Between Raindrops

Just as we were about to leave for the beach yesterday, the raindrops started falling. We got in the car anyway and told Titus that we might not be able to go onto the beach if it was still raining when we got there. I told him to pray that it would stop. He did. It did. Just long enough for us to have one wonderful hour of fun and relaxation.

Super Titus

I hate to admit it but I've become slightly addicted to a new website. Pinterest. I can search it for hours {and have been}. It allows me to look at other people's creative ideas and then "pin" them on my own online inspiration boards. Yesterday I combined this with this and came up with this :) -


















Although I didn't read through the directions for making the cape and it wasn't until just now that I realized I was supposed to cut some of the length off and make the neck hole fit with Velcro. I am pretty much a "cut first measure later" kinda girl. I just grabbed one of Steve's old t shirts from our rag bin and used some bleach that I had in the laundry cabinet. I do plan to buy a bleach pen and make some tee shirts for both boys another day.

I did some time machine effects on the pictures. I don't usually like to mess with editing my pictures too much but I thought it was fun for these.

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I am enjoying motherhood like I haven't in a while. I have been getting such great reports about Titus from his teacher each time I pick him up. It's been so encouraging. I know Titus is an amazing child, but we're just in such a difficult stage of parenting with him. He's right in between the terrible twos and the independent threes. Hearing the teacher's praise has been a huge blessing. It's helped to change my attitude about parenting him. And I think all the praise is helping him to feel better about himself.

The boy's swim instructor had a plate in her house with this quote...

"Praise Your Children and They will Blossom."

I love that. I want it displayed in my house so it can be a constant reminder to me to continually praise the boys. It does make a difference...in my attitude and theirs.

---On another note---

I thought last night what a wonderful move this has been for us. For our family. Each one of us.

I'm getting involved in ways I never would've imagined myself. Groups, bible studies, ministry. I am so happy to see and feel myself growing and changing here. Becoming bolder, more confident in who I am, learning, and giving. Steve is being challenged in school. He is taking on new and different responsibilities and is discovering new desires and career goals for himself. Titus is maturing. He is making friends, respecting his teachers, enjoying new experiences. He loves being at school "with dad." It's just incredible to watch him discovering new things and growing so quickly {mentally, emotionally, physically}. Little Quincy, it's been good for him to be in nursery each week. Getting use to new people and being apart from me. He is happy and lovable. He enjoys the beach and is really doing well with his swimming!

I can tell such a difference in our attitude this time around. We have already {in a month} had several unexpected expenses, some difficult moments, long days, late nights, received sad news. Yet we've never once had thoughts of, "we shouldn't have come." We are seeing so much positive in our lives and are so grateful for this chance to be here again.