Traveling

I get to go to Europe again!  I'm so excited! My friend just got her passport and wanted to go somewhere so .... I just had to oblige her :)  We searched and searched for deals...until we found a great one to Ireland!  We leave in 5 weeks!  I can't believe I get to go again.  I love to travel.  You learn so much.  History is right before your eyes.  I love to read and I love history.  I've read lots of history..but there's just something so different about seeing the actual things right before. It makes it come alive and seem real.  I remember it more when I'm actually seeing it.  Ireland will be great. I think there will be lots of beautiful scenery as well.  I definitely have the traveling bug.  I can't wait to infect someone else with it!  Look out Becky!

It's hard to let go

Being a parent is tough.  I thought when the kids were all little it was hard. And it was!  Changing diapers all the time, waking up in the middle of the night, getting them in and out of car seats, being their sole entertainment, picking up after them all the time etc...  That was all physical stuff.  I was physically exhausted.  But now it's different.  It's an emotional/mental thing.  I'm constantly praying and thinking about them. Where are they? What are they doing?  Are they making wise choices?  Who are they hanging out with?  What influences do they have on them? It's exhausting too...but in a different way.  I want so much for my kids.  I want them to first and foremost honor the Lord.  I want them to be a blessing to others. I want them to have fun. I want them to take to heart all that we've taught them these last umpteen years.  I've given so much of my life for them. I want it to mean something.  But in the end...it's up to them.  I think, reflecting on this Easter weekend, that that's just a little tiny microscopic bit of how God feels toward us.  He gave everything for us!  He watched His Son die a horrible death..just so I could have life.  He wants me to honor Him.  He wants me to be a blessing to others.  He wants me to have fun.  Do I choose these things? Sometimes.  It means so much when I come to God because I want to and because I love Him.  I know that it's like that with my kids too.  I want them to want to.