A Realization

Next week, we will have been here for four whole months. Four months doesn't seem long in a life of nearly 34 years, but thinking about my last home in Illinois, four months seems a mini lifetime ago.

I had many struggles and trials this summer; trying to make friends, find a church, unpack, and make a house a home. There were days that I felt isolated from the rest of civilization {especially going from the outer 'burbs of Chicago to Mississippi's Gulf Coast}. I'm still trying to get used to the amount of time it takes to get anywhere.

But alas, we have found a church and have started making friends, and what a difference it makes. Having a place to go, something to look forward to, getting a chance to get to know others makes the time go a bit faster.

While I'm still missing my old church and the wonderful friends I made there, I feel I'm finally beginning to move forward, let go of the past and hope for the future.


Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
{I have this passage on a bracelet I wear daily to remind me, it's His plan, not mine}

The Sunday Creative: Spiral, Oh My Soul!

I know I've been a bit absent and I have a couple blogs planned for some time this week, but after reading today's prompt at The Sunday Creative, I knew I had to write tonight.



Spiral

I'm too tired to pick up tonight
This is the first time I've sat down today
I've been in that kitchen all evening

I'll straighten it up later
I'll do dishes in the morning
The dust isn't going anywhere

Not wanting to clean
Not wanting to cook

So tired
So very tired
Oh, my soul

Excuses, excuses

I can feel myself falling
deeper and deeper into a sea of self pity
depression
despair

If only I could sleep
I would be a better mom with a full night's rest
sleep
no sleep
Oh, my soul

Stress unvented
Worry pent up

Help needed
I know not how

A long week
Oh, my soul

******

Last week, if I sat still long enough, closed my eyes, I could actually feel my little world spiraling further and further away from comfort and control. My husband's one week absence threw me for a loop, I didn't see it coming even though his trip had been planned. I lost my grip and for a few days forgot my normal coping mechanisms. I spent more time praying for his safety and forgot about my own sanity. Thinking praying meant not worrying and discovering I was wrong. I forgot to let go and let God. He told me not to worry, He told me He was in control. I didn't listen.

Oh, my soul!

Blogging for Our Breasts

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I am joining my fellow bloggers in raising awareness. I've joined Army of Women {no it's not just for women, men are encouraged to join as well}, their goal is to recruit one million women to partner with breast cancer researchers and actually participate in the studies {don't get nervous, the research is prevention based, not clinical trials} in hopes to completely eradicate this disease.

And I'm linking up with Bigger Picture Blogs to Write Pink!




Will you join? Will you help us be one million strong?

She's 4!

I interrupt my regular scheduled blogging to catch up on all my September escapades that I have neglected to post. So without further ado, I present my daughter's 4th birthday!

*****

I had decided, even before we moved, B's 4th Birthday was going to be a small family affair. At the time, I had no idea if she'd have a bunch of friends {or not} and to relieve the stress of planning and executing a kids birthday, a family thing was the answer.

Now, I know, above it says "small," but our little house filled with 11 people sleeping here and only one spare bedroom, it didn't feel small. While we may have been short on sleeping locations {sorry, Jen's kids got the floors}, we were not short on laughter, hugs and joy!

The rest of this is best explained through pictures!



The cake was made my Josh and Addy and decorated by Addy and me.





What is it???


Only the best toy EVER! She's been asking for that Cinderella for months!




Pops has great taste and she LOVES her Tiana dress up dress!


More games for her Leapster, thanks Grandma.


And of course, Alice.


I almost forgot!

During the craziness, Yaya {my mom}, snuck in a kitty. Okay, so we knew Yaya was bringing her, but it wasn't until my mom was getting ready to leave that B realized we were keeping her!
This is Cookie!

*****

B wanted to give her daddy Prince Charming for his birthday. She was quite bummed when, for an entire week, he refused to open it.

And they lived happily ever after...

Road Trip! A Weekend in Pictures

On Labor Day, the Clan decided to make the 12 hour drive to Oklahoma to visit my parents. Of course, the 12 hour drive took 14 hours and we had to leave in the middle of the day because, well, we weren't able to leave as early as we would have liked.

But we got on the road and soon were all smiles.




Or not.

There it is.


Our dinner stop was entertaining.




Our fondness for taking pictures seemed to weird out the lady behind us.


After driving all night and arriving at 3:30 AM, we really just wanted to veg a bit before starting the day.



We spent the weekend relaxing and visiting,




Bear was taking relaxing to a whole new level.


Hide and Seek


Utterly Kissable!


Worn Out


B got a hold of the camera on the way home.







For lunch, we stopped at a Chic-fil-A that had a play structure for the kids. The girls had a great time but when it came time to get back on the road, one little munchkin did not want to come down and an extraction party had to be sent out.









It was a GREAT weekend!

Update: Busy Week

It's been a crazy week filled with birthdays, beach days, an overflowing house of people, laughter, delayed flights, prayers, and utter joy!

I have missed writing and am looking forward to sharing the smiles and good times.

Some really great things are being planned in the weeks to come and I'm very happy to be a part of it. Again, I'm looking forward to sharing.

The Sunday Creative: Comfort

My take on "Comfort"


Breathe in
calm
Breathe out
peace
Breathe in
quiet
Breathe out
relaxation

The peacefulness of a quiet and calm home
Thoughts are able to escape, transform onto the page

Breathe in
creativity
Breathe out
art
Breathe in
poetry
Breathe out

MOMMY
MOMMY
MOOOOOOOM

Breathe in
babies
Breathe out

Get tackled with hugs

Breathe in
happiness
Breathe out
laughter
Breathe in
joy
Breathe out

Blessings!