A cup of tea - Day 31

I never used to like tea, at least not hot. A good glass of ice tea, give me that any day - even a freezing cold one! But in recent months, I have grown to appreciate, enjoy, and sometimes absolutely adore a good cup of tea. Which is a good thing, since I have never been a coffee drinker either - a person needs something hot to sip on a cold evening! And sometimes when my day is going rough, I can make myself a cup of tea, and it is oddly comforting and luxurious. Doesn't hurt when the cup was designed by a friend just for you either! Something about breathing steam is relaxing I think...

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”   Eleanor Roosevelt”

Friendship - Day 30

Another late day...kind of hard to get back in the groove of life it seems! So much going on! But I take a moment today to recognize the blessing of friendship. I had a friend over today with her two daughters, and also watched another friends two daughters for a little while - and as I watched so many little girls crowd on the couch together to watch a movie, their heads all pressed together as they giggled and smiled, I realized that someday they very likely will still be friends with each other, and look back on these times for the treasure that they were. And as I spent time with a friend today, and talked on the phone with several other throughout the day, I am reminded of how very richly my life has been blessed by the wonderful women I have the privilege of calling friends and sisters. Some of them I knew when we were children, and others have been more recent friendships - but they are all so special in their own unique way!

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.     John Burroughs

A New Baby - Day 29

Well, I almost missed today, and I am most certainly late! But I have a REALLY good excuse! A new baby is a really good excuse for almost anything - and much more fun than any other excuse. But I had the privilege of being present at the birth of a dear friends delivery, and witnessing the first precious moments of life - which reminded me again what a treasure my own kids are (and exactly how fast they are growing too!) So hopefully I am forgiven for being late? 

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.”   Author Unknown

Peaceful moments - Day 28

Anyone ever notice how quickly life can get crazy? It makes me remember to treasure the peaceful moments when they come. Love this moment with my kids...just resting and looking...watching to see what is next. I will try to remember to seize those moments, and use them to provide strength for the not so peaceful moments!

“You cannot find peace by avoiding life.”    Virginia Woolf

Life - Day 27

Today, I am thankful for life. As a woman, bringing life into the world is something that we alone experience in the unique way God has given to us. Not only through our children, although that is by far the most obvious way, but in so many other ways. We nurture, water, and love in ways that only we can. And it is bittersweet sometimes, as life is such a tender gift, and yet so fragile. And ultimately, we have to let go of that which we so tenderly hold, and give it to our Heavenly Father - who is so much more capable than we are! (And I suddenly realized a quick disclaimer is necessary - this is not me! It is a dear friend that is awaiting the arrival of her little one - hopefully soon!)

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”    Henry Ellis

Sisterhood - Day 26

I'm a lucky mom. You see, my daughters are the kind of sisters that are best friends. Not that they don't fight occasionally (or sometimes a lot!), but they are always there for each other - through thick or thin. And they love to spend time together, and help each other out when needed. I'm so glad that I know they have each other - no matter what.

“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”    Amy Li

Dance - Day 25

Last night, as I went about my evening listening to Pandora, I came in to spot my two daughters dancing. I don't know what it is, but there is something in my little girl heart that still loves to dance - and loves that my girls love to dance! Dancing allows something that you can't speak to be expressed, and I must admit that I still catch myself dancing around the house when a particular song inspires me. Shhhh...don't tell!

”Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn.”   Sweetpea Tyler

Raindrops and sunshine - Day 24

I love those days when it is windy, rainy, and stormy, and the clouds part - and out pops the sun for a few minutes. All of a sudden, everything seems so intense, beautiful, and colorful. And then it disappears, and the gray returns. But somehow, you know the beauty is hiding in it still. This was one of those moments.

“It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow.”   Unknown

The wind - Day 23

I love the wind. I have always loved the wind. Nothing is more fun to me than sitting in my house and listening to the wind howl...unless of course it is a thunderstorm too - then all the better! There is just something amazing and powerful about the wind, and I love the sense of the amazing strength of my God that it gives me, and the reminder of my own smallness! Yesterday, the wind was blowing so hard, that the rain was going sideways and hitting the house...this picture was looking out the window through the raindrops.

