Month of LOVE Day 16

I love it when the babysitter texts, "Kids are ready for bed but finishing a movie. Take your time."

Month of LOVE Day 16

 I love having fun new adventures with friends.

This month has been crazy. I feel like every part of my life has been non stop. Curtis's work, homeschooling, church activities, traveling, basketball... it's been mostly good things, but crazy non the less. A couple weeks ago, I crashed out of total exhaustion. This past weekend, I was just ready to have some fun. Lucky for me, friends came into town and we were all able to hang out and take a break from reality.

We tried an escape room for the first time. In an escape room, 8 people are locked into a room and you have to follow clues to figure out how to escape. We had an absolute blast!! And we escaped with 6 minutes to spare.

Month of LOVE Day 15

I love when my kids are sweet to each other. 

I love when they have fun together. 

I love when they help each other. 

I love when the laugh together.

I love when they make memories together.

Month of LOVE Day 14

 I love making a big deal out of little, ordinary days. I love how my kids expect it, but also really enjoy it and are thankful for these over the top celebrations.

Before I left for GA, the boys told me that they were going to miss celebrating Valentine's Day together as a family. After our plane landed in Houston, we headed to dinner with our friend Morgan. On our way home, we stopped at Wal Mart so that I could stock up on a few supplies.

And Monday morning, just a day late, we celebrated Valentine's Day together.

Month of LOVE 13

I love the start of baseball season.

How handsome are these two?!?! 

Day of LOVE 12

 I love being part of the AHA (Aggieland Homeschool Athletics) family. Elizabeth played volleyball for this organization this past fall. Deciding to have the big boys and Elizabeth play basketball for them was an easy decision.

While Elizabeth and I were in Atlanta, Micah and Benjamin had a Regional basketball tournament in the Dallas area. I was SO disappointed to be missing their games! But I had moms, Curtis, and Twitter keeping me updated on scores and big plays my boys made. I'm thankful that there were so many people willing to keep me updated, love on my family, congratulate my kids and make m time away not feel so hard.

Month of LOVE Day 11

I've loved traveling with this sweet girl!

We are currently in Atlanta, visiting my sister and her family and celebrating the arrival of my new niece four weeks ago.

It's always fun to spend one on one time with the kids. But this is different. This time it's just me and Elizabeth, buying coffee and candy in the airport, flying across the country and loving on a baby. Though it's not as if we're simply hanging out together, we are really enjoying loving on my sister and her family together. I truly feel like you grow closer together when in service together.

We arrived in Atlanta last night, and fly home on Sunday. 3 more days of loving and serving and fun with this sweet girl!

Month of LOVE Day 10

I really love when my kids wear matching clothes.

Now that the boys are 9 (almost 10!), 8 and 6, I know my matching outfit days are numbered. So when they humor me, like in the picture above, I know it's because they love me. They know it's a fun thing for me. They know it makes my momma heart happy.

I really love the way these boys show their love for me.

Month of LOVE Day 9

 I absolutely love these four!!

Day of LOVE Day 8

I love a good sale!

Between the three boys, I got 2 pairs of pajamas, 2 character hoodies, 3 short sleeved shirts and 9 long sleeved shirts for just under $75!

I also love that my kids were just as excited about my purchases as I was. Elizabeth exclaimed, "Wow!!!  You didn't even hit $100! That's impressive for Target."

Indeed it is!

Month of LOVE Day 7

I love these friends.

I love the memories that we have with them for the past 17 years.

I love that they've shared some of the best moments in life with us.

I love the way they've walked through fire with us.

I love that our kids have friendships with each other.

I love that we're all missing watching the Superbowl or chick flicks with each other right now.

I love that we get to see them next month!!!

Month of LOVE Day 6

I love watching my kids play sports.

Sure, there are days when I wonder what the heck we've gotten ourselves into. Between the practices, the games, the traveling for away games, the washing of jerseys, the coordinating of carpools, the texting.... whew!!! It's enough to wear a girl out.

But it's worth it.

I love seeing how sports help my kids grow and mature. I love seeing how they learn life lessons through sports. I love seeing the friendships they form. I love seeing them succeed. I love being the one to give them pep talks and hugs when they fail. I love to show them how they are winners even when the score board doesn't say they are.

I recently read an article about "why I don't pay for dance". Basically, it was about how as parents, we don't pay for dance lessons (or sports) but for the opportunity that dance (or sports) provides. That is EXACTLY how I look at it. I don't just pay for sports for the sake of watching my kids play. As a family we do sports because of the life long lessons that the kids learn when playing. 

Sports is more than just a game and a score. And I love seeing my kids have the opportunities that sports provide. 

Month of LOVE Day5

I love getting fresh air.

I love having friends who listen.

Month of LOVE Day 4

I love hearing the sound of my kids playing together. Goodness knows there are moments when laughter turns to frustration and anger. But more often than not, the kids are friends and not enemies. More often than not, there's laughter and not tears. More often than not, I'm enjoying what I hear.

These moments of pure joy are fleeting, I've been a parent long enough to realise that. And from my understanding, one of these days my home will be quiet. Though there are times when I b wish for some quiet, I'm deeply thankful for the sweet sounds in the backyard.

Month of LOVE Day 3

I love waking up to the smell of coffee.

And on mornings when I wake up and haven't slept well, or wake up feeling overwhelmed by the day before me, I especially love waking up to the smell of coffee that I didn't have to make!

Today was extra special because Curtis had cold coffee to take to work and didn't need to make a fresh pot. But he did. Because he loves me. And he knew I had a busy day and hadn't slept well. I so appreciate and love those daily acts of service and love!

Month of LOVE Day 2

I love Timothy!

To be totally real for a moment, let me explain that this little guy was the one who sent me into my frantic praying yesterday. This little guy is why 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind during my time of prayer. And this little guy is making me CRAZY. I don't understand the way his brain works. I don't understand his words (or lack of words!). I don't understand his actions. I don't understand what motivates him. I don't understand his heart or how to discipline and get to his heart. 

At first Curtis and I decided it was just a phase. We have now decided that this is not a phase but rather a steamy hot mess. 

I'm struggling with how to show Timothy Christ, the gospel and grace. And then 1 Corinthians came to mind. Love is patient, kind and not easily irritated. 

Of course I love Timothy! But now the challenge is to show him my love even when he's being unlovable.

So happy birthday, Timothy! I hope this year that I will be able to show you how much a love you, even when you're making me crazy.

The month of LOVE Day 1

February. The month of love. The month where we florists and card companies make all their month. The month where we get to focus on that special someone.

But for me, it's also a birthday month, a busy basketball month, the month I get to travel to see my new niece and in theory, the month where I kill it homeschooling to make up for December and the first part of January.

As the month of love starts, I find myself feeling overwhelmed, insufficient, incapable and tired. I know that at times I'm being less than loving to my family. During some frantic "filly me up real quick, Jesus!!" prayer time, the verses from 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (verses 2-8)

In the past I've done the month of Thankfulness during the month of November. This month, in an attempt to keep my focus on God's goodness, graces, mercies and blessing, I'm going to have the month of LOVE. Every day, I will post about something/someone/a situation that I love. 

Day 1: I LOVE it when a scripture verse comes to mind and encourages and convicts me.