This precious family reminds me so much of our own  years ago. While life was so chaotic when they were little, I wouldn't trade it for the world. (I do wish I'd kept a journal, though!)

"The days are young, but the years are short."

What advice do I have for mothers in this stage of life?

• Give yourself grace.
• Keep a journal, seriously! Even if it's just writing a sentence a day in your calendar, planner or notebook.
• Download the "1 Second a Day" app or something similar.
• Take lots of photos, and be sure YOU are in some of them!
• Keep regular date nights with your husband, whether once a month, week or quarter. If your budget doesn't allow, then trade babysitting with friends and just have a dinner at home with no kids or distractions. 
• Above everything else, spend time in God's Word and in church with a community of believers. This summer, look for area churches offering Vacation Bible School, backyard Bible clubs and other activities. If you don't have a church home, I'd love for you to try mine!

We managed to have one of the prettiest days this Spring for Grace's senior high school session. With graduation right around the corner, I am glad everything came together for this session. 

This impressive young lady started the Project Lit Book Club at her school, and she is a National Merit Commended student, which is awarded to less than 5% of the test takers.

She hopes to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to earn her pharmacy degree and also minor in Spanish. Best wishes, Grace, as you begin this new adventure!

We just wrapped up our dress rehearsal for A Kansas City Christmas, the annual Christmas program at Lenexa Baptist Church. And let me tell you, it's going to be incredible!

After 18 months of no choir and orchestra, we began rehearsing again in September. We have rehearsed each week while spread out in the congregational seats, so being all together up on the stage tonight was rather exhilarating.

There are three opportunities this weekend to see the program:

Saturday, December 4 at 1 & 5 pm
Sunday, December 5 at 5 pm

Can't make it in person? Then you can also watch it online at the website.

It's always fun to do a session for friends. We serve together at Lenexa Baptist Church, and  this family is amazing! From their commitments at church to their kids activities to all their teaching jobs and more...I have no idea how they even had time for family photos!

Here are just a few shots from their session.

• Family Photography •

"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."

— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)