Kody Tody Isn't A Toddler Anymore

I'm so proud of this kid.

Not because he is a 12 year old Eagle Scout,

although that is fantastic and incredible.

They were impressed with his confidence and preperation. Even his board of review went quickly.  He gathered toys, bedding, and clothing for a local foster nonprofit

right before Christmas time.

What makes the story incredible is that his Scout troop dismantled in December 2019.

He still needed to be in a troop for 3 more

months and finish a few merit badges.

For some time he had been debating whether to finish or not.

He finally decided to make the decision to pray about it. He did and felt like he needed to finish.  He had a great experiencing practicing to "Hear Him".  Not only that but he acted and quickly too.

I hope this exeprience helps solidify for him the blessings of talking to a loving Father in Heaven and then hearkening to His words.

Great British Bake Off

For Mother's Day, I got their cookbook.  Isabella and I have been trying recipes.

Our first three:
Petite four strawberry shortcakes;

Apple cake:

Sfogliatella with chocolate, orange ginger filling:

Moderate levels of success.  Can't wait to try more!

Puzzle Mania

Q. What do you do during Covid?
A.  Over 20,000 pieces of puzzles.
*some of my masterpieces

South Padre Beach Time

So I would like to return for a longer vacation, probably.  It feels like there is more exploring to do!  The beach is pretty typical, lots of tourist shops, and restaurants, and everyone uses golf carts to get around.  It's about 5 hours away, a little long, but a perfect mid level vacation.

Our little digger loves to make holes, etc...

There were about 12 of us in a 3 bdrm/3 bath condo.  2 kids on couches!

The girls laying out.

The men took over the holes and tunneled caves between them.

Boogie boards, volleyball, sand toys, and so much fun.

Back at the pool and hot tub right outside the condo.

A Walmart run for more supplies.

Where we were within the resort.

Just sitting on the shoreline. Ahhh.

Wrestling with Issac, who keeps thinking every day is the day he is finally stronger than me.

Isabella is missing her bottoms here as she took them off to rinse off sand and Amanda took a picture.

So tired, need to sleep!

Isabella riding in the cart, reliving her youth.

We love finding Whiting streets, especially at the beach.  Heading home!

Let Me See You Jellyroll or Jellystone As The Case May Be

Memorial Day was awesome for our family, even if it wasnt entirely focused on those who died while serving in the military.  We went camping in Jellystone Park up in Wichita Falls, Texas. After a tennis tournament was cancelled during COVID, we used the credit to go then.  It was amazing fun with fantastic friends.  The bromance factor is strong!

My Life is Not A Tidy Story

My kids think I am mean.  When I say this it isn't in a "woe is me" please give me assurances way, but in general observation.  The longer they stay in our home, the more frequently they share their thoughts on my parenting with me.  Often they share when they have strong opinions so with fierce love and equally fierce recognition that I am doing some things totally wrong.

Sometimes it's hard to hear.  It hurts.  Because clearly I'm not trying to suck it up as a mom and rarely have I ever thought of myself as a mean person.  I also never want to quiet their voice and reject their feedback just because it is hard to hear.  And the closer they get to adulthood, the more I want them to be able to as kindly as possible share constructive feedback with their associates and with those whom they have relationships with.

So here is my formal admission, that my life is not a tidy story.  I don't always make the best choices, my words are not always kind and encouraging and supportive.  My kids don't always feel my love and sometimes they suffocate under the weight of my expectations.  I am doing some things wrong, but still I am okay with me.  I know I stand ready to try and try again, tweaking and fine tuning my methods to try and be more Christlike.  My story is not done yet and I am never going to give up.

I love you and so even if my actions aren't tidy in showing you that, let these words give you the hope you need to believe them.