Family Time!

-
It was a slight bit cooler today (85 instead of 95!) so we decided to get out of the house and go for a hike in Gibson Park. I never knew these little hidden trails existed, but they are really great for kids! Not too hilly or steep and covered completely by trees. It almost felt cool  as we walked. The boys had a wonderful time! Evan and Tyson held hands and the "Cub Scout" lead the way! 



After hiking and playing on the playground, we decided to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. It was actually a calm and quiet meal which is rare for a family of 5! Dylan and Evan enjoyed playing checkers in the rocking chairs! This was the first time they've both played together like this. I almost cried watching them! I just can't believe how big they're getting!!!! Tyson was a little ham, as usual. There is just so much joy in these little guys! 



Today I am grateful for family time! We're together all the time since we homeschool and Bryan works from home quite a bit, but its still nice to get away from our "normal" and spend some quality time together with no phones, TV, tablets, or computers! I am also thankful for some sweet moments watching my boys run around outside. As I watched them, I just felt God smiling down on us. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the life He has blessed us with. Sometimes these simple, quiet (or loud because of little boys) moments are my favorites! I get to take a good look at all of God's blessings and my heart just bubbles up with joy. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Please take the time to leave an encouraging message

Popular posts from this blog

Please don't give me a wedgie!

-
Image
 Would you believe me if I told you that life with 3 boys is wild??  You probably would, huh? I'm telling you, just an average Wednesday night in the Shaw household is full of all sorts of craziness! I did hear a first tonight though!  Bryan was wrestling with the boys and suddenly Dylan starts yelling "Please don't give me a wedgie!" Now by those words, you would assume that he didn't want a wedgie but the way he was shaking his booty in front of Bryan and laughing, proved that he really did want a wedgie! HA! Then, of course, Evan and Tyson started saying, "Please don't give me a wedgie!" (One in English, one in toddler language) So we had three little boys running around shaking their tail ends and begging for wedgies.  There. Is. Never. A. Dull. Moment. As you can see from this picture above, they got their wedgies! They thought it was hysterical! And I just had to show you the picture below, just to give you an id
Read more

Beauty from Ashes

-
Image
I have heard the term "beauty from ashes" a thousand times in the past week. It wasn't the first time I 've heard the term but I've always just brushed it off. Since I've heard it so much lately, I decided to pay it some attention.  So here we go... The Bible says in Isaiah that God will give us beauty instead of ashes. In Biblical times it was the custom for people in great times of mourning and difficulty to lay down in ashes. Just imagine this...you’ve got a big problem in your life so you just lay down in a pile of dirty ashes. There is absolutely nothing beautiful about this scenario. So where does the beauty come from? Can ashes really be turned into something beautiful?   Scripture says that God is able to take the situation that burdens you or causes you pain and turn it into beauty. He can pick you up out of the ash pile of life and make something beautiful out of you. The Hebrew word for ashes is epher and the Hebrew word for beauty is pheer. Just m
Read more

Psalm 84: 11-12

-
Image
For the  Lord   God is a sun   and shield;      the  Lord  bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold      from those whose walk is blameless.  Lord  Almighty, blessed  is  the one who trusts in you Psalm 84: 11-12 I've been pondering Psalm 84:11-12 for a couple of weeks now. It has become one of my favorite verses. After really digging into this verse on my own and in Bible study this morning, I feel like God speaks volumes through these 38 simple words.  God is a sun and a shield. Like the sun, God provides for us, nourishes us, and is always present. The sun provides hope with each new day, just as God gives hope in even the worst situation. Like a shield, God protects us and gives us security. We can hide behind Him and feel safe. But, a shield does no good just laying near by. It only protects when picked up and used appropriately. The same is true with God. If we don't acknowledge Him, if we don't get to know Him, if we don'
Read more