Bitter-Sweet...

Happy Spring! :) This annual day would rank up there with one of favorites in our home! Just knowing that a new season is on the brink. A new season that promises new life...new beginnings...new growth...a fresh breath of life! :)

I sit here this morning, ready for my day. Teeth brushed, hair washed & fixed, make-up on, cozily dressed in my jammies & house slippers. For those who know me very well, know that fleece pajamas are my all time fave choices of clothing! Especially for a rainy day like today is going to be.

I was reminded a few evenings ago that it has been awhile since I last posted. This precious individual lamented that they check the blog e-v-e-r-y day to see something new & day-after-day, it's been the same post waiting to be read. :) It blesses my heart to think that I would share thoughts on here that would bring anyone back time-after-time. I'm thankful for how God speaks to my heart & the opportunity that He gives me to convey those thoughts/feelings/inspirations to others. I was grateful for the accountability of the individual... Pretty much what I needed.

Much has been going on in our lives. Not necessarily busyness, although some. Yet more trial & testing of life. Sadness. Concern. Heartache. Loss. Difficulty. Stretching. Somewhat as a facebook friend shared about her life circumstances in a message the other day...sifting...a breaking point...

For our family, the past few weeks have had us in a state of simply stepping back & "doing life"... Being prayerful... Focusing on belief... Trusting God... Separating our minds from outside distractions... Immersing ourselves in God's Word... Finding comfort & assurance in one another... God has had us in a place of choosing whether we will doubt or whether we will believe. God has asked us whether we will listen to the negative word of the world or whether we will trust in His sovereign will. God has challenged us to be unmoved even when we cannot see. I wish I could say it was easy & without pain but stretching of any kind is uncomfortable. This season of life for us is no different. Yet even in the midst of pain & discomfort, we have JOY, knowing our faithful Father can ALWAYS be trusted!

The bitter-sweet part of it to me is witnessing your child hurting & being stretched to a breaking point...wanting to step in & rescue...to be the savior...the hero...the fix-it-all individual but instead choosing to cheer her from the sidelines & allow Jesus to be her strength. To encourage her to keep running the race...offering wisdom from the Word...extending an embrace of assurance...challenging her to keep her eyes on the Prize & to listen for that Still Small Voice of instruction.

Here in the quiet, dimly lit living room last night, freshly bathed, relaxed, wound down from a busy but great day of school, the two of us sat, she on the couch, me in my old wooden rocker, we shared. We talked. We opened our hearts. We talked of God's faithfulness. We acknowledged our lack of faith in certain recent situations. Situations that we so wish we could change. Yet situations that God, in His rich & generous grace, has allowed in order to teach us important lessons so that next time we will remember & prayerfully do different. We testified of how mighty & sovereign & powerful & amazing God is... That NOTHING is too difficult for HIM! It was a sweet time... One I will tuck deep within my heart & think of often.

And so this morning, as I entered the bathroom preparing to begin my day, I found a note. Handwritten from this one I love... Thanking me for who I am... For leading her to Jesus in her time of need... For pointing her in His direction so that she could be taught of Him in one of the hardest seasons of life that she has ever had to face... For being her friend... For walking by her side & showering her with comfort...

A gift from her heart to mine...

So as I begin a new day... A new season...

I'm thankful for bittersweet seasons in the heart of one I cherish...

Bitter for the pain & agony I've seen her endure...
Sweet for the growth of Jesus I've seen in her life...

New life has sprung & the fruit is going to be beautiful...just like her!

My beloved spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

The Springtime of Yesterday...

The Springtime of yesterday...
*warm sunshine...
*cool breeze...
*chattering birds...
*singing mourning dove...
*playful puppy...
*laughing girls...
*croaking frogs...
*freshly washed sheets on the clothes line...
*curtains blowing in the breeze...



The Springtime of today...
*damp and cool...
*gentle rainfall...
*short relaxing nap...
*afternoon coffee with My Man...
*freshly baked cinnamon rolls...
*baby calves...
*welcome umbrella...
*thunder...
*lightning...
*tractors in the field...

