Who Knew......

My girly is a little artist.

She colors for hours every day but it's usually in coloring books.

Loren and I don't teach her how to draw because we....well...ummmm....can't draw, so she's on her own.

Today however she found a drawing pad someone gave her for her birthday and drew these photos while I was getting ready for the day.

I love these drawings. They make me smile.

A chick and a mouse. 

A otter trying to eat a small cat

Dog, monkey, cow, deer, hippo, a farmer,
a chick, a cow, a fish, an otter,  a cat & a butterfly

Not too bad, eh?? 



And, after an Art(ful) morning we headed out to get our bounce on at Bounce Central.

It is brand new.  We had never been before.  I love setting up play dates.  So it was a perfect combination.  A ton of moms and kiddos came out and joined Grace & I and it was hoot!  2 hours later and my girl was begging to go home and rest.  I was tired too.  Such a fun place to go. We'll definitely find ourselves there more next winter when it's freezing out and we have nothing to do.

I just couldn't help myself--cute little ruffly tushy

 And, what you don't know is that she initially walked in, plugged her ears and sat down with a look of fear in her eyes.  She did not want to participate.  It was too loud, too overwhelming and over all not what she thought it was going to be.  

  Knowing it would do more harm than good, I didn't force her to do anything.  I just started to play.  She finally came into the bounce house (after everyone else was out of it) and starting laughing and screeching. Slowly she got braver & braver and moved upward to the bigger stuff.  

And, for her grand finale she skittishly agreed to go down the big slide with me. After two times with me she ventured out on her own and went down it about 15 times by herself.....and made sure I was watching each and every time.  This mama was proud.  Success!  And, she was proud of herself too.   She conquered her fears. 

 Thank you God for your protection, for your promises and for your scriptures that bring such comfort.

  Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psalm 56:3  

    Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Now we are eagerly awaiting this weekend.
Why you ask???
CHRIS TOMLIN!
That's right, tomorrow after Loren gets off work we are driving to Seattle.  We will spend the night at Loren's uncles. Saturday we'll spend the morning visiting with the Turners at Seattle Center and then we will hang out with more family in the afternoon who also live in Seattle.  At 7pm Grace will be experiencing her first real concert.  A Chris Tomlin concert!  She knows the lyrics to pretty much all of his songs.  I think we are all going to be blown away and blessed beyond anything we can even imagine.  Thank you so much mom for getting us these tickets.  We look forward to sharing our experience when we get back.

I Will Follow: Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow