family blogcast.

i'm never one that's comfortable when things fall behind, like my blog. it causes brain cramps for an extended amount of time, therefore, putting it off even more. and just because it hasn't been posted most definitely doesn't mean it hasn't been happening. with one blink, as usual, our summer was here and now it's drifted away like the dried up dandelions. school has started {and for more than just one of us!}, schedules are still finding their place amidst unexpected sickness and unplanned happenings that life always has to offer, and new opportunities have presented themselves through growth and experience. life has taken on a new journey this fall and with it, i'm bringing what i've learned over the summer...

the more sporadically i do things, usually the more fun they are. why add complication to kid's crafts and activities when the main thing they want is to spend time with you? i learned that joy is spent in a few moments of crazy, messy fun with a side of sporadic sprinkled for good measure.
our sweet friends came over one morning to make waffles via 'kids culinary institute'...learning how to measure, crack eggs, stir properly, and create fluffy masterpieces oozing with butter.

how cute in all their aprons, yes?!
i'm learning more and more to just kinda let miley do her thing. here she is, no harm or mess being done, simply talking to grammy on the phone. grammy had mentioned coming to see her on an airplane, so miley jumped up on the ottoman to peek out the window in hopes of seeing that special airplane. on most days, miley girl is spinning around like a tornado, using her imagination with whatever she can get her hands on. this is where i'm easing up a bit and just letting her make her tremendous messes and working even harder with her on learning how to pick them up.
over the summer, miley bug has also found a new fascination with poofy "'rora-belle" dresses, as she calls them. she wants to wear anything that spins every.single.day. this is her ladybug outfit that was gifted from a friend. she simply adores it! she prances around the house on her tippy toes and lightly flips the petal bottom with her hands as she dances. you should have seen her the other day at walmart...lady bug dress and all.
and here's our little scholar - daddy's not the only one with the studies now. after the first couple of weeks of kindergarten, both mommy and pupil have learned so much! i, personally, have grown already as her teacher and mommy, learning some hard lessons about myself in patience and gratitude for the opportunity to watch jess blossom every day. she is such an eager learner and wants to do things on her own timetable. she loves saying, "i know" to pretty much every new concept we do, giving me the 'graceful' opportunity to politely teach her that she doesn't {*wink}. she's excelling at math, loves it{!}, and her handwriting improves everyday she practices. she's reading more and more words all on her own as we go through the '100 easy lessons' curriculum. she's a fast learner and i'm learning to stay caught up with her!

i can't really put into words how busy i've 'felt'. wondering if i've really been that busy is up for debate, i suppose. true, i've added lots to my agenda and my health has continually gotten worse, but God's faithfulness keeps me going and His grace steadies my steps. i have so many stories to tell and thoughts to convey, but never seem to have the right words to tell them the way they should be told. the Lord's goodness is such a beautiful thing...i don't want to mess it up with my inaccurate and incapable descriptions.

my prayer is that i have the continued strength to keep going, but more, that i have the strength to leave the story behind. i don't want my girls to miss out on what the Lord is doing in my life because of my lack of confidence or ability to do it. He is so very good and His truth is what i have left to dwell on at the end of every day. they need to know. and i need to remember.