wise words

 

"There are only two things you can control. 

One is your attitude. 

The other is your effort."

 

- Dan Meers, otherwise known as KC Wolf

This is an old photo is of  my girl and her wonderful, joyful attitude.

feels like home

Week 10 of the Wednesday Lists, Part 2
Prompt: List the things that feel like home.

* Jeffrey * fresh flowers * children laughing in the backyard * mooing at the cows just over the fence * my Mom's house * Chattanooga, Tennessee * small, white country churches with steeples * my classroom * anywhere my parents are * watching Sloane sleep *  my old youth camp in south Georgia * one particular cabin at Wilson's Cottages and Campgrounds * this song * this album * this book * Crater Lake * art museums * when the dogs lick my hands * crawling into bed under freshly laundered sheets * quiet reading evenings * Jeffrey's cooking * fireflies * barefoot walks along the shore * Sloane's baking * the smell of used bookstores * a Texan accent * my faux-brother's smile when he sees me * writing in my journal * the sound of water * the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies * Savannah, Georgia * pancakes for dinner * fog horns * my pretty closet * our Christmas tree * Jeffrey and Sloane, Jeffrey and Sloane, Jeffrey and Sloane *


The picture above is an old one of my beautiful Sloane, the joy of my own home.

Things I Learned in May...

I had this great idea to post a list of things I learned in the previous month and pair it with my own favorite photo from that month.  Several people asked me if I could make a Mr. Linky so we could all participate.  I plan to get that set up for June's list.  Obviously, I got a little derailed last month. 

 God is in control.  Whether your loved one has cancer or not, God is in control.

Sitting in the hospital waiting room with a friend really is a gift.

Be the kind of friend who sends the card, makes the meal, offers help in tangible ways.

Mailing a card to the mother of your friend is perhaps the most thoughtful thing I've ever known.
 

The best way to respond to someone's fear is to hold their hand and walk with them through it.

You never know when it is your small kindness that will carry someone for a portion of their journey.
 

Call your mother!  Call your mother every day.  You never know when you might lose that chance for good.

I took that photo the day before Mom's surgery when we were at the top of the Arch. 

Friday Faves

  * Best Moment: Wednesday afternoon when Mom texted me that she is entirely cancer free.  God is so very, very good!

* Great Read: Divergent by Veronica Roth.  I just read it again and loved it just as much the second time.

* Funniest Moment: This morningJeffrey managed to dump a bunch of water on his head from a stinky trash can.   Long story, but absolutley hilarious.  I was gulping and gasping and snorting.  I haven't stopped laughing all morning. 

* Something to Make: a personalized casserole dish for potlucks

* Terrific Tip: how to get spilled nailpolish off a tiled floor

* Images of the Week: The Power of the Wind by Nikaa

* Anticipating: This July we are taking a road trip to Oregon.  We're going to Mt. Rushmore, Glacier National Park, the Oregon Coast, Denver, the dog hotel, and all sorts of other goodies.
 

* A Song: You by Fisher

* Quote of the Week: "Winning is for the moment.  Better is forever." ~ Helen Park, Chopped season 14 contestant

* PINspiration: Homemade Life by Deborah Parsons 

* Film Fancies: Alma by Bissigo Rico

  * To Make You Happy: I'm Yours

 

* BLOGspiration: This blog, Crystal Wilkerson Designs, is cram packed with colorful creativity.

* In Case You Missed It: Five Minutes of Silence

Happy weekend, friends. 

essentials

Week 9 of the Wednesday Lists, Part 2
Prompt: List your essentials

* love * gratitude * Jeffrey and Sloane * laughter * connection and community * physical affection * regular time alone * productivity * a clean and tidy home * singing * learning * poetry * opportunities to serve * lots of water * my camera * close friendships * something to read * a monthly retreat of silence * daily prayer time * art museums * time to pursue my passions * The Word * lists * music * growth * writing * travel * creating beautiful, peaceful environments for my family and students * being a source of encouragement for others * down time with the people I love * my iPhone * long walks * music * beauty * a house full of books * lipstick * time spent dreaming * goal setting * accountability * recycling * big jewelry * correctly spoken grammar * the wind on my face * journaling * long conversations with Jeffrey * time with my parents * glasses * sunglasses * mascara * chocolate *

It has been an interesting exercise to think about the things in my life I consider essential. What would you put on your list?

twenty one years

I look at this picture and grin.  

There we are.  Look at us.  

Just babies.  

So young.  

And happy.  

And in love. 

It's been more than 23 years since this photo was taken in my college dorm room.  We don't look like that any more.  I don't decorate with old movie posters either.  I definitely don't wear sickly flowered dresses now.  I still hold him just like that though.  And he still has exactly that smile for me.  

We aren't young any more, and somehow, that's nearly unbelievable.  I remember being mildly insulted when we weren't included in our church's new young marrieds group.  Jeffrey laughed and told me that we had been married for eleven years and we really weren't newlyweds.  Oh.  Oh yeah.  

Those eleven years have since turned into twenty one.  So, ok, we aren't young anymore.  But, aside from our bodies, not much has changed.  

We still feel that young. 

We still live that hopeful.

We are still that happy and that much in love. 

God is so very good. 

I remember back when I was about 16 saying something like, "Ick.  Who would want to wake up to the same face for twenty years?  Booooring!"  Boy was I wrong, wrong, wrong.  The only thing I can think of that would be better than waking up to the same face for twenty years would be waking up to that face for 60 years or more.  That's my wish.  I want at least 60 years living, working, laughing, crying, praying, serving, loving - side by side with Jeffrey, my love.

God is so very, very good. 

Imagine giving me a man like him.

Jeffrey is such a man.

Let's grow old together, sweet boy.  It's a wonderful, wonderful life.

Happy Memorial Day

I wish you perfect weather, burgers on the grill, laughter with your friends, and fireflies tonight.
Thank you to all the men and women who have served and to their families, for the sacrifices.

Happy Memorial Day, friends.