“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.”   Arthur Golden

A hardworking Daddy - Day 22

Yesterday, Daddy took on the job he hates - and suited up to climb under the house. Our cat had been getting in there (with some of the neighborhood cats) during all the cold weather, and had managed to mess up some of the insulation and such. So, even though he despises it, I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to do even the yucky jobs. This was my oldest listening to see if she could hear where he was, so she could knock and say hello!

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”  

Ernest Hemingway

Light for the path - Day 21

Today I am grateful that God always gives me enough light for the path he wants me to walk, even if it is just enough for the next step. And if I keep my eyes on him, the shadows disappear!

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow.”  Helen Keller

Learning something new - Day 20

Yesterday, I was questioning my sanity a bit...you see, I got these cute little kits for the girls for Christmas so that they could sew their own cute little stuffed animals. Fun idea, right? Well...next time I at least need to break up the time spent on them, because 5+ hours...on the floor...two little girls...needles...tangled thread...need I go on? But, we finished them! And they had SOOO much fun, and are so proud of their creations. And really, I am proud of them too! And I will always treasure the time spent teaching them something new! (Although, I think I will take a few days off before trying to teach them another new skill!)

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."    Anonymous

Romping in the snow - Day 19

While I must admit, I am a little to old and wimpy to romp in the snow (and besides, I'm busy taking pictures!) - there is just something about the joy of running as fast as you can in the snow. Because the beautiful thing of it is, if you fall down, you know you have a soft landing!

"Life is like a field of newly fallen snow. Where I choose to walk, every step will show."    Denis Waitley

Catching snowflakes - Day 18

Is there anything more magical than successfully catching a snowflake on your tongue? I can't think of anything!

"Each snowflake that falls reminds me of you...one of a kind."   Unknown

Winter Wonderland - Day 17

Ah...the first real snow of the year! And even better when it is thick, heavy, and so much fun to play in!!! There is nothing like being a kid and bundling up until you look like a marshmallow so you can go play in the snow and stay warm!

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event."   Unknown



Seasons - Day 16

Yesterday it snowed...a little anyway. I loved this picture that captured all the seasons, the green grass (summer), the dead leaf (fall), the snow (winter), and the drop of water, like a raindrop on the leaf (spring). I love each different season and have finally learned to enjoy each one as it comes, and not waste any time wishing for the next one. Each has its own beauty...

"We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are."    Calvin & Hobbes



Life - Day 15

This morning, I pause to be thankful for life. In every way and part that it exists. This is the door to our local hospital, where I went yesterday to visit my Grandma. She is doing better now, but it looks like she may have had a minor stroke. She is in her 90's - and if I live to be that old, I want to be as energetic and fun as she is! As I sat in the hospital yesterday, I was reminded of all the special times spent with her, and memories that I have to hold onto - and I am grateful for a life well lived for as long as the Lord gives her, whether it is tomorrow, or another 20 years! What an example to follow!

"Collect moments, not things." Unknown

Boundaries - Day 14

Boundaries - even though it is easy to want to rebel against them, there is safety and security in them. I love having these hanging in our house as a reminder that sin is never pleasant - at least never for long - and God's Words (including these) can be a lamp to our feet, and a light for our path.

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."     Albus Dumbledore



The "Wall" - Day 13

Today, I am grateful for what I have called the "Wall" - basically an anti-distraction plan for schoolwork. I homeschool our two daughters, and ever since Christmas break, schoolwork has been rough - really rough! So much trouble focusing and working, so it takes ALL day to finish! Anyway, I finally got the bright idea to grab some scrapbook paper and create a barrier, so they couldn't see each other, and would hopefully concentrate a little better. And it WORKED!!! I was SOOO happy to have the first smooth, tear free, and happy day of schoolwork in what seems like way too long! It is the little things in life for sure!

