"In life, finding contentment is tough; it seems we are waiting for the next big thing, the storms to pass, or meaningful moments to last a lifetime. Surely, being content has to speak of more than the stuff, feelings, or emotions. There has to be more......"
Read moreHappy.
"Several years ago during a high school volleyball season, friendships were formed. While waiting between games, a few of us females got lunch together and found out we could make a really nice group of friends. None of our lives are exactly the same, but the common bonds are built......"
Read moreNew resources.
"On our travels East from the West Coast, we stopped at a few major landmarks along the way. Since 2004 when the kids' dad was alive, we seem to develop a love for our National Parks. I encourage anyone who can to visit our national "treasures"."
Read moreCultivating a kindness.
"I have learned there are just some things in life you cannot put a price on, like working together and "togetherness." Even though our current living conditions might say otherwise, I firmly believe in personal space and aiding my kids in living their own lives........."
Read moreCatch the overflow.
"As I listen to my son play piano tonight, an original piece, I am made to think about the gift that is loss.........."
Read moreSurrender to freedom.
"In times past, when I have prayed for answers or asked for a change in my life, the essence of the answer has escaped my sight or senses. It was often because I had a set of circumstances in which I thought the Lord would work; when that didn't happen, everything went to hell........"
Read moreFreedom 2015
"Sometimes it feels like hope has no snowball's chance in hell to survive. In our day and age, with generations of skeptics and cynics, it seems voices from various sources want to kill this concept in its infancy. Perhaps we can look to an ancient word for some wisdom."
Read moreLive free.
In the last week, I officially returned to the "mommy phase", being fortunate enough to care for my two young nieces and nephew. Their mommy Marie, had the opportunity to get back into the classroom teaching, and I committed to keeping the kids many weeks ago smile emoticon
I did the daily runs to elementary school, preschool, pickups, playgrounds, and picnics. I packed and unpacked, did diaper duty, and finally on my last day, I think I've gotten the hang on it. The innocence of little ones is so refreshing and of course, I found myself acting and talking in their language..........
Kids see life so simply and sincerely, without skepticism and reasoning. I would love to see those attributes rub off on some adults. I got some much needed hugs, love, and kisses, and cuddles too. I remember my mommy days from years ago.
When my kids were young, I didn't want them to "grow up too fast." I wanted them to feel safe, secure, and not have to think about things beyond their age. I guess I did not have that luxury........ because in 2011, that ultimately happened. Not a fixation of mine but a freedom I still wish for them...........
The white board in the kitchen hallway has returned, with reminders of "chores" to do and no rewards or allowance handed out. Things can work smoothly unless and until one of us feels unfairly overworked, such as tonight. Then the balance we try to find, quickly goes to hell.
It seems to take everything I have, we have, to keep our family unit intact. This isn't something to take lightly or assume it'll always survive loss of any sort. There still has to be intention behind my actions; it has to be important enough to me to make it happen.
That does not mean suffocation............
"If you love something, or someone, set it free."
Freedom 2015.
Suffering in silence.
When my kids were younger it was easier to take care of things for them. I was often exhausted but there seemed less to be concerned about. Life was simpler then, which I would not have believed at the time. We always had so much going on like most families, but fit in the most important stuff.
As they've had to grow up and become responsible more quickly than most, I know so much has been asked of each of them. That's not always the easiest thing for a mother to accept. From the outside, it may seem pretty simple: just work hard. On the inside, it is another story.
I would rather not have them be concerned with the things that concern me, but we are forced into team mode. It is an adjustment on many levels to live life when your dad is not around and do things for yourself, because you have too. There are plays, skills, and training required.
Learning to be part of a team is also an adjustment because it is much easier to be responsible solely for yourself and your own things. Independence is sought after, but this season in life does not lend itself to anything other than depending on each other........... that does get old......
After cleaning my rental and meeting the prospective new tenant, I headed home to begin my own housework this Saturday. Thankfully we had a team effort today, as schedules coordinated and we knocked out another load of stuff to complete as we get the house in order.
