Philly by Day...

We were able to get away for a day trip during spring break.  We left early for Philidelphia to visit the Franklin Institute.   We told the boys ahead of time that they would be able to run up the "Rocky steps and visit the Rocky statue."

The Franklin Institute was well worth the money.  We spent hours there and probably could have spent a few more (but Rocky was waiting).  Unfortunately, the line to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall was too long (by the time we arrived with a very tired 4 year old).

When we arrived at the Art Museum, Wes pulled out his computer and let the boys watch the infamous Rocky training run through Philadelphia.  This pumped the boys up for sure...it helped that Wes found a video with spanish subtitles and he attempted to sing the words while we all laughed (unfortunately I don't think I got that on the video below).  Click on the play button to view the video...

Week 16:52 {Mine}...

I couldn't think of a more fitting picture for the theme this week...

Click here to view previous weeks of Project 52...

Multitude Monday #4812 - #4852...

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him."

Psalm 28:7

Giving thanks with the Gratitude Community for His unending gifts...

4812...Will singing...
"It's a rainy, rainy day but that's ok we're going to have fun anyway."
 
4813...encouragement from a wise women...

4814...Will and Eli's after school silliness...

4815...baking corn muffins with them...

4816...laughter around the dinner table

4817...the boys talking about the resurrection eggs...

4818...Wes' help one hectic morning...

4819...listening to Nicka speak on the night in the garden...

4820..."Open Up Our Eyes"...
"Our God is fighting for us always"

4821...memories of Mom Mom flooding in as I stand at the sink doing dishes...

4822...making time to take the back roads...

4823...driving with the sunroof open on a beautiful spring day...

4824...blooming forsythia...

4825...dinner in the crockpot...

4826...a great report on wills finger healing...the doctor would be really surprised if they have to do anything surgically later...

4827...pink tulips opening...

4828...conversations with Wes...

4829...spring weather...

4830...Micaiah's first baseball game of the season...

4831...for the mom at the baseball field that had her first aid kit handy when I couldn't find mine...

4832, 4833, 4834...Will falling asleep as we waited 3 1/2 hours at the ER for his cut foot, and that he didn't need a tetnus shot, and they were able to glue the wound rather than using 3 stitches...

4835, 4836, 4837...watching Moses at the Sight and Sound Theater, the boys excitement over watching the Bible come alive...for Mom Mom's gifts of remembrance...

4838...watching Micaiah turn a double play

4839...Will spying the boys coming home on the bus...

4840, 4841...family bike ride along the trail, beauty along the trail as the sun begins to set...

4842...listening to Will and my dad laugh...

 4843...wiffle ball game in the front yard...
 
4844...hearing Will say... "Mom, Moses heard God at the fire bush."  and a day or two later..."Mom, Moses' stick turned the water to blood."...

4845...watching him play...

4846...watching "Remember the Titans" with the older boys...

4847...bright sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing...

4848...hanging out with these boys on the baseball sidelines...

4849...sideline shenanigans between these two...

4850...Poppy's treasure hunt he left for Eli...

4851...this boy...

4852...this love...and week 15 of Project 52...

Week 15:52 {White}...

sometimes you get little glimpses of a love that is too difficult to describe with words...this was one of those times and I'm so glad I had my main camera handy...

click here to view previous weeks of Project 52...

Multitude Monday #4764 - #4811...

"If you don't take it all as gift, 
you end up taking it all for granted."
~Ann Voskamp

Giving thanks with the Gratitude Community for His unending gifts...


 4764...Dana's text reminding me of the truth of Psalm 91:11 on the morning Josh goes to school...
 
4765, 4766...Will's excitement when the bus pulled up that Monday afternoon...seeing Joshua's confident smile...

4767...the beautiful shadow of the Eastloch Tree...

4768...60 degrees and sunny...
 
4769...O's opening day...

4770...Jamie's love and support talking through some stuff from long ago...

4771...Will proclaiming from the backseat...
"Jesus is a fast guy."

4772...his teachers note about his first day...
"What a kind and happy child you've sent us!"

4773...his excitement about school...

 4774...texts late into the night checking on his day...

4775...hearing Micaiah telling Joshua that he will watch for his wave at recess...

4776...Day 2..."Mom, can I go stand and wait for the bus?"...

