and worry less about the lawn.
~~I want to sit and listen to their stories
and let them stay up till the stars shine.
~~I want to gaze up at those stars with my little ones
and teach them how to find the Little Dipper and Orion.
~~I want to watch the birds in my yard and learn the names
and remember to fill their feeders.
~~I want to read my Bible more
and let my heart begin to heal.
~~I want to start to memorize Philippians
and rest and meditate on those truths.
~~I want to go for morning walks
and listen to the world become awake.
~~I want to remember the sunscreen
and the aloe for after.
~~I want to watch my flowers bloom
and not care if they’re accidentally picked for me.
~~I want to take them to get ice cream
and let them get two scoops each {to my kids who read these — yes, I said two.}
~~I want to hold my little ones close
and not care about the unimportant.
~~I want to let them set up a “car wash” for all the toys in the garage
and be ready to wave by all the cars who slow down thinking we’re having a garage sale.
~~I want to play the piano {my 100 year old piano} more
and pull out music that my grandmother made notes on.
~~I want to write a list like this with my kids
and let them choose things that they want to do.
~~I want to remember that it’s not the big things that bring the most joy
but rather the little, unexpected every day moments
and I want to remember.
What do you want to do this summer?
11 comments
Sweet post! This summer, I want to work on making my great marriage even better. I want to eat cantaloupe ice and allow myself to spend more time with friends. I want to get pedicures and learn how to use my camera. I want to learn how to relax and let the dishes sit in the sink and the laundry pile up. And I want someone to come and wash my smelly dog today.
this is a precious post! i love it 🙂 i just want to enjoy life this summer. no complaining, no getting down and discouraged when things don’t go the way i wanted. i was reading this morning in Daily with the King. The topic was discouragement. I loved what the author said…
Am I criticized by others? Let me rejoice! Do I not realize that God uses diamonds to sharpen diamonds?…Am I suffering lack of success? Don’t I realize that success is the result of God’s careful timing, not mine? And don’t I realize that if I am faithful where God put me, success is inevitable?…Am I discouraged because the way is hard and painful? If so I must realize that God is preparing plowed ground to yield fruit a hundredfold. God will never give me a hard way without a “nevertheless afterward” (Hebrews 12:11). When I am in difficulty I must pray, “Lord, give me patience to wait for Your afterward.” Am I harassed by Satan, and are his whisperings getting to me? I must remember his history: everyone who ever listened to him suffered horrible defeat. I will honor God by my trust; I will please Him, affirming; “All things work together for good” {Romans 8:28}
i know this is a long response to your post, but i just wanted to share 🙂 have a great tuesday!
beautiful! i hope your summer is packed full of these things! i also wanted to share something about your desire to memorize philippians. check this out: http://timmybrister.com/2011/01/01/p2r-officially-begins-today/
my husband and i, as well as the lifegroup at our church which we lead, participated in this. i was right on track until the end of february when i had my baby girl. not that that is a good excuse, it is the truth. that slowed me down for a while. we were supposed to be done by Easter, but i’m about halfway through chapter 3. his method and blog was encouraging and helpful (and still is) as i am memorizing this awesome book, all about joy in suffering!!!!!!
AMEN! Another beautifully written post.
I just made my “summer list” a couple of days ago… you know, the one that includes stuff like finish taxes (we extend), organize photos, curriculum shopping, etc, etc, etc.
Thank you for the reminder to make time for the little things… those are the things that make memories.
I posted about something similar yesterday. I just want to be this summer. I don’t want to worry about all of the things we have to get done because the weather is nice a for a little bit. I want to sandwich the trips in between the sandbox and popsicles at home just relaxing.
Oh sweet! You are going to have a beautifully joyful summer!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it! This summer I’m going to savor the moments of a 1 and 2 yr old discovering the fun of the season. Should be splendid! : ) xoxo!
I love this post. It was just what I needed to read today after a few exhausting days with my little boy.
It really got me thinking. What do I want to do this summer?…
I want to let go of the parental anxiety and the wondering if I’m doing it right or wrong. I just want to enjoy it all before it passes me by.
“finding joy” is such a perfect name for your blog! Thank you for the sweet encouragement!!!
Your posts are always so sweet, thoughtful, and encouraging.
Thanks for always blogging so beautifully.
This summer I want . . .
-To laugh at the little things.
-Make pizza with little siblings and hang out with grown up and kid conversations with the rest.
-Be a social butterfly for the first time in years.
-Save a little money, then spend it making a house a home
-Learn again why I love English classes
-Change a little
-Learn a lot
-Love a bit more ;]
And P.S. A 100 year old piano??? So fabulous! What a beautiful piece of history in your home! :]
Ah, this line got me “I want to remember that it’s not the big things that bring the most joy
but rather the little, unexpected every day moments…”
It’s so true. I want to slow down this summer, and savor all the everyday moments that make life so full.
Well said 🙂