my day in a nutshell

If I had to compare my day to a nut, I would have to say it was shaped like a walnut with ups and downs, curves and bumps.  Are you getting where I'm going with this?

I've spent the day at my mom and dad's, caring for them.  It's a long back story, one I will have to tell later in another post.   

It began at the normal time, 6 a.m. (it's funny how your body naturally sets itself an alarm even when you are able to sleep in). I tried to go back to sleep but my mind started wandering about things at home, the snow we had just received in Missouri, praying Art and the girls made it safely to school and work, praying as they woke up and got ready.  My dad was already awake and watching Fox News.  When I'm here I watch Fox News and the Hallmark Channel, that's just how it is.  So of course I was getting the latest up to date, fair and honest information.  The next hour and half went by quickly and before I knew it, it was time to get up.  

As it is most mornings here I got up, cleaned up my bedding and headed to the back bedroom to change clothes.  No shower for me since I had taken one the night before.  My comfy sweats were on, a bun in my hair, I was ready for the day.  I checked on my mom, her eyes were open even though she laid flat and still in bed.  I greeted her as I do every time I see her these days - "Hi Momma! I've missed you."  She smiled and started chattering some.  I sat at the end of the bed and patted her, listening to her chatter.  I uncovered her and helped her out of bed.  This morning she was steady on her feet and ready to go.  We worked together to get her dressed and in her chair at the breakfast table.  My dad had already made himself some eggs and toast which sounded good, so we did the same.  Mom ate well and was happy, smiling as I fed her.  So far, a great start.

Well in the rush to help mom get changed and move her along I had locked the keys for the bathroom, in the bathroom.  Yes, I had locked everyone out of the bathroom.  Ugghhh Nyla!  

I ran around the house, mom following me, praying I would find a spare key.  I texted my brother and sister, asking them if there was such a key.  There was, with one of them and my niece who were both two hours away.  Panic started to set in.  What was I going to do?!?  I went to dad telling him my dumb move.  He told me where to possibly find another key.  I looked, no luck.  Just as I was looking my brother texts me a youtube video on picking a lock.  How hard could it be right?  I found two paper clips just like the guy suggested and started working on the lock all the while mom paced around me, chattering, smiling.  It's like she knew I needed her sweet, light-hearted spirit in that moment of aggravation with myself.  I took a break from my frustration and sat down next to my dad who proceeded to tell me that he wished he could push me through a glass window.  What? Huh?  I knew I had messed up but golly, that seemed harsh.  Then he went on and I began to understand his idea....

The window to the bathroom could possibly be open.  

Did I mention it had been snowing all night?  We got two to three inches here and it is bitterly cold.  

So I headed to the back bedroom and grabbed my boots, coat, scarf and gloves ready to charge into the snow to check the window.  I turned around and there's my dad, in his coat, scarf and gloves ready to help.  Now if you knew my other back story, you would know this was not a good idea.  But I'll save that for later as well.  

I did let him go outside with me.  Other than the sound of snow falling (which I love that sound), it was quiet outside.  Everything was white and beautiful, almost dreamy.  I went to the shop and grabbed a flat head screwdriver and the ladder.  We headed to the window where dad proceeded to instruct me on how to remove the screen with that screwdriver.  I was able to get it off.  As I stood there, pausing, I prayed that window would be unlocked.  Please God let it open!  And... it did!!!  I sent dad in to check on mom while I climbed that ladder and went through feet first.  I grabbed the keys and opened the door with a huge sigh of relief.  Dad was there, waiting.  

I sent a text to my siblings and a picture of the keys.  They in turn sent texts, teasing me wishing dad had taken a picture of my key rescue.  

All was well again.  Or at least I thought.  

After lunch dad and I decided to tackle his office, get him caught up on bills and overall doing some organizing.  I jumped in, you know how I love to organize.  Dad asked me to go grab his check book from where he hides it.  I went but I couldn't find it.  I went back to dad asking when was the last time he saw it.  We checked all the places it would logically be but no luck.  I started to panic a little, I think he did too.  What had happened to it?  I tore through closets, messed up what I had organized, talked to my siblings and it all lead me back to his original hiding place.  This time I took a flashlight to see if it had fallen.  I found it in a spot that I had totally overlooked.  If it had been a snake....

Ugghh Nyla!  You did it again, caused stress for everyone in the house!

Check book and keys in hand I proceeded on with the day even though I should have thrown in the towel.  

