Thank You, Soldiers

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, 

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the solider, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the solider, who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag."

Marshmallow Madness

We had our first bonfire of the year last night.

Roasting marshmallows, making s'mores, 

sitting and just staring at the fire.

It was chilly but nice

and it left me anxious for the (hopefully)

many more bonfires we'll have this year.

(just a side note):

If you ever give Ellie a s'more, 

she'll eat it, get it all over her hands..

and then turn into a wild animal.

Be warned.

First Bonfire Of The Year

"For His Word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones. 

I am weary of holding it in,

indeed I cannot.

                           -Jeremiah 20:9

An Audience of One

So what could I bring to honor Your majesty?

What song could I sing 

that would move the heart of royalty?

When all that I have 

is this life that You've given me.

So Lord let me live for You

my song with humility. 

And Lord as the love song of my life is played

 I have one desire:

To bring glory to Your name.

Snapshots From Thursday

Pictures of (one of) the cute faces 

I got to spend time with on Thursday.

Park playing, long walks, pb&j

those were just a few lovely things in my Thursday.

These Moments I Love

It's been one of those days.

The kiddos cry, they yell, they fight with each other. 

They don't want their vegetables or their mac n cheese.

You want to sit and cry on the floor with them.

But you come home, on your computer is this picture.

And you stop, and smile.

You think of Miss Carly, going down the slide

and giving you lots of smiles along the way.

You think of the tickle fights you had with Jake.

His squeals of glee and delight ring in your ears.

And you can still see Abby, walking around in your shoes.

She's grinning ear to ear, oh-so-very proud of herself.

And you realize, yes there are trying times.

But their smiles, their laughs, the things they say..

It makes it all worth it, and then some.

Quietly My Heart Seeks Your Face

"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face,'

Your face, O Lord, I will seek."

                       -Psalm 27:8

Happy Birthday!

Wishing you, little brother, a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday, dearest Sammy!

Isaiah 40:8

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever."

                                -Isaiah 40:8

Almost Here

The baseball gloves and bats are out.

Little girl's chalk drawings take over the sidewalk.

The neighborhood kids come by on Saturdays to play.

Summer. Is. Almost. Here.

Downtown Chicago