Slow down summers

This has been our first truly slow summer.   Yes they have their one or two summer. Amos for church, and we did a one week vacation. This summer I decided no reading lists, no weekly plans, no must haves, just every day sleep in (or wake up early), plays, explore, swim and just enjoy our summer.  No homeschooling, no summer school, no weekly play dates, just enjoying our slow down.

So far our kids have been calmer, happier, and overall less stressed.  Sometimes we need to remember to just slow down and let them be kids.  Let them get bored.  Most of all, let them be loved.

So here is so slower summer, more popsicles, more swimming, and more family time.

I pray that our kids remember these sweet lazy days as fond memories.

Later I’ll post more of our vacation adventures!

What Makes a Great Father and Husband.

I am forever thankful that God has brought my incredible husband into my life.  As many know, we had a very rocky start, but over the years I become even more grateful for how incredible he is!

With Father's Day today, I was going through a mental list of what makes a good Father and Daddy??

These are not in any particular order, but just some of the many reasons I am thankful that my boys have an incredible man to look up to and raise them!

1.  He puts his family above himself.

I know many men who think of themselves or who only want what's best for them.  My husband, through all of his injuries, health, and struggles has ALWAYS put his family first!!  Even when times were incredibly hard, he sacrifices his own wants so that his family can have what they want first.

2.  Leads by example.

He doesn't just "say" what he wants his boys to be, but he sets forth an amazing example of a strong and Godly man.  He teaches his boys to read their Bible, go to church, pray, and talks with them through their struggles.  He shows them it's okay to feel emotions, and still how to be a strong man.

3. He spends quality time with his children.

Our boys will never know or understand how incredible of an opportunity they have had, having their dad home with them full time.  They get more time with their dad than most children ever get, and it has helped shape and mold them into amazing young boys already.  He makes sure to spend quality time with his boys and train them into them men they need to be.

4. He shows unconditional love.

When our children mess up, or when things are hard, he shows them he loves them always.  Through discipline, adventures, and struggles, they have a father who shows the example of God's love and correction in one of the best ways I have ever seen.



5.  He challenges them as they grow.

John is constantly challenging, growing, and sparking ideas into our boys as they grow and mature.  One day they will have to lead their own families, and I'm forever thankful they have an incredible man to look up to and follow.  They can always go to him for questions and answers, and I'm thankful we have grown together and that he continues to follow God in all things.