Gratitude

I don't take these moments for granted.

Never have.  Never will.

In a smiling *sighing breath, I know these moments are heaven sent.

XOXO

Sorrow

We want to make sense of things,
and find peace when life seems unfair.

A special friend looses her beautiful daughter to cancer.

We're all a little vulnerable right now.

XOXO

Sleep Over

We took off on a mini adventure.

A night away to Arkansas country , to slow down, and savor some time with my Mom.

Oliver making new friends

We need to sink into this wildly precious life

and enjoy more moments with the  people we love.

XOXO

Approval

Now, this little fella had to get the approval of his peeps.

tough audience

*kiss

*kiss ?

All is well.

Looks like he is going to fit in nicely.

Yes...in theses moments I *smile.

Welcome home Oliver! :)

XOXO

Kid

He was born on the 18th.

Hubby and I met him yesterday.

His Mama didn't want to bond with him...

but he had me at hello ! :)

the ride home...Auntie Karen cleaned his nose....so he cleaned hers :)

making friends at the feed store

first bottle

home

       

Karen and I went to pick him up today. 

She calls him Little toot. :)

He has filled our hearts already.

You'll probably see lots of this cute little fella.

(we will name him soon)

Now... it's time for his bottle... *smitten

XOXO

Imperfect

Yes... I took a picture of the thing...

little armored one

because life is imperfect and still beautiful !

XOXO

Normal Day

" Normal day,

 let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you,

love you, bless you before you depart. 

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. 

Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.

One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, 

or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, 

more than all the world, your return. "

Yesterday, I was appreciating one of those perfectly normal days,

you know....when life just feels good.

Then...

 in a split second...

in the middle of a routine feeding...

I was lacing up my hiney-kicking-boots to thump some over zealous bovines.

Other than hubby's back taking a blow...,life returned to normal afterwards.

I can't help but think of what could have happened.

*whispering a thank You for His protection.

*loving...

the farm

the farmer :)

Normal days

feeling protected

hiney-kickin'-boots :)

XOXO

Brent

Today he turns 27.

When did he get to be so old ??

It makes me a little nostalgic for our family memories...

okay... a little manic too. :)

Brandon and Brent

Brent

Yeah....my impossibly-grown-up nephew !

*loving...

my nephew

being his meme

the memories we share

muscles :)

Thank you for making our life richer, for making us laugh, and for being an inspiration !

I hope all of your dreams come true today and always.

Happy Birthday !

I love you !

XOXO

Fuel

He pops in for a visit. And just like that, he's gone again.

I'm hardwired for these special moments..

*loving...
watching him get tackled by Scotty
that he picked me flowers
doing his laundry
being his Mom

XOXO

Monday

Signs of Spring are everywhere.

We went for a nice ride

to take them all in today.

Mary and I

That's what it's all about , right ?

*loving...
my bike
lunch and coffee drinks outside
colors of spring
funny friends

XOXO

Gap

There is no age gap when it comes to love.

XOXO

Canvas

Think of life as a canvas.

Every time you decide to draw on it,

you are creating.

You can use your time aimlessly doodling,

or you can go after what you feel compelled to do.

You can begin a masterpiece,

one stoke at a time,

one color at a time.

The entire picture won't come together at once,

but you can start right where you are.

And you can make the stroke you do today a good one,

an intentional one.

Today's stroke can be filled with passion,

which will soon point you to your purpose and your destiny.

*loving...

this quote from T.D. Jakes

Spring

the things that didn't turn out how I wanted them to

God's grace

hubby's grace :)

XOXO

Fire

He was breaking-the-clay with the guys.

I am awfully proud of him.

I wonder when I last told him so.

*loving...

 my husband

country life

XOXO

Life

Dreams can come true

if you take the time to

think about what you want in life.

Get to know yourself

find out who you are

choose your goals carefully

be honest with yourself

always believe in yourself

find many interests and pursue them

find out what is important to you

find out what you are good at

don't be afraid to make mistakes

work hard to achieve successes

when things are not going right

don't give up-just try harder

give yourself freedom to try out new things

laugh and have a good time

open yourself up to love

take part in the beauty of nature

be appreciative of all that you have

help those less fortunate than you

work towards peace in the world

live life to the fullest

create your own dreams and

follow them until they are a reality

*loving...

this poem by Susan Polis Schutz

open windows

relaxing music

feeling loved
lovely March weather
buds on the trees

XOXO