To be a kid again.

My sister's kids are visiting us here on the farm

for the first time in a long, long, while.

Having three kids in the house has been a sweet reminder

of how wonderful childhood really is;

and for two weeks - I get to relive it.

Day One: The Creek. 

My brother and I almost grew up in this creek. 

Picnics, "fishing," rock collecting, "panning for gold"...

I still make frequent visits to the creek,

but I hadn't truly been in it for awhile... 

There's something about being between five and ten years old

that makes the world so wonderful,

little adventures so thrilling,

nature's wonders so enthralling,

and God so infinite and utterly in control.

I wish that wasn't all so easily lost.

One day you grow up and think you know everything,

and sometimes you never realize just how much

you've managed to forget.

So, today we waded,

we wondered,

and let ourselves be astounded by nothing much at all.

We laughed uproariously at a crazy dog.

We got wet.

We sniffed flowers,

and then we picked them and put them in our hair.

(Well, at least the ladies did.)

Even Huck had an afternoon to remember what

being young felt like. 

We imagined snakes in every bush,

and crayfish under every rock;

'cause every adventure needs a touch of peril.

Then we headed home,

wet, tired, and already plotting tomorrow's escapades.

It's always good to be a kid again.