The nurse showed up.  Calls came in like crazy, setting up appointments all while I was still organizing things for dad.  Dinner needed to be made, people to feed.  

I bring dad his nightly meds and we both realized we totally forgot to put on his compression socks for the day.  Ugghh Nyla!  My thoughts... "Nyla you are not fit to care for your parents today. Go home, give up, call it a day!"

But I didn't.

Dinner was made.  Meds were given.  Mom was tucked in, dad too and I got to take a long shower and wash away all my Uggghhh Nyla! errors for the day.  

My parents made caring for my siblings and me look so easy.  They never locked themselves out of the bathroom I'm sure!  

Man I love these two.  They love me, I know it.  What a privilege it is to be their daughter.  How great that they've always seen past my Ugghhhs.  I'm so lucky.

drama

my girl came home tonight with a note from a friend saying she didn't want to be her friend any longer.

ugghhhh....

i need a parenting manual.
something to help me navigate tween and teenage girls and their feelings.

i get it, been there, done that.
i was even able to share some moments from my childhood that were similar.
it helped her.

big tears came.
big talk followed after.
i listen and try to see the other side of the story.

my advice came down to... "show love, to all at all times."
it's what Jesus would do.

so i will pray as i send her off into school tomorrow.
i pray this will all be a fading memory and friendships stay intact.

Lord Jesus, be with my girls and their friends.  let their hearts be true to each other. let them show love and kindness at all times.  let them be a strong support group.  lead them together, closer to you.  calm my girls heart, surround her with your presence.  create a pure heart in her and her friends.  help heal her tender heart.  thank you for sending the friends you have in their lives.  i pray blessings over each and everyone of them and their families.  amen,

so much has happened this summer

we've moved.
it happened.
we weren't planning on it however God made us aware it was needed.
we lived in the car more than our house in the big woods.
it was tiring and took its toll.
we prayed, purged, cleaned and put the house in the big woods on the market.
three weeks later it was sold.
we were amazed and somewhat ready for the next adventure.
the girls were reluctant to the change.
all they had known was the house in the big woods, oh the memories we had made there. wonderful memories.
moving day came. we had our final walk through.  we stopped and prayed. tears came pouring out of us. it was all so bittersweet.
we left and like a scene in a movie, we watched the house in the big woods fade as we drove away.
kind of surreal for all of us.

God had his hand in it all and now we are here getting settled.
there are still boxes to unpack and will be for awhile.
there is a honey do list a mile long.
but we're home and we're already seeing the benefits to living closer to all the things we do and love.
the girls still question the change at times but being able to decorate their new rooms has been a plus.
with each new box we open they feel more and more at home.
God brought us to the house in the little woods.
i'll share more as we go along. some of the things that made art and i fall in love with the house in the little woods.

for now, here's a glimpse.

i have 7 more days of 12

grace is almost 13.

almost.

i held art's one year old niece this weekend while we celebrated this and found  myself reminiscing.

she was once that size, my one year old with cute pigtails that shot straight out from her head because i pulled up whatever hair she had to create them.

she came out bald with a red birthmark on the back of her head you can't even find now.

she's changed so much and become quite the young lady i wished would never come.

i'm learning to be a mom of a teenage girl. 

it's not an easy journey for sure but she's worth it all.

love every ounce of her.

her freckles.

her smile.

her laugh.

i have 7 more days of 12 and i'm holding on to them tightly.

grace

 man she's changing.
everyday i see it.
it bothers me.
how do i hold onto her innocence?
how can i help her through tween-hood?
this is uncharted ground for me, her too.
i love her with every fiber in my being.
my first born.
my preemie.
all growing up.
sigh.

my 45th in pictures

i am 45

it came and went without too much hoopla

and I'm okay with that

i slept in for an extra 23 minutes

okay, actually i overslept but I choose to see the glass half full

ahhhh the rush

worked out with this sweet lady

had to get a selfie, of course!

we are beautiful, no make up, sweaty - yes beautiful, you might say glistening :)

this song makes me dance every time

even in the car

ask my girls

i dance

in the car

heck i dance to this entire album

kudos to me for getting my groove on, in the car

this guy loves selfies

not!

