Not too easy - Day 295

Sometimes it seems that life would be so nice if we could just plop on a park bench and watch it go by. While it sounds nice sometimes, nobody ever trained for a marathon sitting down. And the view doesn't change much when you sit in one place! Challenges and work grow us in ways that leisure life can never do...

“Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.” Robert A. Heinlein

Beginnings that look like endings - Day 294

Sometimes something that looks like the end of the world, is just the beginning of a new adventure. If these leaves didn't lose their color and fall to the ground and die, then this tree would never break forth into the glory of new growth in spring. Without fall, there is no spring...

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”   Louis L ‘Amour

Valuable Memories- Day 293

I am working on treasuring each and every moment that I am given...all the small insignificant things that happen throughout every minute of every day add up into so many valuable memories!

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”  Dr. Seuss

Nothing is impossible - Day 292

This little girl of mine doesn't seem to be afraid to tackle anything! Impossible is not usually in her vocabulary! Love her bravery and unquenchable spirit!

“Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”   Alice in Wonderland

Busy Minds - Day 291

This little girl has one of the most active and busy minds of anyone I know! Sometimes you can look at her and just see the wheels turning - then look out! You never know what question or statement is going to come next! Love it!

“Quiet people have the loudest minds.”   Stephen Hawking

Gray and Rainy Day - Day 290

In Wyoming, it is a rare thing to have a gray, overcast, and rainy day - at least for more than a few minutes! So when we recently had one of those days, it was kind of a little kiss from heaven for me! A little bit of home for this girl who has always loved a good rainy, cozy, and stormy day!

“Into each life some rain must fall.”   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Here and now - Day 289

This picture makes me think of the different circumstances everyone finds themselves in. It has the falling leaves and empty branches from the deciduous trees - makes me think of those struggling through whatever challenges they might be facing. Then there is the evergreen...seemingly without a care in the world - solid and strong while facing every challenge. We all have to weather the storm at some point, and we all get to do it in different ways. But the same Heavenly Father watches over us all. I am so humbled, blessed, and thankful for that!

“The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead.”

Hidden paths - Day 288

Sometimes, you just want to get lost for a little while somewhere beautiful with no destination in mind. This is one of those places I would love to do that...

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”   Lewis Carroll

Starting School - Day 287

This picture was taken on the first day of school...which we started a bit later than I had intended! Couldn't be helped with moving and all though, so it's okay. Homeschooling is such a huge investment of time and energy - both mine and theirs! But I'm grateful for the way they learn to manage and be responsible for their own efforts and work! They are growing up so fast, and I couldn't be more proud of them!

“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”   Abigail van Buren

Evergreens - Day 286

I love this picture! In the background you can see the brilliant colors of the inevitable death of the leaves of deciduous trees each fall. And then there is the evergreen...continuing on through all the seasons. As long as God wants it growing there...nothing will change that fact. I'm grateful that my life rests in the same hands...

“If God intends it nothing can prevent it.”   Unknown

Letting things slide - Day 285

I have learned that there are a million things in a day that I can take offense at. But you know what? It is so much easier to forget my pride and let things slide...maybe not easier in the moment, but definitely easier in the long run. Take this chair for example. It took a bit of effort to add the floor pads that allow it to slide smoothly over the floor, but that is easier than repairing an infinite number of scratches to the floor from it gouging it's way around without them!

“We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.”   Abraham Lincoln

Apples - Day 284

I love apples! I don't know if it is true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but I'm happy to keep working on testing that theory! Even though we now no longer live in apple country, we were fortunate enough to be driving back to visit family during apple season. This meant a mandatory stop and stock up on apples. Besides the ones we consumed fresh, we are now well supplied with applesauce and frozen apples for pies and crisps. Yum...makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.”    Rober H. Schuller

Simple Pleasures - Day 283

I am so grateful for the little and seemingly insignificant blessings...like running water - warm water even! - and a tub to soak sore and tired muscles in...

“Happiness, not in another place, but this place…not for another hour, but for this hour.”   Walt Whitman

Morning Showers - Day 282

I love my morning shower...there is just something that feels good about starting the day off clean and refreshed! I try to remember, however, that my morning routine needs to consist of so much more than outward beauty. No, the more important things are not visible and easy...but of so much more value!

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”   Audrey Hepburn

Windows of Change - Day 281

Windows let in a lot of light - and give glimpses of what is going on outside. As grateful as I am for the windows that I can peek through - it takes walking through the door to really experience what is outside. I think I can say I've walked out the door!

“Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, know what’s even scarier? Regret.  Unknown

Lotion - Day 280

Living in a dry climate has given me an entirely new appreciation for something that I always used haphazardly in the past - lotion! I find that I can hardly last a day without applying it LOTS! And I rarely ever end up with too much on my hands by accident! The skin is thirsty!!!

