'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day 2 {2011}

I'm joining a wonderful community of bloggers, celebrating the Advent season and simply writing!




Tuesday's prompt:
‘Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel’


*******


Brightly shone the moon that night
They stood locked in their embrace
He had to go away again
And tears streamed down her face

Goodbyes were never easy
Especially this time of year
He had a duty to his country
Standing strong she would not fear

She and the kids would miss him
Christmas might not be the same
They'll focus on their Saviors birth
And seeing him again

Wishing to reassure him
She whispered in his ear

"Jesus will protect you
Of that I am quite sure
And if His plans differ from ours
I'll see at the end of this earthly tour"


*******


To all of our dedicated men and women serving this great nation, I thank you. If you're away from your loved ones then I pray our Lord will give you the strength to hold on to His hope and know His love will see you home. God bless you and your families.

The Sunday Creative: Solace

Seeking peace

Purpose

Finding a greater Love

Music dances, filling the air

Worship and Praise

Lost in a moment

Joy regained

Breathing in Life

Sharing a passion

Seeking solace

Finding Him

'Twas the Write Before Christmas: Day Seven

Day Seven Prompt:

“The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.” – Robert Altinger


Photo credit: Phil Dowsing




Lost and alone
Doubt and guilt clouding every decision
Energy lacking
Depression
Darkness
So much darkness
Darkness in my head
My heart
Sadness looming
Hopeless
Scared
A prayer
A flicker of light
A flicker of hope
Searching for joy
Hearing the laughter
Smiling again
Laughing
Loving
A flicker of Light

The Sunday Creative: Frozen

Coldness descends

Chilling the heart

A bitter tongue

Anger

Betrayal

Happiness defiled

Joy waning

A world devoid of spirit

Hope vanished

Words lost in a jumbled mind

Searching for the Light

Misdirection and avoidance

the devils game

Descriptions vanished

Creativity stifled

Frozen in time

*****

My apologies for being away so long. Contrary to my poetry, life has been good, busy, but quite joyful. My girls have been keeping me busy and we've been enjoying this Advent season. We've been preparing for His coming in some of the more conventional ways {B got to tell Santa, today, that she wanted a pillow pet} and the less conventional ways {evening family prayer time and scripture reading}, it has truly been filling my soul.

I understand what it means, my cup runneth over.

I also wanted to say thank you to my sister by birth, Jenni, and my sister in Christ, Hyacynth. You both said {wrote} just what I needed to hear {read} and get me back to writing. I love you both dearly.

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!

The Sunday Creative: Orient {or Reorient as it were}

Thank you Madeline, this was especially challenging and fun.





Walking down a path
Staring at my feet

Seeing the sky reflected in the ground
A mirror

Feeling much like Alice
Can I simply step through

Walking upside down
Life is feeling lighter

Still on the path
But is it truly the same

Step by step
Wondering and wandering

Which side is real
This path or the other

Is this reality
Still upside down

Although lighter
I see happiness on the other side

No happiness here
No sadness, no joy

Can I simply step back
Like M.C. Escher stairs

Reoriented
Right side up
Right side up

The Sunday Creative: Raw

Better late than never.




Tear stained cheeks
Red, burning eyes
Pink nose, face flushed

Exhausting tears
Holding nothing back
Pleas to the Lord

More time needed
Strength, healing
So much healing

Emotions raw

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Eleven (Hush)

The crying
The tears
The sleepless nights

Is this the way it's supposed to be

My head is ringing
She wont stop crying

What am I doing wrong

Holding her
Caressing her head

Shhhh
Shhhh

Back and forth we rock, standing
I don't dare sit

Shhhh
Shhhh

How long can I do this
How long can she cry

Shhhh
Shhhh

Gently stroking her cheeks
Tracing her features

Shhhh
Shhhh

Rocking, rocking still
Staring at her sad eyes

Shhhh
Shhhh

Have I done something wrong
Is there more I can do

Shhhh
Shhhh

I'm so tired
She closes her eyes

Shhhh
Shhhh

She sleeps
Finally

Shhhh
Shhhh

She's so beautiful
She's mine!


