Blooper

Please forgive the untimeliness of my last post.  

As one ill informed blogger, I guess I need to be better about keeping up with world news.  I'll admit, I gave up on the news years ago.  For me, knowing the details only confirmed the fact that there isn't a whole lot of good to be gleaned in the news.  I'd rather not know, truthfully.  And not knowing has helped me focus my energy on better things than worry.   

Which would also explain my ignorance.  

Still, I did not intend to gloat, especially in light of the most recent hurricane and the destruction it caused.  

The point..... "Ignorance isn't always bliss".

Ecclesiastes 11:7

"Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun."

So true!  I can now attest to the mood altering effects and health benefits that daily sunshine affords.  

About four weeks ago we had our first (and only) rain here..... it lasted all of 20 minutes.   At first I thought I was hallucinating ..... the drizzles were so insignificant that I hadn't noticed it was raining.  I watched as tiny sprinkles landed in the pool, and thought to myself, "That's it?"!

My, how the tide turns.  Oddly enough, sometimes we find ourselves wishing (don't hate me, now) for a cloudy day.  As the season changes, the past two days we've awoken to dense coastal fog, which makes for a challenging beginning because the desire to stay in bed, as Bill put it, is like forbidden fruit.  But, not long in to the morning, the cool misty fog gradually gives way to blue skies and sunshine........ again!  A mix of blessings!   

Dr. Les

Zach won the "first injury" award last month with a trip to the ER for a small gash of the elbow. Yep, you guessed it..... motocross!  As I was making my selection for a picture to post, it was requested that the wound itself be highlighted.  As the blogger, I opted to save my readers from the gore.  You get the idea.  What is it with men and battle scars?  Here, Dr. Les saves us time and money as he removes the stitches.  I love the look on both of their faces!  Thanks Les!!

Love at First Site

Uh oh!! 

This girl is on a mission to learn all about the equestrian world.  

Our wonderful neighbor and friend, Jerry is teaching her the basics. 

 

It was fun to prepare Hannah for a ride.  Brushing her hair was only one of the highlights.

 No fear here as she cleans Hannah's shoes. 

  

I wasn't sure she'd ever leave.  Fortunately Jerry invited her to come often!  

Halle later told me that she felt controlled by the horse.  

In time, and with experience, she will give orders to these large animals.  

Better than her brothers, I guess!

On Distance.....

Time flies.  It's the old adage.  And it's true.

My inspiring Mother-in-law, Inge just left us.  It was a wonderful three week visit, full of deep conversations, plenty of laughs (and tears), and lots of R & R.  She needed that.  Cancer is a nasty distraction, and her mission was to put it off while she vacationed here with us.  I believe she succeeded.

In just three weeks I've learned some amazing things.  Things that I more than likely didn't appreciate when they were right at my front door:  

#1.  In the challenges, there is still fun to be had.  That's one of the many things Mom is so good at.  Despite life's curve balls, she continues to live it to the fullest.  Even in pain, even in sadness, even in cancer.

#2.  Remember..... the glass is always half full.  Take every bit of good and run with it.  Don't focus on the "not so good"...... doing so has the power to make the good things disappear.

#3.  It's easier to love well when you get your "self" out of the way.

What I now know about geographical distance is this...... while it has the potential to separate, is has the truly greater potential to strengthen.

Thanks for your example, Mom.  We love & appreciate you!! 

"E"

He's so funny.

Witty, and quick at it too!  

He makes us laugh, and that makes life fun!

That's our Ethan!!  

Oh..... and did I mention he wants a phone?  

Seems you're really out of the loop in 6th grade without one.  

What a funny guy!!

Choices

A day started with the Lord verses not.  

Both options with the exact same content, 

yet radically different outcomes.  

If only we might chose to make the time.  

He is faithful to be found.

The quality of any given day therein lies.