Zeke...

Life has continued to be "different" around our place. I'm not sure if it is due to the fact that we still haven't found a good schedule since the time change which means we are still getting up & starting our day at the same time but we are unfortunately falling into bed much later than normal which means we feel like left-field zombies most all the time. It could be that we have had several non-typical things going on which means that our afternoons & evenings have been sprinkled with outside activities here and there which means that things that typically get done on a regular basis have kind of fallen by the wayside. It might be that we have had numerous decisions to make lately and making decisions seems to be a weakness of mine which means that when decisions are weighing on my shoulders...they are continually mulling through my brain...which tends to wear me down and make me extra tired. You know...that survival mode... Or, it could be this little guy who joined our family almost a week ago...


This is Ezekiel Roman rather known as "Zeke"...


It amazes me how much having a new puppy is so much like having a baby to take care of. This little man is a very busy guy and we are constantly having to keep an eye on him. He loves to chew... He loves to roam... He doesn't sleep well... He's mischievous... He's ornery... He's FULL of energy... He's potty training... All those baby things aside... We love, love, love him!!!


Although the girls were excited about getting a new puppy, they were also quite hesitant as they felt like they were replacing Fletch. We reassured them that no one would ever take Fletcher's place (although we daily catch ourselves, calling Zeke, Fletcher) and that it would be a good thing for us to do with spring approaching.


Do you notice the Hawkeye collar around his neck? Kyle says he's also going to get a Mizzou one as well so that he can alternate every other week!?! When we took him in for his well vet check on Tuesday, Dr. Powell said he looked really good all except what was around his neck... :o) He said we needed to replace the Hawkeye black and gold for Mizzou black and gold. Kyle reassured him that we were working on the situation! :o)


Spring is finally arriving here and I would have to say that it seems as though with every turning of season, I spiritually, mentally and emotionally go through a turning of seasons as well. A time of of reflection and evaluation which many times results in the feeling of heaviness. It's not always the most enjoyable of experiences, yet for me, one that is necessary. It's a time for me to intently look at my life and acknowledge that which isn't fruitful or edifying to the Lord. It's a time to relinquish the old, withering and dying branches present in my life so that they can be pruned, in order for the new shoots that God has purposed for my life, to graft and grow. If I'm not careful to guard my heart through these times, discouragement, doubt and despair begin to visit and take up residency. As I look to the Lord for encouragement, He reminds me that pruning produces healthy, abundant life! The truth of that promise interspersed with unexpected phone calls from two of my closest friends, running into one of those friends only for a brief moment a few days ago, a heartfelt e-mail from another of my closest, long-distance friends and then a long visit with another precious friend/sister-in-Christ, my week has been brightened and my heart has been warmed.

I find myself so thankful today for God's presence in my life and that He chooses to love me. I am thankful for an amazingly awesome husband, MaKayla's silliness, Mallary's laugh, special friends, my Bible, fresh spring air and Zeke. I am thankful that my family is healthy, I get to spend all day, every day with our girls, My Man is on his way home to me, all my needs are provided for and that my children can learn. I am thankful for coffee, instrumental music, internet that works efficiently and pictures of those that I love strewn throughout our home.

I am thankful that because of Jesus the blessings that are mine to hold, are all the more richer because of Him!

Spring has sprung...new shoots are being grafted!

This And That Tuesday...

Okay...Okay...I saw my first BIG spider this morning scurrying across the kitchen floor and I'm not one bit happy about it! I HATE, HATE, HATE spiders which means I will be having Kyle get some "wonder-spray" from our brother-in-law Mark. We must get them gone before they mate and multiply! Yucky! Yucky! The weather has turned amazingly beautiful here the past several days so I am fairly certain that is what has started bringing the furry fellows inside! Did I say, YUCKY?!? I've had this fear ever since I was a little girl that if I try to swat/smack them they will grow bigger and bigger with every whack... I don't feel any more love for them now then I did 30 years ago!!!

