Because she's almost double-digits, y'all!

I know, I know...if I write all this now, what will I save for her actual birthday coming up in less than 2 months??  It's just that she is not going to be 9 for much longer.  And, as I heard at a conference recently, sometimes you want to celebrate the "lasts" of something, instead of always the beginnings. 

Like, when will the last time be that I can  really pick her up under her armpits like I love to do and have her wrap her legs around me?  So far I have promised all my kids that I will always do that, but the truth is she will continue to grow and someday I will weaken.  Plus, I picture running to my own mom now,  having her swing me up, wrapping my legs around her waist....awkward at best, minor injuries at worse! 

So, for these last few weeks of having a 9  year old, I want to soak it in.  Soak in the joy of who my sweet Mikayla is at 9 years and closer to 10 than ever before...

*Her laughter, ringing loud, head tilted back...especially when daddy gets her neck!

*Her compassion for other people is so special to my heart.  God has placed it there for amazing purposes.  Like the time her sister was sick and couldn't go to a game, it just pained her that Mariah might miss out on all the fun. OR when she wonders if her daddy has had a good dinner when he is traveling and away from home.   She cares deeply for others.

*Her love for Christ.  Wanting to get to know Him better, meeting me on the porch early in the morning to be with me and Him.

*Her ability to swim...incredible stroke and form.  A someday Olympian I think if she wanted to become one!

*Her sensitive and discerning heart....wanting to please and choose the right path.  Aware when someone else is hurting.

*Her imagination...creating plays, writing songs, acting make believe...i just love it.  Lemonade stands, sewing classes, Christmas plays in abundance.

*Her love for singing...from the heart, just for fun, sounding so sweet!  Her church choir is so lucky to have her!

*Her desire to be with me.  Always asking to be together, play a game, chat....and I am so thankful that she loves me so very much.

*A true servant's heart....bringing her dad water when he mows, or scratching her brother's head at night.  May she always remember that we are happiest when we are doing something for others. It's true, God said it first.

So, these are just a few things that bless my buns when it comes to my 9 year old daughter. 

God has such incredible plans for her sweet little life and I am so humbled and thankful that He picked me to be her mom.  

Now we need to get planning that party...

When I say she's my favorite....it's not because she's my only one.....

So, the day has come to wish my very favorite sister in all of the world a Happy Birthday. 

No, seriously she has been my favorite for as long as I can remember.  I was 9 years old, and the luckiest girl around when I got my very own "baby" doll to play with!  And, my life has been richer ever since that day in 1979, September 10th to be exact......

I love my sister's heart.....for others especially.  She has a deep compassion to want to help those in need, that I think is deeper than she sometimes even knows.  I believe there will come a day when she will find so many in need, so many who need to hear her words of encouragement that she herself will be amazed.  For now it is in the daily that she does it so beautifully. 

I love my sister's hair...I know I know, after the last "deep" one, how could I be so trivial??  Well, if you could see her hair, even just touch it for one moment you would understand.  It is truly the thickest, perfectly waved/yet not curly, lusciously long hair that you could imagine, that I have seen!!  There are those, whom shall remain nameless, that "long" (get it?)  for such hair, so much so that they would pay to have strands attached for a moment...just to have it flow down their backs like hers does.   She could cut and sell her strands to those considered "thinning" or "less than".  There are days that she might call a "bad" hair day and it's all I can do to look away, knowing that her bad is my dream. So, whatever, felt like I just had to mention it, even though trivial, it's true!! 

I love my sister's strength and willingness to fight.  To persist until she finds the answers that she is looking for.  To use her knowledge to help herself, and to help others. She has endured painful moments in her life, and yet she stands.  Hopeful that someday there will be light in some dark tunnels, choosing to keep on walking until she sees it.  I am proud to call her sister.

She knows I love her laugh, it twinkles like the stars in the sky.  It is a music to my ears that always makes me laugh just hearing it.  She said I said the same about my brother's giggle...but really it doesn't take away from what hers does for others.  It is the icing on the cake....a funny joke, but then her laugh at the end!  Can't describe it in words...like a melody all of its own.

