If I Could Line Up All the Little Boys & Girls In The Whole Wide World...

"If I could line up all the little boys in the world, I would choose YOU every time."

"If I could line up all the little girls in the world, I would choose YOU every time."

Two months ago, I began saying this to Sam, Anna and Abi. I wanted to convey to them how much I love and appreciate them. I want them to know they are special and unique. I want them to know they are cherished and wanted. When I say the phrase, their little faces light up with joy, Abi included. It's so fun for my mom heart.

Anna now tells me, "If I could line up all the little mommies in the whole wide world, I would choose Sara every time."

Anna says it with her little lisp, I love it. "If I could wine up awl da wittle mommies in da hou wide woiled, I would choose Sawa evewy time."

When Anna says it, I smile and say, "Anna, I'm not little, I'm big."

To which Anna says, "if I could line up all the little big mommies in the whole wide world, I would choose Sara every time." :)

My husband, Caleb, is the person who inspired me to begin saying that phrase to our children. For those of you who don't know, my husband is a preacher, and a darn good one if you ask me. He spoke at our church on Father's Day. Have a listen here if you want: Father's Day 2016 He talks more about the phrase if you listen.

Anyway, he began saying the phrase to our kids and I thought it would add more if it came from dad AND mom. We are a team, we are raising our kids together. We are in it together. 

The bottom line is, I love being a mom and I love my children, however sometimes saying "I love you" feels repetitive. Do they know what it means? Do they get it? How many times can you say "I LOVE YOU" before it sounds automatic? I love the image portrayed when I tell my kids "I would choose YOU every time". It wasn't my idea, it's not original to me, but it works. My kids love it, they know they are special.

Take a moment. Try it out. Remind your kids how much you love them and that you would choose them EVERY time. 

Moving...

We moved a few weeks ago. I am so thankful for the space we have.

We went from 700 sq ft to approximately 3000 sq ft.

Before we moved, I was thankful we had a place to call home. We had a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and we were living within our means.

When we has the opportunity to purchase the house we did, I was so thankful.

We moved and I continue to be so thankful. We have space for Sam to run around. We have a place that is easier to baby proof (which will keep Anna safe), we have room for Anna's crib (she was still in her bassinet!!!), we have room to have people over to visit without feeling cramped.

Our house is still in boxes. We are still unpacking. Caleb and I both work fulltime and we have two active kids. I want to spend my Saturdays hanging with Sam and Anna, not cleaning and unpacking, so I do a little bit at a time. And that's ok.

That means I have more time to figure out where to hang pictures, what color scheme I want, what furniture will work for our family.

Thankful. That sums up how I feel. Thankful for a place to call home. Thankful for no more moves in the foreseeable future; Caleb and I moved 4 times in 5 years!! Thankful for a place to create memories with Sam and Anna. Thankful for space. Thankful we are still able to live within our means.

I am thankful and grateful.

Good Stewardship

What does it mean to be a "good steward"?

We live in a country filled with wealth. You may not see it or believe it, but Americans are among the wealthiest people in the world.

How many cars do you have in your family? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you sometimes wonder: which pair of sneakers/boots/black shoes will you wear? Open up your fridge - do you have food?

Americans like choices and variety.

Walk into an ice-cream shop and you're bombard with 20+ different ice-cream flavors AND options for frozen yogurt.

If you're a little boy in India, you are grateful you own one pair of shoes and you would probably be thrilled at the prospect of enjoying a cool creamy ice-cream, no matter the flavor.

Are we Americans "good stewards" with what we've been given? Are we taking care of what we have?

That's not something I'm going to answer outright - but more a question to think about.

I would like to say yes, but the truth is, I don't know.

Fundamental

Last night Caleb and I went on a date.
We went last night.
The music was solid.
The food was delicious.
The company was wonderful.
And I hope we do it again.

It was called Fundamental at Opus Underground.
Great musicians: the Dejas, Venus Mars Project, Kevin William.
Sushi bar and delicious foods line "cubano" egg rolls - Caleb had those. I had the spicy salmon sushi.
Friends, lots of good friends and adult conversation ~ instead of babbling and answering many "why not?" questions.

Gordon College Homecoming - Russell Orchards & Crane Beach

a dear friend of mine came up for homecoming. she has a lovely blog here.

we spent part of the day at russell orchards and crane's beach.

it was lovely.

here's a picture i snapped & edited of her adorable son Behr.

if i get it together, i made add a few more lovely pictures. Sam & Behr had such a great time together.

Sam kept saying "behr" all day. even after we parted ways.

it's great to meet up with long-time friends.

and even better when our kids are friends!

a summer day

this summer i try to take advantage of my crane's beach sticker.
it's not always easy.
i work.
my son has a "schedule".
my "beach time" is usually his "dinner time".
some days i'm too tired to go to the beach.
i worked from 8am-5pm.
it's too much work to pack a few snacks, bathing suits, towel.
too much work to pack our things in the car.
too much work to lug it all onto the beach.
but, when i do it.
it's worth it.
i relax.
i listen to the sound of the water.
i feel the sand beneath my toes.
i watch sam chase the seagulls.
i watch sam splash into the water [even though it's 60 F].
we hang out.
we build sandcastles.
we splash.
we snack.
we do it again.
we go home.
sam falls asleep in the car.

40th Anniversary Celebration

During the past year, we have been celebrating my company's 40th Anniversary. It has been quite the feat and we have weathered ups and downs. I'm proud to say I work for Murray & MacDonald Insurance and I can honestly say I enjoy my job. I enjoy coming to work every day. Of course, I've experienced both good and bad during the five + years I've worked for Murray & MacDonald Insurance, but overall, I love what I do. I'm very thankful to have a job/career; it's an added bonus that I enjoy coming to work everyday.

We had two 40th Anniversary parties. One for our office in Bourne and one for our office in Falmouth. Our Bourne office is large enough to host indoors, so we did. Our Falmouth office is fairly small, so we rented a tent and had the party outdoors. It was a gorgeous night and everyone enjoyed themselves. Here's a video highlighting the event.

Cheers.