"Live in the sunshine, swim the seas, drink the wild air." 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are enjoying hummingbirds this year.  They remind us of Grandma Ford.  She always kept her feeders filled because it seemed that all of the hummingbirds in Bertie County were counting on her;-)

                       
                            

Jackson and Reid

Anderson and J

S and B

"This is your time, this is your dance
Live every moment, leave nothing to chance
Swim in the sea, drink of the deep
Embrace the mystery of all you can be" ~Michael W. Smith

B at the newly renovated CB park

                                          

                           

                                                             Twins:-)

Freedom

 "Though our gifts are a beautiful part of who we are, they do not make up our identity. We are sons and daughters first, loved before we ever set our hands to anything, believed in before we even attempt prove ourselves worthy. When we come to that place of confidence and security, knowing that the Father loves us and is proud of us regardless of our abilities or success, we can create and explore without the pressure to strive or produce. We are set free as artists when we step into our identity as beloved children." ~Allie Samson

The above quote was in an email I received yesterday.  I felt inclined to share  because it sums up the message I want my boys to hear, believe and live.  Oftentimes, I still struggle to wrap my mind around it.  If we could rest in our identity, we wouldn't be afraid to try, afraid to fail, afraid to trust God with everything.  Rick Warren said the following in one of his DailyHope postings:

 "You start believing what God says about you, that he is pleased with how he created you, and that God defines you. You’re not defined by your feelings. You’re not defined by the opinions of others or by your circumstances. You’re not defined by your successes or failures. You’re not defined by the car you drive, the money you make, or the house you say you own when the bank really does.You are defined by God and God alone. He identifies you as his own (2 Corinthians 1:22). The thing is, if you don’t know who you are, then you’re vulnerable to other people telling you who you are. But the concrete, solid, gospel truth is that you are who God says you are, and no one else has a vote in the matter.  This “identity issue” is an important part of living the abundant life. Jesus was able to face the incredible demands of his mission because he knew exactly who he was. He knew that he mattered to God, and that gave him confidence to move purposefully in faith." 

Freedom is knowing and understanding who we are in Christ, first and foremost.  I love that it's not about striving, despite the fact that we all get caught up in the demands of this world.  I can rest in knowing that none of that striving makes me more valuable or less valuable.  

Freedom is also summer.  Okay, I know that's not Biblical commentary here but it's truth!  Summer doesn't require much from me.  It demands less and allows for us to slow down and enjoy the little things that we often miss during the other seasons of the year.  The last two weeks have been unplanned, unscripted and pure joy!  Jackson spent a few days at Lake Gaston with Garrett, which was another last minute plan (so last minute, that I had to run out an buy him two new swimsuits, just an hour before he needed to leave).   Jackson had so much fun that he didn't want to come home.  Meanwhile, Webb, Sawyer and I missed Jackson but we spent several days doing a little bit of yard work/housework and a lot of relaxing and playing.  And speaking of playing, yesterday, the boys and I spent a few hours at Harris Lake with the Brewers.  Sawyer keeps telling me how much fun he had in the water and on the boat.  We all hope that they'll invite us to join them again and again:-)  

The dog discovered this turtle in Granddaddy's woods.  Sawyer (AKA Little Turtle Man) discovered that big turtles bite.  

Jackson is still throwing the "3-Peat" baseball gang symbol;-)  

Caption this!  

Swimming

Chewing gum and tubing

Posing for pictures;-)

Holly

"B"

Sawyer behind the window

Sawyer's first ride on the tube

Sawyer is enjoying the ride

Caption this one also:-)  

Wilmington to Asheville

Sawyer and I went from spending five days in Wilmington to spending three days in Asheville with Webb and Jackson.  It has been a week, let me tell you.  Laura and I met at the beach on a Wednesday and discovered there was no AC.  We spent 24 hours that way and it was one of the hottest days of the summer, so far.  Many other things went haywire over the days following.  The beach wasn't relaxing but we still had fun.  Laura left and Vickie and Jacob joined us for a night.  The fellowship part of the trip was my favorite.  

Webb had a few jobs in the mountains so we took a last minute trip with him.  When I say last minute, I mean I had no time to get the house in order.  Sometimes it's fun to be spontaneous!  This was Sawyer's first trip to the mountains.  He asked a lot of questions on the way like, "Am I going to fall off of the mountain? and "Is it going to be scary?" He actually traveled well so it made the trip more peaceful.  Webb had meetings and job sites to look at so we made the most of it.  We managed to fit in some calm water rafting and site seeing.  

The past two weeks have been eventful but what is always constant in our lives is the fact that God provides us with everything we need.  Sometimes doors need to be shut and I am beginning to think that he slams them for us because He knows we wouldn't do it otherwise.  We had a door slam and along with that came an array of emotions from sadness, disappointment, rejection, and anger.  Throughout, the Holy Spirit has reminded us that we aren't alone.  We are ALWAYS loved and accepted, even when things don't line up on this earth and we don't receive what we think we should.  It doesn't change who we are or who He says we are.  

This week, I was reminded that I can only do what I know is right.  Sometimes it's hard to see injustice and not do anything about it but again, I can't change other people's behavior, right?  I can speak up and fight with my weapon of prayer but it's still not up to me to change the heart of another.  God says in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for those who love him.  Even when things are difficult and unexpected, He is working for us.  Oh, and even when we think that it's not about us needing to change, He works through us and changes us:-)  

Here's to the rest of the summer which I expect to be fun, restful, and relaxing, spent with family and friends. 

The kids love the boardwalk this time of year

Tuckered out

Jacob entertaining Sawyer

At the canal hunting for critters

This is what summer is all about!

Our hotel

Our view from our room.  Don't look granny:-)  

Mellow Mushroom downtown with this sweet boy

Site seeing around Bat Cave, NC

WNC Zoo

Climbing trees at the zoo, like a monkey.

Rolo really liked Webb.

Rolo wants Webb's attention

Webb and I had a week filled with these.  Can you guess it? (Sorry, I couldn't resist:-)

Someone in the family doesn't hate snakes

Jackson looks thrilled to be posing beside the otter

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!