something bigger than herself.

Happy 4th of July! Aren't we so blessed to live in this country? We are, and we just forget. We get so comfortable in our cozy little homes, and fill our time and our schedules with things that make us happy. I know I do. And, there's truly nothing wrong with being happy. It's such a gift, to be able to live so freely and comfortable in this country, is it not?

I'm living the dream I've always wanted. And while I'm sitting comfortably inside, planning out my family's summer schedule and flipping through pretties on Pinterest, my sister Ariel comes to mind. This summer, she, too is finally doing what she's wanted to do her whole life, which is to be a missionary. She's taking advantage of the truths God has shown her and the freedoms America has given her to, in her own words, "craft them into something that will bring tangible relief to the world’s many impoverished citizens and tell them about Christ.". What a selfless woman my sister has grown up to be! Right now Ariel is spending 5 weeks in the Philippines, serving orphan children who have nothing. To track Ariel's journey and to see how you can help and pray for these little ones, you can visit her blog, Mission: Street Kids. 

Ariel, if you're reading this, I am so very proud of you. You are giving up your summer break to lay down your life and allowing the Lord to work through you to help out others that are truly in need. You're taking on a huge task right now, but you're doing it so, so well. You provoke me to want to step outside my comforts, and look beyond myself. We live in a world that is grieving, that is hungry, and deeply in need of Jesus. Thank you for your example! I love you so.

she {still} says adorable stuff

There's nothing that tickles me more then cute kids saying cute things. Especially when they're your OWN kids.

No one will find this as heartbreakingly adorable as I, but I gotta keep record of this stuff. Here are some of Sky's quotes from this week and last.

She was playing "puppies" and pretending to be the mommy dog. She says to her pup, "Yappy puppies don't always yap, you know. What do they do?? They graduate from college."

If you're a country music fan, then you know about Lady Antebellum's beautiful song, "American Honey". It's a favorite in this house. Sky belted out these lyrics: "There's a wild, wild wisker growin' under my chin | Callin' out my name like a long lost frieennndddd." I couldn't stop laughing!

Dancing around in my room to one of her shows, "The Fresh Beat Band", she brags, "I'M going to be the FIFTH beat member! And Tie-Dye (her current favorite lovie) is going to be the SIXTH!" --> As a mom, I was shocked she even knows what "fifth and sixth" means. She knows more than I realize.

This is why Sky said she could not walk next to me at the grocery store: "Because Lissy gave me her swollen toes." --as though Liss' swollen feet from pregnancy were contagious. Nice try, Baby Girl.

Tonight at dinner:
S: "Mommy can we talk about anything I want to talk about?"
Me: "Sure!"
S: "...OK. (sigh) Lets talk about maybe getting a puppy while I'm still 3."
Me: "Lovie, remember why we can't get a puppy right now?"
S: "Yes but I'll take really good care of her! We could just go to the puppy store and get one right now if we hurry up!"
Me: "Girlie there are 3 big reasons why we cannot get a dog right now."
S: "Well, I can think of FIVE reasons why we SHOULD get a dog!"
Me: -----

And this one, I wasn't able to witness :( But this is how it went, in Ariel's words:
The waitress mentions that she has a big group of people celebrating a sweet 16th b-day. "Just wait 'til you're 16," she says to Sky. The waitress walks away and Sky looks very, very confused. A few seconds later she touches her chest with three fingers and says, very concerned, "She thought I was 16, but I am only 3."