Vertuccio Farms

Its been a long year and as my journey to IRONMAN ebbs closer to the finish I am more and more aware at how much difference a year makes.  My girls have grown up.  No, they are still little, but a lot has changed in them in 1 year.

This year they have spent copious hours with Dad.  I am so grateful for it because their relationship is close, connected and so special.  These ladies LOVE their Daddy and while my girls still love me, I have taken a somewhat backseat to it all.  

Its time though for me to step back in and start making memories with them again and this year I took them to their first AZ Pumpkin Patch.  I was so grateful that my girlfriend Bridgit asked me to go and together we took our 5 kids for some play time.

It was dirty and dusty and all things it should be.  The girls shed their shoes almost instantly for the chance to jump on the big in ground balloon.  Evie didn't hesitate to hang with the big kids and quickly became a big sweaty mess from the effort.  Oh just to see the smiles.

Next came the slides and I found myself nearly dying laughing over watching my girls.  Lily went first and all I heard going down was the squeaking of her shoes against the side as she valiantly made the effort to keep herself slow and controlled.  Always the cautious one Lily made sure she could do it safely before throwing caution to the wind.  Then there was Evie who just flew out like she had been shot out of a cannon.  All speed, no caution and a big smile coupled with, "Lets do it again!!!!"

The girls worked on getting fully covered in dirt with the barrel roll and couldn't stop the giggling as it rolled around.

Once everyone was out of the barrel roll we noticed that Evie was missing.  The little daredevil had raced over to the barrel train and was sitting in one of the cars yelling at all of us to hurry.  Man, the kid has no fear.  I decided to hop in with her because frankly, I don't trust her judgement yet.

We could barely get off the train before Evie was already in line for the zip line.  By the time I made it over to her she was already on the line and headed down.  No fear.  I just said a half prayer and she went flying down the line.  Seriously kid....WAIT FOR MOM!  The girls had a blast on the zip line and did it over and over and over again until we decided to brave the corn maze.

I won't say much about the corn maze except, I very much dislike them.  Perhaps it's my claustrophobia, or perhaps I fear loosing my children in its maziness, but either way, I'm assuredly not a fan.

I am grateful for fabulous weather and good friends to enjoy doing Fall activities with and I am even more glad that this was one event that my girls got to do with me.   

My World Changer

Dearest Lily,

How proud I am of you this morning.  I spent my entire bike ride today in awe of you and your kindness and courage.  This Momma's heart is so happy.

Last night was Halloween and you simply dazzled as your own version of Ariel, the little mermaid.  You are beautiful and the shimmer of your costume matched you.  Everything about you is bright and joyful and bold and brave and beautiful.  You smile........and the world smiles back. You are delightful Lily Lu and I love you so so SO much.

But last night.........you did something that brought me to beautiful tears.  You did something completely on your own that showed Jesus to the world...........

Our neighborhood is one of the most popular trick or treating neighborhoods in the area.  Kids come from all over to fill their buckets.  We took you and your sister out and you guys gleefully went to every house you could to fill up your buckets.  When it was time to come home you asked if you could hand out our candy for a while.  So you sat all dressed up and patiently gave candy to all who visited.  With only a few candy pieces left I told you to finish and then we would close the door and say goodnight.  Without a moment's hesitation, you jumped up, ran into the kitchen and proceeded to dump nearly your entire bucket of candy into the bowl for the neighborhood kids. I asked you, "Lily honey, what are you doing?  Are you sure you want to give away your candy to the kids? You don't have to do that."  You turned, smiled and said simply, "I want to, I don't need it all."

You rushed back to the door just in time to satisfy another round of visiting costume-clad kids who had no idea that you had given them your candy without thought to yourself.  I was moved to tears.  Not only had you compassionately loved other kids by giving them something of yours, but you gave your best.  You LOVE M&Ms and Starbursts, but dislike Twizzlers and Skittles. I wouldn't have blamed you had you took out the "yucky" candy to give to others.

But you didn't.   You, sweetheart,  gave out of your abundance without prejudice. You simply saw a need and gave of yourself.

That's Jesus in you little girl, that's loving the world around you, that's being part of this amazing Kingdom of Heaven and I am SO proud of you.  You had courage and you were kind all on your own.  You are beautifully you Lily and I pray that your heart only continues to grow bigger.

You, Lily Grace, are a world changer and I am proud of you.

All my love,

Mom