Haikus

My Inner Well

by ViolinMama

raging rapids fade

to angry streams that trickle
into emptiness...

Reclaiming/Reclaimed
by ViolinMama

I lunge out for You

feeling tall and Spirit filled.

refreshed. unleashed. me.

This blog post
by ViolinMama

While haiku one is
how I feel, I know with faith
haiku two just is.

Movies and Scrappin'

Another sunshiny morning and a night of good rest! I went to bed later than I should have, but we all got to sleep in this morning. It was really fun last night. We decided we would rent a movie (love those $1 Redboxes!) and then all climb in our king sized bed and watch it together. Lovely discovered how much she loved live people (vs cartoons) films and we decided to try the Disney movie "Bedtime Stories." It was a GREAT movie! No bad language (well, they do use words like butt, and some tweeny words - but they seemed to go right past her. She was more focused on the "magic" and funny parts), violence, or anything terrible and such a great storyline! It was so nice to watch as a FAMILY and cuddle together. Valiant fell asleep during it and went to bed, but we enjoyed the time with all 4 four of us heaped together! We will have to start doing that more often!

Today is a fun day! I'm off with the girls in a bit to go to two scrapbooking classes about the basics of scrapbooking and simple album making. I'll be attending this with my sister! Hubby is staying here to work on house projects (he'd better LOL!) and the girls will hang with my niece. My sister and I are looking forward to some ADULT time!

With that, I'd better get ready! Time spent like this is a gift. Much love!

P.S. BTW, thanks for the extra prayers a few weeks ago for our extended family issue. It isn't something I can blog about, but the prayers are comforting. Also, I could use more. The last 2 weeks have been mounting in a lot of stress and I'm becoming tapped out and reacting as such. It's so hard to battle what I am feeling vs. what I'd rather be feeling, and honoring the truth in all that. Thanks!!

Fiddlin' around

Nice!! We woke up to a LOVELY sunny day. I'm sure outside it is HOT, but instead I'm pretending it is a nice breezy day.

Instead of being totally lazy today, we're getting ready to go to a friend's home recording studio to lay down some tracks for some bluegrass. This by NO means is saying Hubby and I are good at this improve stuff - ha! But, as our friend J says (who has the studio) we're going to try some "inventing". I think J is making some sort of demo or perhaps album for a friend who writes bluegrass. He seems excited about it, so Hubby and I look forward to giving it a try!

After that - the day is ours. I'm not sure if is the bluegrass talking, but we are entertaining taking the kids to wade in a local watering hole (a stream at one of our favorite national parks) lol. Who knows. It's nice to have a less busy weekend than we've been having.

And...drum roll...last night I got a LOT of sleep. I think I'm finally turning a corner with my head cold, and the sleep has helped my emotions and mood. I haven't had the best week, and my reactions have not been great either. As a friend pointed out in an e-mail response to a kid question I sent out - I need to remember mini-tests come in life and I need to remember to act with faith and see things as an proactive opportunity, not my head which tries to over think and worry about every angle.

So, I'm putting a little trust in my day and a little swagger to my walk! Besides, when one fiddles....you can't help but feel a spring in your step!

Much love!

Happy First Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to my dearest baby girl - today, one year ago, you came out calmly, swiftly, with about 20 mins of pushing. While I sobbed (with joy) when your oldest sister was born 5 years ago, with you I looked at you with this feeling of "all knowing," felt incredible peace, presence, normalcy, and talked to you like I had known you beyond 9 months. You were just here....it simply made sense. I said "I gave birth to another Lovely" because you could have passed for her twin with your head full of dark hair and dainty features. You felt like you've always been here. In fact, everyone said you had "old soul eyes." We waited so long for you, wondered if we'd have another precious baby, and here you were!

I got teary eyed only when Lovely entered the room to meet you, and everything came full circle. Not only were you a gift to me and to your dad, but to your SISTER. The tears sprung to my eyes. What a gift you are to so many. Your place as second born is so honored. God knew exactly what he was doing when he planned you for our #2 - while making you #1 in our hearts - tied with your older sister. How amazing how our hearts just get bigger, and fall into unconditional love. You wonder how you can ever love another as much as your 1st child, and then....you just do. And, right after you were born - I said "I could do this again!" hehe!

