engaged

My son Erik and my future daughter-in-law Susanna.

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."

~ David Henry Thoreau

We are all very excited about this wedding.

Erik and Susanna are such a perfect match.

Beautiful.

Inspirational.

Faithful.

Blessed.

...and very, very loved.

September 3, 2011

Easter blessings to you

I love this time of year.

There are bountiful gifts every day.

So much to be thankful for.

It feels like forever since I have posted anything...

but I have been so incredibly busy.

I have a new respect for what teachers go through.

It's not the best time to go into education,

but I trust that doors will open.

I believe.

May each of you have an especially

colorful Easter Sunday with blessings galore ~

Sunday's sweet serenity

It's a lazy Sunday. A day of rest...to gather my bearings...to contemplate how I should approach tomorrow...to take care of the little things that need my attention...to just be enveloped in my own thoughts, surrounded by blessings that are more noticeable on days like today.

still thankful

Thanksgiving came and went. It was a day of visiting dear family and sweet friends...a welcome interruption to a crazy schedule that warmed my heart. It made me take time to enjoy all the things I might otherwise be missing. The past few days have gifted me with kids gathering every night to be together, to laugh, to explore their creativity, to make our home cozy. I just love the sound of happiness. I hope that as we press on in preparation for Christmas we can hold on to that sense of frivolity and all the spontaneous energy it brings with it. I think I'm going to need it.

september 22

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.

~Elizabeth Lawrence ~

Hoping your days are blessed by the changes of fall.

welcome september

It is with open arms I welcome September. I am looking forward to the turning of leaves and all the changes that occur. There are already a sweeping's worth of leaves that gather at the door nearly every day. There is much anticipation, contemplation, and wonder about the days ahead.

Our home has seemingly had a revolving door for my daughter as she has tested her wings last summer and now flown away this summer, only to be back home AGAIN! An empty nest is not meant to be just yet. Last Wednesday night both girls experienced what electricity feels like when it goes through your body and a phone call home urged them to call the landlord right away. This began a series of questions and left the girls with no place to stay because the house was uninhabitable due to substandard wiring. Who wants to be electrocuted? Long story, short...the girls terminated their lease and we did a quick move to be out by last night. Now we wait for the landlord to "cool off" and hope she doesn't press the lease issue in court. A little common sense should tell her safety comes first. The girls can commute to school until their semester is over in December...a little inconvenient, but better than the alternative.

the final Earl update

I just received confirmation that Earl made it to his destination. I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I actually was able to talk to him and he said people helped him along the way and even paid for some of his meals! When God makes provisions for us, He doesn't mess around. Earl's family is so very happy - I could hear the celebration in the background! What a joyful day!

...and I hope you like jammin' too...

I find myself getting inspired by the smallest things I encounter. I wonder if I have always been like this and am just now more aware of it or if moments are beginning to force themselves on me so that I might wring them of every drop. I have been so busy and yet I feel I have so much to accomplish. It has been a while since I have gone to bed this exhausted. My little jam endeavor has been off the hook, crazy, wild. Never would I have imagined the response. It has been a blessing and it is something I really enjoy doing. I even ordered some cute little calling cards because I got tired of making them all by hand. Sadly, the kids have had to postpone their trip to Africa...too many things going on at once, but that's ok. I believe things happen for a reason. When they are able to go in a few months, they will be better prepared. Tomorrow, Susanna (my son's girlfriend) arrives back home from her trip to Kabale and we will have lots of pictures to soak in. Something tells me it's best for everyone to stay close to home for a few months....to better prepare, to pray, and to enjoy some family time together. As per a request or two I am putting the jam paypal option back up on my blog...for as long as jam is available. I thank (from the bottom of my tired little heart) those who have shown support by purchasing jam and/or left encouraging words. I think those of you who visit here are incredibly special and unique....just like some of the jam requests I've received!

fruits of the spirit

What a busy weekend...phew! I got this brilliant idea to help the kids with some revenue for their first upcoming trip to South Africa, but I had no idea the work I had in store for me. The things we do for our kids! They are traveling together in the early part of August, by themselves, without an organization, to explore something they've had on their hearts for some time. They would like to start up or take over an orphanage in the not-so-distant future. So they want to link up with some people who have done this and try to get as many of their friends (in the future) on board who can contribute their gifts and talents to help run the place (sporadically as time permits, interested?). I told them, "I'm in"...yes, I know...we are crazy, truly. I would only be able to spend my summers there, but I would, with a joyful heart...especially if I hadn't seen my own kids in a while. I've struggled with this dream of theirs, but purely for selfish reasons. Now I'm on the sidelines cheering them on, scraping together a few dollar bills that come my way. When I prayed about it, I received (much to my surprise) bags and bags full of freshly-picked apricots...and I was told peaches are next. Ask and you shall receive...so jam it is! Need a jar? Of course it's delicious, canned with TLC.
8 oz =$5, 4 oz=$3. Shipped anywhere in the U.S. for an additional, one-time charge of $5 or $3. (If you want more than one jar, I'll pay the difference). I dislike shipping charges, but otherwise it would defeat the purpose. I told the kids this is a bad time to be fundraising, but it's hard to set aside a God plan when things just seem to be coming together. The most important thing to me though are prayers for their safety and awareness. When I was raising my kids I never imagined such a trip would be in the making. They have a lot of big ideas for only being 19 and 22. My son's girlfriend, who I introduced some time ago, Susanna, is in Kabale right now for a few more weeks. If you read her blog, you might get a better idea of the love that is born from the African experience. More than anything, I understand...even when I don't want to. I could never ask them to ignore something God has placed in their hearts. If you would like to contribute to this crazy adventure, simply make your jam size selection, add the appropriate shipping charge and hit the "Donate" button on the left side bar and fill in the total amount. I would encourage you to pray about it before you make a spontaneous decision....and as always, I just appreciate you spending the time to read this far. I usually shy away from blogs that ask for money...especially in this economy, but this is for a really good cause and I feel it is more honorable to provide you with something in return. As this week kicks off, wish me luck in selling a bajillion jars of Apricot jam. After this week, I do not want to see another apricot for a long, long time.