{sigh} - that's the sound he makes when I pull out my camera

he loves me

he was excited it was my birthday

my lunch.

turkey, mayo, cucumber, s/p

simple

yummy

afternoon

laundry (not shown, didn't' want to bore you)

dusting (again, boring)

evening

tattooed dog for dinner (not shown, but yum-o!)

new movie theater in town

can you say spoiled?

these reclining seats rocked

never will i want to go back to the old seats

never!

love these two

the movie was Peanuts

loved it

they were true to charles schulz and the characters

my brother was in town

woot woot! Uncle Kendall lounged with us

it was nice

45 is starting off great

don't panic

i saw this, this past monday as i walked into wally
i have to admit it makes me feel anxious
7 saturdays until Christmas, wow!
the list is building in my head...

those marketing people have me figured out :)

rut

(I penned this post in my head a couple of weeks ago, it's a part of documenting life, the good, the bad, the joy, the challenges. So here goes.)

Rut is a negative word.  Especially when it and marriage are in the same sentence.  This is the conclusion that Art and I came to one late, very tiring Saturday evening.  We both agreed we were there.

Before I go on let me say that Art and I are 100% committed to each other and 100% very much still in love.  Our conversation was started in the late hours when we were both frustrated with each other, with our busy lives.  We’ve known for a long time that things weren’t as they should be.  We talked, expressed things we needed to let out even it if meant hurting one another.  It was painful at times but also cleansing and at the end, we prayed together.  We laid there, in each other’s arms, putting our marriage into God’s hands.  We’d become so busy with things, with schedules, with commitments that we’d forgotten each other.

 My focus was the girls and the home.  Everything I did, I did for them and I got into a rut, thinking that was all I needed to do.  I felt alone at times.  I felt unappreciated and in a sense unloved.  We women need to be reminded every day we are cherished by our spouses, we need to hear it, feel it and see it displayed.  I am the type to REALLY NEED it.  When we were courting I had that butterflies in my belly feeling, the kind of feeling that is exciting and makes you swoon and blush at his smile.  I loved that feeling and I missed it.  24 years later, two kids, a dog, a house, commitments, jobs – here we are, that feeling a memory and not a reality with where we are at. 

Art needed me to be more attentive to him.  Sounds simple enough and it is.  We agreed that with both of us learning from this and putting into practice what we had learned we could rekindle a spark of our courting days.

We both saw how easily it is to wrap ourselves around our kids, our jobs, our home and loose sight of our commitment to each other.  We could understand how marriages fall apart easily because people drift apart.  We were scared somewhat of where we were headed but grateful God has brought us to a place of communication.

So now we are committed to some changes.

More date nights.  Not just dinner but new adventures, something fun for us to do together, no kids.

Appreciation.  Expressing it and showing it in little ways.

Affection.  It’s one of my big needs and it takes Art out of his comfort zone because he is Mr. No PDA J. However his love and commitment to me is stronger than his discomfort.   Affection does not have to be physical touch either.  It can be a sweet note, a text, phone call or even a simple gesture.

 

More fun time together as a family.  Yes, including the girls in this will not only strengthen our marriage but our family.  We also realized we have 7 Summer breaks left with Grace (before college), that’s scary.  We need to connect with them. 

Busy-ness.  Something has to give.  We need to let go of some things.  That goes not only for the girls but Art and I.  When Fall comes we will be extra careful to abide by this one and not be swept away.

Pray together.  I have felt closest to Art when we pray together.  It is intimacy in a way we both need. 

Make God the Center of our marriage.  Yes we all know this but how often do we live it.  I don’t know about you but we tend to want the control when God is working.  We need to let him lead in all we do.

We are not perfect and we have proven that.  Marriage is hard work.  It’s ongoing and needs refreshment.  I love my guy and can’t imagine life without him.  I’m glad he’s with me on this journey.

  

instagram

I have taken to instagram.
When I started out on it, I would post less frequently.
Until Grace started asking about it.
For a long time we held off, trying to protect her.
Many times we heard her say, "but all my friends have it" (which we knew was not the case).

Christmas 2014 she got her new tablet she had been wanting.
With that and many, many conversations about responsibility and the scary side of instagram, Art and I agreed she could have an account.
It has come with many rules and many nights of me screening her posts and those she is viewing.
Her account is private and she only lets people in who we say are okay.
So far, so good.
Giving a little, even though we weren't 100% comfortable with it, is a good thing.
We've asked her to show us how she can be responsible but yet haven't really given her many chances to prove it.
Here was her chance and happily, she's respected and listened to our requests showing us she is growing up.