I wish for you an incredible first year! You are already making it interesting. After getting your 12 month shots this afternoon, we were told we needed some ROUTINE 12 month blood tests** to check your growth (you didn't gain much weight from 9 months) even though you are so interactive, strong, and content. They'd like to see you crawling, but first fatten up from 15.9 lbs. Luckily 12 months means new foods that are safe to try - so we're off with tofu, beans, milk, yogurt, and egg yolks and much much more! I'm glad you are a bit rebellious now - maybe you'll get it out of your system and be extra calm as a teenager? HA!

Your family wishes you a year full of laughter, love, joy, exploration, and discoveries - especially the discovery of friendship! You are already our little ladybug (like your cake today!) and bring a smile to our face with your happy smile and happy eyes, button nose, belly laughs, the beginnings of saying mama and dada to get our attention, touching our faces, cuddling, and snuggles.

Sleep well and dream well tonight angel. We can't wait for what tomorrow brings. God Bless You! I loved looking through random pics of this past year....wow! How you've grown!

Happy Birthday!!!

**about the blood tests. Totally routine, and non STAT (please note that any family members reading...we are GOOD!). Mommy did have a worry moment. Instead of seeing this as a proactive measure through a faith filled heart, I saw this as my error in my head - all those voices of parenting doubt. Silly me. My friends set me straight! I think mommy needs a NAP! I'll update next week sometime. No worries!

Happy Day!

An add to Wednesday's post on 99 Balloons and Eliot

I showed the interview with the Mooney's on Wednesday. This amazing couple with two gorgeous children.

I wanted to show the video that started it all - Eliot's story with 99 Balloons.

God is SO good, is He not? I hope He would give me the grace to feel that love if I ever walk in similar shoes as this couple and family. Because I firmly believe there are no mistakes, just another facet of God's likeness (sadly, I struggle with always seeing those likenesses).

God is Good. God Gives. God Takes. His name be ever blessed.




"An undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body could not stop God from proclaiming Himself through a child who never uttered a word."

At a recent girl's night out, I shared how these stories touch me (children like Eliot, or children who survived a trial, or even other adults traveling a hard road). One of my friends said she was surprised I could read such stories, especially about children. To me, it is easier than you think. I cry, I'm touched, I mourn when there is loss, but I'm made better because of it. I feel children like Eliot show truth, were here for a reason, and if I'm made better for knowing a piece of them, then they DID really MATTER while they were here. As a mom - this just comes naturally to me. I'd want to share my daughters with others because they were here. I already do now. Either those just in the womb, or even at 50 years old. They. were. here.

That's why I remember. That's why I'm touched every time. And I appreciate my family more EVERY time. For that, I'm thankful. Thanks for letting me share that...especially on the eve of my daughter's birthday.

(and really, babies come into the world as God always intended us to be before the "fall" - innocent, pure, delightful, and in NEED of Someone to take care of us. I think that is why children really touch me - they are, in all forms, conditions, race, color, or medical definition, the closest thing to God's likeness. That is the most powerful part of it all to me. And, something I many times take for granted or forget. I thank the Eliots of the world for reminding me.)

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday

MORNING!!!!!! I'm trying to get back to blogging. We went out of town for a week at the start of June (I LOVE autoblogging and scheduled postings writeen ahead of time) to Disney and it was an amazing trip. I wanted to post pics, but then we got into two weeks of VBS at my church, and my sister's. I actually taught for the 1st year at our church's. I taught K, and it was a LOT of work - so I thank all K teachers out there!! Then....I got sick lol. I guess the overdoing got to me.

So, I do have lots of fun pictures to post! I can't wait. Being sick this week (and the summer routine, I just don't get to the computer like I used to) has me behind - so I think I'll combine past weeks for my 3 successes.