“That awkward moment when you have to much lotion on and don’t know where to put it…” Unknown

Glitter - Day 279

Glitter makes everything more fun, don't you think? I mean - even the most boring items can become beautiful with a little glitter on them! It is so sparkly, fun, and happy! I know it makes a mess...but then it just spreads the magic a little in my opinion! I don't know if my husband agrees...but my daughters do!!!

“Some girls were just born with glitter in their veins.”    Unknown

Colorful organization - Day 278

It's amazing how much more fun it is to clean and organize things when you get to put them in pretty containers. Isn't it true? I love the bright and pretty colors on this cart - it is in my craft area, and filled with lots of fun craft supplies. And it makes me smile whenever I am crafting - or cleaning up afterwards!

“Colors are the smiles of nature.”   Leigh Hunt

Recollections - Day 277

I treasure so many of the memories these figurines hold for me! The first one I received as a gift from my husband not long after we met. During our courtship and engagement, I received several others - each with a special story or meaning to them. Then, it became the theme for our wedding...and has turned into quite the collection. I can look at them and smile - remembering all the special times they represent!

“The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead.”

Plugged in - Day 276

Have you ever tried to run the vacuum, or some other appliance or power tool, and been greatly frustrated by the fact that it won't work? Then you realize...it isn't plugged in? Yeah...I've done that a time or two! Kind of like those days you wake up and your day is just going wrong, for no apparent reason, and you realize that you didn't take the time to do your devotions or spend any time with God that morning? Yeah...done that a time or two as well! I'm glad I can remember in time to fix it most of the time!

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.”   Peace Pilgrim 

Through Thick and Thin - Day 275

I keep wondering when life will slow down and I will actually be able to catch this up! But here goes another stab at it! 

LOVE this picture of the girls posing in front of a rainbow in the middle of a dark and heavy storm - see those clouds! I love how they are together in whatever storm they face - and how they are always able to find the beauty in the midst of it - like this rainbow! 

“Clouds may come, but clouds must go, and they all have a silver lining. For behind each cloud you know, the sun, or moon, is shining.”   Unknown

Chairs with wheels - Day 274

Gotta love a chair with wheels! They are just so much more fun, and a lot easier to move around it! We got these two pink ones for the girls to use as school desks, and I'm not sure if it helps them any - but they sure do love them!!! They are going places for sure!

“Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”   Unknown

Wounds - Day 273

I love this little character! It was a gift a few years ago from our pastor to my youngest daughter - and she treasures it! Right now it sits by her school desk...I think this is how she feels after a day doing school. I sometimes feel the same after a day of ____(fill in the blank with whatever was hard that day) - so I like the reminder too! Thankful for the Greatest Doctor ever to tend my wounds and bandage me up!

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”   Oprah Winfrey

Pink lamps - Day 272

One of the things we purchased to use here after we moved, was this nifty lamp, that the girls of course had to have in pink. The plan was to put it in their room, but there isn't a good spot for it! So...now it sits between their school desks, and provides enough light if the sun hasn't fully risen or is hiding behind a cloud. Obviously, they love the pink light - kind of makes me think of the sunrise!

“Slow buds the pink down like a rose from out night’s gray and cloudy sheath; Softly and still it grows and grows, petal by petal, leaf by leaf.”    Susan Coolidge

Pencils - Day 271

I love pencils! When they get dull, you can sharpen them. When you mess up, you can erase them. When you're bored you can chew on them (actually, I don't do that anymore...although I used to!).  I love that they come in all colors and sizes, but there is still something familiar and useful about the ordinary yellow number 2...

“The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser – in case you though optimism was dead.”    Robert Brault

Eight years old - Day 270

Day 270 was very special - we celebrated my youngest daughter's birthday! LOVE her so much! Every day of her eight years has kept me on my toes, never knowing what she is going to say next!  But every minute has been filled with love, laughter, and fun! And now we are halfway to 16...YIKES!!!

“I’m glad I’m finally eight. This is the oldest I’ve ever been in my entire life!”  Unknown

Beautiful wood floors - Day 269

I love the floors in our new house - feels like miles and miles of beautiful wood. It is remarkably easy to damage though, so it does have it defects! But it sure is fun to walk on, dance on, live on...

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.”   Wayne Dyer

Help for housework - Day 268

Getting used to a dry climate has led to some small changes in how I do housework. For instance - my hands tend to get dry more quickly, so using rubber gloves is a big help in that job! Especially since housework just doesn't go away...despite the inconveniences of doing it...