We need to give her more of these chances to prove herself.
Like tests and her school work.
We've really tried to teach her how to study this year, on her own.
We've released her these past two quarters to do it on her own with the expectation that if the grades start to slip, we will step back in.
At the beginning of the year she wanted all the benefits of being responsible but wasn't ready to take it on her own.
Now she is.
It shows me her maturity.
It is another step in independence which is bittersweet.

Independence with Instagram and studies - all are ways to help her shape her.
She's learning she is accountable to both and she's following through.
What was so painful last Fall is now much easier for our girl.
Wow.

God is good and his movement in my girl is amazing.

today i put makeup on my daughter

(I didn't think I would do that for at least a couple more years.)

My girl doesn't realize how truly beautiful she is.

This morning after a talk about inner beauty, I put a bit of concealer on my girl.
Growing up is hard.
Change is hard.
Body changes.
Emotions.
Pimples.
Ugghhh...

I remember those days.
I hated my hair.
My skin color.
My birthmark.
I didn't look like the others.
I heard things similar to this, this morning.

I told her I understood her feelings.
I also told her what my mom said,
"You are special,
there's no one like you,
God made you that way,
you are perfect in his sight."
It wasn't received well (eyes rolling).

I get it.
No amount of my talking this morning would help my pre-teen who feels she is judged by her looks, by her peers.
So I hugged on her, told her this was normal, everyone goes through it and I pulled out my concealer.
While I truly believe God loves what he sees, we still need to convince Grace of that.
Until we get there, there's concealer.
She walked out feeling better about her day.

While I will continue to work on this my worry is that anything coming from me will be taken as, "You're my mom, you have to say that."
Again, I've been there, done that.
Felt the same way when my mom would talk to me.
But now, I get it.
It took maturity.
It took getting past the awkward teen years for me to see.
And Grace will get there too.

It amazes me that when a friend of mine gives Grace a compliment, she (Grace) perks up even though I said something similar before.
I'm grateful for said friend and hope she knows that her words mean the world to me and Grace.
I'm grateful for Art who can change the way Grace thinks because she knows, she is his princess and always will be.

I understand my words only go so far, as her mom.
So I press on.
I remind her she is lovely.
I pray for her to see it too.

She is truly beautiful.

_______________________________________________________

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

document day 2/10/15

This is really more for me, a day in my life, at this point I want to document.

It's a doozy.  You have been warned. :)

6:00 a.m. alarm goes off.
Roll over kiss the man.
Talk about our day.
6:15 finally up.
Turn up heat, get the house warming up.
Let Truman out to go potty.
Feed Truman.
Fill up humidifier with water.
Start setting out breakfast plates and glasses.
6:30 Cuddle in bed with Grace.
6:35 Cuddle in bed with Sarah
6:40 Coax girls to get up and help them start to make their beds
Start preparing breakfast for girls.
Drink 8 ounces of water.
6:55 girls are eating, start online devotion for them.
Iron uniforms (because I forgot to last night)
7:00 Turn on flat iron
Put yoga pants in the dryer.
Find workout shirts, jacket and shoes.
Wash face.
Put on makeup, iron hair, ponytail up.
Remind girls we have 30 minutes.
7:20 Put lunches in bags
Start my own breakfast - egg, flat bread, water
Run to and from girls rooms, reminding them of their day and needs for today.
Dig out girls sweatshirts from clean laundry pile.
7:30 Sit down and eat breakfast
Take morning pills.
Drink more water, this time with apple cider vinegar.
Let Truman out to pee again.
Check on girls, last minute reminders given.
Let Truman in.
Pick up kitchen, load dishwasher.
7:45 Flat iron girls hair
Make work out water bottle
Load my things into the car.
Brush teeth.
Ring on.
Earrings on.
Truman to crate.
Shoes on.
7:55 Out the door, in car
8:15 Parked at school
Unload and carry violin and science project upstairs
Give kisses and hugs.
8:25 Head to church.
Clean up Sunday mess and supplies.
Load car with what goes home.
8:55 Head to gym
9:05 Sit in parked car, texting/emailing for personal and church.
9:20 Go into gym to use restroom
9:30 Zumba class with Jonica.
Sweat.
Pain.
Weights.
Fun.
10:30 Walk out sweating, feeling good about my workout
Stop and talk to Brian.
Stop and talk to Jonica outside.
Head home with to do list in my head.
10:50 Home.
Let Truman out.
Snack on oatmeal.
Laundry.
Unload car.
Play with Truman.
Finish January 2015 pages.
Post pages.
Pick up kitchen.
Blog.