1. Hubby and I became officially Godparents on Sunday. It was a lovely service (if I may add, better than my own Valiant's was LOL!!!!) and then we hosted the Baptism party at our house. It was such a nice day!!! (Even if I got sick that night with the head cold and have not breathed since...hehe). We feel very touched to be in E's life - especially Hubby. Even though we have a lot of "adopted by us" nieces and nephews, friends, etc for him especially being listed on an official document when he does not have a lot of family to call his own, was really a tender moment.

2. I sewed another pillow and got my chairs covered in the dining room as the sewing projects continued. My sister helped to hem the curtains I made, and fix mistakes I made too. I'll have to remember to post some new pictures.

3. I have taken time to rest - for me!! I've had some errands to run, meetings to attend, and a fun pancake breakfast family style with dear ones - but I've also napped and TON and gone to bed early. Hubby has helped to make this happen. In fact, post breakfast today...I'll go back to rest. I think we'll play kid movies in the bedroom so I can just recover in bed. I REALLY don't want another Sinus infection! I'm afraid having just been ill 3 months ago I'll get resistance to antibiotics!

Oh - big news for tomorrow and whenever I can post....Baby Valiant turns ONE tomorrow! My baby girl is getting BIG!!! I'm not sure how I feel about this.....

So there is my week! Now...my thankful list...

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for....

1) my hubby taking extra good care of me.
2) an amazing sister
3) my BIL's broken wrist is not horrible enough for pins etc.
4) that my brother and BIL had great birthdays!
5) for amazing friends and their kids
6) for my daughters - especially one who turns ONE tomorrow!!!! ACK!!!!!!!!!!!
7) for the post/entry below this one - for an amazing family who inspires me and millions. See their story below.

God Bless!!!

An inspiration of mine....

One of the blogs I follow, The Atypical Life was featured on the Today show. This is their new family blog, they were previously at their blog 99 Balloons. I could go on and on about this amazing family who inspires me through Eliot, but you could just watch too!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

AMEN. AMEN!!

Still here :)

Well, we are still here! Just busy. We got back from vacation to get tossed into 2 weeks of VBS, and this week it is at our church and I'm teaching in the K level. It should be fun....I hope it goes well from my end. I can't wait. I hope I have some great fodder for blogging and remembering the funny or insightful things kids say.

Lovely had a funny tonight which went RIGHT out of my head as I sat down to blog it. I hope it comes back!!! She can say the darnedest things, and so funny! But, we also had a fun teachable moment. She was playing (rediscovering really, since I organized this weekend and found it) with a little wooden music box that has two ducks swimming on it - using magnets to spin around to the music. All of the sudden she saw how the ducks repelled each other, but not the music box. So she ran around the house seeing what they would stick to, would not stick to, and repelled. I could tell she loved feeling that power of the magnets repelling!

(side note, I kept hoping that at some point a duck would stick to a regular wall...perhaps meaning a hidden safe, or treasure hidden within the walls in our old house that would grant us a financial break. No such duck...err....I mean...luck.)

(another side note, she didn't try the floors. Maybe the treasure or safe is waiting for us under the floorboards!!)

I look forward to sharing more of life's little moments soon. Oh - Baby Val is really starting to belly laugh....LOVE it!!!!

Have a lovely week!!!

P.S. Thanks for the prayers...it isn't something I can share, and will be a long road, but thanks for the continued prayers - specifically in the areas of forgiveness, grace, and strength. Gracias!

not much to say

Hey,

I need to record our Disney trip, and I will, but I'm drained. I'm tired. We've had some bad news in our extended family, and I'm just drained.

I'll post when I can. Next week will be busy though - VBS. I'm teaching...wow!

*sigh*

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday

I've been MIA on recording my daily activities here because of a busy week! But here I am, hoping to catch up! What a busy 2 weeks!!!!

1. Well, this success was celebrated last week - but it bears repeating since I'm terribly proud and it is both a daily success and daily work!

2. After being on vacation last week (to Disney! Pics to come!) I managed to come in and immediately start laundry and get caught up on the clothes, so we did not have to jump back into reality too fast and hold on to that vacation feeling a little longer and with a smaller price tag (in terms of laboring and house work) lol.

