Outside Fun in Katy This Spring

Getting outside in Katy this spring has been easy, due to the gorgeous weather and lack of offensive insects. As the grass and trees are turning green and “coming alive” again, the instinctual internal urge in some of us to get out and get dirty has taken over. Both Juan and I are nature lovers, and I guess the kids inherited our love (or adapted to it.) They are outside everyday now, leaving the long, dark days of winter behind them.
Riding their bicycles, catching frogs, blowing bubbles, playing with sidewalk chalk, and helping us garden are the activities of the day now. The hillbillies that my kids are, bare feet and comfortable is the dress code. I’m soaking it up. My fondest childhood memories are wrapped around similar activities with my parents at the farm in Illinois. We caught frogs, too, and ran wild in the green grass, dug in the dirt with my gardening mama, and re-entered a warmer world every spring, just free to be.
So this weekend, when I rallied the family lawn crew to help cut, trim, sweep, and plant, the kids squealed in delight and argued over who got to do what. We were all out there, our man Daddy pushing the mower and manning the trimmer. Jovanni was master yard cleanup foreman, and the girls just giggled and swept. Even Sophi had fun “helping.”
It is fun to see last year’s bulbs reappear as fresh new spears of potential color. The new flowers are settling in, and their blooms are vibrant pinks, purples, and oranges as they have begun “liking’ their new home. The grass is thick and beautiful, and the new avocado and lime trees are sprouting new growth and even blooming. The hyacinth is the queen beauty, showing off her big, tropical pink-orange blooms.

Between the kids and the plants, I guess you could say we’re all one happy, growing family!

Trying to Plan as God Laughs

If you have been missing my regular weekly postings on here, I apologize.  I’ve had a little bit more excitement than I like in the Blanco household lately, and am looking forward to some down time soon!  We are in a weird phase of our lives right now, as we wait on the Lord for Juan’s job situation (no word yet on anything!), the sale of our home (we’re still hoping we won’t have to sell and move!) and potential move.  It’s so strange to not know anything.

It’s been real growth for me though, as I tend to want to know where, when, and how constantly!  I want to plan (are we supposed to plant our citrus trees, or do we wait?)  and I want to enroll the kids in activities.  I want to know where the kids are attending school this fall, and…

Well, as I try to plan, God laughs.  No, He’s not laughing at me, necessarily, He’s laughing softly with me.  He’s amused by my innocent bewilderment, and as I surrender (again and again!) to His will, His plan, and His desires for me, I cry.  I cry tears of relief, for He really does have it all under control.  I cry tears of anger at myself for losing my way again.  I cry tears of joy, for He brings me joy.  I am once again found by Him in the middle of the wilderness, and He plucks me out of it and sets me down in the oasis for a cool drink of water.

Wow, He’s good.  All the time.  Even when I’m not!  He’s always good. 

Just a couple of days ago, when the emotional pressure of the above issue and a few others that come with running a home based business while raising four kids was growing unbearable, I broke.  I was in my bathroom, and I was having a talk with God (at the sink, in case you were getting grossed out, although the bathroom does tend to be my place of sanity and the ONLY place I can get alone!)  Anyway, he was so loving to me as I had my mini-breakdown.  He spoke to me so softly.

"Bess, why are you worrying?"  That was all He said, and all He had to say, because that was enough as the conviction rushed over me.  Scripture came to me, reminding me that I was not supposed to worry, but be in faith and trust Him.  Oh, that was a good moment with Him!

How has He been good to you this week?  God bless you, my dear friends and family, as you journey this never dull, and always rewarding road with our God!