The Sting

Well, it is here, the night before Kindergarten for my Connor.  I know he is ready, I know it is time. But, it is sure going to be harder than our first experience.

You see, sweet Landon, my outgoing, gregarious, firstborn waltzed right into his new school, that fateful first day of Kindergarten, while dear old mom was 9 months preggers and hormonal as heck, and tried to get away without even a hug.  I begged him to come back to his mama and hug me.  He did, but very quickly after that, he was gone.

I remember saying, "Is that it?" Is that how this goes?  That was so quick.  I barely feel like I even existed in that moment.  What. Just. Happened?

Landon peaced out.  That is my oldest...but not my middle.  Oh, how this boy is tender.

As Connor walked down the hall, even just to Kindergarten readiness camp...he took one little step at a time, blowing kisses with each step as he looked back at me and blew them to me.  This was just a half day camp, friends.  What the heck am I going to do tomorrow?

I started thinking about this and about another recent event at our house.  Landon was stung by a bee about two weeks ago.  He had a very significant allergic reaction with head to toe hives, itchy lips and swollen ears.  I quickly gave him benadryl and thankfully, he did not progress to any type of breathing difficulty.  However...this little event, bought us 6 epi pens, one for each person/place that he frequents and a trip to the allergist to talk about the possibility of immunotherapy.  In a matter of minutes, my life (and Landon's!) changed.

Since that time, he has been terrified of being outdoors and really has only ventured out if literally touching Stan or I.

This same child, the one that "peaced out" the first day of Kindergarten, the one who felt confident and self-sufficient enough to blaze that new path without looking back, all by himself, quickly drew back to his safe place when his confidence was rocked.

How often do we do that with God?  When things are going well, smooth, according to our plan, we just take more and more steps out ahead in the path.  We confidently trust ourselves, until....BAM, the sting.  The sting of disappointment, of pain, of bad news, of sad news, of lost dreams, of confusion, or fear, of regret, of ... name your demon.

Once we are stung, we draw in, draw close to the Father, wanting his touch, needing to know he is near.  We know that he has the only thing that can save us, Jesus.  Just like, in Landon's situation, he knows that Stan and I have an epi pen.  He knows the significance of his allergy and he knows he cannot trust himself alone, he has to rely on someone else.

Right now, his fear is crippling.  Right now, it is smothering.  But, slowly but surely, I believe, with time and with more information, he will become more confident with his ability to use the epi pen if needed and to walk in faith, not in fear.

When we are first stung, we feel the same way.  We feel crippled.  We feel broken.  We feel terrified of what will happen next, the unknown...our minds race, our fears begin to control us and we run to the Father.  We dive in his word, we soak in his truth, we touch his arm, we feel the shelter of his wings.

So, whatever your sting...tomorrow mine will be watching my second baby go to school which does all sorts of things to my psyche, draw close to the Father, and don't just wait for the sting.

God wants us to walk in the shelter of his wings, at all times.  The good, the bad, the ugly, the funny, the happy, the sad, the hard, the easy, the peaceful, the stressful.  God wants it all.  And, I am thankful for the ways he reminds me of that truth.

"He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." - Psalm 91:4

Lake Lovin' Summer 2015

It is crazy, especially for this mama, to believe how much time we spent at various lakes this summer. You see, I am not a lake lover...not.at.all.  I don't like getting into still water where I cannot see my feet.  I think about every little thing that could be lurking beneath the surface and it just grosses me out!  I do not love my kids being in lake water either, but my kids love it, so I just life jacket them up and hold my breath, praying some lake locknesmonster doesn't get them...

In all seriousness, we have really enjoyed the water this summer.  Especially my husband...enjoy my recap.

Stan had many different opportunities to practice his roll in the kayak. Not my favorite thing, but he can flip himself completely over under water now.  Pretty cool.

Landon does enjoy the lake, especially when he gets to fish or be in the canoe.

Stan, telling a fish story.

Connor, being his cute little self.

Family canoe ride on Lake George, at my parent's cabin.

It was so so peaceful being out on the lake and really neat to be able to take Stan's new canoe out. We missed Lindsay Jane, but keeping the boys in the boat proved enough of a challenge.

Connor and Stan took their own special ride...

Followed closely behind by big brother and dad.

We also spent some special time down at the park at Montreat in Black Mountain.  I grabbed this shot of my girl looking at the creek critters.

We went wading, something I loved as a kid and am so happy to share with my kids.

My loves.  Sweet Pop and Mommom and my three kiddies.  Lindsay Jane, Connor and I spent some special time with Pop and Mommom over the 4th of July while Stan and Landon went camping.  This was also the switch weekend for Landon and Connor at Pop and Mommom camp. :)

We ended our trip at Kilwin's, best ice cream ever.

Next lake stop...Jordan!  It always amazes me that we have this gem, basically, in our backyard!  We enjoyed a full day with the Smiths.  It seems it is a tradition in the summer, one I am happy to have!

The kids built sandcastles.

