There’s been a voice developing in my head over the past year. This voice takes shards of my day and polishes and smoothes until it’s something I don’t mind putting in my window....souvenirs of my motherhood adventure. A toddler meltdown over a popsicle that in the moment makes me want to bang my head against the refrigerator door turns into a funny story that reminds me how far we’ve come from middle of the night feedings. And when I really tune into the voice, I often find insight into God and His love for me. This blog is the recording studio for that voice. My hope is that the souvenirs of my day serve as entertainment and encouragement to those of you who are banging your head against a refrigerator door. And that you’re inspired to find a voice of your own that turns these trying moments into treasured souvenirs.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Year of the Bolthouse Boys (on skis:-)



My husband and I love to ski.  Our relationship was cemented atop a mountain, staring down a black diamond chute.  Darin released his bindings, got down on one knee, and pulled out a diamond of his own.  We honeymooned in Europe, dragging our gear for a day of spring skiing in the Alps.  Our first winter in Colorado was exciting and difficult.  We had a two-year-old and two babies, but were determined to go on frequent “ski dates”.  


The years have passed quickly.  Now we have a 5-year-old and two 3-year-olds.  We want to pass our love of skiing on to them, so we’ve declared this ski season the “Year for the Bolthouse Boys”.  What better way to christen such a year than with an outing to the mountain?  We set out with the perfect plan:  a half-day lesson for Kenny, which would give my husband and me a chance to work with our youngest two on the bunny hill.  


It all went perfectly, and I had the joy of skiing with our fearless Jacob.  Our first run consisted of him holding onto my leg and letting his ski edge rest against mine.  He became braver on the second run and skied beside me while holding onto my ski pole.  After an hour, he was ready to fly solo for short bits of the hill, but still needed my guidance for the steep part at the bottom and getting on and off the lift.  


I was beside Jacob every moment.  He could rest in the knowledge that if he fell down, I would help him up.  This knowledge allowed Jacob’s heart and mind to be at peace, and allowed him to live up to his full, albeit three-year-old potential on the mountain.  I was left sore (bending over a child and skiing for 2 hours would put any yoga class to shame), and wondering at the object lesson our day.  God is with me in every moment and knows me better than even my husband or parents.  If I allow it, He will guide me through each day.  And this knowledge enables me to live up to my full, knocking-on-forty’s-door potential.  


“Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”  Psalm 139:7-10

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