This Season

I just read a blog post from an older mom with kids in elementary school,
as I read her reflection of where she is with her kids.
 and how she misses them as they are gone so much of the day now,
I couldn't help but get teary,
it gave me perspective and appreciation,
in this season I am in, there are days when I want to pull my hair out,
and I seem to always look forward to time away from my kids, some time for myself,
but also this season has sweet, beautiful moments.
I know the future holds wonderful things and new experiences.
But I love this "slower" life we have right now, time at home with my babies.
Time to just be, to learn, to teach, to experience my kids day in and day out.
I love that we have days where we can wake up and decide what we want to do.
We aren't forced to go from one activity to another. We have margin,
I hope we always have margin.
I love that I could sit with Brooks tonight, just me and him eating dinner, and I got to talk to him all about our big weekend at Disney, we weren't rushed to do homework, get bathed, and ready for bed and another day at school.
I know that those days will be here before we know it.
So I want to try to remember this when he has a tantrum and I just want him to grow up.
I cringe at the thought of the day when I only see my boys just a few rushed hours of the day.
I know I don't have to enjoy every minute right now,
I know I won't enjoy every minute right now,
but I want to remember that this isn't forever,
that these slower days are not forever.
I want to remember the good,
there is so much good.
Thank you God for these boys in my life,
my heart is so full,
thank you.

Preview of post to come of our magical Disney weekend!

Provision

I just have to take a moment to note some provision in our life lately.
Trip and I are so blessed,
we have so much,
more than we need truly.
But the cost of living in Atlanta on Trip's salary alone is hard.
Without me working, it's hard.
But right now Trip is called to Young Life and I feel called to stay home with our kids.
We have had two instances lately that have been crazy reminders of God's provision.
One was a complete random, unexpected surprise gift from a friend,
the other one being this morning when I cringed looking at our bank account, I just felt this yucky weight of money pressures and about 5 minutes after closing my computer I received a phone call  regarding some unexpected extra $ coming our way.
Unbelievable,
I shouldn't be surprised, because God always provides, always. Even when it doesn't look the way I think it should look, he always provides.
He is sufficient,
but he loves us enough to give us way more than we could ever want or need.
A reminder from Phillipians:
"And my God will meet all the Doster's needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

And some recent photos!

first time at the Varsity, he loved it!

Braves game with his new hat, he made it on the big screen and won the "shake" contest

he is turning into a baseball fan for sure!

first day of mothers morning out at JFBC, he loves it.
no tears just runs right into his classroom

he loves dinner time

enjoying the day with just the two of us!

6 months

Ford's 6 months ( a little late posting)
Ht- 26.5 in (25-50%)
Wt- 19.3 (75-85%)
Head- 43.8 cm (50-75%)

He's doing great, he's got his first two teeth coming in.
He loves his jumpy seat,
He's started baby food,
He's close to sitting up on his own but not yet.
He loves attention, he smiles anytime someone gives him a glance.
And he loves watching Brooks.
We fall more and more in love with you everyday Ford!
I can't wait to see what his little personality grows into. I think he might be kinda silly and like to laugh like his mom, but who knows!

Potty training update,

Brooks is doing so great! He's really getting it and has few accidents!

Our potty training week in the mountains with Lanier was a great help!

I think we should do the same for Ford and Liza when their time comes.

So thankful to have Trip home after 10 days away. Our summer is coming to an end. Sad but also ready for some schedule and football season!!!

Potty Training

Lord help me!
Seriously,
Lord help me!
Day 2 of potty training here.
I could punch my hand through a wall.
Trip left yesterday for 10 days on a Young Life trip to Canada.
Somehow in my mind it made sense to start our 3 day intense potty training after he left.
So I am staying home for 3 days trying to get this potty training somewhat figured out with Brooks.
Homebound for 3 days without Trip, great idea Rebecca.
We have probably gone through about 11 pairs of underwear in the last 2 days.
Today was an improvement from yesterday but still lots of accidents.
It's hard having to stay home and stay so focused on him ALL DAY.
I know the accidents are to be expected from the beginning.
But it is so frustrating.
I know he will get it.
I just hope it's sooner rather than later.
Finally, after I put both kids to bed, ate my dinner and watched my trashy reality television shows,
I sat with the Lord (priorities are all out of whack over here).
Something I haven't done much of lately.
In my time I realized yet again that I need Jesus.
I have been trying to do so much on my own.
I have been relying on my own efforts and it's not working.
As a result I have been very impatient with Trip and my kids.
I am constantly trying to figure myself out as a mom and sometimes I get caught up in doing it myself.
I don't let others in to help, including Jesus.
I don't mean to do it this way,
life just starts happening and I forget to bring Jesus into it with me.
So many gross symptoms of this are creeping into my life and I hate it.
I hate me without Jesus.
I hate to think of what I am offering my family when I offer myself without Jesus.
It's much harder without Jesus, it's not always easy with him, but I know it's much harder without him.
I don't beat myself up over it,
because I know that's not what Jesus wants me to do.
It's refreshing for me to realize my need for my God.
I think it's healthy, because we are always going to slip, fall away from him. It's inevitable.
It's finding our way back that means the most.
I believe that brings God the most Joy.
While my kids bring me so so so much joy and love that I never thought possible,
I know that if I don't come to Jesus more often, I am never going to make it through this world as a mom and a wife. Because right now, everything they do is driving me crazy!
I am praying for this:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.............and over all these put on love, which binds them all together." Colossians 3:12-14
 So,
Lord Help Me!