simply celebrational

It's the little things worth celebrating...

dragonflies in the garden...
sorbet on a blistery hot day...
a smile that reaches through the phone...
a treasured book of poems rediscovered...
a garden swing resting in the shade...
laughter from kids playing in the water...

what little things are a celebration in your day?

welcome june

Welcome June ~

welcome the sweet fragrance of summer's bloom,

and the soft baby's breath underfoot-

the peach tea,

the late night movies,

the coffee house chats,

cool cotton sheets,

freshly picked watermelon, peaches, and nectarines...

welcome-

late night walks,

and early morning sprinklers,

tea cakes

and sundresses,

books galore,

and hopefully

at least

one day

to wiggle

my

toes

in

the

sand.

Happy Mother's day!

Joy: (noun) a source of great pleasure

Things that bring me joy...

Sweet, thoughtful text messages...just because.

An adventurous heart.

An empty garden patch and a basket full of seeds.

Friends that drop by with friendship dough.

Poems that say "Read me again!"

Hearing my kids sing when they think no one is listening.

The scent of lavender blooming.

A hug from Earl.

Fresh strawberries.

Spontaneous phone calls: "Hey mom, do you want a coffee?"

We are each blessed uniquely and completely.

Please share some of your joys,

together we will sing our praises ~

spring's precious moments

I spent most of the weekend trying to get writing assignments finished, but I had to steal away from the piles of books and crumpled papers to experience this moment and share it with you...

Who can resist the feelings

of hope and joy

that one gets from participating

in nature's rebirth?

~Edward Giobbi

thankful....

These days I am particularly thankful for….

a roof over my head
good health
two wonderful children
a happy dog who greets me at the door
lower gas prices ($1.79)
being caught up on homework
post-it notes that keep me organized
a new wire rake with spring action
kind blogging friends
a husband who is very patient
a GOD who loves me for me

Side note* thank you to those who are helping me spread the word about Earl.
It is both selfless and kind. You keep my faith in humanity alive.

And I can’t believe more people didn’t participate in the Christmas Ornament exchange!
I know, I know...money is tight, schedules are too busy...
Bah Hum Bug…well the three of us that did will sure have fun!

today

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and you just feel so alive?
When you know your blessings far out weigh your obstacles?
Everything feels gracious and wholesome...the smallest things jump out and beg to be appreciated...that's the kind of day TODAY is...that's the frame of mind I am going to try to fill each moment with...care to join me?
I have a song in my heart because these JOYS will be a part of my day:

sweet blogging friends who care to "visit"

no homework

feeding the homeless

making pumpkin butter

coffee with a friend

shoe shopping

and the best of all...

Erik is coming home for the weekend!

I'm so ExCiTeD I can hardly contain myself.

a heart full of joy

The kids wandered home last night with five loads of laundry and minds full of conversation. I've never been so excited to do laundry before...this morning Erik and I went to the Farmer's Market and I bought culinary lavender, lemon cucumbers, zucchini bread, and jalapeno bread.

We stopped for good coffee and it was like old times.

This weekend my heart is full of JoY ~

What little things have blessed your weekend?

thankful thursday...life is sweet

Days of peaceful reflection
…fresh sun tea
…hydrangeas blooming
…mourning doves cooing
…porch swing swaying
…Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant
…new magazines to leaf through
…no heavy heart of worry or concern
…no alarm clocks, assignments due
…oh, the blessings of these lazy days
with my feet in the pool
making little circles in the water…
little rings that gather
around my ankles,
reminding me inner tranquility can
be found in the most obscure places
in a back yard
where sun touches skin
between fences
in a city
where wind chimes
sparkle and jingle in the wind.

class of 2008

Erik,
today I watched you graduate from college. As you crossed the stage to receive your degree I realized how BLESSED we are to experience this milestone in your life and you would have been proud of me, because I didn't cry like every other time you have accomplished something. Instead I was happy and of course proud that you have grown into this incredible person who is intelligent, confident, and a joy to be around. I have watched you reach your goals time and again and I have no doubt about your future. I am excited for you as you make this transition to independence...it will be an adjustment for both of us, but probably mostly for me, because YOU are ready. I wish you the best of everything as you go off to Grad school! Isn't it nice having your own personal cheering section wherever you go? :)

There is PEACE in counting blessings...

When I step outside the whirlwind there is joy, recognition, a nature humbled by His grace...everyday I experience something I am thankful for...today it is communion with Him...my hope comes with bent knees and a quiet space that my whispered words will echo praises that cannot be defined by my language...with a grateful heart I will praise Him for the blessings of my health, my voice, my touch, and this inner calmness that is only obtainable through Him.

I will count my blessings, not by number, but through moments being still in only His presence...there is so much to be thankful for...