blessings in the midst of tears

I have such a heavy heart today. A very dear lady passed away this weekend, complications from her battle with cancer. She was my age. Why is it when someone dies we say, "she was too young" or "it so sad because she has kids" or "she was such a good chirstian woman". Would it make a difference if she didn't have all those things? Would it make it ok then? Would it hurt less? The fact is she was all those things and so much more. She had a huge heart for people, for kids, for her family and most importantly for Jesus. I have no doubt where she is now and she is rejoicing. Well done good and faithful servant. Regardless of how much comfort this brings to the family the fact remains that two beautiful children will grow up with only the legacy of how beautiful their mother was. I know it is not for us to understand God's ways and I have no doubt this was His will but my heart is still very heavy. I still mourn the loss of a dear woman and friend. It does make my one.thousand.gifts list that much more meaningful today. Through tears as I type my many blessings...

~ wonderful sprinkles of rain through the sunshine
~ neighbors sharing their love of horses with our kids
~ bickering that turns to laughter
~ afternoon football
~ busy schedules
~ dinner as a family
~ crafting time
~ cuddles with the cat
~ sweet early morning cuddles with the littlest one
~ hearing "mommy I need to go to the baf-room"
~ family time
~ technology

As I have said many times before....I LOVE Wednesdays. Ty is off work on Wednesdays and we get to spend time just hanging out together (plus Meara). We usually try to keep the day pretty low key but today we had several errands to run. Despite having to make several stops we had a nice day. The weather was beautiful, I got craft paint so I could finish a couple projects and we found this really cool kitchen island at my favorite "Antique" store....its been there since the spring so was marked WAY down (and I even haggled a little). So excited. :) The picture below is my "new-to-me" island and its a perfect depiction of my crazy life....we brought it in the house and in just a couple hours this is what it looks like.....sweatshirt, school books and a science project!

Gotta say that I love my life.....are there things I would change?? Sometimes! But mostly I am trying to be happy exactly where I am, right now...at this moment. 

conquering fears...eagerly!

Making old things "new" again...one.thousand.gifts

What an outstanding Labor Day weekend. We spent quality time with great friends, new and old, we had some great time together as a family too. We were given tickets to the last home game for the Naturals Baseball, got to watch fireworks and eat ballpark peanuts (yum), ate yummy homemade mexican food, played softball (parents against the kids), ate smores around a fire and didn't melt from the heat, had a bbq at home with friends and went fishing, then had a lazy Monday with nothing really that we had to do. The weather was absolutely beautiful. A little too cool for swimming in the pool but breezy cool weather after all those high temperatures this summer was a welcomed treat. The extra day this weekend was so nice since our crazy busy school schedule, fall ball, guitar lessons.......has all started. I feel like a headless chicken more often than not in the last few weeks but I love it. Being busy is far better than trying to entertain 4 bored kids. :)  My "thankful" list is kinda long since I haven't posted it up here in a while.

--great friends  --beautiful weather  --dirty tree climbin' clothes  --big fish  --delicious bbqs  --bbq sauce from back home  --bday breakfasts  --special lunches  --fantastic Craigs List finds  --husband that supports me in EVERYTHING I do  --new outfits (& shoes) from grandmas  --allergies from the ball fields  --texts from dad  --beautiful words from the bible, spoken directly to me  --strong women full of courage  --quiet cool mornings  --sweet puppy sleeping at (or on) my feet  --lazy mornings with nothing to do  --managable To-Do lists  --health  --music that speaks to me  --making time to be creative  --feeling safe  --being appreciated  --quiet house after kids are back in school