Last night was a monumental occasion in our family: We took a family bike ride and ALL 5 OF US were on our own bikes! The girls have officially (and safely) mastered bike riding! They’ve got the starts, stops and turns down like champs so we ventured out on a big loop around our neighborhood. It was a surreal moment for Brian and I as we watched all 3 of our kids riding ahead of us on their own.

It made me think what a fun summer this will be as our kids are more and more independent and can do “big kid” things. With all this said I would be lying if I said I still wasn’t nervous about 3 months of 3 kids home all day, everyday. Yes, as much as that little truth excites me to have all that time with my kiddos it also makes my heart beat a little faster and I start to get sweaty armpits.

“What are we going to do?!?”

Well I am happy to say I have answer. And not just for myself but for YOU too! My friend Jen (QuatroMama) is launching a new ebook today that is all about having fun this summer with your family. This book gives you 50 ideas to make the most of your time with your kids!

What Memories Will You Make With The Summers They Have Left?

7 Reasons You’ll Love This ebook:

1. 50 Simple Ideas to Get Outdoors & Connect With Your Child

2. Promotes Hands-On-Learning, Creativity, & Active Adventures

3. Frugal Fun for the Family

4. Suitable Ideas for Kids Ages Preschool to Preteen

5. Clearly Outlined Step-by-Step Ideas

6. Seasonal Suggestions for Every Climate

7. Additional Printables, Diagrams, and Resources

Friends, there are so many creative, active, hands-on-learning activities packed into these pages… plenty of adventures to keep you busy all summer long! No need to be intimidated, spend a lot of money, or take a wilderness survival course. ~Jen aka QuatroMama

I know this book will be my “go to” book when the kids say on Day 2 of summer “I’m bored, what are we going to do today?”

I’m excited to jump in to our summer with a great plan! Won’t you join me? 

                   Buy now for $4.99!

Source: simplemom.net via Tsh on Pinterest

As a mom there are lots of little things to be done throughout the day that I necessarily don’t want to stop and do sometimes:

• getting stuck food out of little teeth
• getting another dress out of the closet when there are 15 on the floor
• fixing another chocolate milk because the first one was spilt
• combing out tangly hair with tears and screams
• practicing spelling words and math facts
• playing another game of Candyland
• folding more laundry
• drawing another unicorn (even though I am getting pretty good at them!)

You know, the list goes on. But being a mom really isn’t about me. It’s about choosing them over myself. Not all the time but often. More yes than no. For when I do, I know I am developing patience, humility and a love that mirrors His. And that is what I want. If I am learning these characteristics through having to stop with my own agenda and serve my kids. Then I say yes, even when I don’t really want to. I know I want them to see these qualities in me more than hearing my “No” or look of “Really?”

How are you developing your character as a mom? What do your kids see within you?

Yesterday was THE day. THE day we’ve all been waiting for. The girls went to preschool! As some of you know our start day was pushed back for several reasons several times. This caused much discomfort around here. Ok maybe more for me than them. What can I say, after 7 years of having at least one little person with me at all times I was ready for a couple scheduled hours a week to do whatever I wanted. You know, wild and crazy things like cleaning the house and going to the grocery store.

We’ve been counting down the days and then we started recounting and recounting again  BUT we made it to yesterday. Carefully chosen outfits from the night before were put on by 7:30am. School starts at 12:15 my friends. Long morning for everyone involved. Finally, with MUCH excitement from everyone in the car we arrived to drop off time. We said a prayer for peace and confidence and lots of fun for the first day. With huge smiles, giggles and hand holding they hopped out of car and went right to their teachers. Wait, do I even get hugs? Quick hugs and kisses and off they went. And what’s this I feel? A little ache in my heart as I watched them bravely walk away. My big girls. I was so happy for them and proud of them. Oh, maybe I will miss these little sweet peas a bit.

But then without a minute to lose I hopped back in the car. I had to make the most out of the next 2 hours and 20 minutes and the grocery was calling my name. Told you I was getting all crazy!

This week did not roll out like I had planned. I was planning an overly productive week. Brian was traveling. I was looking forward to quiet evenings getting plenty ‘o stuff done. Not that I wasn’t going to miss quality with my husband but you know, looking forward to a change of pace for a few days. Well other things were in store for me. The morning Brian left I woke up with the flu. So. Not. In. The. Plans. Being sick is not high on my list EVER. Being sick when flying solo on the homefront is at the THE very bottom of my list. Because you know it doesn’t really make a difference if you’re sick to three young kids. None. My hopes for productive days and evenings were quickly erased. There was a lot of extra sleep, like in bed before 9pm, some extra TV time and moving rather slowly throughout the days. Still, I am thankful I was able to quickly redirect be efforts and attitude. Which is very unlike me. Usually I am not a very joyful sick person, rather grouchy in fact. I don’t like that MY PLAN is ruined because of sick days. I know so ugly and self centered. But true.

Despite being sick most of the week I can say now that I am feeling somewhat better I had a good week even though it wasn’t what I expected. I just saw His hand in cool, unexpected ways. Here are a few:

1. I was given the opportunity to encourage and pray for Brian in specific ways while he was gone. Even though we were miles apart I felt very close to him.
2. Our life group meeting this week was in our home. I love having others in our home, especially close friends. It was loud and chaotic at times times with lots of kids but still so awesome to see how God continues to knit our hearts together as a group. Love it!
3. Our good friends Andy and Jenni had the kids and I over for dinner. She often makes a point to have us over when Brian is traveling. He travels often so we gather around their table frequently. Words cannot express how much I appreciate a meal with other adults when I am managing on my own. The encouragement, community and the mere fact that the evening goes that much faster to bedtime blesses me so much!
4. Before I go to bed I always go in and check on each of kids. I make sure they are covered up and snuggled just so. I like to look at their faces so sweet and peaceful. A good picture to take in, especially if that particular day I didn’t see a lot of sweetness out of them. This week God impressed on me to lay my hands on each of them and pray for them specifically. I just felt God met me right there and placed specific words on my heart for each of them. I was so blessed by this special time with each of them. I think I will continue.
5. I had the privilege of attending my first school field trip with Mason. Oh my. What an experience with 90+first graders. I had Mason and two other boys in his class to keep track of throughout the day. Truth be told, probably 3 of the most energetic boys of the whole group. But we had so much fun. We went to Conner Praire, which is right here close to us. It was my first time and I loved it. The part of the park we visited was Praire town, back in 1800′s. We visited the blacksmith, the candlemaker and potter. We churned butter and played “stick and hoop” and got water from the well. You know just living the life of early settlers. No biggie. We also visited the one room school house and sat through a lesson with a VERY strict schoolmaster. This lady was not messing around and took her role quite seriously! I question whether she really knew it was not 1836. It was there where Mason asked me if I attended a one room schoolhouse or a regular school like him. Wow. And I thought I was aging pretty nicely. Most of all I loved watching Mase interact with his classmates and teacher. It gave me a better picture of who he is at school. I must say I was very proud of our little guy and what I saw. It was a great day to spend together!

I am thankful God’s plans for my week were different than I what I intended, even if it did include the flu. Hope you take some time today to think of the highlights of your week and thank Him for them! For it was His plan all along!