12:30 p.m. Shower
12:50 Head out for haircut/color (so ready for this!)
1:15 Stop for lunch, drive through, chicken sandwich, non-sweet ice tea.
1:30 Haircut and color and chat with hairdresser, felt pampered
2:30 Done and paid, walked out more blonde.
Took a selfie for Art and sent him my look.
Headed to girls school to pick up.
3:00 at girls school, chat with other moms waiting
3:20 Headed for Violin practice
3:30 Drop Grace off at violin.
Head to gas station for snack (which I forgot) for girls.
Chips and cheese sticks (healthy stuff) purchased.
Head back to violin to wait for Grace.
Help Sarah with math in the car.
Text some people on follow up things.
Check e-mail.
Download  the Key Ring app.
Check facebook.
4:00 Grace done and headed home
4:15 Home
Let Truman out.
Get mail.
Clean out car (again).
Take trash can down to the curb.
Open mail.
Light candle (ahhhh...)
Fill bird feeder.
Blog again, update.
Check Sarah's math and word study.
Pet/play with Truman.
5:00 Check on Grace and her studies
5:15 Help Sarah with Minion Valentine box and Minion Valentines
6:15 Dinner, left over chili warmed up by Art :), carrots, corn chips and apple slices.
Let Truman out to potty
6:45 Clean up Minion mess
Clean up dinner
Make girls lunch.
Set out chicken for tomorrow nights dinner
Fast direct teachers.
Check grades.
Check Instgram and add Minion pictures.
Blog update.
7:30 Start bedtime routine - get girls moving in that direction
Iron uniforms
Fold laundry
Start dishwasher
Address and stamp Valentine cards to grandparents.
Do the late night pick up around the house.
8:45 Call my Dad.
9:00 Pull sheets out of the dryer and make bed.
Take night time pills.
Wash face, brush teeth, nightly routine.
9:45 Watched House Hunters (Art's co-worker on it)
Let Truman out
10:22  In bed
Devotion
Pinterest
Facebook
Blog
11:00 Goodnight.

started off in a decent way

So my "relationships" goal for the new year has started off in a decent way.

There's always room for improvement.

I started off the month reaching out to my extended family and am continuing to do so.
I've found that can be as simple as reaching out via text.
Praying for them.
Sharing prayer requests.

I've improved on my birthday wishes as well.
I have been lousy at this in recent years, forgetting birthdays.

I've committed to being available for my parents more.
To help out my dad.
I've been blessed by the experience.
It's much easier to not be as involved in their lives, it sets me apart from their every day struggles which makes things more real with my Mother's dementia.
It's not right but it was the easier route to go for me.
It's finding joy in this circumstance and being available to help.

I've been working on my relationship with my girls.
Having more one on one time with each.
I had the time this past weekend to look at past pictures.
2009 to be exact.
Grace was 5 then.
It made me want to cry.
She has changed so much and it's not stopping.
Breaks my heart but yet also makes me want to work on our mother/daughter relationship even more.

I was able to spend some time with friends this weekend, scrapbooking.
This is my yearly "happy place," for me to be with two friends I love.
I look forward to it each year.
What a blessing these ladies are to me.
What fun we have, the laughs, the conversations.

So my hope is that I continue to relish in the relationships God  has given me.
And that they are a priority over all the other things going on in our lives.

Right now, today, I have a relationship with this.
I could do without this relationship :), but then Sarah would be naked.

How does one little girl wear this many clothes in two days anyway?

"relationship" reminder

This sits on my desk at home.

Right there beside my laptop so I can focus on it from time to time.

It's a reminder of my 2015 refreshment.

It's fitting that my refreshment for 2015 is "relationships" and this symbol of my commitment ends up propped up against a picture of Art and I. :)

I can take for granted how great I have it.

I have a husband who loves me.

Is committed to me.

Is a great father.

He provides for his family.

He's been my rock in 2014.

So I did something out of the ordinary for us.

I got a babysitter.

Art and I don't do a monthly "date night" like we know we should and need to.

But I took a step and reached out to a teen in our church.

Our church is hosting an I <3 U Valentine event on the evening of February 13th.

We are going, we are eating, we are enjoying each other and we are dancing.

So I will work on this relationship I hold dear.

I will take my man out of his comfort zone (dancing).

