All knowing, All powerful, I am in awe of You, my God

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Job 11:17-19
"Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety."

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Psalm 139:11-14
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

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Deuteronomy 33:12

"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders."

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My little man

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Joy, smiles, energy, imagination...

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A much needed summer haircut... alleviates some of the sweaty, stickiness from this little boy's usually thick head of hair.

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Nothing makes my day brighter than a genuine smile, sparked by good old imagination and enjoyment of life! A glow that radiates trust, contentment and peace. Such joy, real joy cannot be fashioned, wielded or contrived by earthly things or circumstances. The things of this world try to bog down my adult, "grown-up" mind and heart with sorrow, loss of hope and the disillusion that everything is unraveling as life continues in a downward spiral... My Saviour, through our little ones' naivety to the world, reminds me daily that true inner joy is not found in "things" or circumstances but in my overall attitude towards life, a curiosity and excitement for the unknown things to come, the new adventures around that next corner... and smiling just because... God, at all times, has all of His children in His very capable and loving hands.

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Cherries and Apples

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YUMMY!

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Along with my kids, I've managed to get outside almost everyday for a few minutes... I love the outdoors, the smell of flowers and fresh air, the sounds of birds singing, kids playing and water gurgling, the feel of the warm sunshine and the feel of a soft breeze on my skin, the satisfaction of gardening, weeding and tending to my many needy plants... needless to say being imprisoned, busy indoors with a new little one, recovering from surgery, along with trying to keep up with my four older children and household chores has left me longing for a little energy and time to get OUTSIDE! As I am sitting here on our Chaise nursing my baby, I am already planning a walk this afternoon with the youngest two of my beautiful children, to the Supermarket for a freshly made strawberry, blueberry and banana smoothie along with one of my new fave snacks, a Cashew Boomi Bar... Memaw has taken the older three girls swimming this afternoon, which they live for, LOVE!

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This morning, however, we did make it outside to water and feed our potted plants, play with our neighborhood friends and eat a very yummy snack of cherries and apple slices... simple pleasures, but pleasures they are indeed!

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Marvelous!

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"If anyone thinks he is religious & does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, & to keep oneself unstained from the world."

James 1:26-27

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Unscathed

We're home and getting jolted into a new normal. I can't say I was surprised having done this 4 other times before! Haha, but you forget the enormous fatigue and lack of sleep that come along with a new little, precious bundle of joy!

I am looking forward to having all of my beautiful kiddos back under one roof (they have been crashing it, a little unwillingly so, at Memaw's house's for the past week) so I can recover a bit from my c-section having most of my husband's help... I am still having doubts about whether I'll be able to handle our new normal!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

I know these verses to be true, so I will choose to believe and have faith in each new day, that God will be there to guide me, lift me up and give me strength to endure. The special moments, the little snippets of time where things are wonderful, beautiful... when you want to pause life... I believe will far outweigh and greatly leave pale in comparison, the inevitable sleepless nights, needy children and messy house.

My trust is in you, Lord. My joy is found in you and in you I will rest, knowing you will bring me through and not by the hair on my chinny chin chin( sorry I couldn't help myself) but marvelously, breathtakingly, stupendously, unscathed is how we will march out of and perceive the seemingly endless days in this season of change.

We have had many visits with our wonderful kids, and last time, my first-born helped me wash our little fifth blessing's face. She loves to be a helper around the house.

My little angel took the pictures, here are a few from her point of view...

My second in command was only able to stay for a moment then had to be whisked off to gymnastics. My little man is warming up to my fifth blessing and gave her a sweet kiss... I was able to read some books with him and have a little cuddle time...

Thank you Lord for our family! Bind our hearts together and draw us closer... to you.