New Blog!

For those of you who have been checking this blog for new posts, I forgot to mention that Case made a new blog for us so we would have unlimited storage!  Check it out:

http://caseandmary.casewade.info/

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

Thanks to her wonderful nursery music leader in church, Lizzie delighted us all summer with "Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime:"  

"Oh what do you do in the summertime,

when all the world is green?

Do you fish in a stream,

or lazily dream

on the banks as the clouds go by?

Is that what you do?  So do I!"

Of course, Lizzie always sings, "Do you fish in a pool," since that's just about her favorite place to be!  Here is a photo-summary of our summer doings:

Baking,

Meeting cousins & playing on the beach in Florida,

 Lovin' on our furry family member,

Zoo-ing with family,

And swimming, of course!  (a summer thunderstorm prevented us from our usual Seven Peaks outing on the day of these pictures, and our fish of a daughter needed a substitute to try out her new goggles--thus the tub).  :)

Now for an update on our family:  After studying all summer with jaw-dropping stamina, Case took the Bar a couple weeks ago and is now working with a family law/criminal defense attorney in Heber.  It's a wonderful opportunity for him, both to work in his preferred area of criminal law, and to work where we'd eventually like to live.  His position will slowly build after he gets the Bar results in October, and as he helps build up the business with new clients, etc.  

What's interesting is that although we both wanted an immediate, clear-cut, full-time job for Case (see this post), it turns out that having a slowly-building transition period is perfect for our family in several ways.  For one thing, I go back to teaching tomorrow, something I'd normally anticipate with angst--not because I don't LOVE teaching, but because of the difficult transition from full-time Mom to full-time employee.  However, because Case will be home with Lizzie one or two days a week, I feel incredible peace; every concern I usually have at this time is alleviated by this situation.  What an unexpected and merciful blessing from the Lord!  

Additionally, together, we are striving to achieve the goal described in the hymn, "Lead Kindly Light:" 

"Keep thou my feet;  

I do not ask to see the distant scene--

one step enough for me."

Had the Lord given to this pair of over-planners what we thought we needed, we would not have had the opportunity to trust in Him through unknowns--and with it, opportunity for growth, change, and strength.  Another major and unlooked-for blessing!

The Lord is watching out for us.  He sees the plan, so we are working daily to place our faith in His capable, loving hands.  In this wonderful talk about faith, Richard G. Scott says, "...were you to know His entire plan, you would never ask for that which is contrary to it even though your feelings tempt you to do so. Sincere faith gives understanding and strength to accept the will of our Heavenly Father when it differs from our own. We can accept His will with peace and assurance, confident that His infinite wisdom surpasses our own ability to comprehend fully His plan as it unfolds a piece at a time." 

We are amazed at the sense of calm and joy that has come into our home as we strive to put these principles into practice!  And you know what?  Our happiness is surpassing what we'd planned for.   :)

Family Time!

Lizzie loves to hang out wherever Cholo is, Cholo loves to hang out wherever Case is, and I just love watching it all!!   It's been a GOOD summer so far!  :-)

Birthday Girl

In the months leading up to her birthday, (ever since Carson's birthday back in February), and in the month since her birthday, Lizzie has been assuming every day is her big day.  She sings the "Happy Birthday song" (when she can't get us to sing it to her for the umpteenth time, she simply sings it to herself).  She stacks toys to create birthday cakes.  Every treat and toy from her grandparents is another birthday present.  So, while she does seem to "get" the concept of it all this year, I think her definition might be a bit broad.  Anyhow, enjoy the pictures below!  Included is a shot I wanted to share of some Pinterest/Better Homes & Gardens/IKEA-inspired fun I had in her room, adding a little library display, chalkboard, and magnet board.  (Another assumed birthday gift, although it was completed a month before her day). :)

We decked out her room when she fell asleep--when she woke up, it kept her entertained for some time before she even came out.

It's entirely possible that I take more satisfaction out of these small changes to Lizzie's room than she does.  However, as soon as I finished, she plopped down right in front of the books and started browsing old favorites that had previously been buried in a bin.  Life's little pleasures, right?

She got to watch a movie while we got ready.   When we came back into the living room, this is the sight we met.  Pretty sure she does, in fact, believe we're all her royal subjects.

 

Happy birthday, darling girl!  I'm looking forward to another year of watching you grow, and of falling more in love with you (I've stopped asking myself whether it's even possible to love you any more, because you daily defy any fathomable limits)!

Word Cloud of my Last Post

I introduced my students to word clouds today, and as I was playing around with it myself this evening (tagxedo.com), I entered the text of my last post.  I was so struck by the result that I just had to share:

Graduation!

We are all so very proud of Case for graduating from BYU's Law School last month!  It was simply a perfect day, and I was so grateful to my mom for watching Lizzie during the ceremony so I could actually listen to the speeches, take pictures, and just soak in the joy of his amazing accomplishment!  

The day before commencement, I was reflecting about this "new chapter" of our lives, and realized it's really not new at all--which is NOT what I anticipated.  For three years, I had planned that his graduation would mark the major transition of becoming a stay-at-home mom, Case starting his law career, and welcoming new children.  Interestingly enough, none of those things are in the cards at the moment--even the stress of law school studying has simply been replaced with the stress of Bar studying/job hunting.  Things feel much the same, and for all the progress I've made over the years in learning to let go of my very-carefully-mapped-out-life-plans, I still have a long way to go in learning to completely trust the Lord & go with the flow.  I am working to accept that I am not the Master Architect, and as much as I'd like to think that I know best what would be the perfect course for my life, His view reaches far beyond what I can comprehend.  

Really, that faith, and the beautiful family in these pictures below, is all that matters.  And life, as messy and unexpected as it always seems to turn out, is good.

 

Fake smile!  :)