Performance Boy!

 

Micah had his end of the year performance for school. Micahbird LoVES the stage and loves to perform. He had no idea that he stood out with his goggles on:) We were thankful because they made him easy to spot. We are so thankful for his year at the ELC, so much so we are doing it again next year. Ha. Mrs. Giles and Mrs. Sentel have been amazing teacher's and Micah has enjoyed it so much. Next year I will definitely be a basketcase knowing this is his last year in our little bubble of a world. 

Surprise!

One of my bff's in the world turned 30 this year (actually two of my bff's do) but April turned 30 this past weekend. She is such a special friend to me so I figured I'd do another Ode to April, and to friendship in general. God has blessed me with some lifelong friends, some older wiser friends, some for a season friends, some to simply point me to Jesus and some that I don't know His exact reason for their friendship but I see purpose somewhere some how, eventually. April fits somewhere in that mix, sortof. She and I met before I had any kiddos and have remained friends through two babies. We became friends later in life but our foundation is actually our relationship with the Lord because we met in Sunday school and while we weren't at the same season in our lives (she has two older babies pictured above), but we at the same season in what God wanted to do in our hearts. She is a LIGHT in my life and a constant encourager in truth. That is hard to find and I am so thankful I have her. I think I've written similar posts about April in the past but I felt it needed to be said again. This week has been so hard losing someone who has been apart of my life my whole life. I don't remember the last time I saw Kristie, but I never thought it would be the last. It is God reminding me that I need to live for Him moment by moment and I don't need to let time pass without thanking Him for giving me people in my life that show me His love and I want to show others His love. So easy to be caught in the routine and forget what is truly important. I did it today even after being reminded about it during the day. It reminds me of that verse that talks how no one looks in the mirror and then quickly forgets what they look like, yet we read His word and then quickly forget what it says. How true is that for me that even in the midst of a lesson I have to confess I quickly forget the very thing God wants to teach me. So thankful for Jesus, forgiveness, grace and the gift of friendships new and old.

Second child?

 

SadieJane had her Gymnastics Performance last weekend. I snapped this picture as they walked in and then my camera battery DIED. Oh for the love. Poor second child. Micah has nineteen pictures of him on the beam and bars, etc. and prisspot has ONE. I guess this would be on the list of why we shouldn't have a third, because at this rate we might not even have time to attend his/her performances. Kidding, I'm kidding. Maybe. So SayJ did awesome, she is a monkey, and loves gymnastics. She loves her teachers, her friends and doing flips. I am so thankful for this outlet she has each week. For both of us. And since there aren't any pictures you'll just have to take my word for it.

gettin' real...sortof

I've warned you all that there was alot on my heart and before I could even put that in writing things got hard. Real hard. I hate to be vague. But I have to be for some of it. Basically there is alot of hurt going on around me and alot of it is some way connected to drugs. I mentioned in previous posts I was having a hard time dealing with life and dealing with my relationship with Jesus, well I guess satan was reading because he has come on hard core. It seems at the very moment I forget how real he is, he shows up with nasty vengance. Ugh. I hate satan. Anyways, I am just truly aware of spiritual warfare right now and I feel like there is a weight all around me. After a hard week of praying and fighting in His strength I get a call yesterday from my Momma (Jenny) that their bff's at the lake Donna and Stanley's daughter Kristie had been found dead in her home that morning. We don't know what happened or the details yet. She has 3 children (one of which is Micah's age) and she was like a sister to me in some ways. We didn't talk as much later in life but she was 8 years older than me and at the lake she was my keeper and babysitter. We did have a few talks as adults and I always left praying for peace for Kristie, often she just had so much on her plate that it seemed so overwhelming. We always loved to joke and laugh about our parents and their crazy lake life. I can always remember if I made Kristie laugh I had definitely said something funny. She was also my parents goddaughter and their only since for 8 years they didn't have me:) Her parents are so special to my parents and to us and Kristie was their only daughter. It is such a shock and a sad situation. It also just brings up alot of thoughts and concerns about my sister since her struggle was similar to Kristie's for so long. It just makes me anxious. Please pray for Kristie's husband, children and family. The one place to find joy is in Jesus that Kristie knew Him and is in heaven. Her struggle with dealing with life was a hard one and she is no longer having to fight that battle. That is a blessing. But I know the people left behind don't neccessarily feel that way and I get that for sure. In times like these the "doing life" and "doing life with Jesus" go hand in hand because you can't get through the day without Him. I am thankful for that constant and peace that passes all understanding and I pray that while the raw emotions and exhaustion will fade that the continued dependence on the Lord, minute by minute, hour by hour, would stay the same.

