Updates

 It's been WEEKS since I last posted.  Things continue to be busy for our family.  PQ's school year is coming to a close and we are all preparing our hearts for his departure to Ecuador in a few more weeks.  His yearly academic testing has been completed and we have managed to enjoy a few field trips/adventures in the past several weeks.  Sugar continues to make us laugh with all of her quirky ways and Baby J's animated personality is really becoming evident.  The following pictures should give you a snapshot into our humorous state of being lately. ENJOY!

 

 

Getting 3 kids to look and smile is nearly impossible.

(Hahahaha...)



 

Unless of course, you have a fire truck at your house.

(Dishwasher Element + Plastic Cup = 911)



Super laid back.

Why isn't PUKE listed?!?

(Baby J has GERD)

Who knew a tote could be so fun?!?

PQ had a blast on the ropes course.

Did someone say PLAYGROUND?!?



 

 

Testing makes PQ TIRED!!!

Life is GOOD.

Life is SILLY.

Life is FUNNY.

A girl can never have too many TUTU's (according to Sugar).

 

ZONKED!

It Takes a Village...

Can I get an AMEN?!?! I don't know about you but I know that this quote has continued to loom in my mind. For the past 6+ weeks, I've been blessed by "the village" in so many ways. I've always known the well known quote and the meaning behind it, but up until recently, I never allowed myself to experience it and really know it to be true. So today, I want to say THANK YOU to my "village".

Dear Village~
The past 6 weeks have been amazing. I've laughed and I've also cried nearly every single day. Papa H never knows what he's going to walk into when he gets home. Wow-hormones are amazing, aren't they?!?! Some days I can pinpoint the root of my emotions and some days I simply can't put my finger on it. But you have stood by me through it all. The good. The bad. And the ugly. You have allowed yourself to be available and I can't thank you enough.

How did you know that Papa H and I would need a date night before all of this unfolded? How did you know that I needed that phone call just to hear someone ask "how are you" (and really want to know the answer)? How did you know that your willingness to carry a bag would be so helpful (even if I didn't take you up on it)? How did you know that taking the bag against my will would be such a blessing (wink)? How did you know that bringing us dinner would be so helpful? How did you know that our kids would love having their own special time with you? How did you know that I needed that special email sharing your own story with me (what an encouragement, by the way)? How did you know that special gifts for PQ and Sugar would mean so much to them (but more to us because you thoughtfully considered them during this time)? How did you know that I would need an extra hand to feed Baby J while my little miss had to go potty? How did you know that watching my sleeping newborn as I ran after my 2 year old (jetting for the swings) would be so helpful? How did you know? How did you know?

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving our children. Thank you for loving our family. Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to do everything on my own. Thank you for encouraging me to seek the Lord through all of my messiness. Thank you for showing us the love of Christ through every selfless act of kindness. Thank you for reminding me that not every day is going to look the same (and there is blessing in that). Thank you for reminding me that single moms need people to rally around them and extend this same type of love. Thank you for helping me to see what pride can keep away from a situation. I'm overwhelmed by all of you. I'm overjoyed by your desire to lend a helping hand. And I'm blessed to have each of you in my life. Your friendship means more to me that you will ever know.

Thank you again for being my village and walking with us every step of the way! XOXOXO
~Mama H

*Please take a few minutes and think about a single mom that you might know. She needs people to surround her. She needs people to bless her. She needs people to dignify her and her circumstances. Would you consider being a blessing in her life? Find a way to encourage her. Afterall, you might be the only sign of Jesus that she sees. *

Smile...you're on Mama's camera!

Seriously...if this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.