Explorations

Carson overlooking the valley

Mason hovering that edge ;) 

One of thee most exhilarating and yet possibly terrifying things about being a mom of boys is their dire need for exploration. It's a thing that they are simply born with.  An inner passion to search the possible unknown. A single eyebrow raising of what lies around the bend. Over that ledge. Down that unscathed path. Behind that unseenly huge boulder. 

A God-given drive to pursue something that allows him to be all the more 'manly' as he discovers a new-found place and/or even a situation to maneuver himself out of. 

Austin sitting atop the rock archway

with my favorite...at a favorite place

I could share oodles of stories about each one of my three handsome gents' first year or two (or ten!) of life and the crazy places I discovered that they had crawled into, rolled into, toddled into, hidden into, walked into, etc. God clearly has a sense of humor when I think back on how in the world they sometimes literally "jammed" themselves into said places. (getting them out of those "jams" is another story....and I'm sure you have plenty of stories you could share of getting your own handsome gent out of a jam or two...)

our 3 handsome gents

This whole idea of exploration, especially as they have grown over the years (figuratively and literally), I truly embrace it and yet I desperately want to tame it all the same. I can't help that the protection piece of a mama's heart may want to win out the "be careful battle". But I also remember learning quite early on in my mothering years that boys are risk-takers, they are explorers by nature. It's one of the many unique qualities God created in these little men. (disclaimer: it never stops. And it's awesome to watch evolve over the years.)

Not only have my boys become excellent explorers, but I've been witness to them becoming leaders within that very realm. Leading a group of friends who had never been to the high desert mountains in Nevada, let alone camping in said mountains, these handsome gents led a group around the breath-taking frigid blue lake bobbing & weaving over rocks and boulders only to take them to that perfect rock. From there, it was "bombs away" into that crisp, nearly clear, refreshing mountain water. And not one friend hesitated. 

Bombs away!! 

Explorers

We spotted 'em..

Yes! Swimming in some glorious, frigid, pure mountain lake water. 

In a matter of what seemed like minutes, these dear friends not only explored the trails, endured & enjoyed the endless fishing,  searched for any signs of wildlife but also embraced it...all of it...in every sense of the word. Literally and figuratively. Each one of them beheld giggles and smiles alongside each exploration. Even when the switchbacks on the mountainside led to a wide-eyed gasp or two as the edge (read: basically a cliff) right outside their truck or jeep window was steeper than thought, a giggle escaped. A picture was taken.  A new memory was made. A new feat defeated. 

**a few more photos from our summer trip out west**

Our traditional stop in Walnut, IA....Robert's Bakery :) 

Salt flats...and trust me, it was nasty salty!

I just love these guys of mine...

Lifelong friends-- sunset in the desert

my forever favorite

This crew!! Such a fun time...

my favorite fisherman

AndersonClayworks pop-up sale--so fun to see so many people! 

Cousin catch-up on the swing

Lye Creek fun! 

CJ and Joey relaxing...or being mischievous?! 

Love hanging out with the cousins :) 

Nan and Pap with the Grandkiddos!! 

To my sweet mama friends, don't shy away from cheering on your young gents into becoming explorers. Help mold them in taking that God-given exploratory nature into becoming leaders. Becoming men who will help others along the way to experience endless new adventures. 

Faith Family of Five--we love to explore!! 

And mamas (and dads/grandmas/grandpas/aunts/uncles/etc) , we need to be explorers ourselves. Join in on some of those random exploratory adventures or you may just miss out on something that you never would have otherwise experienced. Missed out on discovering beautiful things and places that may literally be in your backyard. And we didn't even realize it. Missed out on some serious belly-aching laughter or clear defining moments alongside your people. 

And most of all, keep exploring God's word. Don't miss out on what He may have to show you. Let Him guide you as you faithfully and intentionally provide opportunities for your young gent(s) to be an explorer. 

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains..." Psalm 36:5-6 

And Away he goes....

I knew the day would come when my 16-year old would slide in behind that driver's wheel by himself. I would be fully absent. He would drive away without me sitting in the passenger seat navigating his turns, critiquing his stops, voicing encouraging words whenever he would second-guess himself, and changing the radio station when deemed necessary. I knew the day would come when I wouldn't be the one sitting in the passenger seat laughing alongside my eldest handsome gent and jamming to those radio tunes with him. He would be sitting in that driver's seat by his lonesome self as he made his way to work. 

On his own. 

100% solo. 

He's legal! 