I am amazed at my sister's gifting to write.  I say gifting because I believe there are those who can write when they've taken a class and those who write from down deep in the soul. She is a soul writer.  No, really, you will read her book one day and be blessed.  She has a way of taking stories, weaving them into unforgettable words, and leaving you touched by them.  Gifted indeed.

I love my sister because she is my gift from God.  Hand picked by my heavenly Father...for me.  I wouldn't trade her for anyone else in the world.  I have a life time of memories with her....some laughing until we cried, and some just crying together.  Woven tightly in my heart and cherished sweetly.

I love you Kara Lynn...my best sister and precious friend.  Happy Day!!

To my brother, Mark-us! with love....

My brother is 40. Need I say more??  Well, you know me, and I am not a woman of few words, so I will say more...

I love him.  I love his willingness to always lend a helping hand. 

I love his giggle (or for his benefit I will call it a "manly laugh")... which he doesn't like, but it rocks and makes me laugh when I hear it. 

I love that he has his dogs trained to do all kinds of cool tricks. 

I love that he loves his wife and kids so much. I love that when he married his wife, Kristy, he gave me a sister in law who was already my trusted friend!  and, I love that when he had kids, he blessed my kids with cousins....but mostly, sweet friends!

I love that he is a hard worker and  I love that he is a respected and intelligent man in his work place. 

I love that he has a fetish with cars and watches. like a used car salesman, always on time!

I love that if I need to buy something new, I either buy what he already owns, or ask for his opinion because he has good advice and knows a lot.

I love that He loves God and knows where his strength comes from.  

I love him because he is my brother and my friend. 

Happy Birthday, Mark!

What's that smell?

So school for most of us is just around the corner, or for some already started.  Whether the school bus will stop by to pick up the kids, or we head down the stairs after breakfast, school is starting.  I have called this "brain warm up week"....because after a long summer, it takes awhile to re group.  I am a sucker for this time of year... for freshly opened books, pencils that have never been used, and the anticipation of great things to come.  

Praying, and filled with hope that this year will be our best year yet....at least that is the request I have laid before my Heavenly Father.  Better, Lord.  Help me to be a better teacher than last year, more patient, loving, more selfless.  Help me to not be so distracted by the daily, that I miss the moments to teach that which will last for eternity.  To lay aside what I would "rather" be doing and choose what I know I am called to be doing. 

I shared this verse with my precious friend Julie, who just this year will be stepping into the rivers of the unknown...home schooling her kids.  Oh, I just see how the Lord is moving to do amazing things for them this year.  Splash on!!

As we shared the other day our hearts of wanting to impart to our kids a love for Christ, and all the other list of 55,000 things that mama's have in their hearts.  All the things they pray their children will get and grow in.  From the smallest things like good manners at the table or making their beds, to the biggest....knowing and loving their Savior, walking in His ways, ministering effectively His joy and peace and salvation to many...and so forth and so on.

So as we were sharing, the Lord showed me this verse, you know how He faithfully does that. And, so this is my prayer for my heart this year.  For my friends who also home school and for my friends who don't.  For each of us moms, regardless of our kid's place of education, who so desire to raise our children in His faithful ways, and who realize that if it is left up to us, our strength, our goodness, our human knowledge....there is no hope.  But empowered by the Spirit, we can do all things. 

                                                             2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, (thanking Him in anticipation for all He plans to do), who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ ( walking in His victory) and through us ( us moms) spreads everywhere (to our kids, to all)  the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.  

Spreads everywhere the fragrance..of the knowledge of Him!  oh, may that be the story of my life, the story of my day.  That His fragrance would be all over me.  Like when you have that delicious smelling candle burning in your kitchen and the delight of it wafts into every room in your house....that's what I am talking about. 

That He would emanate (is this a word that means to go forth from, to flow out of??  if not, you get the point) from me.  That He would pour forth and leave a beautiful fragrance with every person I talk with, encounter in my day.   That our school room would just be filled up with the fragrance of patience, love, hope, joy, strength...His fragrance flowing through me.  

