at least one of us is good at science projects

The non-scientist me did NOT want to work on this year's project. I would have if I was needed. But since Rick was more than willing to take on this project from start to finish, I graciously bowed out and let the 2 of them go to town.

The controlling mom in me felt guilty for not participating. Every time I saw the board and the lettering and the construction paper I felt guilty that I wasn't putting it all together or instructing what step was next.

And then it hit me. They need this. My role as mom is fulfilled in so many ways throughout the day. And Rick's role as dad is as well, but they need this. This bonding time. This thing that belongs to only them. This memory to share forever. Science doesn't have to be my thing. It should be Rick's thing.

And I am more than ok with that. I am at peace that I didn't have to hypothesize and conclude and list materials. And I am thrilled that our son formed special memories with his awesome dad.

Win-Win.

bigger picture moment: {gifts from God}

Y'all, work has been hard. I don't ever write about work here, because this is a public space and I keep my work totally separate, but it has been hard lately. Busy, trying, draining, and exhausting. Ya know, WORK.

But God has sent a couple of sweet gems my way and I just wanted to share. Yesterday as I sat at my desk eating lunch, exhaling deep sighs of I'm so ready for today to be over, my phone buzzed right next to my keyboard, and it was a friend from my Bible study texting me. Her text started out saying she was praying I have a better day at work and went on to say I'm walking in the Light, I'm His beautiful daughter, etc. She sent her text at the most perfect time, and sent such sweet peace my way.

And today when I got home from work, there was a handmade card in the mail from another friend in my Bible study saying she was thinking of me and wanted to send a card to say hello.

God builds you up when you feel worn down. And He does it in the most special, amazing ways.

Recently I've prayed for more of a desire to draw near to the Lord, because if we are all honest, it is so easy to get too busy and put prayer time aside. And if I am really honest, the thought of pure, quiet time alone with Him is quite intimidating to me. Since the beginning of my walk with Jesus, I have tended to pray in my head and that doesn't always work out so well because it is so easy to just get distracted and start thinking about other things. So, I made the decision to pray out loud and see how that went. And whoa, what a difference! Speaking out loud to God changes EVERYTHING. And when I'm left alone with Him, pouring out my heart, I find myself wanting to thank Him for everything and by the end of prayer I am in a different mindset, wanting to bring Him glory because He so deserves it.

And I believe in answer to my prayer desire to draw closer to the Lord, He has provided amazing revelations each time I trust in talking to Him. He is sharing so much with my heart, that I have been blessed with a new desire to draw near to my Lord.

Hallelujah, Amen.

 

check out more bigger picture moments at Jade's site today. 

invited

Avalon has been enrolled in a gymnastics class for a about 5 months now. She ADORES gymnastics, and even watches tv doing headstands. Her coach was the head girls' team coach and he mentioned a couple of months ago that he saw potential in Avalon and was going to try and put together a pre-team class soon, and thought she would be great for it. But he wanted her to keep practicing and get a bit stronger and he would let me know when the class was created.

Two weeks ago,  that coach (and one other team coach) left. Just one day they had their beef with management and left without notice. So, Avalon's class was assigned a new coach and that was that. No big deal, everyone was still having fun.

Her gym is closed on Monday for Memorial Day, so last week I scheduled a make-up class for her this morning. Funny thing, I forgot I scheduled it until 15 minutes before the class started, so we almost missed it! But instead we just arrived with mom having a bit of bedhead and no make-up. I'm sure it's not the first time they've seen moms roll out of bed into their gym.

So, Avalon was going through the make-up class with a strange coach she's never had before, and it hit me that her old coach had mentioned a pre-team class. So, I went to the office and asked if anything ever came about it, and the lady in the office said, "Ya know, let me go mention your daughter to coach Eileen and she what she says, she does the testing for team."

And off she went and I watched Eileen steal Avalon from her class and ask her to join all of the big girls. And I watched Eileen watch Avalon, cartwheeling and doing pullovers and hanging with all the kids 3 years older than her, and I knew.

I knew she was shining, and I knew she had no idea she was being watched and it was just awesome to witness it all. It brought back floods of memories to the day I was "tested" by the girls' team coach from my regular class with coach Javier, and I pondered how my parents must have been so proud, all the while I had no idea.

Eileen came up to me during the water break and said Avalon is amazing and so strong and she would love to invite her to join the pre-team class on Thursdays.

We let her finish the class and it wasn't until we got to the car that I told her what had happened and asked if she wanted to switch into the new class. Her ear-to-ear grin said it all. I'm sure the same way mine said it all to my parents.

I am so excited for her.

this is not Eileen, this is the coach Eileen stole Avalon away from  ;)

moving brunch from preschool to grandma's house

The Friday before Mother's Day is typically Mother's Day Tea at Avalon's preschool. This is her last year at that school (::sniffle::) and we already had plans to be out of town that day for Rick's dad's memorial service. Avalon was really upset about this, so much that she refused to join the family on the trip to Seattle, so I needed to think fast.

Since we were going to be with family, including lots of mothers, I came up with the idea of having the tea party....at Grandma's house in Seattle! Avalon was instantly intrigued, so we starting talking about the details.

Of course there would have to be tea involved. For her it would be apple juice, but for the rest of us she wanted real tea brewed and poured. And her school always serves those little mini muffins, so those were a must as well. We had everything figured out and I asked Avalon if there was anything else she wanted to make the day special. Her reply? I want everyone's face painted.

Why, that's a great idea! There's nothing better than mamas, grandmas and aunts getting hearts and butterflies drawn on their cheeks to match the little kids' faces of bunnies and ogre aliens.

Grandma even brought out her best tea cups, sharing stories behind ear one as it was brought out. Avalon chose who was to drink out of each cup. And mine was chosen especially for me, her mama.

What a treat it was to share Mother's Day with so many mothers in our family. Only thing missing was my mama (and the mothers on my side of the family), but maybe next year we can stop by her house and paint her face. 

ferry ride

this weekend we went up to Seattle for my father-in-law's second memorial service. I am still processing the beauty and peace of our 4 day trip, but I really wanted to post these 2 pics to start off any blogging I may or may not end up doing to cover the experience.

Trip to Seattle with Loudoun at age 6 months, August 2004

Trip to Seattle, May 2012

Picture taken by Miss Avalon

Aww look, we're all growing up. ;)