Watching Austin drive out of our narrowly paved woodsy driveway for that very first time with an even greater sense of freedom at his back may have given this mama a greater sense of anxiousness and prayerfulness all in the same breath. And I don't shy away from the fact that a few tears escaped slowly dampening my cheeks. Remember what it was like when you sent your baby boy to Kindergarten on that very first day? It was that. But with a higher intensity. A greater sense of the "letting go's" that all of us mama's know are coming and yet we seem to think that they'll take their sweet time. But in all transparency, they don't. They are swift and fleeting. 

Away he goes....

I'm so grateful that these "letting go" moments are spread out over the years and not all back-to-back like a falling domino snake chain. This particular mama's heart couldn't handle it!

With each time that my son has driven away with just himself behind the wheel, the letting go has gotten a little easier. Oh, the anxiousness & prayerfulness has never fully left, but my trust in him has grown each time. As Austin left for work after only a few days of doing the whole "driving by himself" routine, he said to me, "Mom...it gets lonely sometimes. It's just so quiet!" When I asked him why that mattered or why he didn't take advantage of those solitude minutes (even in rush hour traffic), his response made this mama's heart sing a little bit. 

"Because I like when you're with me. I like laughing and our chatting and random opera singing from time to time..." 

That. I will cling to that. 

Capture those moments with your young gents' fellow mamas. Be ok with being silly...and obnoxious. Someday they'll miss it. 

A boys' shelf-lining

As bedtime presented itself a few nights ago, I found myself lying atop the Star Wars comforter next to my youngest handsome gent, who was all snuggled in for a deep sleep, as we talked through the highs and lows of the day, reflected on a variety of learning moments, and eventually prayed together. However, as we began winding down our conversation something caught my attention more aggressively that particular night than it ever has before. It was the descending line of a variety of sports trophies on the shelf next to Mason's bottom bunk bed. I was taken aback for a few moments, but then as he began to drift away to dreamland, I paused to really look at what they were and why they were aligning themselves there as something he obviously prided himself in receiving. Those soccer, basketball, and baseball trophies I realized, are actually statues of something that represented a deeper sportsmanlike heart and hopefully, a more meaningful lesson on life. 

Joyful Noise 2019--Let's do this!!! 

I will admit that it shocks me to some degree, that in nearly everything a child does, he/she are given a trophy just for participating in a sport. And not just a sport, but in anything that may be considered extracurricular! To me, in all honesty, participating in the sport is a given. Not sure why there needs to be some sort of special recognition of it. As a parent, you are the one who signed up your child after all. And as a player/participant, you give it your all. You are a team player no matter the cost, but if you exceed the expectations and are above the norm, then that trophy is well worth being given! Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I feel like that has all been lost. 

So much fun with friends at Joyful Noise!!

Crowder...singing "Red Letters"...stage side!

These guys! 

"Land Of Color"....they were awesome! Mason got a signature of course ;) 

As I momentarily pondered on those trophies lining the shelf of my athletic little that night, I could only pray that these mortal representations of a "champion" would give way to something deeper. Something more eternal. The Eternal Life that is found in Jesus and HIS crowns (trophies) that are Heaven-awaiting. And that are SO worth the wait!!

...& Carson ready to listen to awesome music!

Mason....

Austin & mama up to the stage to worship with "I Am They"! 

"Store up for yourselves, treasures in Heaven...."


Standing amidst the crowd of thousands on the turf of the National Sports Center, my hubby and I, along with those who share in our generational love of the Newsboys/DC Talk, were vaulted back to our teenage years as the Newsboys music filled and overwhelmed the open-air arena. But I think one of the most telling moments of the night, perhaps even beyond the lifted side-spinning drum set during "Jesus Freak", was just a small snipet of one of Michael Tait's (lead singer) 2-minute talk inbetween songs. Walking down the charcoal black center aisle of the stage, he humbly and unashamedly declared into the microphone that "We freaking love what we get to do!! It doesn't matter how many Billboard awards, Grammy's, how many Dove awards we get. This is all so much more than that! It's about sharing His love to you people, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ here and out there.........."


Clearly. It's not about the shiny statues for them. 

Meeting the NEWSBOYS!!!!!

Newsboys!!!! Yep...blessed by a 'meet and greet' with one of our favorite bands!
As we walked away, Carson says "Michael Tait smells good....and it's now on my shoulder." ;) 

Legacy guys/friends---and ultimately men of God

Thankful for these beautiful ladies! 

I pray that all of us, especially our handsome & beautiful sweet littles, are beyond getting some sort of earthly participation trophy. But rather, that as we continually travel the pain-staking challenges, the deep hurts & heartbreaks, the heartfelt questioning, the utmost joys & the hardest sorrows, we anxiously await the Heavenly jeweled crown that will only be adorned by His utmost Majesty. 

My Favorite :) 

And I can't even begin to fathom a more perfectly glorious, beautiful, undeserving, humbled, perfected Trophy. 

To God be the Glory!