Blessed....

Blessed with 4 boys...and 3 girls...(although little Miss Delaney is not in this picture)

They are silly....serious...dimples..laughter...wrestling...and chaos all wrapped up with love...memories and big dreams!!  

They are loved and keep us on our toes everyday!!

Speechless...

This little girl of mine....makes me speechless!!

Swinging...

 I just love my Delaney Ann!!  

I say that a lot...what mom doesn't

She brings me to a moment to stop and realize what is important in life!!

It is the moments of lifting her up onto the tire swing....the moments where she says push me "high".

And I do....and watch the wind blow through her hair...

no fear because mom is near...

and then the swing slows down....and I wait for the slightly saddened face to appear...

like this one here...

because she is waiting for me to push her "high" again!

So I do....and take in the breeze ...the country air..and the happy smiles

that my Delaney gives me!!

Doug always tells me when I am having a down moment...just stop and look at her and how can

you not come right back to the blessed place you are supposed to be in!!

I LOVE that this little girl that is soon to be 3...has brought soo much to my life!

Tire swing....freedom....moments of no worries and just loving the life that I have!!

Reminds me of my childhood of being free and swinging as high as I could and singing "Jesus Loves Me"...I was just about this age.  I loved it and I know that Miss Delaney is loving it too.   Because at the end of the day I hope I have given her as much love as she gives me!!

Another moment of Perfect Timing!!

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-This version is credited to Mother Teresa

I think I needed to read this today.  What powerful words that I have read over and over today.   I just am amazed at how God is speaking to me just when I need to hear him.  I am holding onto faith...faith in good things to come...faith in continued support from my spouse...and most importantly faith that God will continue to help me grow into that strong...assertive...gentle soul that I know I truly am!!

Wordless Wednesday

Farm moments

So blessed...enough said!!

Perfect timing!!

So I truly believe that God first sends us a little hint ....then a whisper...then shouts out when he wants us to pay attention to something.   Well...I have had some emotions and deep thinking going on for a few days now and yesterday my devotion that I read related to being able to speak your true feelings with honestly and heartfelt healing...vs...not saying your feelings and remaining silent and becoming bitter and the issues that come with that...all because you say you are "fine" when you truly have some hurt feelings to share.

I love when things like that happen to me.  It just is a huge reminder that God is there to help me through the days that I need that guidance to do right and also to show me that there is a higher power that looks over me.

What a nice feeling that is...knowing someone greater than we can even imagine is looking out for us.  Because believe me there are doubts sometimes that people in my life don't really have my best interests at heart.  What amazes me is their portrayal of being so thoughtful...giving....prayful...is all a charade.   Hmm...I wonder if this person even knows that I have he/she all figured out?   Time will tell....and the whispers from God will help me grow...become stronger ...and know that my feeling do matter and I guess to be blunt....they might want to watch what line they cross with me. 

So thank you to God for giving me the devotion that has helped me immensely!!  I know your timing is always perfect!!  My intentions are good...so my outcomes will be good as well!

Being Thankful!

I have been working really hard lately to start each day by thinking of all the things that I am thankful for vs. letting my anxiety take me to places that fill my heart and head with worries...fears...racing thoughts...and simply off balance.

So each morning I grab my Sweet Miss Delaney while the boys tend to sleep in..(I know...bad habit)  ..and we head outside right away.  No stopping to clean up something that didn't get tended to the night before...just straight out the door in our jammies and all.  (one of the many perks of country life.)  The fresh air that fills our lungs...the joy of watching Delaney skip through the dew covered grass...the sound of the morning doves...all of this helps me realize how blessed we really are.  The bills...the emotional issues that fill my head and my large "to do list" seem to disappear from my mind.  The warmth of the sun on my face and arms is relaxing and Delaney and I doing our morning chores with the dogs and kitties are special.  We chat and I watch her and am amazed and the little young lady that she is becoming. 

Staying on track is a challenge some days but I am working hard at it.  If I can re-train my mind and body to start each day with a thankful heart vs a worried heart...I know things will just fall into place.

I love my wide open spaces...the sounds of country life...it is my safety zone.  One zone that I know I can be me...enjoy being me and most of enjoy my family!!  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Progress is good.  I thank God daily for the things he has given me.  I know that his power is greater than I can ever imagine.