And thanks to my neighbor Bill for helping us mow again, saying he doesn't want to "see me suffer", LOL. All he asks for is our friendship........
Jordan was a weedwacking machine and took on my place and Bill's, while Austin works double shifts many days. He seems to have found his "destiny", with sales work calling his name smile emoticon Anyone who knows Austin's personality can see how this could be true grin emoticon
As I receive feedback from my "FB friends" for my posts, I feel as if I am a voice for the multitudes who do desire to be free but are not sure how to find it. I know that I have found a form of it and I'm not going to lose it; L.A. reinforced that for me................
Wishing forms of freedom and happiness to all my female friends this weekend.
Shaken to freedom.
Perhaps because I have reached midlife along with many around me, or as the result of the road I have traveled, but life is not exactly how I pictured it would be. In this delicate economy and fragile state of our soul, it seems that anything can happen at any given point in time...........
I think we all can feel it or sense it; if not, you might be living in La La Land, literally, lol. I'm reminded the Word says anything that "can be shaken will be," and I know personally, I have felt the tremors. The idea of shaking means something IS going to give way; somehow, in someway, it will move......... or I will.
During the times I am shaken is when I need to hold on the most and know I will soon be free, if I do not fear. The shaking is meant to bring me closer to freedom. For those who sought freedom in ancient days, life got harder before it got better. But one of the first things God called them to do in order to be free...... was to MOVE.
Putting yourself, a plan, or relationship in motion is probably one of the hardest things to pursue. It requires thought, inspiration, and more motivation than we often have in ourselves or our faith. It is then that we must reach out to others to help us walk the journey.........
Today I was blessed once again to be back east, to hang with my mom and nephew Aidan at breakfast while the Godshall family gathered Miah and their things to head home:) To be here to help out, support and encourage is priceless to me......... things that could shake us will serve to make us stronger.
Hebrews 12 talks about the endurance needed at points in life when giving up and giving in, seems like the easiest thing to do. We can never give up, ever. Freedom is worth the journey................
P.S. Happy Birthday our beautiful Ava Joy Anders!
Commit and stick with.
Being a few days into this new year is often a make or break time that determines the level of commitment we maintain. Decisions made in weeks prior are put to the test and fortitude challenged. It is easy to talk about something but another to actually follow through.
I think I have been put through most every test possible in that regard. Having been in the L.A. scene, we very quickly learned a person's word means very little, except for a special few. I did not realize what life would look like on a daily basis without........ commitment.
My late husband seemed to drill into all of our heads and hearts, the importance of holding true to your word, After living in another locale, my kids and I have adopted the same mindset. It has become so very important that I do what I say I am going to do........ and hope the same of others.
In his transition week before school, Logan has gotten to work with my brother in law on a rental home I have. He's gone from a CA beach guy to rugged East Coaster again:) It's good to see him working with his hands and using his strength not only to compete. This is a welcome change......
So much feels as if it has been taken from me and I guess I am on my own "recovery mission." Most recently, several tenants think they can stiff me on monies I'm owed which is honestly appalling. I have never had such dealings and it makes me wonder if I can keep doing this.........
I would never give up but rather look at these times in life as a change, often precipitated by a series of events. Decisions we make, whether to work out, shape up, share things, or organize our lives, are often a result of dissatisfaction. That is not necessarily a bad thing.
Sticking to what I know to be true, decisions that may determine destinies, and taking the steps towards freedom in this new year, will help keep me aligned with refinement.
Refine - "improve by making small changes, or removing unwanted elements from life."
Have Americans forgotten that this is a great nation?
"Have Americans forgotten that this is a great nation? And that great nations can shape events, and not merely observe them? More Americans think the country is doing too much to help the world than too little, even though a majority agrees that major threats to the United States exist and that the world is growing more dangerous. Switzerland should be allowed to hold those two views at the same time. The United States shouldn’t. Why is our response to these dangerous world events so passive and ambivalent?"