All in a Day's Work

What have we been doing all day for the past few weeks?

Eating, drawing, tracing, coloring, puzzle building, lego building, cutting, singing, gluing, going to the park, bouncing at Leapin' Lizards, cooking, reading, pouting (mostly him, a little me), praying, bathing, sleeping (sometimes), racing, sorting, counting, dribbling, kicking, praising, cleaning, traveling, and more.

This week, add "tumbling" to the list. Owen is enrolled in his first organized sport, gymnastics. He's loving it!
Also add "butterfly watching". Bob Jones Nature Park in Southlake is free and fun. They even provided him with binoculars to use while we were walking the trails.

This is their compost bin, appropriately named "Darth Vader".

They have a pavillion to stop and eat at on the trail, so pack a lunch.

At the beginning, the trails are paved with pebbles, but then it's just cut through. This city kid will need a couple of rounds before he's ready for Camp Deer Run this summer. "I don't like these country sounds." I hope the cicadas weren't offended.



And our #1 activity has been to go to church and play on the playscape. This picture doesn't do this 2 story jungle gym justice (say that 3 times fast), but it's SAVING MY LIFE.

My friend Crystina and I were talking about how most blog posts are not diaries. That is, often, we do not write about our real day in all its details. The 1 hour tantrum complete with spit is reduced to a Facebook status that reads "Natalie McNeese Arnold is determined to be more determined than him" or something like that. Instead of the dirty details, I post "scrapbook worthy" pictures and antecdotes that I want to remember or share with others. The near-nervous breakdowns on Owen's part or mine are left by the wayside, perhaps as they should be.

But, in the spirit of transparency, let no one think it's always all smiles here. This is the first fall in 25 years that I have not been in a classroom, and that has been tough for me to accept. The Lord is doing a marvelous work in our family, but it is not without some heartache for me. Rest assured, though, there is much rejoicing too. I mean, seriously, with all the family and friends that love us from near and far, my life is good...even on the rough days.

PS: Be on the look out for an upcoming post regarding Michael's job and our housing situation! A couple more details to leave in His hands, and then I'll post it all. Keep prayin'!