Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

relax and laugh…

Today’s devotional in Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling is so beautifully said and freeing. A reminder to ignore the whispers of the enemy that take the form of guilt. A reminder that our loving God wants us to experience joy in abundance. 


“Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don’t take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you.”


After a perfect day yesterday celebrating Dave for Father’s Day, I can’t help but think of how fitting Sarah’s words are this morning. Relax, laugh, enjoy these days.

We spent the day experiencing quiet moments tucked away from the world. Moments of joy. We stepped away from our responsibilities. We slowed our pace. We deeply inhaled the fragrance of summer – heavy air dripping with humidity – and escaped to the luxury of a mid-afternoon movie date while a sweet neighbor read to our sleepy boys and stayed home for us while they napped.

The day was steeped in holy moments.

That evening, we were ushered into His kingdom by the laughter of our boys.

“Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly. 

Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Rather, take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily borne.”





what else we’ve been up to…

This summer is already flying by! We are in full-swing summer mode. ice cream, homemade popsicles, barbecues, dinners with friends…hmmm…I’m sensing a theme: food.  ha! We have been busy with fun other than just eating. Here’s a little of the crazy we’ve been up to around here…

Birthday parties galore! We’ve been to bug parties, Curious George parties, Chuck-e-Cheese parties, swim parties… there are so many May/June birthdays for the boy’s little friends! It has been fun celebrating each one. {I haven’t done a great job of taking photos! Sorry if you’ve seen all of these on instagram already :). I’ve been too busy chasing the boys around after consuming way too much cake…}

Free entertainment abounds in our little town during the summer. Library story time, the art museum near our house, the splash pad, the lake, hikes, splashing in waterfalls and creeks … oh, and, might I suggest ensuring that your neighbor’s tree is cut down while you’re trying to get ready in the morning? Works like a charm.

Baseball has been a hit around here. {Side note, we have had several incidents with those darn plastic bats. The boys now choose to wear helmets while playing with their t-ball set. We’re working on only hitting the ball. We may get there some day}. The boys were mesmerized at their cousin’s game and we have had so much fun cheering on our minor league team, the Naturals.

They wanted to be right there with the big kids… 

Three year check-ups. They did great and actually had fun at the doctor’s office. Thank you, Doc McStuffins {and snacks}. 🙂 We thought it was pretty neat that we were in the “Africa” room.

And, we made a summer bucket list. We really looovveee summer around here :).

Praying boldly for that last one to happen this summer. ^^

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend celebrating the dad’s in your life!

a harvest of blessing.

Remember this lil’ care package? Look! It made it from my arms to the arms of my baby girl!! 
Isn’t it amazing how something so small can mean SO much to a momma’s weary heart? God is so good to provide blessing after blessing as He fights for us to get our girl into our arms. He knows that I’m weary, He knows that I’m aching, He knows that I just need to know she is okay. He knows that I long to have her home. 
And, He knows that these small blessings are treasures. 
Reminders that He is a God of strength and might.
Reminders that He is always faithful. 
Reminders that He is the provider of goodness and mercy. 
Reminders that He never, ever authors pain. 
Reminders that He loves justice and will always defend the oppressed and orphaned. 
Reminders that our daughter is a daughter first and foremost of the King. He loves her fiercely and has protected her and held her close every day of her seventeen months on this earth. 
As I read Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians this morning, I was struck by their significance for this journey we are on.  
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. 
{Galatians 6:9; emphasis mine}

I will not give up. God is at work and His sovereignty is above all governments and authorities. He will get her home to us. He will continue to fight on our behalf. The bountiful harvest of blessing is within reach.  

grandma. saying goodbye.

yesterday, we said goodbye to our beloved, grandma marrs.

we celebrated her life and rejoiced that she has received her crown of righteousness. she most certainly fought the good fight as she finished her race well here on earth. she always kept her strong faith. yet, words can’t quite express how much her presence here will be missed. she was the center of our family.

she taught us all so much. her life was full. she loved to the brim. she laughed heartily. she exuded joy.

i will never forget the way she embraced me into this family. the way she loved me as her own.

she loved to sew. she loved to garden. she loved to cook for her family. she loved to play cards. she loved to serve. she was always, always willing to serve in love.

making the boy’s crib bumpers…

she loved the boys with everything she had. she was so proud of them and would just laugh and laugh at their antics. they always looked forward to going to visit grandma marrs. always. she just doted on them and spoiled them with love.

nathan was named after grandma. his middle name, kean, was her maiden name. she always joked that her “namesake” was the ornery one. he was the wild one and she absolutely loved it. nate and grandma had a very special bond.

always sneaking the boys treats…

i’ve never met someone so full of life as grandma. at 93 years old, she was more active than most people i know. i remember how she used to describe “little old ladies” and we would have to remind her that she was, technically, a little old lady herself. she would just laugh at that.

it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to have known and loved marjorie veronica marrs. her memory will remain alive and well in my heart always. this world was brighter because of her light.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” {John 14:1-4}