Happy Almost Summer!

Edmonds Marina Beach

Hello mamas! Can you believe summer is just around the corner? What a blessing it has been to get out and enjoy the warmth of the sun already, even though it's still spring. I have been pondering the sermon I heard on Easter Sunday studying John 20:1-18 where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene after having risen from the dead, but she didn't recognize him, "thinking he was the gardener" (John 20:15). Pastor David urged us to consider the ways in which we sometimes don't recognize Jesus in our everyday, routine lives---because we may be too busy, distracted, or just don't stop to think about the situation and look for God's work there.

And it got me thinking---there are so many ways God shows up to meet our needs in the everyday----so many blessings and small things to be thankful for----what are some of the ways you have seen God in your everyday lately? A toddler napping when you desperately needed them to? A 2-year-old trying a bite of new food? A longer stretch of uninterrupted nighttime sleep? A friendly text from a friend? Playing outside? A brief moment to yourself? The list can go on and on.  I think the more we can do this, the more we will realize just HOW MUCH God loves and cares for us---and He has each of our days in His hands.  Even though there will always be tough moments during the day, or sometimes many tough days in a row, if we really look we WILL find the bright spots there too---we just have to remember to look, and say "Thank You, Lord!" :)

Wise Words

I have so enjoyed the "Beautiful Mess" theme this year. I hope we have all come a little closer to embracing our beautiful, messy, chaotic lives with little ones.  This may include usually having dishes in the sink, living mostly out of laundry baskets, and stepping on lots of crumbs with bare feet.  But it ALSO includes breathing in the sweet smell of skin after bath, feeling cuddly bodies draped on ours, and exploring the world through big, round, curious eyes---eyes that need their mama to love them through the mess.

Love you, mommies.

-Hannah