That my kids would see in me a humility of knowing my Source of strength.   That the greatest lessons learned this year would be caught and not just taught.  May they catch me in the act each morning of reading His Word, see me giving selflessly to them and others, see me serving their dad, choosing joy when  I want to not.  You know what I mean.  Fragrance. of Him.  in this home, in my heart, flowing out to others. 

So, that's all.  well, except to admit that there are days when it stinks in here.  You know, like gross, smelly, like a fog that hangs close.   That is my flesh.  Selfish, prideful, jealous, angry, impatient, unyielding, unkind.  There are days when I need to open up the windows of my heart, confess it to the One who promises to blow fresh wind in and through me.  So that I can smell fresh and sweet once again.

Who needs Handy?

My two handsome basketball boys.  I am blessed indeed.  Like father like son I guess.  Levi has seen in Brad a passion for the game, a love for the sport and now feels the same way. 

So of course it would be a natural thing to get a hoop for the driveway.  The plastic one in our basement clearly doesn't count.

And for all of you who have put together toys for kids,  you know it is never easy.  The directions look like English but when you read them, your brain is unable to compute what they are really saying.  And it always takes longer than one might imagine...always.  And the amount of small parts and screws and baggies of weird looking things could make the strongest of men feel weary. 

So in our household, there lives a man with a tremendous amount of gifts.  A passionate love for God, faithful husband, (Happy 17 years honey, and still growing in His grace together!) incredible dad, best lawn mower on the block, committed coach, and trustworthy friend. However, and by his own admission, "handy man" is not on his gifting list. He was in a different line when that one was passed out.  And for being a laid back kind of guy that he is, let me give an example by saying we've lost some Christmas spirit before with things like getting the fresh pine tree into the base, you know White Christmas playing in the background, fire lit, cookies baking, and the blasted tree won't stay up, isn't straight, the screws aren't tightening.....you know, little handy type, "requires tools" kinda things.

So today I am giving it up for my hubby who almost single handedly put together this basketball hoop.  Because he didn't give up, because he patiently read the directions over and over, because he never lost his cool, and only needed help at the very end.  (thx to papa, uncle mark and neighbor Ray)  And according to my brother, it's possible he really ended putting together about 6  hoops because of the times he had to do things more than once.  But he kept telling Levi when he would walk through the garage and look at all the parts and pieces laying around..."we're making  progress buddy, we're making progress!"

Not just a hoop for our family to play on, but also a reminder of a dad who invests wisely in his children.  Who gives up his time, just to bless their hearts.  Who not only built the hoop, but will spend hours playing  horse, 3 on 3, and dunking to impress the neighbor kids.  

Who needs handy??

Leaves that hinder...

So, let me start with my tomato plants.  The tomatoes haven't looked healthy. Now I am not usually a name caller, but some of the fruit kinda looks deformed, funny looking, maybe even rotting?  But the plants themselves look full, green, healthy and growing taller everyday. 

Now mind you this is our first year of being gardeners, and admittedly we have lots to learn.  I found out according to one google search, that the stems with "leaves only" should be cut back because they are stealing the good nutrients from the stems that are trying hard to grow the tomatoes.  

So, I did what it said.  I mean I really did....my plants almost seem embarassed now from their nakedness!  (Is there a website to order custom vegetable covering?)   I did exactly as it had said to do... cut back every stem with leaves only, and leave all the stems with the little flower buds or tiny green tomatoes.  Yikes.  Looking at them now, I think most would shake their heads and say, "Better luck next year!"  And, I admit I am feeling nervous that I may have done them in, cut too much, gone too far.  Time will tell us if this will indeed be the very thing my plants needed to grow healthier, more beautiful tomatoes...or the shameful death of them all.

So here is what has been rattling around in my heart, a whisper I heard early in the summer, a conviction really.  Funny how God would use my tomato plants to continue to teach me and get my attention.