3. I sewed lined curtains this week! They are VERY basic, and still need hemming and some trim, but they are done! Below are the before and after:

First....last summer I made these pillows (I add my sister always is there to guide and assist me when I get stuck!! I dedicate this to her lol!)


I loved the blue walls that was already in the room, so I was trying to pair that with other colors in fabrics on sale to make a guest room, keeping in mind the very formal four poster bed in the room. So, the above pillows were created last summer.

Now...here is the blank window that needed some treatment....


And the after.....I'm still debating these....too much matching? Color? It needs hemming and trim...maybe then it will feel right to me.


I have some more sewing projects for June/July...so we'll see what else gets done! I'll post some pics closer up when they are done. Maybe they'll grow on me....

On to being thankful:


Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for...

1. my incredible husband - who gives so much to me and does so much for me and our family.
2. my sister, the ever patient teacher and cheerleader!
3. the Twilight Trivia game authors....thanks for the laugh!
4. incredible people who grace my life.
5. Our 1st vacation in years last week. What memories!
6. Our friend's great niece slowly recovers from surgery (YEAH!) but we look forward to being thankful they can start chemo to really help her odds. Please pray!!

Much love!!!

Invest!! And you'll be inspired....

Today is Friday's inspirational thought from Daily Word. It's been fun to focus on this!

"my investment. With an attitude of gratitude, I attract good to me. I give from the inner resources of Spirit in all I think, speak, and do...as I give with no thought of return, I receive even more abundantly. My attitude of gratitude is a magnet that attracts good to me...I have even more to give." ~ Luke 6:38

Thanks for sharing any thoughts from this.
In Gratitude!!

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday

Today is one of those quick days! I wish I could read other lists and successes today! I'll celebrate them when I can. Have a GREAT day!!!!

Biggest success? My 8th Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday!!! Scroll there for a little dedication (and picture fest) to my sweet Hubby. I love you!

I have another big success this week that I'll break down more later when I have time - but this week has been family first! A time to be together and make some incredible memories. I'm also getting inspired!!! In that spirit of Small Successes, I share the below thought before I do my thankful list:

"a new me. Expressing my divine qualities, I am creative and innovative. There may be times when even the thought of starting over exhausts me...I don't need to wait for a particular time or experience to begin a new venture. I can be the new me at any time. ..with God, I am guided to live in the present moment as a spiritual being expressing divine qualities." ~ 1 Chron 22:16

Thankful Thursday

I'm SO thankful for....

1. 11 years total, and 8 years married with my sweet husband. Thank you Hubby for cherishing me!!!!!
2. Time with my family this week - nothing is more special.
3. For helpful friends, for making so much possible the last few days.
4. For all those I love. Thank you for being you.

Fill free to share your inspirations, successes, and thankful list!
Ciao and Blessings!!

Wordless Wednesday - "Inspirational Edition"

'joy. I am joyous, radiant, and fulfilled. There is joy in activity and in stillness, in sharing time with others and in being alone, in times of calm and adventure. Joy is not dependent on something outside myself; joy comes from within...it springs up from the very depths of my being, from the presence of the ever dwelling Christ. This joy is peaceful, loving, and fulfilling." - Nehemiah 8:10

Wordless, or not - have a joyous day!

Happy Anniversary to Us!!! hehe 8 Years!

EIGHT years ago today....I married my best friend, my hero, my soul mate, the man who challenges me in EVERY WAY, a gentle soul, my opposite, my match, my prayer partner, my cheerleader, God's pick for me, the man that makes me feel cherished. Yes, even after a lover's quarrel (or 10.. LOL) I can still stand back and say all that after 11 years together total. We even play beautiful music together- haha!! I'm not kidding - him on flute, I on the violin.

Some would say our journey has gone downhill since June 2, 2001 in testing our vows (in terms of health and for richer for poorer). They have obviously seen what they've chosen to see - the thunderstorms and obstacles on our married path, a path that started before our wedding day with Hubby's health issues. That's a story for another post sometime - that health journey (quick version: one that has lead to a Sub-Total Colectomy and ileostomy. Yeah, I admire the guy). But he is so much healthier now, Thank God!!

