Pieces

  

" She left pieces of her life behind her

everywhere she went.

It's easier to feel the sunlight 

without them,

she said ."

Bolivar red-wing getting one last bath 

This week I closed on my house.  
When I left, I felt like I was leaving...
a piece of myself behind.

picking flowers

Usually whenever pieces leave my life...
it makes room for something better.

my guy 

I most often find, that it as much about leaving pieces behind...

as it is about discovering pieces of myself along the way.

I truly believe the difficulties we face are not to defeat us...

but to increase us !

If we can get through the difficulties 

without punching someone in the face

with a smile on our face,

and a song in our heart...

getting out of the rain...

things frequently work out.

Brandon & Bun-bun

And I am continually overwhelmed by God's goodness.

me, Brandon and LeeAnn

I look around me and I am truly blessed !

Bun-bun

It is is hard to see those pieces and memories drift away...

Adam 

but knowing there is so much more to come...
makes it worth it !

Adam & Fernie

Yes !! This is Home Sweet Home
XOXO

Nature

" I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station,

through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

~George Washington Carver~

I have a wonderful habit 

of starting my mornings with a whole splendid hour 

 of reading devotionals,  and having coffee

with God.

devotional reading with bun-bun

It's like filling up at the pump.

It clears my head and fills me with strength.

It puts everything into prospective.

I need that.

Life isn't always picture perfect...

nobody's is.

But my morning routine helps me to focus

on the ways

life is beautiful each day...

and nature always captures my attention.

Robin

Lately...I have been listening to the robin sing, and spotting them everywhere.

Robin's are a promise of new beginnings.

It's a symbol of cheer, joviality & light-heartedness.

( moving , letting go, starting another chapter in life)

The turtle came into the back-yard to remind me to slow down...

and to right myself..

when things get topsy turvy.

( selling my home, moving, simplifying...feeling *scattered)

I see the bluebird outside the window at work..
it comes to remind us to take time
to enjoy ourselves.

With that said...
I must say... I work with the the most amazing women.
Some days are awful...they deal with a lot...
and no matter what...
they wear warm smiles...and you always hear some laughter. :)

(lately work is where I get to take a moment to slow down...*love :) )

Blue jays remind us that we have power...

and not to allow ourselves to be placed

where power is used against us.

It reflects that a time of greater resources...

and adaptability is about to unfold.

(like when you find out you have less than 2 days to pack and move ? Yep..*power unleashed !)

Oh...and Bun-bun *love...
he reminds me to take great leaps and hops...
that movement is happening in my life...
and to eat good foods to strengthen and heal.
Scotty...well..*love
other than being entertaining, and a faithful companion...
and a source of unconditional love...
he defenitely reminds me that we are all unique. :)

So thank you God...
I am paying attention...
I may get busy and miss a thing or two...
but...I am tuned in.
XOXO

Home

I know this place.  There is a lot of love here.

For 10 years this has been home.
It has been my little piece of heaven.
A refuge for Brandon and I...
a getaway for family and friends.

my home

Things have changed, life moves us forward, and we grow.
I knew I had some choices to make.
I could either dig in, and hold tight to what I knew...
or I could let go...
and trust that I will always be
right where God wants me.

reading in a tree

I stepped out in faith...

and put my home on the market.

It was not an easy thing to do.

I felt a little panicky...

I took a lot of deep breaths...

I prayed. 

A lot !

A new family will be moving to this place soon.
I will be saying good-bye to my home.
It has been one of the most difficult things I have done.
If I kept it...if it didn't sell...
my Dad had hopes to come spend the winters here.
I would have loved that so much !!

Dad

Dad...you always have a place ! Always ! I love you and love having you close !

 As tough as this has been...I have found great comfort in my friends.

they have gone above and beyond.

They have been there to hug, encourage, listen, and fight battles for me. 

They have had my back...and they have helped me move.

They made me laugh.

I only had two days. *crazy 

I truly don't know what I would

do with out them.

I thank God for all of you.

Always!!! *love

I will be packing up the last few things...

doing the final walk through with tear filled eyes...as precious memories

will start flooding back.

I will miss the quiet of the country...

the cows grazing across the street...

 horses waiting at the fence across the meadow.

I will miss the people...the peaceful neighborhood...the familiarity of life in that special little spot.

Most of all...I will miss my front porch.

As difficult as this last month has been

I know I am where I belong.

Because as much as we change and grow....

 we never outgrow the need for someone special.

Someone to hold us close, and to reassure us

that tomorrow will be alright.

Someone to kiss our forehead and hold our hand.

Someone to love.

Home IS where the heart is.

I am now in my new home...my sweeties home. The man I love with ALL of my heart. :)

I sit here with the windows open...the sound of children across the street...birds are chirping...

Brandon is asleep down the hall...

little Rue rabbit playing in the back yard... Scotty rolling in the grass...

 great neighbors...and a close loving community.

He knows my heart.  He knows what I need !

This is home.

XOXO

Weekend

I can't believe how fast time is flying by...
I am almost afraid to blink...
things seem to change so quickly.

 

Last weekend I decided I needed to slow down...
to forget about the to do lists...
and enjoy some quality time 
with the people I love.



Taking time to do the things that I love.

No agenda...
just taking each moment as it came...

indulging in life...love and good company.

What more could I need ?

sandwiches taste better on a picnic

We spent some time at the farm...
it's so peaceful and serene...

...

we love it here...

it is one of our favorite places...

and there are always plenty of moments for me to photograph. :)

The air was refreshing...

the sunshine was warm...

the cows were taking a siesta..

I could have sat in that spot all day.

from a few weeks ago....

I am grateful for all the moments 

captured through

the lens.

this is her now...

Cherishing those times that we live fully in the moment...

and not to stress about the unknowns...

tuning into notice
the littlest of blessings...

...they are many !
I am so thankful for restFULL weekends...
and peaceFULL days...
and my camera. :)
XOXO

Fox Cubs

This week we are enjoying...

Little red...

fox cubs. 

*heart-flutter*

I have been enamoured... 

 and thrilled.

I had to push down my excitement

to keep from letting out a squeal.

I read that the fox can get by...

wherever life puts him.

I really needed that message this week.

As I watched these adorable little ones...

I felt a calm fill me to my toes.

God's timing... and His gifts...

well...they are

 perfect !!

It's amazing how His creatures...

great and small...

can bring so much peace and enjoyment...

 and sometimes... enlightenment to our lives.

In-the-moment-with-nature-moments ...

more or less erases every thought..

it slows you down...

and opens you up to appreciate

what is around you.

Life isn't easy...

but it is unquestionably

beautiful...rich

and absolutely worth the challenges.

I am so grateful for all He has given me.

XOXO