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!!!