photo of the day

The Beach

We have had such a great summer.
We had two wonderful weeks at the beach after our time in Colorado.
We had a packed house for the week of the 4th of July, 8 kids under 3 and 10 adults.
Crazy fun.
Trip had an incredible week at Frontier while we were at the beach and he met us for our second week down there for some good quiet family time.
Brooks doesn't know what to do now that he's at our boring house with nobody to play with.
Brooks has gained a lot of confidence in the pool after some swim lessons and LOVES it.
Although I would hardly call him a swimmer, he loves it so much.
He had a blast playing with his cousins.
He is saying more and more things that he hears from us which is funny and scary at the same time!
His favorite songs right now are "Cruise" and "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord Oh My Soul).
When he tries to sing "10,000 reasons" it melts my heart. He says "mommy play Oh My Soul" it makes me so happy. He wants to hear it over and over again. Something about a little kid singing worship is just the sweetest.
He also says "is" at the end of every question. "Where is daddy is?"
And he is asking ALOT of questions, "why, why, why?"
Not always sure how to tackle the "why's".
We are constantly amazed at Brooks and how observant he is.
He is incredible with directions in the car. He recognizes how to get places all the time.
He also is great at remembering where stuff is in the house.
He can always tell us where his shoes are or where Bernie is.
Ford is gaining more and more personality. Still super smiley and we have his 6 month appointment coming up!
While the days are long, the months are flying by.
Trying to enjoy these days as I know it's a short season in the blip of life.
Sometimes it feels like we will forever be in car seats and diapers and the task of leaving the house to go somewhere seems monumental but I know it's not forever.
This summer has been special in that I have had a lot of quality time with the boys.
At Crooked Creek I just followed Brooks around camp all day and had no distractions with him,
at the beach we played in the pool together and played on the beach with no distractions.
No errands to run or wasting time on the computer or watching T.V.
Just a lot of time focused on my kids.
Which is hard in so many ways,  exhausting, especially when Trip is out of town or busy working. But I have to be thankful for it because I feel like a really know my kids. I really really do. I am thankful for the time.
Next on the list,
Trip is out of town for 10 days on a hiking trip with YL kids and we are going to tackle potty training!
Yikes!!!!
So many fun memories made this summer!

4th of July parade

wonder what they are talking about?

first time in the pool, loved it!

first time eating baby food, loved it!

brother love

blue eyes

William and Henry in the parade

Ford and Liza in the parade

watching a movie

William showing Ford some love

Home from Crooked Creek

I am sitting in my living room,
reflecting on my time at camp.
We got home last night and I am feeling a little sad.
Although it was great to sleep in my own bed last night,
I already miss my community at Crooked Creek.
Saturday night we watched 205 kids stand up and decide to follow Christ.
205,
that's a beautiful thing.
That's what gives me life.
That's what makes me forget about all the things I don't have,
and makes me remember what I do have.
It makes me thankful for this mission of Young Life.
I am amazed that God still chooses to use it.
It works,
it still works.
God still uses a week at YL camp to brings kids to him.
I have never experienced such a powerful "real life" at camp as I did this past month.
The life stories shared were incredible, and I have no doubt that God used them to bring so many teenagers to him.
To see a room full of leaders with broken stories, changed from death to life and then give their time and energy to a bunch of teenagers is awesome to watch.
One person on our assign team was hiking with a camper and the camper looked at her and said "why are you being so nice to me? Nobody is ever nice to me" and this girl stood up Saturday night and decided to follow Christ. That's just one of example of so many stories like that.
YL is imperfect, run by a bunch of imperfect people but amidst all of it, God shows up and and does incredible things.
I can't really put into words what this past month has meant to me.
But one word comes to mind and that is "thankful".
Thank you God for taking me out of my little world, and placing me in a heavenly place.
Thank you for taking me to a place where I can truly be known, and I can truly be loved.
Thank you for taking me to a place where your hand is so big and your work is so clear.
Thank you for taking me to a place where I am little and you are big.
Thank you for taking me to a place where the conversations are deep and laughter is large!
Thank you for taking me to a place where my mind is clear and my heart is focused on things above.
Thank you for taking me to a place where hearts are broken but given the hope of you.
Thank you for taking me to a place where people graciously serve others with no agenda.
Thank you for taking me to a place where death becomes life and despair becomes hope.
Thank you God.

I haven't had a chance to upload all my pics but here are some.

bath with Fisher McCleskey

taking a stroll by the creek

just being cool

First time on a horse! He was so brave!

Great friends at camp.
Ben David, George, Jacob, Avery Kate, Ellie, and Lincoln

Trip's character. Leroy Hare, the evil Easter bunny.