This past year has not been easy. In fact the longer the pandemic drags on, it seems the time has become more difficult. While we hold onto hope for better days ahead and trust God has a plan greater than any I could hope or dream for, I'm trying to soak up the simple moments of joy and happiness that are still around. As long as I take the time to look for them.
Here are a few of the good moments, that help us through the hard...
This little guy... he is into everything and with that, he makes us see the world anew each and everyday. His mind never stops thinking and he is always trying to figure out something new. From wearing Madelyn's shoes, to using Michael's exercise band and gathering tools for his next adventure, he is a blessing each and everyday.
Over spring break I took the kids to the train museum... it's been one of our first outings testing the waters of reintroducing ourselves into society. It was mainly outside and not busy, so we felt comfortable. And the kids loved it. Here's two busy men at work...
Jennings looking up at the big trains.
These two, they are the best of playmates and boy does Madelyn know how to tease Jennings. I think she learned it from how well her big sister teases her. Having two bigger sisters, who being girls scream a lot, Jennings has mastered the art of screaming too. Our house is not quiet.
Getting ready to leave for one of our adventures out of the house during spring break.
This beautiful girl is growing up right in front of our eyes. I hope she always knows how beautiful her smile is and how it radiates the love and light of her soul.
Michael was given a speed boat to race in the water, and lets just say he drew a crowd of fellow spectators within minutes. The neighbor boy heard him racing the boat and had to come see, and of course Michael's shadow Jennings was there to admire his big brother's new toy too.
Why we ever buy toys I'll never know... thankfully with our Amazon orders to sustain us through the pandemic, there have been enough "box" toys to entertain the kids for hours. Look at at big brother again being such a fun playmate to his little brother.
One of our favorite things to do during this pandemic has been to have family movies. Recently we set up the air mattress and let the kids eat popcorn and Skittles while we watched a movie together. They thought it was awesome!
These two have been having a lot of fun playing strategy games on their phones with each other. This day in age, why play battleship on the actual board game, when you can play it on each of your phones and compete that way... or chess, or billiards, or checkers!
The girls were able to make some new jewelry with beads over the break.
And there was lots of time to play outside. The kids turned our side yard into a sand box (we have plenty of that here in the desert right) and made a city, complete with roads, buildings and the like. So much for our side yard looking landscaped, it's all good, it provided them hours of entertainment. All of them... ages 1-13.
I also took them to Ripley's Believe it or Not Exhibit recently and they really liked it. We saw the 2-headed cow, the 4-legged chicken, the 110 piece burnt toast exhibit featuring Albert Einstein and the 9 foot tall man.
We also visited our neighborhood park this past weekend where we realized Jennings has never been on a swing. When we went into lock down a year ago he was only 8 months old. Almost his entire life has been spent at home so to watch him experience a park swing for the first time, not only made me kind of sad of what this past year has been like, but also grateful for these moments and a fresh realization of what to NOT take for granted. He was nervous at first but managed to smile and laugh within a few seconds.
As we navigate the coming days and hope for our world to become more peaceful, joy-filled and with healing... the other day as we played outside I felt like God remined me to keep the faith.
In all our troubled times since losing Noah, the rainbow has been a reminder that after every storm there is beauty and goodness.
It just so happened sitting outside the clouds forms, the moisture sprinkled from the sky and minutes later the sun appeared... and then this...
I'm not going to lie, the moisture dropped from my eyes too. There is hope. I believe walking through the storm, there will be better days ahead, as I strive to focus on all the good still around us.
Until next time,
Angie
No comments:
Post a Comment