“You make the beds, you wash the dishes, and six months later you have to start all over again.”    Joan Rivers

Yummy dish soap - Day 267

I think doing dishes is so much more fun when you have soap that smells good, don't you? This soap is something we discovered recently - and it makes doing dishes so much more fun! I almost find myself looking for something to wash sometimes...

“There’s something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she’s only measured water in it.”    Erma Bombeck

A nice garbage container - Day 266

I know this may seem silly...but I really love the new garbage can we have! The cabinet under the sink in our new house is too small to hold a garbage can, so we needed an external one. So we figured, it might as well be pretty, right? Helps that it is functional too! Love not having to use my hands to open it and insert the garbage - and then it is all hidden away from sight!

“People say I’m extravagant because I want to be surrounded by beauty. But tell me, who wants to be surrounded by garbage?”   Imelda Marcos

Napkins - Day 265

Napkins are such a useful thing, don't you think? Granted, sometimes they feel a bit wasteful - and I know cloth napkins are a much smarter choice, but sometimes it is just so nice to wipe that dirty face that needs it, and toss the whole mess in the garbage and not have to deal with it! So simple, yet so profound and helpful at the same time!

“I have a simple philosophy: Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.”  Alice Roosevelt Longworth

The sound of music - Day 264

Nothing makes unpacking, schoolwork, or housework more enjoyable in my opinion than music. I love to have music playing in the background for just about anything I am doing. I am really grateful for the way our new house is laid out - allowing for music from our main speakers to be heard from about anywhere. I also don't mind our fast internet that allows for streaming of music from online - opening a world of possibilities of music to enjoy!!!

“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.”   George Carlin

Cozy Chair - Day 263

This is my new favorite chair...I bought it just before we moved, and it is the perfect combination between a bed and a chair. It sits right next to the fireplace, and is the perfect spot to curl up and read a book, cuddle with one (or both) of the girls, take a nap, or talk on the phone. Every house needs a super comfy chair!

“All I want is a room somewhere, Far away from the cold night air; With one enormous chair…Oh, wouldn’t it be loverly?” Alan Jay Lerner

Fireplace - Day 262

Ahhhh...the nights (and days for that matter) are getting colder and colder...and what is nicer on a cold day than a nice cozy fireplace?!?!?! Right now, until our furnace is installed in a week or two - this is our main source of heat, and therefore a place we spend lots of time right now! 

“There is no place more delightful than one’s own fireplace.”   Marcus Tullius Cicero

Near and Far - Day 261

Wyoming is so big and vast, that I am finding these binoculars to be very helpful. There are so many things in the distance that I can't see clearly, and these help bring them into focus. I am amazed though at how easy it sometimes is to be concerned with things far away, and miss the things that are happening nearby. These are my reminder to focus on the blessings, responsibilities, and joys that are near me everyday.

“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.”   Mother Teresa

Hot Water - Day 260

I love our little tea kettle! It heats up water so nice and quickly for coffee...tea...cocoa - or anything else I need! All with the touch of a button! Hot water is so useful...but it can burn you too. Most things that are helpful and good are dangerous and can cause pain. It's funny how those two things go together...

“Optimism is the cheerful frame of mind that enables a teakettle to sing, though in hot water up to its nose.”   Unknown

Perfect Timing - Day 259

I love pears - and we so enjoyed eating lots of these when we drove back to Washington - and bringing a box with us to eat and can on returning home. But pears are funny! There is not a very large window of opportunity to enjoy them! You have to get them when they are just perfectly ripe...and if you are lucky enough to achieve that - WOW!!!

“There are only ten minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pieces of Home - Day 258

Playing some big time catch up here! Life got in the way, and other things (like spending time with my family and working on settling into our new house!) took over and got me a "little" behind...okay, maybe a LOT behind! So, I will just do a few each day until I am caught up! 

These are very special to me, and hold an honored and special place in our new house. Our church family at Day Creek gave us these - so we could take a little piece of Skagit County with us to Wyoming. While these are a symbol of it - we carry so many memories in our hearts that we treasure. Despite the scariness of the changes, that hit us at the strangest times - we are so blessed by the treasured memories we carry with us no matter where we go...

“Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, know what’s even scarier? Regret.  Unknown

Thunderstorms - Day 257

Thunderstorms are one of my favorite things in the world. I remember being terrified of them briefly when I was a little girl. I can't remember why, or when it changed, but now I can't wait for them to strike. I hear they are especially frequent in Wyoming, so I was a little disappointed to have to wait a couple weeks for my first one, but it only made me appreciate it more! And now, I can't wait for the next one!