What some sometimes fail to see I guess, or love us enough to worry about, is that the thunderstorms have yielded refreshing rain to replenish us, taught us never take health for granted, love more unconditionally, help us grow strong and tall, and created a LOT of rainbows to brighten our days. Besides, who else finds a rainstorm and thunder a bit relaxing - it sure helps us cuddle more!

The obstacles have only caused us get stronger, rise up, cultivate faith, and appreciate all we love - no matter how their love and concern for us manifests. We know they care and want the best for us.

We really have a great time together. When you are married for 8 years, you have left that honeymoon stage (or at least we have some days lol - but it's been replaced with a new maturity? I wish I had a word...). Add two kids, long work hours, stress, and health ups and downs - it takes more work to be on the same page, and lots of forgiveness. We laugh a lot, and love spending time with our little girls. They prove why God has a plan for us being together. (If one ever doubts their marriage, look at your kids - their beauty - and know they were meant to be here and it took you both and God to create them. Don't give up yet!) We love having date nights (even if we just have them in our house, but sadly we've done less of that lately), and spending time together. We communicate very well. Do we ever fight? Heck yeah lol! I'm great at it :) I doubt we do it any more than other couples. The important part is we never leave in anger and can sometimes laugh at the situation. We bring out the best in each other. He is more quiet and reserved, and helps me (the louder and talkative one) calm down, take life in, and be a better listener.

(above: the first picture ever taken of us - 1998 - being goofy as pals)

We know we have traveled a hard road at times - but we face it with eyes open, firm faith, and quiet determination. We try to remember on our wedding day we stated: "In good times, and in bad. In sickness and in health. For richer, or for poorer..." I think sometimes some (like celebrities) forget that unconditional loves takes work, and embracing that aspect in one's relationship makes it that much more wonderful and fulfilling. Plus, you have a partner to share the journey.

(Above - first college dance ~ 1998)

Some would say our ship has not come in, but we feel it already has (most days lol). Life isn't about what you earn or collect, it is about what you already have. So to the naysayers who are stuck on that "incoming ship" we say tongue in cheek: Our ship will come in, but until then, we'll enjoy the view of the ocean!!!

I Love You Hubby. I can only simply say, "Thank you."

Below are more pictures from our last few years.....

(Above: Yes, the glasses and matching shirts are real. We were stylin in 1999 on our way to a picnic!)


(Above: but we clean up well for college formals!! ~ late 1999)

(Above - after we were married - we performed background music at a local ball)


(Above - 2004, after Lovely's birth, we still love playing together!)


(above: reliving our wedding joy by being in a wedding of loved ones!)


(above: our family so far - our greatest joy ~ 2008)


(Above: going out for a little celebration of us - 8 years of marriage!
June 2009 ~ still my cherished prince, after 11 total years)

Hubby - did I say I loved you yet? Happy Anniversary!!
Much, much, much love!!

Inspiration and Positive Thinking anyone?

Oh Man - last week, the 1st of summer - was more busy than I could have imagined. We had lots of planning to do for this week, and also had time to see family and friends. Tomorrow is also our wedding anniversary - so that is a day to be celebrated too! WOW!! What a week!

All this takes energy, but sometimes we need to dig deeper, and be fueled by emotion, positive thinking, faith, and love. I know I get this from prayers, and trying to let go, let God. How do you do this?

I love reading the Daily Word and each day it gives a spiritual focus. I'd love to pull out a few this week. I don't have a lot of time to blog this week, or read my google reader, but I'll comment when I can - but I'd love to see what helps you too! These will be short (though I have something more special planned for tomorrow!) but I hope helpful too. Even if I'm the only one reading them!

"breathe. Each breathe of life renews and energizes me. With each breath I take in, I feel more at peace. A calm comes over me as I affirm with ease and assurance: I am in the presence of God now and always. " Genesis 2:7

"i can. I am able to do all things through God's spirit within me. With this faith filled understanding, I live life with a whole new meaning. I am willing to do whatever the Spirit directs me to do, and I do it with enthusiasm." Mark 9:23

Thoughts? :) May you have a lightened day!!!