Repetition

This place is a sky-lover's dream.

Too many times I stop and stare; 

perhaps that's where all my lost time goes.

It's beautiful, this sky.

Have you heard that from me before?

Sisters......

Growing up without a sister wasn't something I ever thought I missed.  

I suppose there were times I longed to have that connection, 

but I didn't dwell on what I did not have.

I also didn't know then what having a sister meant.  

I have since inherited several sisters by marriage, and my life is so

 much richer because of the love and blessing of each of them.   

Kisses & hugs to all my wonderful sisters XOXOXO!

So grateful for each of you!!

Optimism, Naivete or Grace

The ability to see good in all people.

I do..... usually.  

Sometimes to a fault.  

Where is the balance between believing someone has it in them, and missing what's real?

Well, there it is.... we are not privy to the private thoughts of others.  

That's a good thing.  I, for one, am thankful that the secrets of my soul are not public information.  

But there is One who knows me that way.  And despite what He knows about me, His love for me is unending.  

I want to follow that example, despite what I may perceive or the truth I may know about others, and.... what I don't.  

Grace.  

It's what He has done for me.   

Writer's Cramp

There haven't been many earth shattering blog thoughts here lately, I know.  And for that, I am sorry.

I realized just now, that perhaps it's because I haven't had much time to think.  

While last week was filled with many small accomplishments, my brain was left with little "storm" capacity.  

I did start (and it should be stated - finish, yes!) several projects..... some that had been looming over my head.  And, although the list continues to evolve, I was pleased to have gotten so many things behind me.  

Yet here I am this week, pining over my lack of creative thinking.  

Perhaps no time to do so should put my longing to rest and my mind at ease.  

Sigh.... If only.

Comical

"Attention students..... 

There will be no Friday Flag meeting due to inclement weather."

OK..... it's drizzling!

AND not nearly enough to need an umbrella.

I'm sure those of you who have been experiencing temperatures well 

below freezing would agree..... they don't know Inclement Weather.

The Cats Away.....

While Grandma was working diligently in her office..... 

someone was making a mess of the tub...... and MY, was it fun!!

Ethan

Our boy Ethan turned 12 (yes, twelve!) while we were in Ohio.  

This has made for a lengthy birthday celebration (I know 

some of you who like to drag it out can appreciate this). 

 In fact, the festivities continue on in to the new year... tonight we will 

celebrate all January birthdays with our church life group.  Hurray, Ethan!

We celebrated cousins Ethan 1/7 and Owen 1/14 with a bowling party. 

Mr. Funny guy pretends to be unhappy.  

I'm not buying it from the guy who hasn't stopped smiling since the day he was born. 

A special day is incomplete without a trip to Malley's.....

AND...... 8 Cavs tickets!!  

All the guys had a great time watching Lebron do his thing!!  What an awesome team to call our own, and what a great birthday present!!  Special thanks to Uncle Matt and Aunt Myra for making Ethan's #12 so memorable!

Morning

Waking to the sweet melody of singing birds.  

Sunshine twinkling through dancing drapes.

Sweet sleeping faces snuggled between cozy covers.

Everything is quiet.

No agenda on the calendar. 

Embrace.

Enjoy.

I love the dawn of a new day when it begins this way.

Rockin New Year's Eve

The family rocked the house on New Year's Eve.  

With Guitar Hero, even the most unsuspecting rocker (that would be me) can be a rock star!!

Owen on drums

Zach on electric guitar

and Myra on Bass guitar

Happy 2009!!

No More Sleepless Nights

A sobering thought occurred to me as I was crawling into bed the other night:  "No one comes running with abandon to the safety of our bedroom anymore."  

In fact, I cannot remember the last time I awoke, sandwiched between a small person and a larger one, only to walk one such a small person back to the room for which he/she was intended.  

What is also tough to swallow is that our youngest "safety seeker" isn't really on the smallish side anymore. While she does still enjoy a snuggle on Saturday mornings, the fact remains, for all those times my sleep was interrupted by the panic of pitter pattering feet and the speed at which they carried him/her to me, I miss that little girl and the little brothers before her.

Three of us fell into a late night nap as we awaited the return of basketball players last evening. As I walked Ethan and Halle to their rooms later, each nearly as tall as I, I could not help but wonder what must be in the water here!  At the rate in which they are growing, it appears the only little person (at least in stature) around here will inevitably be me.  

For those of you with small children - awake - in the middle of the night..... take it in.  Sadly, this too shall pass. 

Sam I Am!!

There were lots of laughs during our visit to Ohio and the last 

night at my parents house was no exception.  We played Pictureka 

and Apples to Apples and along with the fun, my nephew Sam and 

I had a little giggle moment together as we took these silly shots.   

Sam, you crack me up!!!!

All in the Same Day

I never cease to marvel at the fact that you can get on a plane and travel in a relatively short amount of time, only to arrive in a completely different world, often all in one day.  This was truly the case last weekend as the kids and I departed Cleveland.  For a time, it seemed we might not actually leave that day due to the major snow fall.  After a late push from the gate, de-icing, faulty equipment, mechanical repair, refueling (which was delayed by the amount of snow blocking the fuel access to the plane), and a second round of de-icing, we finally took off and left Cleveland in her blanket of snow, much to the chagrin of hopeful cousins and their Saturday sledding plans. 

While we would have loved to join them, we were thankful we arrived safely in LA after the 4.5 hour flight, making our time on board the aircraft almost a full day at work - over eight hours on the plane.  In the end, this is what we came home to.  Nothing like the sand and surf to wash all your troubles away.  Hmmm..... I think the wait was worth it!

There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy said it right.  

It's been wonderful.  Being together with loved one's over the holidays in familiar territory.   Visiting friends, and frequent stops, finding our way with ease....... ahhhh.  I am amazed that coming home to Cleveland feels so very natural, like I've not even been away these six months.  

However, I am humored at the loss of sharpness my inner compass is challenged by.  Things are Not Quite familiar as they once were.

As we depart for California, our tanks full of fresh memories and love shared, I find myself longing to return to our new home.  Somehow, another life has found it's way into my heart.  

And so, I ask myself.... Is it possible to feel at home in more than one place?  

I have concluded, that in different ways, the answer is most definitely, yes.