Outside Gifts

I love being outside. That, in itself, is a gift.

It has been so beautiful here lately, my favorite weather, I think. It is weather for working outside, for playing in the yard and taking long walks. On one of our walks this week we were pleased to visit with a neighbor we don't usually see. She had a stump removed from her backyard that day and offered us any mulch that we would like to come and haul away. What a gift! I've wanted to mulch around the front of our house since we moved in! It is another one of those unnecessary expenses that fell off the priority list during law school. Another generous neighbor loaned us her wheelbarrow. The kids and I made numerous trips back and forth to the backyard mulch pile. Owen would push the empty wheelbarrow while I pushed T in the stroller, Liv walked, and R rode his bike. We would fill up and then I would push the full barrow home while Owen pushed T. It was hard work! I was so impressed with O's (age 7) enterprising spirit and unflagging effort. Another gift! Over and over again, I am praising the Lord for these gifts He pours out on our family.

My children are a gift. I love this picture because it captures one moment... the three younger children are preparing to run to me. It's precious to me because T is just starting to edge his way into all the escapades of the others. He prepared for the race and ran with everyone else, nevermind that he is only ONE and was left in the dust. He loved it. And then he put his fingers in his mouth, his other hand down his shirt collar, and quietly took his place to race again.