The fire within...

Sometimes I see the pieces fall together, like when Uncle John died. Not that it was fair, but it all made sense.

Things are starting to make sense. My faith grows stronger. My hope in the Lord is my strength. I know that everyday will not be easy. I know that life throws curve balls. But I also know that I have this fire within me. A fire to create something out of nothing. A fire that flickers - sometimes a brighter more intense burn, and at times a dim light. But none the less it's this need to CREATE!

This fire is so strong I can't sleep some nights...

A blessing and a curse some days. A fire to create, to work, to contribute, to be successful.

Success isn't measured in monetary value. It's how we see ourselves. I have a beautiful family, hobbies I enjoy, that hopefully might go somewhere. But most of all I have Love. Love of my family, friends, and the unconditional love of a heavenly father. A heavenly father who started and nurtured this fire within. So for now I will sit back and enjoy. I don't know where I am going, or what tomorrow brings, but all I have to say is "Burn baby, Burn."

Blessings on you and your day. May you find peace in his love, and find your fire within.

Moments.

Where in the world have I been?
This fall has been a whirlwild, not that winter slows down any, but at there is at least the chance to hibernate and catch up a little.

These two keep me busy that's for sure.
They were being crazy the other day and then finally they plopped down in the chair together.
I couldn't resist the photo op you know...

I had to bribe them to get them to stay for any period of time, but they still turned out cute.

These are the moments that make everything worth while.

They don't happen very often, but every once in a while I catch a glimpse of how close they could be when they get older. Right now it's love/hate, but someday.... I know they'll be best of friends.
They look so innocent don't they.... don't let them fool you. They are just plotting to destroy the universe!

I've been missing this whole blogging thing.

I've joined facebook... if you're a member look me up, and maybe we can be friends.

I read the best book...

The Shack by William P. Young

It's pretty cool... Read it and tell me what you think.

Changes you, changes how you think.

Well, that's it for now, I know it's not much, but it's a start.

Blessings on your day.

Life is too short...

A couple of weeks ago my mom's brother, Uncle John, drove up the east coast from Florida to visit friends and family along the way. I haven't seen uncle john in years... many years. I never really knew him well, but I knew that my Mom always wanted family around more, so it would be nice to have him visit.
He settled in fairly well upon his arrival, the kids warmed up to him quickly sweetly referring to him as "big uncle john". He lit up when the kids called him, and giggled when they were naughty....
He was a joy to have around. A silent presence, but a peaceful one at that.
I never would have expected his presence to be so meaningful. ( I know that sounds terrible, but I never really knew him growing up, and how much would we catch up on in his visit... )

Well Last week wednesday my mother found john dead. He had died in his sleep. His autopsy revealed his arteries had hardened so much he couldn't get any blood to his heart. Who would have known.
When Ryan came home to tell me, I was shocked. But truthfully I was not surprised.

I got this amazing flash, like in the movies when flashbacks come and go, one image after another. I saw John's last couple weeks, his pilgrimage up the east coast, his arrival to my parents home, his laughter, his presence, the joy in his eyes. Then the whole thing made sense. It was this great big plan... God's plan. He brought John to us, to know us, to teach us, so that we might teach him. John was surrouned by a family, by unconditional love, by the joy that young children bring. These were things he had never really had for himself. What a gift. What a blessing to have been a part of such a plan.
John left such an imprint on me. I expect him to be sitting at the counter when I arrive at ma & pa's, but he's not. (I'm sure he is in spirit.) He was a man that most people never would have thought twice about, average joe if you know what I mean. But maybe that's just it, God uses those average joes for great works.
He taught me one of the most valuable lessons I'll ever learn.... that life is too short.
It's not about what we have or where we live. It's about the joy that comes from family, it's about the laughter we share, the tears we cry together, and the unconditional love that we have been so blessed to be a part of.

We will miss big uncle john, more than he'll ever know. But because of him, we'll love a little deeper, laugh a little harder, and hold tight to the days we've been given.
Because life is just too short.

Don't be mad mommy....

Holy Blog lag....

Yesterday I was getting ready for work, Ryan was home and the kids were out playing.

They got kinda quiet so Ry went to check on them.

Then I hear "where did you get that?!"

Turns out they had been playing with a permanant marker drawing all over themselves...

Ry sent them in to show me what they had been doing.

Matthew looks up at me and says" mommy, don't be mad, we just playing indian."

How can you resist those faces. :-)

So today, I am thankful for the funnies in life....

the moments when all you can do is laugh....

and the ability to see life through the eyes of my children, even if only for a moment.

Have a blessed day, I'll try not to stay away so long.

Story of the day....

One day the kids and I were driving in the car, and Ellie was singing and dancing to the music. Matthew was getting all annoyed with her telling her that she was not allowed to sing. So I explained to him that Ellie liked to sing, that God put a song in her heart, and she was dancing to her music. I asked him what God put in his heart. He answered "golf, baseball, soccer, and golf, but no signing and dancing!"
Fast forward to tonight.
We are all attending a wedding tomorrow. My cousin Jordan is marrying the sweetest thing, Lauren.
Before bed tonight, Ryan asked Ellie if she would dance with him at the reception tomorrow. She said yes!
Matthew looks at me and says, "Not me mommy, I don't have dancing in my heart." I just smiled and hugged him tight, remembering the conversation we had earlier. When I asked him what was in his heart...."baseball mommy, baseball."

I just can't believe the things they remember some days. A little obscure conversation we had one day, just comes back later.

So today, I am grateful for the sweetness, for his love of the ball, for her love of the song.
May they never lose that love.
May they always find the things that make them happy.

Blessings on your day. Hopefully some pics of the wedding for you in the next couple days.

What is it about sunflowers?

There's something magical about a sunflower.
Maybe it's the instant smile that they bring to your face.
Or maybe it's how an entire field of sunflowers turn their face to the sun.
Maybe it's just all the different colors and varieties they come in.
Who knows what it really is. Pure beauty.

These are planted in mimi and papi's garden, in a huge gigantic patch.
They are the gate keepers....
they smile at you when you enter, reminding you how big they really are.

We must have planted a variety pack, because each one is a little different than the next.
The kids were happy to stand in front of the giants. Too bad all the sunflower wouldn't smile for the camera.
The real reason we were at the Drumm Rd Farm is an "earful".

We were shucking, cooking, bagging, and freezing corn. The sweet corn this year has been fantastic, so we decided to cook some and freeze it so we can remember all winter long how great it was!

I hope your day is filled with peace.

Get out and enjoy the sweet breeze and warm sun.

Smile for no reason at all.

Because life is good.

Blessings on you and your day.

CRAZy, Lazy, Days of SUmmer

Where oh where has the summer gone?
My kids have been loving the outdoors all summer long. Every afternoon we get our rain shower, (seems like we live in flordia these days.....) around nap time. Even Ellie says uh oh... here comes the rain! It's pretty cute.
My baby is not a baby anymore.
Mommy got her ears pierced. It was a spur of the moment ordeal and she did just fine with it.
They look really cute on her, and she is very proud to show them off.
A girly girl at heart.
A couple of weeks ago we went out to Hamlin Beach Park with mimi and papi and threw some rocks into the water.
The kids just love that water.... by the end Matthew was soaked and fully sanded. Ellie didn't really want to be wet!

For All my awesome stampers our catalogs are in! I haven't snaped a pic yet, but they are beautiful! Drop me a line and I can get one to you. Our next stamping event is the 21st.

I finally posted our canada projects to etsy, so check them out

www.toofabulous.etsy.com

Hope your sunday is a blessed start to your week!