"Legacy Leadership"

Had the sweetest moment with our littlest tonight....

After spending the entire day hearing from incredible leaders today at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit Simulcast, I must admit that I ended the day feeling inspired AND questioning my own impact in this great big world of ours. We heard from amazing pastors.... amazing CEOs and Presidents today. Really, really incredible teaching. I found myself pondering my own question, "What am I doing to impact my world in important ways?" Or as one leader questioned today, "What am I doing to be a 'Legacy Leader'?"

My answer as I was pondering: "I'm not exactly sure."

And then....

As I was tucking Audrey in tonight, I was about 6 inches from her face, just gazing into her eyes, and rubbing her beautiful little forehead and cheeks....

When....

When....

The Holy Spirit whispered to me, "Nothing else matters if you don't get this one thing right."

Woa.

Yep....

THEY are my greatest legacy.

Sometimes as moms, we forget in the midst of the mundane.

THEY are THE legacy.

100 years from now, the only thing that will matter is my relationship with Christ.... and THEIR relationship with Christ....

"Nothing else matters if you don't get this one thing right."

That doesn't mean that I'm a perfect parent.

That doesn't mean that I don't make mistakes.

But it does mean that it IS my life's calling and mission to pour my life out into theirs..... to humbly walk alongside of them.

And THAT matters.

THAT is Legacy Leadership.

From the mouths of babes....

Oh my. 

Life.  Busy.  Fun.  Adventure.  Highs.  Lows.  Laughs.  Tears.

I have been so busy just living it that I haven't been recording it here.  But....

There are still moments to capture. 

Two happened this week.

- Scott was having some one-on-one, quality time with Isaac.  He said to Isaac, "Buddy, God is going to great things through you."  To which Isaac responded, "I know!!!  I'm already not wearing underwear!!!"  (little boys are the craziest creatures!)

- Ellie and I were hanging out on the front porch, enjoying popsicles together.  This was our conversation:

Me:  What do you want to be when you grow up?
E:  A princess.
Me:  Who do you want to marry when you grow up?
E:  No one.  Princesses don't get married.

I just love hearing what they come up with and what they are thinking.  This momma thing.... it's hard sometimes, but wow, it is good.

From the mouths of babes....

I do still want to be a blogger.  Sometimes, life and other priorities just don't allow for it, right?  However, I am still here.... and there are still moments I want to capture!

One moment that I want to capture and not forget....

The other day, this conversation happened between Ellie and her daddy:

Ellie:  "Daddy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" (and yes, I think it is comical that she doesn't think Daddy is grown up yet.  If you know Scott, you know why this is comical!)

Scott:  "Well, I think I will be a pastor and tell other people about Jesus."

Ellie:  "No, you're going to be a GRANDPA!"

So sweet.  So, so sweet.

"It matters"....

Just this morning, I had a thought.  I'll let you figure out what I was doing at the time, but I, literally, thought, "I need a shirt that says, 'I wipe bottoms for a living.'"

Sometimes, the dailies of motherhood bog me down, and I think, "Does any of this matter?"  I sent a text to another mommy friend last night that said, "Can mommies resign???  Not forever..... but for a few days?!!"

And often, in the midst of the mundane, God gently reminds me of the verse..... my verse..... that has been my mantra for motherhood since the very beginning:  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give" (Galatians 6:9).  

Friends, we WILL reap a harvest.  Let's press on together..... even on these cold and gloomy days.

My friend, Sheri, wrote a super encouraging post today about the fact that what we are doing matters.  Take a look HERE.

Christmas programs

Yes, yes..... still a flashback....

We had three really fun programs in December.

Our little diva, all ready to go....

.... or maybe not quite ready!

Ellie and her wonderful teachers, Ms. Mig and Ms. Deb

Aaron's wonderful program about famous Indiana Hoosiers; he was Eli Lilly (notice his brother was a little more happy at this point than he was!)

With one of his best buddies, Calvin.... and a crazy mustache!

Isaac was one of the three wisemen during "Breakfast in Bethlehem" at the church (with buddies, Gavin and Marik)

Aaron loved being a shepherd....

.... and taking good care of the animals!

A little cookie party

Yes, this is a bit of a flashback.... like I said in my last post, I am still getting my act together with this blogging thing!

This Christmas was a tricky one at our house.  I had a pretty major surgery on December 13th that equaled a very rocky 6 week recovery.  One thing that I didn't want to miss out on was baking Christmas cookies with our kiddos.... so I asked my mom if she would help by bringing that party to our house.  We had a fun evening!  Thanks, Mom!

Rolling out the dough with Grandma

Oh my goodness, I just love them (baby #4 was napping at this point!)

It wouldn't be a cookie party without frosting on fingers!

Gotta sneak a cookie or two!

Our finished product.... with LOTS of sprinkles, of course!

The best part... bonding with those we love!!!

Hello

I think I am still a "blogger".... even though my brain often feels like mush, and I can no longer concisely write a witty post or a post that is full of incite. 

I think I am still a "blogger".... even though my pictures are still on our camera and not on the computer..... which makes it a little difficult to blog about our family happenings on "Our Little Scrapbook."

I think I am still a "blogger".... because I do want to continue to document the ups and the downs of these precious days.

More soon.... I think....

The view from here....

Every year at Christmas, we enjoy pulling out our nativity sets.  We have our beautiful "grown-up" set that Scott and I received as a wedding gift (I've always LOVED it).... we have our Fisher Price set.... and we have our VeggieTales set.  The girls have loved both of the latter two this season.  Baby Jesus (AKA Junior Asparagus) from the VeggieTales set has gone missing and still hasn't reappeared.  Maybe he will show up around Easter??  ;)

Just thought you might enjoy a little look....

"Wait, Deanna?  I think I see something....."

Yes, you are correct.  Our boys decided that the little army/combat dude needed to join our beautiful nativity for the past month.  I guess to protect Jesus from Herod?

And another view....

"Wait, Deanna?  I think something looks a little off...."

Yes, you are correct.  Mary has gone missing, too.  Ellie decided that Snow White could stand in for her.

A little view of life with our kids.