“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, the earthquake.”   Frederick Douglass

The Moon - Day 256

A few weeks ago we had some of the most amazing full moons. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but it was the best I could do! The night I took this picture, we were watching a movie. It was a perfectly good movie, but there was no way it could compare to the beautiful scene unfolding out the window next to me. The earth was glowing from the bright light of the moon, and the clouds were gliding by below, sparkling in the silver glow. I spent a while being distracted, then finally stopped the movie and went outside to try to capture it. Even if it isn't a great capture, it allowed me to soak it all in for a few moments. Just me, the moon, and the Creator of the moon on a cool summer evening. Sigh...

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.”     Mahatma Gandi

The rubber meets the road - Day 255

Stepping out in faith is just that - stepping out! Where the rubber meets the road, and you discover what you really believe. While it hasn't been easy, and I have had my little breakdowns along the way, I am so glad that life isn't boring. Sometimes I do wish it was, but I know I would be missing so much along the way if I never moved from where I was. So...here's to the road ahead!

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”   Edward Abbey

Silence - Day 254

One of the things I really miss in Wyoming is trees. There are a few, here and there, but certainly not as many as in Washington! There also isn't much grass, at least not the green kind! There is sagebrush, and some brown dead stuff that kind of looks more like wheat to me. It has forced me to look a little closer and see the beauty in it though. One thing I have learned to appreciate is the silence. And then the soft whisper of the breeze blowing over the grass that is here. There is a silence, when the wind is not blowing, that you can almost feel. Peaceful and quiet. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 

“See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…we need silence to be able to touch souls.”   Mother Teresa

Landscapes - Day 253

Some scenes just make me want to be a painter. I'm not - even though I've tried. So I will just settle for capturing the amazing world that God created with my camera. I love in this one where the sky meets the land and the sun plays shadows across them both. Beautiful...completely...

“Are not the mountains, waves, and skies a part of me and of my soul as I of them?”   Lord Byron

Clouds in the Sky - Day 252

I do enjoy a beautiful sunny day with no clouds in the sky, but I generally think it is far more interesting to have at least a few clouds in the sky. Doesn't matter if they are cute little fluffy ones that the sky can dip and dodge behind, or the small, faint, wispy ones that look like feathers painted across the sky. Or the deep dark ominous ones that mean a storm is on the way. Any way you look at it, they just add to the beauty for me! 

“A cloudless plain blue sky is like a flowerless garden.”   Terri Guillemets

The satisfaction of accomplishment - Day 251

I love how something like losing a tooth is the most wonderful thing in the world when you are 7 years old! This was a particularly proud moment, because she has always been my least tough about pulling loose teeth. This time, she was determined to get it out before Daddy came home. And after about an hour of wiggling it every way possible, she came running out of the bathroom yelling, "I've got a surprise! Look!" Nothing like a job well done!

“You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”    Richard Bach

Like the Sunrise - Day 250

Our new house doesn't have the same fabulous view of the sunrise that our last one did, but I still find myself enjoying the daily reminder of who is in control. As beautiful as it is, there is nothing I can do to make or stop the sun from coming up in the morning. Nope, that is in God's hands. But, I do get the privilege of watching it happen!

“Like the sunrise, some things just have to happen, and all you can do is watch.”  Unknown

Lasting Love - Day 249

Nothing like a lot of stress in your life to reveal who you really are. And although sometimes it isn't pretty (trust me!) - it tests your marriage right through the fires of change. Despite the occasional bumps and bruises along the path, I'm so glad that the Lord is at the center of our marriage, because I know that nothing can destroy it. Test it? Try it? Make it tough sometimes? Yes...but it is still good. And I'm humbly grateful...

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”   John Steinbeck

Family Adventure - Day 248

One thing that has already happened, and I know will happen even more as we have stepped out on our own - we have grown together as a family in so many ways. Suddenly, the only ones we have to turn to are each other. We are leaning on each other in so many ways that we never have before, and developing a deep and lasting bond. Not that we ever weren't close as a family before, but not like this!

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!”   Albert Einstein

Popcorn - Day 247

Sometimes I forget how much I love popcorn! It is such a yummy snack! I usually associate it with movies, because who doesn't love to sit down and eat popcorn while watching a great movie! But every once in a while it occurs to me to eat it while just sitting and talking to my kids, or watching a storm, sunrise, or sunset out the window. Life is the most interesting movie...

“Of course life is bizarre, the more bizarre it gets, the more interesting it is. The only way to approach it is to make yourself some popcorn and enjoy the show.”    David Gerrold

Holding on to each other - Day 246

I keep telling my girls that the best part about moving to Wyoming is that I get to take them with me! I'm so glad that they have each other through all the changes and new things that life is bringing them!

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”   Audrey Hepburn