New normal -

I talked a little bit last week about what we are calling our "new normal".  Joel has become part of our Sunday morning ritual, his messages are perfect and seem to be meant just for us.

We listen intently, enjoying our coffee by the fire and always take away exactly what he wants.  We love listening to him.

This week's lesson was called "Knowing What to Ignore".  Let's just say I learned a lot.  If you're interested in listening to this too, click the link.
Joel's message - Know What to Ignore!

Have a great week!

Game on!

Yep, today's the BIG day and perfect weather....well at least here - It was beautiful this morning....

Baseball early then off to enjoy yummy foods with friends while watching the game. Will it be the Patriots or Giants?! I don't really have a preference since I don't really understand the game, lol! But we are enjoying all the 'pre game' stuff and hoping for an exciting game!

Happy Groundhog Day!

I'm REALLY hoping there's no shadow so we can move right into SPRING! We've had some amazing weather this week and it felt good to get the flip flops out yesterday. I'm ready.......COME ON SPRING!

Today IS....

National Popcorn Day!

So, instead of tonight being 'game' night, I'm thinkin' MOVIE night =)

There are so many movies we haven't seen but the kids?!  well, that's another story.  They just might have to watch an old one again!

We've officially made it through Monday so - Happy Tuesday!

Still learning....

after ALL these years; Yep!

The past few weeks have been very challenging but I keep going.  One step at a time.  One day at a time.  Praying for the best.

As I sit here today, I realize how much I have learned.

• trust is earned; not assumed
• i am not invincible
• praying from the knees is very emotional
• that "Joel" often knows exactly what I need to hear =)
• what it feels like to love someone more than life itself
• what it feels like to not only hurt those you love but also to be hurt by those that you love
• how priceless it is to have my daughter by my side at one of my darkest, most grim moments 
• what 'rock bottom' feels like
• how comforting the book of Psalms can be
• what it really means to 'pick up the pieces'
• saying I'm sorry doesn't necessarily mean I'm wrong
• sometimes I really can't make sense of a situation and that has to be ok
• that it's ok to stare at my wrist "believe" and challenge what I see, say and hear
• it's just as important to forgive as it is to ask for forgiveness
• that my famous words "everything happens for a reason" are sometimes difficult to swallow
• how important it is to live each day (and night) as if it's my last
• what it means to go through the 'thin' of 'thick and thin'. 

And while a lot of things will never be the same, there's a sense of a 'new normal'.  Many of the things that I did before simply don't matter and have been replaced with new routines, new habits and most of all new appreciation, respect and meaning.  

Happy Monday ya'all!

New find -

I haven't been inspired motivated focused lately to blog.  Just a lot going on and have even struggled with 'going through the motions'.  So instead of boring you with my stuff, I thought it might be fun to share some of the blogs that help me focus - here's one that I have already grown to love -  Elise - she's got it together!  If you have time to click and review, you just might find some inspiration, too =)

Scrapbooking remains a top priority and of course I stilll love Pinterest.  Feel free to share what keeps you inspired.....it just might work for me too!

#3

Happy Birthday Kayden!  It's hard to believe you're three already,  yet you are mature beyond your years.

We know you will have a great day and wonderful party!

Gigi and Poppy love you =)

This little light of mine....

I'm gonna let it shine =)

I LOVE lights.  As a matter of fact, I have so many country lights that in most rooms we don't need lamps,  ha!

Last year when we added some 'wine/grape' stuff to our kitchen, we wanted to display some of our favorite wineries' bottles -

And when we visited the Fenwick winery, we saw this sitting on the counter -

which meant we just HAD to share a bottle just so I can have one of my own to light up....and we did just that!

Looks like a perfect project for my DH....right?!  It would look perfect in our Lighthouse bathroom and just think we wouldn't need any lights, ha!  And maybe we can come up with something 'crafty' to do with some of our other wine bottles.  Any suggestions?

Sorting stuff out...

I've been on this kick lately, been feelin' the need to sort stuff; clean out; get rid of what we don't need/use.

Today's project:! The pantry. Ugh was it ever needing a make-over (or clean-up). So shortly after lunch I began. Yep, found more than one of several items that household's really only need one. Got rid of the 'aged' stuff and figured out meals for this week all with what we had right under our nose. Imagine that.

It took me several hours but it's finally done -

Much better, huh?

On a completely different note, am I the only one that has trouble with using Picnik on a Mac? It constantly shuts down.

And what's on my list next? Let's just say one room at a time, 'one day at a time'!

Simplier times.........

Today's been one of those days. A day where you step back and look at life.

A day when you can't help but wonder why and a day when you challenge "everything happens for a reason".

Yesterday as I was 'working out', I thought it would be fun, nice, beneficial to start cleaning out drawers, cabinets and rooms to simplify.

So tonight as I sit in what we consider the 'old' living room, with candles burning and just a little bit of light from a few lamps, I think back to more simple times. Times when this room was all we had....

for years, a pack and play and/or bassinet was a permanent fixture. Toys were in a bin and candles were out of reach. Our TV was big and fat and small. We all had to watch the same show. Our cell phones were not within reach 24/7.

So just for tonight I'm going to sit here. In this old room, watch the old tv (that's not HD) and pray for the sun to come up tomorrow =)