kids – The Bless Your Heart Blog

Family of the Spirit

Oh, my heart. The bestie and the adoptive momma, Nonna, came to visit earlier this week. They hadn’t been out to our new home and with 3 kids, 3 and under, it was quite a feat! That’s how much she loves me, people.

The kids had a good time being wild and wooly together! Wryder and Eva teamed up quite a bit being that they are both three. Day one, she thought he was wonderful! Day two, the new had worn off a bit and she clung to Sawyer most of the day.

There was lots of book reading and stroller pushing and game playing. Dessa mainly ran back and forth from basement to the main floor as she shuffled kids from place to place. That girl was busy!

Nonna is always a hit amongst the grandkids, mine included. She has this knack to see people…and not just with physical eyes…but to see them and get them and call the best out in them. Ask me how I know. The kids are always drawn to her sweet and melodious voice, her loving eyes and open arms. Plus, she has this ability to make each kid feel like they are the most important person in the room. She always takes the time…

It was so nice to have them here, even for just a few short days. These women are two of my most trusted allies, my biggest cheerleaders and staunch encouragers. They are women of deep and abiding love, full of Godly wisdom, brimming in grace and mercy. They have had a HUGE hand in making me who I am today by loving me and mentoring me in my impressionable twenties.

I woke up crying yesterday morning, knowing they would be leaving and it didn’t get much better the rest of the day. These women have been my sister, my mother, best friends, baby deliverers! They make me desire to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, ministry partner, lover of Jesus. Their love is deep and true and though we talk and text and email, I miss the days of seeing them multiple times a week…the family dinners…the birthday celebrations…the Bible studies…the long talks…the sense of family that was just right down the road instead of a state away.

The beautiful thing with the family of the spirit, is that the Holy Spirit binds you tighter than any amount of physical proximity can. These ladies are in my heart.

Maybe So

One of the many things that attracted me to my sweet hubby was his love for family and kids. That’s pretty darn attractive, let me tell ya.

1777_104784770334_974_n — With our sweet friend Jadia

I’m not just a huge kid person myself. I mean, I LOVE mine…and I like other well behaved, disciplined, polite children *ahem*…but he innately loves kiddos!

I distinctly remember a visit we had from some family friends about a month or so before Sawyer was born. We were still in Denver at the time and they were talking to him about working so much. They made a comment that that would probably change soon once this sweet little girl was wrapped around his finger.

He was kinda sheepish about the whole ordeal. I wouldn’t say he was trying to deny the fact that she would be wrapped around his finger…maybe he knew…

But maybe he didn’t quite know just how deep a daddy’s love for his little girl would really run.

Fast forward a month to her birth and he was so in love.

Baby Sawyer, a few days old…and one proud daddy

She slept with him the first night becaus her body temp was a little down and they wanted someone to snuggle her. I was exhausted and could barely take care of myself so he took over. Pretty sure that sealed the deal.

Fast forward nine more months and we were living on faith and our savings account as he searched for another career that allowed him more time with his family. I’ve got one amazing man…

May I just say, the words of our friends have come true, too? She’s definitely wrapped around his finger…in a good way, too.

There is no one she trusts more than her daddy. He is such a pillar of unwavering everything! He’s even tempered, he’s consistent, he’s faithful, he’s gracious, he’s merciful, he’s a man of his word…and he’s just plain fun.

I know how well and fully he loves me and I see how well he loves our children, too. He works so hard to go above and beyond to provide for us. He makes us a priority. He never treats us like we’re a burden. He teaches us and leads us. He gets us into adventurous mischief. He prays for us and over us. He takes time to do and talk about the things that are important to us. Like pink sorting sticks…

There’s a guy at the sale barn that uses a pink sorting paddle and Sawyer has had her eye on it for quite some time. She’s mentioned it to me before and yesterday was no different. Wrex saw her talking and pointing and I told him she wanted a pink sorting paddle like Mr. Kyle. He smiled and kinda giggled and I didn’t think much else about it.

We loaded up and went home and daddy finished buying cows and come home a little after supper. He called me outside to show me something…which usually involves feathers or fur *ahem*…but not this time.

He had gone to the vet clinic to grab some meds for some calves and he picked up a little something else…a pink sorting stick. I will forever have his face tattooed in my mind’s eye; it was another one of those sheepish looks that was oh so sweet. He knew it wasn’t anything she NEEDED. We have a green paddle and a couple of sorting sticks. He knew it wasn’t for a holiday or birthday…he just knew he loved his little girl and that the smile on her face would be well worth the potential “spoilage.”

He was right.

She was ECSTATIC. Wanted to sleep with it, even. She shoved her last two bites of supper in her mouth, threw on her boots and was headed to the barn.

She helped him “work calves” with it last night…

…and a few goats, too.

I don’t know what it was about that silly stick that got me so teary…but it did. Still am.

Maybe because I wasn’t expecting it myself.

Maybe because my parents would’ve done the same thing.

Maybe because it was so unlike his frugal character.

Maybe just because it showed oh so much love.

Maybe so…

It’s Great to Skate

Our church hosted a kids potluck and skating day on Sunday and it was too much fun! We gathered after Sunday school and munched on everything from corn dogs and sloppy joes to Marshmallow Mateys and tater tot casserole. After that, it was off to the rink!

Sawyer was sooooooooooooooooooo incredibly excited to skate! I think she barely slept Saturday night in anticipation of having cereal for lunch and then strapping on a pair of skates. She wouldn’t even go to the nursery during church because she was afraid she’d miss the action – ha!

I wasn’t quite sure what she’d think if she didn’t catch on right away so as we were driving to the rink, I explained to her that she might fall down a few times. I told her not to be scared or give up and to just get right back up and try again, to which she agreed.

Well, there wasn’t much need for that little speech – she did AMAZING!

I have about as much grace as a drunk, blind alley cat trying to maneuver fence with a barking dog in tow but thankfully daddy is quite impressive on skates! He later traded these quads in for roller blades and really went to town!

They even did the limbo! (And no, I had NO CLUE Wrex could get that low!)

The older kids were so incredibly kind and cautious regarding all of the little tykes. Sawyer’s good friend Meredith took her for quite a spins – which she loved! Sidenote: Meredith, if I was your size I’d steal all of your clothes! Better watch your closet… 😉

She also skated with her friend Lauren (sans daddy) for the last 30 minutes or so which was fun to watch. She was completely confident out there!

Aren’t they sweet?? They made lots of laps and had a ball dancing in the disco lights!

Wryder didn’t do any skating but he was awfully encouraging to those who did by screaming and waving on the sidelines. He got lots of snuggles and playtime in, so he was a happy camper!

It was an incredibly fun day and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family! We left the skating rink feeling so loved and content…and at home. There are so many young families and so many mentors for those young families – we’re a blessed body of believers. Let’s do it again, soon!