I will laugh with him.

I will enjoy the gift of marriage to this guy.

parenting

I was talking to a friend the other day about parenting in this day and age.  We shared stories about our kids and their latest challenges.  I'm not sure about you but when I share these things, I usually hear back something to the tune of  - "I get what you're saying, so and so is exactly the same way."

Then you laugh.

You sigh.

Sometimes you cry.

We show support.

We have common ground.

We are not alone in this parenting thing.

Sometimes we really feel like we are but we are not.

The idea of being alone seems silly doesn't it.

God is there, walking us through it.

He gives us friendships, conversations to remind us we are not the only parents dealing with "things".

Thank goodness he gives and gives so creatively.

He gives exactly what we need.

Then we can turn around, rethink our circumstances and be refreshed.

Ready to handle another moment of whatever is thrown our way.

We moms need each other.

We need our heavenly Father too.

the gift that keeps on giving

Well I mentioned I would throw back to one of 2013's best gifts and here it is, the gift that keeps on giving.

Our panini press.

We have used this thing so very, very much this past year and may I say, in a pinch for dinner - it is GREAT!

I always have deli meat or chicken on hand to make a quick sandwich for us but my girls favorite is making grilled cheese.  Grace has become so independent with it she can make her own.  It also folds flat and you can reverse the grill pans and turn it into a griddle.  Pancakes anyone!?!  There's even blogs dedicated to panini making.  Oh the recipes and things you can do with this gadget! We're hooked for sure.

top three bestie gifts

I thought I would document the top three bestie gifts I got this Christmas.

Because it's fun to see how or what I really use(d).  Like one of last years gifts (more on that later).

But for this year my favs are:

Number 3

Our new bread maker.  You can tell by the fingerprints on it, it's been used.  I made my first batch of GF bread (it was a success), regular wheat bread and GF pizza dough.  You know the cheesy commercial of the family that comes running when the cinnamon rolls are in the oven?  Makes you want to buy cinnamon rolls doesn't it?  Well that's what happens here with my cheesy family when I make anything in this.  The aroma - oh the aroma.  Just marvelous and it takes me back to my grandmothers kitchen, her kitchen always smelled of her latest cooking adventure.  Yum.

Number 2

My one piece pajamas.  I NEVER thought I would like these, I mean come on, they remind me of baby pj's.  But I do and actually I LOVE them.  How much do I love them?

Enough to share this photo with you (you gotta love how Anna is staring at me).
Enough to wear them all Christmas and New Years day.
Enough to come home after dropping my girls off from school and put them back on.
Enough to be wearing them right now as I type.
And if I could I would wear them out in public.
Yes folks, that's how much I love them!

They are:
Comfy
Soft
and most importantly - Warm

{I have a certain friend [she knows who she is] who dislikes being cold as much as I do.  These could be a great Valentines day gift for her from her hubby hint... hint... and they came from the great Land of Wally...}

Number 1

New slippers.  Sadly my last pair, after three faithful years, started to wear through.  I didn't think anything could replace them but I was wrong.  I wear these all day long at home.  Warm, cushiony and they go clean up my leg :).  Love that. Did I mention their warm?

Can you tell I like warm? :)

So there you have it, 2014's top 3.

documenting life

December came through as fast as the Polar Express and I find myself now in a new year.
For someone who used to live on her blog, missing most of December is not the norm.
But I have decided it's okay.
Wow, who just wrote that?  Was that really me?
:)

It was and while the OCD in me cringed just a bit...
I am okay with it.
Relieved actually.
Maybe it's maturity.
Maybe it's the realization I can't do it all.
Maybe it's hit me there are more important things for me to be doing.

That doesn't mean I don't believe documenting life isn't important because it is.
I can be fully engrossed in my parents old scrapbooks.
I learn so much about their generation.
I learn so much about myself in their memories.
It's exciting.

In this day and age with technology, it's more than ever easy to document the everyday.
Just using facebook and instagram alone keeps a record of our life for my family.
Easy enough.
Simple and fitting for our lives at this point.

my thoughts on 2014 & 2015 refreshment

The book has been closed on 2014.

This year was hard for me and my family.

Personally, emotionally and financially.

I have much to be thankful for and many blessings from 2014 but I must admit, I am not sorry to see it go.

There are parts that I would rather forget about.

There is hurt and pain that I need to let go of and move on.

I need to find forgiveness.

I continue to pray and strive for this.

