Time Warp & New Beginnings

So much happens in a year.  I want to play catch up.  I want to fill in the blanks but I can’t do that.  \

There is too much.  So instead.

I will go on from here and pretend that the time warp didn’t happen. 

I will go on and pretend that my heart has not broken over and over and I’ve haven't had to find a way to keep on moving through the pain and sorrow. 

I will go on and pretend that I haven’t battled grief, disbelief, pain, impatience and all the rest. 

I will go on and be the wiser, stronger person that I have become. 

I will go on and be joyful because of all the beauty that my life holds. 

Do I have regrets?  Absolutely

Do I miss the days before?  At times

Was there a way through the storm that lasted for so long?  Yes and maybe I’ll have the right words someday to express how I made it through. 

But not today.  Today I’m finding my way to a new beginning

So welcome to my life.  I hope that we can get to know each other. 

I want to share the things that make up our days.  Come on in and join me for a visit. 

Soon it will be spring again and we can enjoy the sunset from the front porch.  Until then I’ll be sipping hot tea and working inside where it is warm.

January, I’m dreaming of spring . . .

Difficult is the word I would use to describe January.  Holidays are done.  Time to buckle down and get some school done.  Not to mention how bitterly cold it has been.  Several crisis events have happened.  High stress.  Hard decisions.  Its all there & it is no where near ending.  But I’ve seen God’s hand through it all.

I’m trying to be home more.  For me that is a battle.  So many responsibilities and so little time available.

Today I went to look at January pictures and was discouraged that there was only one on my camera.  Then I looked at my Photostream from my phone.  I am so thankful for my phone for many reasons but one of the biggest is that I can take photos even when I don’t have my camera.

Early in January Mom spent a few days with us. We had fun shopping for hats as her latest chemotherapy has caused her to loose her hair.  It is hard to believe that she is still fighting through pancreatic cancer.  She was diagnosed over 2 years ago.  So many difficult days but there is joy in the journey.  Even when the journey is all up hill.

Elizabeth’s Bible quizzing team, Squad, posed to get a group picture.  We’ve been trying for several months.  Not sure this is quite what I was after. LOL!  They are great kids and I’m thankful that we have gotten to coach them.

Ok in general I hate having my picture taken but I kinda like this one. Many of my clothes are too big these days.  I’m good with that as I’ve lost almost 20 pounds since April.  I’m slowly adding pieces as I retire the baggy ones.  Reasons I’m thankful.  #1 it’s a new outfit—all on clearance.  #2 my 17 YO daughter said I was wearing non-mom jeans(HA!) #3 I love this outfit.  Dressy but not.    Very comfortable & did I mention it was all on clearance? 

So after my difficult January it is good to look back and enjoy the gifts God gave  me in the midst of the storm as he always does.

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Glimpses of the New House

We have been adjusting to our new home.   No time for much extra besides school, meals, memorizing for Bible Quizzing and taking care of family.  I’ve been gone LOTS of weekends lately so that hasn’t given us any extra down time.  Last week we were home 4 whole days!  Only our regular Tuesday errand day was spent in town.  It was awesome to have a calm normal week.  I’m so thankful for our new place and the time we get to spend here.  God has really blessed us with a special place that brings peace to my soul.

A new season has snuck up on me while I’m still trying to hold on to summer.   We finally got our pool put to bed for the winter this weekend.  Next year we will definitely know more about what we are supposed to do.

One project I’ve completed in stolen minutes & hours is to paint the kitchen.  I have a hard time in the winter with clouds and no sunshine.  So the prospect of living with this dark red color(while beautiful) was giving me the willies.  (Please ignore all dogs & teenagers and focus on the red.  Really the teens & dogs are just accessories in the picture.)

So I primed it and painted it a lovely blue.  The color of the sky.  The color of a summer day.  My favorite color. I can do this.

So there are still boxes around but mostly we’ve unpacked the most needed stuff and we are working on the odds and ends that do not have homes.

Here are some pictures stolen from Elizabeth’s Facebook page and they show some of the outside views that we get to enjoy.  .

Falls glorious colors take my breath away

And here are a few of my own.

(Again ignore the dog)

I hope that as life slows down I can get back to scrapbooking, blogging, sharing recipes, projects and crafts.  Be back soon . . . .

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