"What you get by achieving your goals isn't as important as what you become by achieving your goals."   Zig Ziglar



Contentment - Day 12

The struggle to be content is so interesting! How can someone be content with so little I sometimes wonder - and yet just as often I wonder how anyone can be content with so much! It is the effort of stepping back, and forgetting the "stuff" - and choosing contentment whether it is there or not. Easier said than done - but definately worth the effort!

"Remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life."   Aurelius

Emotions - Day 11

It is so easy to get frustrated with emotions - my own, and those of other people. And yet, that is something that God has given us too - and wouldn't life be a little boring without them? True...some days I would LOVE boring in comparison, but that would be missing out on a gift all its own as well. And without the emotions we don't like as well, the good ones wouldn't be so sweet!

"What is it that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the words I have read in my life."   Walt Whitman

A New Morning - Day 10

This is the sunrise a few days ago...it was BEAUTIFUL, and made me grateful that each day is a new day - fresh and free of yesterdays mistakes!

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him."  Lamentations 3:22-23 Amplified Version.

Family...Day 9

What more can I say? God has blessed me with an incredibly wonderful family! There is no one I enjoy spending time with more than my family - I am blessed indeed!

"Family means putting your arms around each other and being there."  (Unknown)

Technology...Day 8

Sometimes I wonder if technology is a blessing or a curse...but we recently moved into the world of smartphones despite wondering that very thing. And while there are many ways that it wastes time, there are also many ways that it helps. So, I choose to be thankful for this mixed blessing - and be thankful that it has an off button when it is more of one than another! (And yes, I know you can tell by the date that I took this picture last year, but it seemed wise to get a bit of a head start to allow for any days that I couldn't keep up for some reason or another!)

"A clean house is a sign of a broken computer." [or phone!]

Creativity...Day 7

And this definately had to make the list somewhere or another! This is my Cricut, the machine that led to me realizing I really could be a creative person! I always tell my husband that my papercrafting is my therapy...not sure if it is cheaper, but it's lots more fun!

"I just want to make beautiful things..."   (Unknown)

Music...Day 6

This piano was my Grandma's before she passed away...my mom spent many of her childhood years playing on it...and while I play guitar more than piano these days, I love to sit down and play my favorites every now and then. Above all, I am thankful for the gift of music in my life - for listening to my kids sing throughout the day, or more often than not, make up their own songs - and for the music that fills my heart with each moment I am given. Music definately speaks to my heart in a way that nothing else can.

"Music is what feelings sound like."   (Unknown)

My baby...Day 5

And this is my baby...although at 7 years old, she really isn't a baby anymore. Growing up so fast! Her sweet smile and infectious laughter - as well as her sassy and cute side - brighten each and every day for me!!!

"Girls. You never know what they're going to think."  (J.D. Salinger)

My Firstborn...Day 4

And here I am thankful for my firstborn daughter...and the amazing young woman she is growning up to be. Can't believe that she wil be 9 this year - the teenage years are right around the corner! I love her desire to learn and figure out how things work...as well as her adorable and spunky personality! 

"Never underestimage a girl's ability to find things out."  (Unknown)

My husband...Day 3

Today, I am thankful for the wonderful man who put this ring on my finger. We will celebrate 12 years of marriage this March:

"I want to be your favorite hello and hardest goodbye."   (Unknown)

The gift of time...Day 2

Day 2 today, and today I am taking a precious moment to appreciate the gift of time. Something I want to remember to treasure, and never take lightly:

"Four things you can't recover:

The stone after the throw.

The word after it's said.

The occasion after it's missed.

The time after it's gone."   (Deanna Wadsworth)

In the beginning...Day 1

Happy New Year! With a new year beginning, it seemed a good idea to start at the beginning. So today, I am thankful for all that is around me, and the God who created it all:

"All great changes are preceded by chaos."  (Deepak Chopra)