big steps and a happy Sunday

Today was a day of big steps in our corner of the world. Kinley started going to the nursery at church. It may seem small to most people, but it was a very big step for us. I dreaded it terribly - like going to the dentist type of feeling. I was even more nervous when I glance into the classroom to see a room full of rambunctious boys. We didn't have a choice though, as usual, we made it through worship and then she was DONE. OVER IT. Squirming and kicking and wanting down. Puffs, juice and Fox and the Hound on the iPhone couldn't convince her otherwise. We were growing tired of driving to church to be there for a mere 10 minutes and have to bail because Princess Squirmpants can't sit still. I looked at Ty and said "maybe we should try the nursery".. I knew by the way he looked at me that it was time. In the past, he would say "no, she isn't ready for that", and I would agree and we'd proceed to the car, but not today. No, today was the day we made some cahnges. We dropped our little 'frog' off into her 'frog room' and found our way back to our seats in the main sanctuary, nervously looking at each other every 30 seconds. Ty would tell me "she's fine" and I'd be okay for the next 30 seconds ... just as Ty was thinking aloud how he wishes he knew how she was doing we get a text on my phone saying "Kinley is doing GREAT!!" I have no idea who it was, or how they got my phone number.. I suppose from the ladies at the front desk, but never the less, we were so relieved and thankful to be able to sit through a service and know that Kinley was enjoying herself, as well.

She was enjoying herself so much that she didn't want to leave to go home. While we were in worship, I am holding Kinley and she is raising her hands and I think my heart jumped into my throat, fell back into my chest, where it then beat a million beats per minute, and THEN melted. It was the most precious thing I have ever seen and something I will never, ever forget as a mother. It seems like such a "duh" thing to say, but it was a big old slap in the face at just exactly HOW influential I am to Kinley as her mother, and that she is LITERALLY a product of what I raise her to be. It's such a big job and responsibility and I am so proud of the big girl that she is turning out to be.

We are so happy to say Aunt Kelsie is coming to visit for a few days, we don't know what we will do, but we know we will have fun, and most likely go to Target 500 times.

You are good, You are good

when there's nothing good in me.

You are love, You are love

on display for all to see.

You are light, You are light

when the darkness closes in.

You are hope, You are hope

You have covered all my sin.

You are peace, You are peace

when my fear is crippling.

You are true, You are true

even in my wandering.

You are joy, You are joy

You're the reason that I sing.

You are life, You are life

in You, death has lost it's sting.

Oh, I'm running to Your arms.

I'm running to Your arms.

The riches of Your love,

will always be enough.

Nothing compares to Your embrace,

light of the world, forever reign.

You are more, You are more

than my words will ever say.

You are Lord, You are Lord

all creation will proclaim.

You are here, You are here

in your presence I'm made whole.

You are God, You are God

of all else, I am letting go.