Oh to the boy who stole my heart...

 

five short years ago. I can not believe I am typing about my sweet Micahbird turning FIVE. Everyone tells you it'll go fast but nothing can prepare you of the rapidness of the years. I mean, don't get me wrong the days are often loooooong, but they years they seem short:). Micah is more boy than ever, swinging at anything he can hit, throwing anything that looks round and constantly begging to go outside and play ball every day of the week. He is all boy and passionate as all get out. He loves and plays hard. Which means when he hurts, oh man, break my heart. We have dealt with some first this year, nothing crazy like those first few years when EVERYTHING is new...but Micahbird has changed even more. He has become much closer to Mick, he even let it slip the other day that he likes him more. Hurt my sensitive heart pretty bad, but truth is I know he does get him in a way I can't and Micah senses that. He told me later he loved me too, but still. Micah has had his first real crush on him and boy oh boy that is another post of its own. But bottomline he has an "admirer" at school and he has yet to notice, I on the other hand can't stand it and am praying for how I will handle real situations like this in thirty years! Micah has also formed a bond with SadieJane and the two of them can now play together, if they can get along long enough to do so. I will add Micah's questions later to compare with last years, but I couldn't let today go by without one more short gushfest about the long awaited, prayed for bundle of joy that kicked his way into this world and has been pushing the limits ever since. Nothing else I'd trade it for in the world. It is undoubtedly the highest calling to be a Momma with the hardest days and nights with the greatest rewards scattered just far enough in between that you find the strength to keep going. I love this Micah Reed Seven Harper and I can't wait to see the boy God is growing him to be. Well, yes I can. I will enjoy this time when I can still pick him up and kiss him in public for as long as I can, because I hear it will end. But I secretly hope it never does.

 

This season I got to play tennis on one of my best friend's Momma's teams. I also ended up getting to be her partner for most of the matches. Which is crazy because her daughter, Amy and I literally began our tennis career's together at the Health Club doing drills and playing USTA. Val convinced me I could hang with the big girls so I gave this season a try. Such fun! I have played ALTA, for.ever. But never have I ever won the City Championship for my division. Today we finally did! In ALTA you get a plate for your award?!? My mom had tons of these from all her tennis days when I was little, so it was quite special to get one of my own, and even more so to get to do it with someone who has been like a second Mom to me since before I was born... It also was a really high level that we were playing (don't worry, I wasn't one of the better players:)) but it really renewed my love for the game and now I want to play singles again, like I did and loved in high school. Since I've got all this free time on my hands I think I'll take it more seriously in the future. Look out Wimbledon!!! Yeah right!! Seriously though, this has been something that the Lord has allowed me to really enjoy lately and I am so thankful for a little release in my week to help me get through. Jenny and Nana definitely help make it happen, and even Mick chipped in a day of work to help me make it work. 

Special Day for a Special Boy

 

Oh this boy. He got to celebrate his birthday on Monday this week in the turtle class because we are celebrating me (mother's) on his actual birthday. Micah got to say the blessing, oh melt my heart, and then we sang to him. We brought donuts for his birthday and this boy just gets more special by the day for me! One more day and this little boy is 5!!