Both MaKayla & Mallary were moving quite slow this morning and since the weather was so nice, I suggested that we all put on our shoes and take a stroll around the pond. It was a great way to start our day! :o)

We saw:

The sun coming up...

Reflections in the water...

New life emerging from the dead ground that we burnt off...

The first calf of the spring season...

I want the girls to remember moments like these... I want them to recognize the simple gifts that God gives us through His presence in creation and nature...


For the most part I'm not a big fan of Facebook since much of what people post isn't fit to think...much less type or share with the world but Kyle and I recently decided to open an account in order to stay better in touch with family. This way we get to chat with Bri more consistently as well as watch Tucker change and grow. I love the idea of being able to connect in such a diverse way with so many people but I seriously am amazed at what some people feel compelled to disclose and the language in which they disclose it... I have enjoyed being able to visit Marci's, Bri's and D's Facebook pages and "see" their family whenever I am really missing them...which is often!

(is he not the most precious thing EVER....)

Life has been unusually crazy for us the past few weeks and between the non-stop busyness and not adjusting to the time change that took place a week ago, we are all quite tired!

Over the past few years, Kyle and I have really purposed to simplify our schedules and scale down our outside activities. The Lord clearly showed us that we needed to be going/doing less and spending/investing more time as a family unit. It's been a great change for everyone individually and for us as a family as well, yet when those unpreventable busy seasons of life do come around, we all have a little trouble keeping our focus.

All-in-all the past several days have been full of fun, family and memories sprinkled with yard work, house work, school and life in general.

We've:
had fun with cousins/nieces
celebrated a birthday & an anniversary
spent time with my side of the family as well as Kyle's
assisted Uncle Mark in getting a home cleaned & ready for his dad & grandma
enjoyed lunch & a time of fellowship with very special friends
helped Bri begin a new venture in life
relished in the preciousness of baby Tucker...
recognizing each of these opportunities & moments as rich gifts from the Lord!

As you can tell, life has been busy, but life has been good!

The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3

Wordless Wednesday...

Bud...Flourish...Burst...Grow...New...

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is My word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return unto Me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle tree will grow.
This will be for the Lord's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.
Isaiah 55:9~13

I am the Lord:
that is my name:
and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise to graven images.

Behold,

the former things are come to pass,
and new things do I declare:
before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:8~9

What Does One Do....

What does one do on a warm and sunny day?

Read a good book...

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Write some great worship music...

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Cook some yummy food over the firepit...

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Take a nice leisurely nap...

Enjoy a ride on a swing...

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Spend time with people we love...
People we call "family"...


The weather has been great in our little corner of the world and we have thoroughly been enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures!

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in
the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

O Lord Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in You.

Psalm 84:10~12

Once Upon A Spring Day...With Those I Love...

Today has been an exceptionally wonderful day! I went for a follow-up appointment to see my ARNP on Tuesday and she kindly "suggested" that I start doing daily "meditation"... some health care professionals just don't get it that God IS enough... On top of that that this past Saturday, I had a family member ask me how Kyle, myself and our girls had been doing. When I told her we were doing very well, she kindly commented about the "stress lines" visible on my face...

Life has been a little overwhelming lately yet through my daily time of solitude and fellowship with the Lord the past two mornings, I have walked away refreshed, renewed and nourished. I have found a great deal of wisdom and healing in some areas where I have been struggling the most. As I put bedding on the clothes line today the Holy Spirit revealed a word of truth that broke some significant chains in my life (another post, another day) and immediate freedom sprang forth. Hallelujah! That freedom removed a great deal of stress and tension and this afternoon I was immensely rejuvenated through my time with Kyle, MaKayla, Mallary and the Lord in the midst of His creation.

(flip-flops are great on a spring day...)

(MaKayla's not so sure of the flip-flop idea...)

(Remind me why we wore flip-flops...)

(I love the preciousness of MaKayla's hand here...
and her creativity...)

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of the doves
is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their
fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with Me.

Song of Songs 2:11~13

Thanks for joining us on our adventure...it's been a blessing!

Good evening and sweet dreams...