Well today was a full day of fun and I am exhausted!

My youngest son had his class “end of the year park day” today and I volunteered to go along and chaperone.  It was a beautiful day.  I got to hang out near the playground and keep an eye on the kids.  Of all of the playground equipment that was available to them, the kids chose to sit in the sand and dig….and dig….and dig…and, well, dig.  It amazes me how long it kept their attention. Afterwards we ate our bag lunches, of which I forgot to bring one for myself so another mom took pity on me and shared her turkey sandwich and Cheetos.  Then the kids consumed as many 4oz root beer floats as they could, played basketball and dodgeball and then we headed back across the grass to the school to get ready to go home.

Not less than two hours later, my two youngest and I were in the car headed to Pump It Up for a fundraiser for our Childrens Department.  I enjoyed watching my kids and their parents jump, slide and roll for two hours on huge inflatables. I chose not to partake in the fun. I was so tired, I thought I might hurt myself.

Tonight we also celebrated my son’s 10th birthday with a spaghetti dinner.  He received a bag of his 10 favorite candies, an Action Bible and a picture of the iPod Touch we bought him on eBay, which hasn’t arrived yet.

Next week, we will celebrate his birthday with 12 of his friends at Boomers.  Come back next week for more Monday Fun Days as I share my birthday party edition.

To find out more about Monday Fun Days, click here.

*Sadly, my children do not like to appear on my blog, hence the reason for the lack of personal photos. I’m so thankful for stock photos!

The post Monday Fun Days: Field Trips & Fundraisers appeared first on My Freshly Brewed Life.

Just as I was beginning to feel sorry for myself, God spoke to me and said, “Make Monday Fun Days!”  Literally, that’s exactly how I heard it.

Although I work full-time outside the home, I am off on Mondays.  So instead of sitting around and drooling over the summer time activities of everyone else, we are going to have some fun of our own.

Beginning tomorrow, Mondays will be a time for me to be intentional about enjoying my children and having some fun. I will come back here on Monday night and post about what we’ve done.  You won’t actually read the post until Tuesday, but that’s okay, right?

What do you plan to do this summer to have fun with your kids?  And if your kids are grown, what do you plan to do to enjoy yourself?  You can make Mondays fun days too! Care to join me?

Come back tomorrow night to read my first Monday Fun day post!

The post Introducing…Monday Fun Days! appeared first on My Freshly Brewed Life.

As Father’s day approaches, I want to encourage you that your Father in heaven loves you so much.  I’m not sure what kind of an earthly father you’ve had, but your heavenly Father is perfect, gentle, loving and kind.  I want to share with you today this acrostic I put together, as a reminder of His love for you!

F – Faithful

For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  (Psalm 108:4)

A – Abundantly Available

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.  (Psalm 46:1)

T – Trustworthy

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”  (Psalm 91:2)

H – Helper

We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.  (Psalm 33:20)

E – Encouraging

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,  (Psalm 10:17)

R – Restoring

He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

May you rest securely in the arms of your loving and faithful Father in heaven this Father’s Day.

Now it’s your turn to share encouragement here at The Weekend Brew.
1. Share a post, photo, scripture — anything that breathes life and encourages. (Please only link one post. Multiple posts from the same site will be deleted.)
2. Grab the button to use in your post, or simply link here.
3. Visit the person who linked up before you (and a few others if you have time).

The post The Weekend Brew: Faithful Father appeared first on My Freshly Brewed Life.

Listen

There is an amazing group of women who I’ve gotten to know over the last year.  We all come together on Thursdays night for the #fmfparty on Twitter.  We chat, share chocolate and coffee, talk about our day, our dreams and challenges.  And then we come together to write, here, all sharing words on a single prompt that connects us together in spirit.  And I come to read, their words touching me deeply, moving my heart and stirring my soul.  I am awakened and challenged, offered hope and joy, all the while longing to know this one more.

As I read your words, do I listen to your heart?

As I read your words, do I hear the depth of your pain and the rush of your joy?

As I read your words, do I walk away knowing you more than I did the day before?

As I read your words, I listen and I ask the Holy Spirit, What is in the heart of this one who comes to share so bravely.  And as I receive your words, I allow them to sink deep into my soul.  I want to know, What moves your heart? 

Friends, I am here for you.  I am leaning in closer.  I may not be able to listen with my ears, but I will listen to you with my heart.

The post Five Minute Friday: Listen appeared first on My Freshly Brewed Life.