I have noticed that very often the plant of my life looks full.  No, really... growing tall, seems healthy, lots of green leaves just a waving in the breeze.  And to be sure, many of the leaves are good leaves.  Good things. But I have felt the need to ask God this summer to prune away that which is good, so that which is best can grow fuller and more beautiful.  

I want to be a good listener when He says..lay this down, give this up, change this plan, do this differently...His ways are best.  He knows what fruit He has in mind for my life, why do I fear or fight letting His shears get close to my leaves....the green leaves that appear to be healthy and full? I want to trust that when He cuts away anything, it is with great purpose and precision.  

 

Now mind you, I didn't give my tomatoes a choice...ready or not there I sheared!!   In my gardener wisdom ( I hear my vegetables out there mocking me!),  I understand that to cut back, means greater growth. 

God doesn't always give us a choice in our pruning or wait until we ask.  In His sovereign love for us, and His desire to see the beautiful plan of our lives unfold, He starts clipping away at the lesser things.  Making room for the God things.  Oh, I want the God things. I want what will last for eternity. A harvest unimaginable. 

But too often I allow the things that mean little, to take away from the things that mean the most.  The things I desire to do, the most important things, I often fail to do, because of busyness, distractions, selfishness. My leaves hinder my fruit.

I don't know much about gardening, don't know much about much.  But, I do know this.  Jesus said that He is the Vine and we are the branches.  Our life nutrients and vitality come through Him.  In fact, He is very clear...apart from Him, we can do nothing!  

Ask Him what "good" leaves may be hindering the vital flow to the greatest, most wonderful, and for sure the sweetest fruit you've ever known, or grown for that matter.  

1,825 days to celebrate!....(and you know I needed a calculator to figure that one out!)

So, today is big.  For my baby that is.  Mariah Faith Soucie.  She is officially 5 years old today.  She is a bundle of love for sure.  We still call her snuggle bug,  because she still loves to climb up and tuck under...holding her pink blankie close.  And, she loves to throw back her head and belly laugh when she is being tickled by daddy.  I am so blessed to be her mama.

She too is a mommy at heart.  I honestly think she has asked for a baby doll and stroller every birthday and Christmas for the last 4  years.  Seriously, our home is a mini orphanage to many.  She puts my shoes on, gets her pretend cell phone and wraps those babies up in blankets ready to hit the road.  It's her favorite thing to play.

So it was no surprise when she asked for a double stroller this year.  And, she got it.  It's a beauty too...we took it on our errands yesterday and the babies had a blast!!  

She also got a pair of dress up shoes that I think are honestly nicer looking than the wedding shoes I wore 17 years ago!  I saw them in the store and knew they were going to delight her little heart.   They did. 

No, these shoes are not the plastic kind that squeeze your toes and are so slickery on the bottom that they come with a warning label...., these are the modern day dress up shoes.  The real deal in tiny sizes.  And, when she wears them she feels grown up and like a princess, and clomps around in confidence!

You know, the older I get the more I have realized that it takes more than a pretty pair of shoes to make me feel that way.  Don't get me wrong, cute shoes, especially cheap and cute, are awesome.  But, even the fanciest of shoes don't change me when I wear them.  

See I think sometimes I wear the white bride-looking shoes...doing, saying, being, ...all that I want to be, all that I know I should be to please the Lord.  But, see, white shoes don't make me a bride.  I am a bride because my Heavenly Father calls me a bride of Christ. 

When I grab a hold of His truth and walk confidently in that, I am changed.  I have been chosen by the King?  whoa.  

I want to seek to please Him with my life not just on the days when I'm wearing "bride" shoes, but everyday...the common days.  I want to please Him on the inside, where it's just me and Him....on the middle of  a hot and long summer afternoon. When my pits are sweaty, my house is a mess and my friend in need, needs me.  Needs encouragement.  When my kids need my focused attention,  my heart needs time with Him, my husband needs me to listen.   In those moments, wearing last year's flip flops...I can walk as the bride of Christ, His Spirit empowering me to do all things well.