Just a few days in, this refreshing of perspective and my efforts to slow life down a bit are taking hold. This weekend was full, but of good things and family and rest and some much needed quieting of my usual pace. If God has planned to use this pregnancy to stop me in my tracks a little, it’s working–and I’m really grateful. Mostly, I feel like I’m going to be able to look back on this time and remember…not always the kind of thing we think to do in the everyday, when surrounded by the mundane or ordinary. But I feel like my experiences have been so tangible these past few days, and I think it may be because there’s space around each moment to savor and process it. I’m loving the palpability of life right now.

We’re headed into a busy but fun-filled week, and I pray that within it, I can find plenty of moments to savor and appreciate. Still praying for more quiet, for the desire to be intentional, and for the wisdom to know when enough is enough and when too much is on the horizon. Before we move into the next few days of visiting and sharing and the like, let’s just park on today and this weekend and the good they had to offer…

had the chance to relax by the pool this afternoon while the boys enjoyed henry and daddy time (see them in the far background 🙂 h has on a bright green floating thing-a-ma-jig.

my view in between swim sessions at the pool this afternoon. i have a similar photo from when h was 3 months old. love that some things don’t change for a while!

our little fam on an impromptu walk down the state park pier tonight.

hank and dad on one last weekend adventure. h can’t take his eyes off of the barge that’s dredging the lake 😉

a freshly bathed munchkin in pjs at the end of the day, plus the pier and all of that lake and sky…what could be better?

We needed this weekend filled with family time and making space and checking a few things off the list. We’ll hope to have a good few more of these before the Button gets here…the time is just too sweet. Of course we know that life will be all that much more full and good with another life in it, but we’re busy savoring at the moment. So thankful for the chance to do so with our Bug!

As an aside, I had a woman I’ve never met before say the loveliest things to me at the pool today, and it really blessed my day. After so many experiences I’ve had in pregnancy where people just say whatever is on their mind without clearly thinking it through, I could have cried when a total stranger spoke life and joy into my heart. She introduced herself as Laura, and when she left, she said she’d see me again soon. I sure hope so. I’ll take all of the beautiful grace in my life I can get. God totally used Laura today. And it made me think about how little effort it takes to bless someone else if we’re open to the opportunity to do so. Praise the Lord for Laura, and for her heart. May God bless her intentionality and overflow her week with joy!

looking ahead in anticipation of what God will do tomorrow…this week…the rest of the Summer…

mm