Today is a new year.

Feels strange that in the span of 24 hours we can have a new beginning.

New possibilities.

New experiences.

New blessings.

New changes.

(Why does it take a new year to push us for change?)

Resolutions.

I don't really believe in them.

It just seems that most times they cannot be lived up to.

I believe that God gives us moments of refreshment throughout the year, various times, special moments we share with those we love.

I had such a moment while sitting amongst my siblings, their spouses and children recently.

Family time is good for the soul.

It refreshed me.

Renewed me.

(big sigh of relief)

My family has suffered this year.

In different ways both within my immediate family and extended.

We are healthy, praise God.

We all have food, clothes, a home to shelter us.

We all believe in the Savior who came to save.

We love each other.

(what more could we ask for?)

Well....

Personally, I need to prioritize these relationships.

With my family.

With friends.

I need to pray for these relationships.

My marriage.

My kids.

My siblings.

My parents.

Their marriages.

My nieces and nephews.

My in-laws.

My friends.

I need to renew my relationship with Christ daily because with him I can do all things.

Without him... I don't even like to think about it.

So if this new year in 2015 brings you a renewal, a zeal for life, a purpose, a reason to move than congrats!  I pray you find your refreshment and dive deep into it.

My refreshment spurs me to work on one thing - 

"Relationships"

Happy New Year to you!  

Happy New Beginnings all year long!

if it weren't for Truman...

Yesterday morning I went to let Truman out to go potty.

I opened the front door and "Wow!"

What a beautiful sunrise.

I ran back in and grabbed my camera.

Pink, blue, purple, orange, yellow, just gorgeous colors filled the sky.

It made the colors on the Fall trees seem more vibrant.

I just stood there and took it in.
In my fuzzy pink bathrobe (I was still in my pajamas)
I'm sure the neighbors thought I was crazy.

So happy I took the time to enjoy.
God's creation at its best.
Wow.

30 things you might not know about me

1. My first little girl crush was my youth minister.
2. I grew up wishing I had long brown hair like Amy Grant and Kelly from Charlies Angels.
3. I do not like cats.  Cats to not like me.
4. If there was one thing I could change about myself, it would be my skin tone.  Not my birthmark which get questioned about alot.
5. While I hated it growing up, I love the red color in my hair because it links me to my Papaw Perry and my mom.
6. I do not like wearing the color orange.
7. My mom has dementia.  It's easier not to talk about it. Even though she is here on Earth, she isn't and I miss her terribly.
8. My Dad was my hero growing up but as moms mental health declines the title of "hero" takes on a new meaning.  His love for my mom is much like Gods love for his children - filled with grace, it's never ending, forgiving, patient, caring, self-less and giving.  I want to be more like my dad.  I want to be more like God.
9. Grace in a nutshell is her momma.  She does not like it when I say that.  You see there's good and not so good in that statement.  Sometimes I wish I had a re-do button for how I've helped shape her.
10. I have a weakness for Fall scented candles.  I have seven of them within 20 feet of each other in my house.
11. I bite my nails sometimes.  I have since I was young.  It's a nasty habit.
12. I am SO impatient.  Ask Art.  I have learned to control it, well sometimes, when it's really important :).
13. I feel self conscious because I didn't get a college degree.
14. I wish I was more outgoing.
15. I would love to take ballroom dance lessons with Art.
16. I would like to learn to shoot a gun.  I think I would enjoy the rush.
17. I would love to own my own pre-school some day.
18. I do not like math and haven't since 6th grade (shhhh.... don't tell Grace)
19. I dread the day we loose Truman, that will be a hard day.
20. I dislike riding on school buses.  Probably because I was traumatized on one as a child.
21. I wish I hadn't quit taking piano lessons in my youth.
22. I am living vicariously through Grace and her volleyball talent.  I  loved it as a kid but never pursued it.
23. I love to hear Sarah's baby voice even though I don't encourage it because it reminds me she is still my baby.
24. I wish we had had another child, a boy to love on and carry on Arts name.
25. I go through life with my glass half empty most of the time.  I dislike this.
26. I love to decorate my house and do diy projects.
27. I think as I age I have become more of a hypochondriac.
28. I like to clothes shop alone.  While I value Art's opinion, I get in the zone when it's just me and I get it done quickly.
29. I wish my bible knowledge was stronger.
30. I love to hear stories about mine and Art's families, our history and share them with my girls.