No one told me

Each season of my motherhood years have in many ways come as a surprise! Some women spend years dreaming about children and already know what to expect before they even arrive. They see ornery toddlers in Wal-mart and determine right then that "their" child will never behave like that! Being a momma so early in life spared me such prideful thoughts! My child was the one in Wal-mart causing all the fuss before I ever knew how I would react.

The seasons have brought great joy and hard work. I learned early on that survival would only come as I abide in Him! Hard lessons were taught on the days I missed this simple truth (and still do). As quickly as I found a way to navigate through that season, a new one would emerge. With the arrival of each new baby, I found better ways to tend to the many duties and privileges of that season. Yet, all the while, a brand new season was knocking on my door as our "olders" ventured ahead forging days to come. Seasons of tantrum toddlers became skinned knees from first bike rides, and before we knew it, we had these "big people" living in our home!

I thought I had heard it all...reminders about parenting and how quickly time would fly by! I knew that someday they would leave the home and have a family of their own. And I've heard that grandchildren are even better than children. But no one told me how wonderful, (dare I say it), "teenagers" are! Sure they require a lot of mental energy and I admit that they can keep me on my toes but I can honestly say that I am enjoying every minute of it.

Although I have the same heart and words for my "older" sons, this post is about my oldest daughter in the home. No one told me how much I would enjoy laughing together at the silly questions from the littles, baking side by side, cleaning frantically together to make the home special for the arrival of guests. Or being able to honestly tell her appropriately my struggles in life as she's old enough now to journey through life with me.

Having an older daughter in the home has opened parts of my heart that I never knew existed, a deep joy in not only sharing life with your child but watching her walk with the Lord, fall down and encourage her to get up and try again. What a joy to be her #1 fan, coaching and encouraging her as she finishes her final season in our home. And just think, I have 4 more girls behind her, waiting and watching, pondering what life will be like when they too enter this final season.

Maybe someone did tell me about the joys and challenges that were just around the corner as a momma. Maybe there are just some things you can't explain, only your heart can hear. All I know is that I am thankful to discover the joys of parenting in all seasons for both the girls and the boys. As I look at the little ones racing for tomorrow, I no longer fear the days to come but rather eagerly await the joyous days just around the corner, days I know all too well are but a vapor! I now know that the days to come...weddings, grandchildren and the ordinary days in the middle are days that my heart longs with hope to hear.

Maybe someone has told me about Heaven. Maybe my heart cannot fully comprehend the glorious days to come where together we will be in the presence of our Lord! I only know that my heart bursts with hope to know those glorious days that He has spent my lifetime and MANY lifetimes of those before me preparing a place, a Heavenly place for you and me!

Here's the cake...

Here's the promised picture of the cake Summit requested. Kaylee did her best to make a fort complete with army men! We all enjoyed her hard work!

Fall Daddy Adventure

Last week, pictures of our home would have shown the behind the scenes work of our family getting our home back in order after some fabulous fellowship moments the past few weeks and preparing for our school days just around the corner. Just like the childhood game of hide-and-go-seek, school came Monday morning whether I was ready or not! The kiddos are eager to learn and ready for their next learning adventures. I am tweaking and re-tweaking our morning schedule to "fit"it all in. Like my knight in shining armor, Scott came to my rescue Monday afternoon and whisked the kids off to the beach on their next daddy adventure. His greatest gift was not words of encouragement to get it all done while he was gone but rather to rest and be refreshed. This was a real gift considering one of the many needed tasks to complete was the overgrown laundry. In the end, I was refreshed and my kiddos came home sandy, sleepy and ready for bed. And to top it all off, Casey took these awesome pictures at the beach! I felt very blessed!

9 Months and Counting

Need I say more?

Quote of the Day

Elizabeth Elliot says, " A quiet heart is content with what God gives!"

Last but not Least!

Today was our last September Birthday in the Scott Bryant Family... Our Summit Luke turned six! What a privilege to sneak into his room, open the blinds and shower him with a birthday song and wishes. His smile today will forever be etched in my mind as he enjoyed every moment of his big day. We began the morning with a family breakfast and gift opening. Later we had a picnic lunch by the river and tomorrow we will have the "official birthday cake" (which Kaylee is going to quite some length this year to make special). Kaylee and Casey stayed up a little later last night decorating. I was surprised to come in to a room full of every boys dream... Lego heaven. They had hung Lego men from the kitchen light and Casey had put together our Lego train. I hope he enjoyed us showing him how special he is to us and how thankful we are that God placed him in our family. Only those close to him would know that although he isn't much for words, his giggle says it all! Happy Birthday, Son! We love you!

