Oceans ....

Life has been a little tough lately. Mostly things related to parenting an {almost} teenager. I really don't want to go into all the details but let's just say it's been emotionally and physically exhausting. Some days I really don't know how I would get through each day without a relationship with the Lord. Many days my heart cries out in prayer continually throughout the day. I find that riding in the car alone is a wonderful time to pray so if you ever happen to pass me on the road and think I look crazy talking to myself, rest assured I am probably pouring my heart out to the Lord. =)

Anyhow, last week was particularly hard for many reasons and I shed more tears than I care to admit but come Friday night we were at our church attending a worship concert put on by the Andy Needham band. We stood and worshipped for about an hour and it was literally a balm to my weary soul. Some songs were fun and upbeat and we danced and clapped - others were more serious. I'm sharing with you one of my favorites from that night. It's called Oceans, and I had heard it before, but that night those words just sank deep into my soul and even though I cried through part of it, it filled me with such HOPE! It's SO hard to trust God when you feel like things are spinning out of control and you worry constantly about your kids. But I am ASSURED that God has not only my best in mind, but that He deeply LOVES my kids SO much more than I could EVER EVER imagine. So thankful for that promise!

Here are the lyrics to Oceans.... and you can also listen to it below. I printed the words out and posted it on my fridge, the words have been continually on my heart.

Oceans ….

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and you won't start now

So I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your Name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

Praying that my faith will be made stronger through every trial, big or small, that He takes me through!

Summa!!!

It's been a REALLY awesome summer. 

We've dealt with some tough parenting moments, but overall been so incredibly blessed to have had so much fun and so many wonderful memories to look back on. I am SO thankful to work at a job that I get to have summers off with my kids, it's so important to me. 

We didn't check off everything from our 'Summer Bucket list' but we DID check off a LOT of things ... such as:

Six Flags

LOTS of beach days

Campfires

Going out on Grandpa's boat lots of times

Paddleboarding

Outdoor concerts

BBQ's with family or friends

Reading books

Going out for ice cream MANY times

Spartan Race

One Direction / 5 Seconds of Summer concert

Taking the train to VA

Spending a few days in NH

Serving the Lord at VBS and middle school missions team

Riding a friend's go-kart

Stargazing

Strawberry picking

etc, etc, etc ... 

What sticks out most is all the fun time we spent with friends. I LOVE that about summer!

Now here are a TON of pictures from our summer fun. 

And now we're all ready for Back to School tomorrow --- I've been working on organizing and shopping and getting prepared for the past week. Here are a few snapshots of how I stay organized:

{My 'baby' starts middle school tomorrow, here she is when she got her locker assignment the other day.}

{Inside my kitchen cabinet I have breakfast and lunch charts to help the girls have ideas on hand.} 

{Lunch boxes are in the kitchen, ready to be packed}

{Lunch drawer ready with supplies for packing lunches}

{Inside the pantry door I have the girl's school schedules, charts, school calendar and lunch calendar.} 

{And now we're all ready to MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!}