However, I've been at this mom thing for bout 4 years now and I think there is still this small part of me that thinks if I can figure out just the right formula then my days will be easy and carefree. While holding on to this tiny, improbable hope it has been hard for me to fully except this season I am in with small children.
The Lord has been showing me that once I give up all those expectations, most unrealistic, then I will be able to find joy in this season..... in my girls. I have come to embrace that I will mop up some kind of liquid after each meal, that my house will be filled little girls laughing together usually followed by little girls screaming at each other, and that my house will never look fully 'picked up'. Learning to let go of the unimportant and relish in the necessity is my new motto. The necessities? Learning to love my girls well and raising them to be lovers of Jesus. Slowing down to enjoy time together and experiencing the excitement of childhood. Focusing on hearts and not behaviors. And one of my favorites, watching sisters discover they are friends.

Perfecting bubble blowing skills

climbing to new heights

figuring out you can climb up the slide

drinking from the hose

experimenting with mommies make up

delighting in the results

love her!

finding sisters' sunglasses

painting a bird house

bird watching

insisting on wearing Caroline pj's around the house

July began with a much anticipated vacation with Benji's family. We went back to Perdido Key, which I love, and had a great time. Both girls enjoyed the ocean and the sand. Caroline especially enjoyed the pool. I have lots of pictures but I have to convert them before I can upload them. (its too complicated to explain)
Last week my sister and her boys came to TN for a visit. It was SOOOOO good to see her and her boys. Caroline and John Randall picked right up where they left off and seeing my sister could not have come at a more perfect time. She is truly my best friend it feels lonely sometimes being so far away from her. Here are some pics from her visit:J and 'sassy sissy': that's jada's new name for anna laura

anna laura trying to kiss Carter....so sweet!

Precious little faces

I walked in the room and Caroline and John Randall were watching TV like this

feeding baby goats

goofing off in DeDe's glasses

creating a new way to 'play' in the sprinklers

getting a tractor ride on Papa Horry's tractor

This past Sunday, Caroline and Anna Laura were dedicated at church. It was such a special day. Not only did we promise to commit ourselves to 'training our girls up in the way they should go' so that they might live their lives for the Lord but our church also committed to come along beside us and made the same promise as well. I am so thankful that we are not parenting alone, but within a community of believers who promise to 'tell the next generation the praise worthy deeds of our Lord.'
This is the prayer that we had prayed over our girls. We would love for you to join us in this prayer as well:
"We pray that Caroline and Anna Laura will not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. They will be like a tress planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3