A Birthday Wish

Brooklyn's birthday wish was to have her ears pierced. Here are some before and after pictures and eating some frozen yogurt with our dear friend Courtney Smith! Shhh...don't tell Scott about the ice cream:)!

Walking in New Life

This picture didn't turn out great but you can see our little Brooklyn peeking over the baptistery as her daddy baptized her. It was a precious sight!

September 11th, 2001... A Day Not Forgotten!

10 years ago, I awoke to the usual announcement that life was soon to arrive. I immediately called Scott home as he was meeting with another man in our church for prayer and encouragement. By the time he got home, I was sure that today would be a day of New Life. Before hopping in the car for a 45 minute drive to the hospital, I called my mom to update her of my condition. She listened patiently and lovingly and then gently notified me that there had been a possible terrorist attack on US soil. I could not comprehend her words and focused entirely on making it to the hospital in time. Upon arriving at the hospital, my mother's words came alive as we watched in horror at the events of that fateful day. Soon, our Brooklyn Faith entered into this world, a name we had chosen months before her birth. Her name testified to us that God would be faithful to those close to the tradgedy. It was impossible to grasp the events of that day...in my arms, I held the miracle of life while many grieved with open arms a new season of loss and death. At that moment, the words of Job came to life...I will praise Him in the giving and the taking. It wasn't long, only 2 and a half years when we ourselves held each other with arms open wide as our Brooklyn Faith fought for her life, after a near death drowning accident. Once again, God granted us life in the face of death. But we know that one day, this season will pass and death will come. Sunday, however, we witnessed the ultimate joy in the life of our Brooklyn Faith as she professed her faith in Jesus Christ, being baptized by her daddy on her 10th birthday! Though death may come, it is merely a shadow for there is no death in Christ only Life for eternity with our Heavenly Father for those who place their faith in Him! What a birthday! What a gift she has been to us all! We thank you, Lord and we remember those who lost their loved ones so many years ago! We will not forget!

Celebrating Summer's End

This weekend marked the end of a wonderful summer of fellowship and hospitality with some of our dear family and friends. All that was missing was a visit from many of you reading this (you're welcome anytime you happen to have a hankering to come visit the pacific northwest). Below are some pictures of our dear friends, the Smiths, who were gracious enough to do a 16 hour detour to come visit us while visiting their family in Boise, Idaho. They were in our church in Colorado.

Together with their 6 children (and 1 on the way), our home was filled to the brim with life (18 and a half total:). What wonderful memories were shared and many new ones made. I hope you enjoy the pictures of their precious children!

A Reason to Celebrate...

On this birthday, I was delightfully reminded of God's grace pouring over me through the outpouring of my family! This was a birthday unlike others. In many ways, I felt unworthy of such effort made on my behalf. Sleepless nights (teething), adjusting to all the changes and endless responsibilities have left this momma straining and stretching to find the joy that in other seasons came more naturally.

In fact, the morning began as usual...a little boy wide eyed, crying, waiting to face the day. Just as I was about to pull myself out of bed, Casey slipped into my room, grabbed the little culprit, and told me to stay in bed. I was too tired to argue. An hour passed before I heard some rustling in the room as a TV tray was brought in to bring me breakfast in bed. I hurried to the top of the stairs hoping to stop them from bringing up the food as I wanted nothing more than to eat amongst these secret workers.

My eyes caught a sight that truly touched my heart, a stairway lined with streamers. In an instant, I felt like a bride. There were small hand picked flowers at the bottom of the stairs. I turned the corner to find a room full of "little elves" hanging streamers, setting the table and making me chocolate chip pancakes. I commanded my heart to live in this moment and not rush ahead to tomorrows worries. It wasn't long before Scott arrived bringing me a bouquet of sun flowers and a cup of Starbucks coffee! What a man!

After a midday walk, we spent the afternoon together as a family. What a great birthday and how thankful I am that birthdays come once a year whether deserved or not! And a special thank you to my family that reminded me just how much they love me!

Yep, nothing like grandparents!

A full week, meals to cook, mouths to feed, babies to hold, movies to watch, outings together, stolen adult conversation, games to play, babies to hold, people to meet, smiles to capture, Lego's to build, encouragement to the "big "ones, noses to wipe, did I mention babies to hold...this is what grandparents do! I'm sure this is how my parents would describe their week, a blessed time to treasure countless memories with those they hold dear! My mom even captured this fabulous picture of my dad getting my baby and purse out of the car on one of our outings (my dad loves babies from a distance:)! But all in all, it was a great week. Thank you mom and dad for the effort made to come see us! We are thankful!

Casey's Ducks

Here is a current picture of Casey's ducks. They are growing and super sweet!