Compilation

Some of my favorite pics from the last four weeks.

Home Away From Home

We have a few more weeks ahead as our respite in Ohio flies by.  I thought I'd be doing more of this... thought perhaps I'd have more to say, more to chronicle here.  And I do... but haven't wanted to give it the time it needs, as I am carefully playing a balancing act, trying to manage time well between family and friends.  

It has been good to be here, in so many ways and for many reasons.  Home is love & comfort & rest, the familiar... safety.  I am grateful to have experienced home, which I now know in both places.  That gift has been long in coming.  

I am grateful for time... and good chunks of it... with family, familiar faces and comforting relationships.  A tranquility has come over me.  

I continue to learn many things about life and myself from those dear to me. They are simple things, many that I need reminded of:  Stay in the word.  Life is good and it can be hard at times.  Take them both in stride and be grateful for what a day holds.  Allow yourself to be strengthened by the challenges.  Don't wish to run and hide from them.  Pray for that strength. Embrace the lovely things whole heartedly and give thanks.  And do the same with the not so lovely moments, for in them we grow as we patiently fumble through them.  

This time has been an energy drink of sorts.  A boost for what lies ahead.  

Young Men

While Caleb, Zach, Seth and Ethan have not spent much time together in the last 10 years, I remember the days when these boys created memories I'm not likely to forget.  Like the time Caleb and Zach, at the age of nearly 3, decided to walk themselves to the playground while their mothers changed little brother diapers and lost track of time (and them).  I remember adventures in the woods, muddy creek play, birthday parties and trips to the fire station, and a slew of other great times.  Times when these tall guys ran around as little boys with toy guns and balls and made their mama's smile. 

Lynne and I smiled again as we shared each other's company a few weeks ago. It's never hard to jump right in.  The company of an old friend is always easy, and oh so good.  And as if time has never lapsed... that is, until I look at our children.  It was fun to shoot pics of these towering, once little boys, as we attempted to make our teenagers smile together for old times sake.  And that wasn't easy, considering all the metal in their mouths - all four of them are in braces:)

Some things never change, like old connections and the memories that encircle them.  That's a good thing... especially since the young men in our lives aren't about to stop changing.   

Love you, friend!

39 and Holding

He calls me the cougar.  Yes, I married a younger man.  I am made well aware of just how old I am, it seems, having recently turned 40 in March.  A mere 15 months make me the elder, and while this amuses the not-so-old man in my life, I tease that I am quite sure I am younger, and this based on my sweet William's lack of physical ease as his feet greet the dawn each morning. I may be older in number, but not so much in other ways. 

Recently this husband of mine celebrated a milestone birthday.  You see, next year he will enter the dark side along with me.  I bet the cougar won't seem so old then :)!  

Happy Birthday Babe!!

Taking it in...

Morning.  It's quiet time.  I sit outside peacefully enjoying this... and listen to the sounds as I take in the beauty, joyfully greeting this new day.  A gentle breeze, the smell of fresh air, birds in full chorus, a bunny in search of a fresh blade of grass, horses winny across the valley, a small twin engine plane loops around over head. 

I watch as several hummingbirds dive bomb in an attempt to be the first to sample my fragrant jasmine plant. It's as if they are pretending to be that plane, so close they can almost be touched.  Are they playing or rambling for rights? Perhaps they are the siblings we watched come into life in this little nest just outside our front window.  

They don't live there now... the last and surely most conservative little one finally got up the nerve and flew the coup.  In just three short weeks, what started as two tiny little black beans soon became full grown humming birds.  

I believe this little family of hummers must like it here.  I sure do.   

My Buzz Word

"Growth is often painful and scary. 

There is no growth without change; 

there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. 

We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, 

like a worn out pair of shoes, 

they were at least comfortable and familiar.  

Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new."   

~ Rick Warren

Passage of Time

Lynne calls it her other life...  I get that. 

We did a Christmas winter in Northeast Ohio AND Florida, visiting loved ones and friends.  We skied, went sledding, had dart wars and celebrated birthdays. Our time with family and friends afforded me a rest I did not realize I needed.  I returned to California with fresh renewal.  

Now here it is, time to plan the next trip back to that familiar place.  How quickly the time has gone.  I'm wondering if it's in part because of the stage of life we find ourselves in... busy with teenagers, piano lessons, youth group, basketball,etc. and driving, driving, driving.  Or is it just age... life seems shorter the older I get.  

What makes the speed of time acceptable is that going back comes sooner.  And yet, what a difference 6 months make, especially when thinking of children and how they so quickly change. I'm quite sure that will be obvious to those we love and miss, despite the fact that 6 months seems short and goes fast.  

Can't wait to see you and fill our tanks!