Little Rascals.

I remember being young and playing out in the street with my friends till the street lights came on. These days the thought of letting your children out in the street alone is close to nonsense in most cases....but not on my street. I live in an amazing little community, in an amazing neighborhood, on a safe street full of kids who run rampant from early afternoon till bedtime. Most days Jesiah goes out after lunch, comes in to eat dinner, back out and then back in covered in dirt and sweat and smiles just in time for bed. It is such a huge blessing- for all of us. Him because he gets to be a kid- a real kid with dirt under his nails and skinned knees and a bike left in the rain after a long day of riding with no hands. Me because frankly, I appreciate the break...and I am elated that he is making such awesome memories.

 

(Note: The faces of these children have been altered to hide their true identities.)

Presley goes out with the kids often- but only when I feel like sitting out there. When she is not outside she is inside, usually naked. Tonight all the kids were in our backyard and Presley was at the sliding glass door, naked, and shaking her booty at them. Jesiah stormed in saying, "Daddy, shut this door, this is so inappropriate- close the blinds!!!!"

I am also very thankful today for this blog. I assume it was God who planted the idea in my heart to create something that kept me accountable for thanks giving- and I am so glad he did. It forces me all day to pay attention and recognize all the little things I could talk about being thankful for. In the short amount of time I have been doing it, even on the most boring of days, I see light and joy- and it is awesome.