LJ carried on the 7 year long tradition in our family of pushing a big dump truck along the water's edge (my fave).

Connor had snacks... (his fave)

I did get in the water...impressed? I swam with these cuties.

We had watermelon! Yum!

LJ carried water in her little bucket to the sandcastle crew.

Landon, Emelia and Connor discussed something funny, judging by Connor's face.

The kids were just cute, playing, laughing, swimming, enjoying being together, these life long pals!

Zachary was non stop (his fave).

Sophia and Landon played with our big beach ball!  I was thrilled for them to enjoy it at the lake, since we had loved having it so much at the beach. What a great find!

Beauty out our back door.  If you have not gone, you should!

The two middle children, posing, mostly happily for a picture.  :)

Lindsay Jane was a little fish, as usual.

She and Connor enjoyed a couple sweet little moments...

So did Janise and I. We actually had time to sit, reflect and actually finish several conversations while the kids played so happily.  We ended up having so much fun that we let the little ones skip their naps so we could stay longer!  Love love loved our day! Love her!  :)

I have loved watching these two grow up together.  It is hard to believe that they are now 3rd graders. Father time, slow on down. Please.

More sandcastle fun.  Sophia and Landon definitely have the building bug.  I love to watch their little minds work!

Next lake stop...High Rock with our dear pals, the Abates.  I love this little picture.  Lindsay Jane and Nicholas just picked up where they left off last summer, holding hands and taking on the world.  It is precious watching Allison and I's kids love each other like we do.  It's like they know how special their mamas are to each other.  :)

Slide fun at Dan Nicholas Park!

Love this expression of Caroline's!

Lindsay Jane and Nicholas playing on the various structures.  Too cute, these two!

I so remember doing this for hours as a little girl.  Caroline was flipping around on the monkey bars while Allison and I held our breath.  :)

Conquering the big spider web!

Lindsay Jane was so cute in her little world, swinging around on this little flower.  She is so much fun to watch, just enjoying every little thing about her world.

Train time!  Connor and Caroline were very pleased to be given permission to ride all the way in the back. :)

Two of my very favorites, right there.  ;)

Carousel fun!  One of my favorite things to do with Lindsay Jane is to stand with her and watch her delighted face as the carousel spins.  She absolutely loves it.  Her expressions are ones that I just have to close my eyes and can picture.  The joy of a child is just food for my soul, especially when that child is mine.

More hand holding and bonding for these cuties.

Me and my girl, Allison.  Almost 20 years of friendship with this gem.  We have been through the good, the bad, the ugly and the really really funny.  She is my sister, one chosen to journey through this life with.  I know God placed us in each other's lives and boy, am I grateful.  Love her.

And, our kids are pretty cool too...

Landon joined us the next day, after baseball camp was over...and had to show off his racing skills..

Me and the older kids played putt putt while Allison took the littles to the zoo.

Connor stopped to smell the hibiscus and try to catch a butterfly. Love his little soul so much.

We managed to finish our putt putt game without dehydrating out in the hot hot sun.  I would like to say that I survived lots of whining about how hot it was...not from Allison's kid...

Lake time anyone?

This picture is cute, but they look like they are in pain, smiling for their mom...

Allison is always a trooper, getting in the water with the kids!  Stan joins her while Mike and I opt out...glad I am not the only one who cares not for lake water.

Connor conquered the slide again!

Lindsay Jane thought really hard about it...

Connor and Caroline had a great time in the water together...that is, until a long slender slithery creature showed up.  And, you wonder why I opt out of lake water?  EWWWWW!

Stan practiced more of his flipping over in the kayak...

Allison helped get all the kids on the tube so Stan could pull them...

Slowest tubing on the lake...but maybe the most fun!

They actually lasted for a pretty long time before starting to fight.  I mean, those are pretty close quarters for two sets of siblings. :)

Lindsay Jane decided to sunbathe a little on the back of the kayak with her daddy.  Too too cute.

Connor caught a frog on our scavenger hunt around the lake.  This was the highlight of the lake trip for the kids.

They made it a little habitat.  It was precious.  Allison and I just loved watching their little minds create, outside, away from all technology.

Lindsay Jane practiced her adolescent face...

Stan pulled out Connor's first tooth...and the tooth fairy couldn't find Connor at the lake, so she was a day late, but not a dollar short.

Allison made the kids pancakes with whip cream on top...our house will never be the same...

Could they be any cuter?  Lindsay Jane and Nicholas were absolutely adorable interacting with each other.  I loved watching their little expressions.

Landon and Caroline caught up and continued their sweet friendship.  It was hilarious when they awoke this morning and there was a squirrel in the bucket with the frog.  Boy, were we all lucky that squirrel did not decide to eat a little frog for breakfast...

What a great time we had at High Rock Lake with our special friends!  I think these smiles say it all!

I hope you enjoyed our adventures at Lake George, Jordan Lake and High Rock Lake.  We sure had a great time, but...I am not sure I will be the only one sitting out swimming in the future...we shall see.  :)