Baby Shower

 We recently had a baby shower at our house. What made it so special is that it was for my oldest daughter Tessa and son-in-law Elijah. They will be first-time parents of an adored little daughter soon. It seems so surreal to not be the one having the babies after being pregnant or nursing for the span of 11 years, but this is definitely such a special time...this Grammy can't wait to hold her little sweetpea.

The decorations for Tessa's shower were so much fun since she wanted a woodland feel. Old crate, branches, pine cones, flowers from my garden and the neighbors as well. Tessa found a recipe for blackberry frosting and it was yummy :)

Garden update :: August 14

I love being in the garden. I can't believe it's the same place that last year I was ready to give up on. With the help of hard-working friends it has been transformed. There is still more work to be done in moving blueberry and raspberry plants in here and I have dreams of building some sort of a small shed and cold frames.

My beans and corn were planted late, but I think there is still time. We harvested a row of potatoes (yum!) and I plugged some smaller one's back in the row that we harvested.

loving the garden

10 thankful things

1. sitting in my bed listening to heavy rain water the earth.

2. dogs chasing random flies and jumping high in the air

3. designing a stuffed owl...feeds my creative need and helps support us when I sell them

4. getting the house ready to host a baby shower for my oldest daughter

5. supportive parents

6. a beautiful garden

7. food from the beautiful garden to share

8. my God who doesn't give up on me even when I feel ugly inside & out

9. new and old friends who understand me

10. honored that I can mentor girls and to be trusted with what has been shared with me

So much going on in our world that is heart-breaking that while I don't forget what is happening I wanted to take a moment to focus on the good.

my people

 family
...those people sitting below there...my whole world.
I am so blessed to have them, really. Life isn't a box of chocolates ;o)
BUT we have each other to talk it through, know someone is there and just be goofy with.

Yesterday at church I listened to a great Word preached. It was about unity. the crux of it is if we can really get that we can overcome anything.

-learn to forgive easier
-put others first...really, in the heart first and not just in action
-more gratitude
-s-l-o-w down....just that one there will fix a BUNCH of things. then we have time to be kinder and    really think about things instead of just snap judgements.

the sun has been glorious here...could be a big part of my optimism, but I like to think that God is getting an even tighter grip on my heart and I am filled with over-flowing grace. xoxo

Hope your day is full of good things!
Lori

speed bump

I hit a slump and a pretty big one at that. Life was moving along at top-notch speed like it does and then all of a sudden I realize that I don't have as much joy as usual and am getting more and more crabby with the kids and wanting to stay home more and not socialize. yikes!

What to do, what to do?

Well, I figured a good visit or two with my two favorite friends would help and it did.

Slowing down and being intentional when I am at home helps. Paying attention to ONE thing at a time....hard, very hard. So good though.

Really listening to my kids. enough said.

Taking short breaks when I work from home. This way home isn't a drudgy ugly place, but a place that is a blessing to be able to work from home and also enjoy home too.

Give myself GRACE when things don't go the way planned. BREATH.

Remember that I am one woman...dad and mom wrapped up in one, but ONE woman. Remind my kids of that too. Super woman capes are a sham.

Noticing the small things and being so thankful that I live in the home I do, drive a dependable car, have food to eat, arms to hug me and ears to listen to me. so very thankful.

Worship music sung loudly...reading aloud Proverbs in the Word.

Even with doing the above things it takes time to pull out of a slump. Being patient with myself in the process.

What do you do to help you out of slumps?

Lori xo

being real

I have no words to explain the feelings twisting around and around in my heart and mind, 

but Anne does. 

If you aren't afraid of real feelings head on over.

A firm foundation

 

 Yet this I call to mind

    and therefore I have hope:

  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

 Lamentations 3:21-23

There is one thing that I have come to know as never-changing in this world of ours....God's faithfulness. I can't even count the endless times that He has come through for the kids and I over the years, let alone in the countless times for my friends and family.

I believe firmly though that God partners with me. I think a lot of people get bitter towards God because they have this notion that God just gives to people. Sometimes that is the case, and I am so thankful for those times that I didn't have the strength and He still gave. But mostly in my life I have found that He holds it out and I partner with Him and receive it....I reach for it. 

Recently this is in the area of jobs to support my family. Before this it was in the form of a beautiful home, healthy friendships, nice vehicles, food in lean times, washers, dryers, health for my family and pets, college education.....the list goes on and on. 

I think the balance is in knowing when something is God's Will and when we are striving. This is still a road that I have to daily re-assess in my and my family's lives.

Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you if you find yourself wondering where God is in the midst of a circumstance you find yourself in that He is there. Sometimes (well most of the time) it feels like it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for Him to answer. In those times I ask Him what I can be doing in the meantime and do it. Like Elisabeth Elliot, who found comfort and strength in a poem after her husband died "when you don't know what to do, do the next thing." 

Keeps our hands and minds busy while God is working out the details!

Lori xo