Memorial Day!

We had an absolutely terrific, relaxing Memorial Day weekend--lots of much needed family time! Ty has been working such long hours, he needed a break for sure. We spent lots of time in the pool and outside. We grilled out Saturday night with Ty's best friend, Andy--the weather is so perfect to just be in the backyard all day. Sunday night we took the kids miniature golfing for the first time. Jake took it quite seriously and caught on and actually beat Ty and I on a couple of holes. Grace was just funny. She would get frustrated and just carry her ball to the hole most of the time. She had a few good holes and was very proud of herself. Ty and I are always very competitive and he beat me by 1 stroke…it was fun!

Monday we spent the day on Lake Conroe with the Mathews at their lake house. We spent the majority of the day in the boat and both kids tubed. Grace and I went together and laughed and laughed! Jake was less sure but saw how much fun Caden was having and decided to go with him. He loved it so much, he went again with Harper and Addison. I'm always so thankful for our friendship with the Mathews that started all those years ago on the Harding front lawn! 

Hooray for friends and family!

Jake and Grace outside of church. JoJo made Grace her patriotic dress and a matching one for her Bitty Baby, Zoe Susie--so cute!

Our little golf pros

All six kiddos on the lake

Ty with his mini-me

Gracie and the triplets

Jake and Caden

Emery and Grace--these two are buddies for sure

Jake tubing with Addison and Harper

Moving on to Pre-K

Grace had a fantastic year in three year old pre-school! She loved her teacher, Mrs. Renee, and loved her friends in her class. I can't believe she'll be ready for Pre-K next year! She'll be moving upstairs at school and will be in the classroom next to me in the fall.

We ended the year at school with water day which the kids love! Here's Grace on her last day of school!

Nolan, Grace, and Sydney

Grace and her girlfriends: Siena, Sydney, Annabelle, Katherine, and Grace

Playing a relay game

Playing the relay game: this picture shows how she's getting tall and skinny! She's growing up!

Why I'm thankful for summer

The past few weeks I've been working on a "summer bucket list" for the kids this summer. I love to plan activities and crafts with them--I really love it. I'm a planner and a list maker and have been since I was old enough to make activity lists for my Barbies as a little girl :) Now I have my own little "dolls" to make plans for and they're at the perfect age to think Mommy is still fun!

Here's what I came up with:

 My list comes from different blogs, Pinterest, and local activities in our area. Nothing fancy, but lots of fun!

As I was thinking about the list and the summer and my kids, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I realize I am blessed. I needed to feel that today.

 Lately I've been thinking that I should have taken a different path--one that actually makes money. One that would give me a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that I truly contribute to our family. When I had Jake, I chose to stay home and quit my career as a high school English teacher. Until I had him, that was my identity and a job I truly loved. Those kids were my kids and I still adore them and love watching them become successful adults. Then my full time job became being Jake's mom--a job that I just adored. We had Grace, and I became doubly blessed. I was so thankful Ty encouraged me to stay home and supported our family. It was a sacrifice for him, too, because being a one income family means much more budgeting and living more frugally. And, I was blessed we were able to do so.

Last year I started teaching Pre-K part-time, a job that allowed me to work where my kids went to school and still have two days at home with them. It's not a job that makes much money at all, but it allows me to make a bit and still have plenty of time with the kiddos.

But then self-doubt creeps in--I began to feel guilty for not making more money--for not having a  "real" career." I don't think I ever realized that becoming a mom comes with so much guilt. Working moms feel guilty for working, Stay at home moms feel guilty for not working, and as a part-time mom, I felt guilty for both…

That's where God comes in. Only He can truly grant me with peace in whatever situation I'm in. I have so much to be thankful for…so much, it's overwhelming and I lose sight of it.  I'm slowly learning to be content. To soak up the blessings I have for each day. To realize life is not about things or a big house or the perfect clothes. To rest in the promise that God fights for me and my family (Exodus 14:14) and He is all we need. To enjoy my kids to the deepest level possible--they truly are at a perfect age where everything is exciting.

Today, looking at my list, I did truly feel blessed that I can experience all the goodness of summer hand in hand with Jake and Grace. There is a season for a "real" career but there will never be a career as fulfilling as that as being a mom. I can rest in that.