30 day challenge

I LOVE being a mommy. I LOVE going to bed at night and smiling about the funny conversations or the sweet memories from the day. Being a mother blesses me and refines me in a way that I could have never imagined before having children. I am challenged daily as I work to train, discipline, and disciple our babies. There is never a dull moment and I wouldn't want it any other way! wink! All that being said...

I need to confess, that I am terrible at stopping our daily routine to play with my children. I know, isn't that awful? It makes me kinda sad to write this, but I want to be held accountable and the Lord has been burdening my heart to challenge myself in this area. Here is the problem: I am a multi-tasker (and many days this is quite necessary to complete my responsibilities) but this skill can also be a stumbling block. Too often, I spend time with our children simply by being in the same room while they are playing; I'm busy unloading the dishwasher, checking my email for church, folding laundry, etc. I'm not helping to build with the legos but instead I'm cheering about the latest creation. I'm not hopping through the sprinkler, but I'm waving and watching from the window while I cook dinner.*sigh* This is the truth, friends. I stink at playing. Just call me Sarah Stinky McNeill. (Well, perhaps don't call me that in public.... ha ha!)

 I set aside time to pray and read  from the Bible with our children, and during our homeschooling year, it's no problem to carve out instructional time. But for some reason, I struggle to simply play with our children each day. Please don't get me wrong, I do color pictures, dance super silly in the living room, and chase them around the house as the tickle monster, but I don't just stop everything and play or pretend for thirty minutes each and every day. The 'busy' of life gets in the way and we're all missing out. Wubs turned 7 years old this week, and I know I've missed many opportunities over these short few years because I've been too 'busy'. I need to make a habit of stopping to play every day. Soooo, I am giving myself a challenge and I invite you to join me! Starting July 1, I am going to stop for (atleast) thirty minutes e.v.e.r.y day and PLAY! Nothing else, just play and pretend and make believe! I am going to blog about it too, because I have no doubt that the Lord will teach me a lot about our children during this time. It's my hope that if I stop and play every day for thirty days, it will become my new habit! If you also have a hard time stopping your daily routine to play, please join me! We can take the 30 minutes for 30 days challenge together!

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."- Psalm 27:8

Happy birthday to Wubs!

Dearest Wubs,

Happy 7th birthday! We are so thankful that the Lord has allowed us to be your daddy and mommy. You bring us so much joy with your gentle heart, thoughtfulness, creativity, contagious giggles, and your love for others. We have watched you grow closer to Jesus over this last year and we are excited about your blossoming relationship with Him! We are praying for you each day, and we are praising God for precious gift that He gave us... you! Thank you for your happy heart and for your eagerness to help. We love you oh so so so much! Happy birthday, little girl!

Love, Daddy and Mommy

ps- When did you get so big? *sniff* xoxox!!!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"- 1 John 3:1

Wordless Wednesday: Princess Camp

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"- Phillipians 4:4

Photojournal: Waterslide

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Papa and Nana! We LOVE our new water slide!

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies procleaim the work of his hands."- Psalm 19:1

Photojournal: VBS 2012

Here are my last few pictures from vacation Bible school...sorry, they are a little out of order but I dind't want to forget to post them! It was such a fun week, filled with excitement, and the best part...several children accepted Christ as their Savior! Wow! It was such a blessing to meet new families and get to serve alongside such wonderful volunteers.

These first few pictures of Wubs really bless my heart. Four years ago, Emma Grace cried and wouldn't even go up on stage for the VBS Friday night program. Three years ago, she went on stage, but she stood there completely frozen. Last year, she sang her song but again, she was too scared to even move. This year, she was dancing and smiling and having a wonderful time! I praise God that He has calmed Wub's fears and allowed our oldest daughter to sing and worship Him without reservation! wink!

I took this picture on 'Dress like you favorite VBS character night'. Emma Grace went to church dressed as Colonel Clash! ha ha!

Bella and Gracie were practicing their VBS songs in theater! So sweet!

I don't have any pictures of Bella from Friday evening's performance because she was so little, I couldn't see her up on stage. (Her class was standing two rows back.)  I know that she was singing and dancing with all her heart! wink!

Colonel Clash, Emma Grace dressed as Kernel Clash, and Virginia.

JJ's best friend celebrated her 1st birthday at VBS! We love Madelyn so very much and it was a special treat to share her big day with her!

Precious!

Wubs and Virginia stopped on the runway for a picture.

The girls and boys had a competition to see who could raise the most money for missions and also to see who could bring in the most food for our church food pantry. The boys won this year, but the girls sure tried hard! Maybe next year!

Wubs and Katelyn had a plane in their classroom! It was really neat. All the volunteers put so much love into preparing for vacation Bible school.

We certainly did have an 'amazing' week at Amazing Wonders Aviation, VBS 2012!

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage;be strong."- 1 Corinthians 16:13

More VBS fun!

 God has certainly been blessing vacation Bible school! He has been so faithful to provide an abundance of volunteers to serve the many children and families that have come to Faith every night. I love to watch the body of the church come together; it is exciting to work together! I have been trying to snap atleast a few pictures every night. Here is just a little glimpse Amazing Wonders Aviation 2012!

Wubs and Katelyn (and Matthew), under the sea.

Bella was working on her coloring sheet. She didn't even know I had popped into her class!

Wubs at craft time. She made a bobble airplane.

Katelyn, Wubs, and their class were preparing to go to Worship Rally.

An airplane balancing game.

Bella and Gracie, two peas in a pod.

JJ has had fun at VBS, too!

JJ has done great, staying up late each night! He has been a trooper!

Katelyn, Wubs, Bella, and Zachary! Next year we'll have to squeeze Madelyn and JJ into this picture!

David took this picture of all his girls before we left home one night.

All the VBS volunteers and their families have been eating together each night.

Virginia, Emma Grace, and Skylar. Sweet girls!

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth."- 1 John 3;18