Amazing!

After 7 private lessons with Miss Tanya (once a week), Faith and Grace are officially swimming! It happened yesterday morning in our swim class when Faith practically swam the whole distance of the training pool while popping her head up 7 times for tiny breaths.
Miss Tanya was so impressed and so was I! Over the last week or so, Morgan and I have been a little nervous because the girls have become totally fearless of being underwater. Although they have never approached the pool with their clothes on, as soon as they change into their bathing suits, it's a different story. They just can't wait to jump in and often do so, whether you're watching or not! They just love to flouder around underwater. I mentioned our concern to Miss Tanya and she told me that now, they will just have to learn to pop up and breathe. It's just that I didn't know it would actually happen on the very next lesson! I came home to tell Morgan all about it and he could hardly believe it. Right before bath time last night, he decided to take the girls in the pool to see for himself. Faith the fish didn't even need to take a breath to swim to the other side of the pool. Now, they just have to use their arms a bit more but they can only improve from here, right? Needless to say, we're feeling a little better about their safety. We both agree that swim lessons have been worth every single penny. We have 5 more to go but at this rate, we're thinking of continuing the whole summer.
Simply amazing!

Jeremiah 29:11

Morgan works on the wall.

Finished.

A closer look.

So, we finally finished the girls' back wall in their bedroom. When we had the beach mural painted, I purposely left that wall somewhat bare because I always had something in mind for that space. In between the two palm trees, against the powder blue sky that fades into the white wall, I wanted to put one of my favorite scripture verses. This is a scripture that I have committed to memory since the first time

I read it. I claim it for myself, I store it in my heart, and I live by the confidence, peace and promise that the Lord gives me. The verse reads...

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord,

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

My dear friend, Hailey introduced me to a company called Uppercase Living. They make decorative and expressive decals for your home or any space. Although this scripture verse was not in their catalog, I was able to custom design what I wanted. In less than a week, it was delivered to our front door. I had originally thought about painting the verse on the wall myself but I guess the fear of blotching it has kept me from even starting. This was a perfect solution and we are very happy with the results. I pray that my children will also commit this verse to memory and claim it or themselves. I have started to read it to them everyday and they smile each time they hear it.

A note on God's plan...

I heard somewhere recently that God's plan for our lives is not a particular plot line or path as it is a plan for our character development and relationship with Him.

That's so true. I think that our character development and relationship with Him lead us to His ultimate plan and purpose for our lives... to glorify Him, serve Him, love others, and to be with Him eternally.

http://www.uppercaseliving.com/