4777..."Bye mom" as the bus pulls up...

4778...seeing Eli's hand waving as the bus pulls past...
 
4779...John 17:17 "...your word is truth."  Reading this note regarding this scripture...

"Daily application of God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts."

4780...lunch with Will...

4781...Hearing Will say "Momma we got to go pick Joshy up and bring him to our home."...

4782...this boy and this smile...

4783...the boys playing Man vs. Wild...




4784...encouraging Eli about how I see him allowing God to change him and help him with his anger...

4785...Joy in the morning...

4786...Will "I'm growing bigger and bigger!"...

4787...Wes' ongoing work on building a table for our breakfast nook...

4788...a slow run in the gentle rain...

 
4789...turning the house into a Toy Story birthday zone while he sleeps...

4790...Will coming down the steps early on his birthday wearing his birthday hat...

4791...birthday doughnuts...

4792...Will's 4th birthday...

4793...hearing Eli ask Joshua "How was your fourth day of school?" as they run up from the bus...

4794...going around the table saying what we love about Will...

4795...Mallory's cake made just for Will...

4796, 4797, 4798...attending the Regeneration fundraiser...connecting with friends...hearing testimonies of God reclaiming his children... 

4799...receiving this note from his teacher...
"What a joy it is having Josh come to school so happy and enthusiastic each day! "

  4800...Micaiah making and serving Joshua his breakfast in the morning while he finishes his homework...

4801, 4802...a walk/run with Nicka, and how she reminds me of counseling advice from years ago...

4803..."I Breath You in God" on repeat ...

4804...reading in the sun at Micaiah's baseball practice...

4805...fresh cut daffodils from our 'garden'...

4806...dinner with friends around Wes' new table...

4807...David's example of walking in God's forgiveness...

4808...late night shoe shopping trip with Micaiah...

4809...morning coffee as the sunrises...

4810...Week 14 of Project 52 complete...

4811...Will waiting "for the boys"...

Week 14:52 {Radiate}...

Click here to view previous weeks of Project52...

Lenten Reflection..."Worship"...

“Send me your light and your faithful care, 
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
 – Psalm 43:3-5 


There have been many times in my life when I’ve struggled to worship.  Trials pressing hard from all sides slowly silence my songs of thanksgiving.  It happens gradually most of the time.  But eventually the lack of gratitude affects my countenance.  

 The Lord often uses my family to bring me out of this darkness and into worship again.  My husband sings a song at the piano late in the evening.  My oldest leading us in a family “dance party” on the drums, or when the youngest tangles himself amidst my legs while I’m making dinner and says “I want [you] to dance with me.”   They lead me into worship.  
 
I recently came across a description of this process in the song “A Lark Ascending” by the David Crowder Band.   

“And I’m trying to make you sing

From inside where you believe

Like it’s something that you need

Like it means everything

And I’m trying to make you feel

That this is for real

That life is happening

And it means everything

I’m just trying to make you sing”

When I make the choice to join my family in worship, I realize He’s teaching me…what it means to let go of ingratitude, trails and disappointments and put my hope in Him.  I sense the stress of now, begin to fade away and the truths of His word fill my heart and soul.  


Jesus help us to put our hope in you.  When we feel discouraged and downtrodden, send your light and faithful care to guide us to the place where you dwell.  Please break down the walls that prevent us from worshipping the One our soul longs for and fill us with songs of thanksgiving.

Will's 4!...

The most precious memory I'll have of this day is seeing sleepy eyed Will walk down the steps in his birthday hat!  

He has been patiently waiting for his 4th birthday since last summer when we drove away from dropping the boys off at summer camp.  

"Mommy, I want to go to day camp."  

"You have to be 4 years old Will."

And through kicking and screaming he says...

"But I am 4 years old!"

Ever since then, 4 years old means that he is old enough to go to day camp.  So this is big for him...and big for us too because let's face it...most of our kids are less than 3 years apart!  We are in new territory now...

Every so often we get glimpses of the love these brothers share and this morning was one of those times. The older boys were so excited to share in his birthday joy.

After the boys went to school, we met a couple of his friends for fun and lunch...

Will you are a delight.  We are so thankful for your sweet, funny spirit.  We pray you keep soaring through life "to infinity and beyond!"