****

Today's word prompt was "Hush." I had no idea simply reading it would conjure such a powerful memory. A memory filled with so many tears, so much doubt, but then peace, and love. It became a moment where I truly realized God had given me such a precious gift. I knew there would be more tears to come in our life together but He gave me peace, he gave me her!

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Nine (Melancholy "Drizzle")

Sadness steeps
Forlorn weeps
Where is my love

Lost in the greys
Deepening haze
Where is my love

Wretched water
Staining face
Oh my love

Solitary wrong
Subservient song
Gone is my love

Deserted once more
Neglected chore
Gone is my love

Dejected alone
Tomorrow unknown
Goodbye my love

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Eight (Ornament)

What is beauty?
The braiding of hair
Wearing gold jewelry
Fine clothing

Beauty is vain

Imperishable beauty
Is a gentle and quiet spirit

Dressed with strength
Dignity
Respectful and pure
Honoring her husband
Her children call her blessed

A woman who LOVES the Lord
Praise

(1Pet 3:3-4, Prov 31)

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Seven (Fly)

Arms out
Eyes closed

She leans forward
Falls out the window

Wind rushes past her
Pulling back her hair

She opens her eyes
Ground fast approaching

She extends her arms out from her side
Lifts her head

She soars
Over the ocean of wheat

Her toes lick the surface
Cutting a wake behind her

A bridge stands disconnected
A perfect perch

She stands
Watching the gold dance in the wind

Creativity Boot Camp: Day Three (Multi-layered)

Daughter
Sister
Wife
Mother
Friend
Child of God

Precious
Confidant
Companion
Protector
Supporter
Beloved

She has many titles
Goes by many names
He may have made him first
But He loves her just the same

*****

I must admit when I first read today's random word prompt the first thing that came to my head was Shrek telling Donkey that Ogres are like onions!

Creativity Boot Camp: Day One (Ivory)

One of my goals with Creativity Book Camp is to actually make the time, everyday, to write. As I search for my inspiration I don't know if it will come as poetry or rambling essays. But I will share with you, I will write, I will make the time!


Beautiful pages
Crisp and neat
Words of love from the One who made me
Elegant words of Truth
Wisdom and Knowledge
Beauty abound

My Journey: My writing

I was once told people write the way they speak, to which I emphatically disagreed saying I wrote much more eloquently than I spoke.

That was 5 years ago.

I've looked on some of my past blogs and I have, indeed, been writing as I speak. Using slang and improper English, some of my ramblings truly rambled. This afternoon in the shower I pondered on the past few years and what has changed... EVERYTHING!

5 years ago I was writing as an outlet for my depression. Coping with island fever in a job I hated, my husband deployed, I needed something. My rambles were much less rambling and more essay like. I wrote a lot of poetry, which I actually miss writing.

Over the years I've written less and lost a bit of my eloquence. I've taken time out to transfer, have children, live the crazy life of a stay-at-home mom. Until recently my darling children haven't afforded me the opportunity to get my thoughts out as I'd like. Little Bit is finally getting to the age where I don't have to watch her every moment. But with yet another transfer looming I don't know if I'm going to be able to devote myself to writing as I'd like.

I was thrilled when the blogging revolution took off, I saw it as a chance to get my thoughts "out there." I've wanted to be an author for some time but haven't compiled enough to submit anything. I enjoy writing short stories, children's stories (I have an entire series in my head waiting to be released), and of course, poetry. Haiku's! I love the simplicity and imagery, I'm sure it doesn't help that the first poetry contest I won was for a Haiku.



**A bit off topic but this came to me earlier**

Tear glistening down
An awaiting daughter's cheek
Father, I love you

I'm praying for you Friend!

Adventure: Gardening

Josh and I are starting out on a new adventure...
Gardening!

We went to Home Depot and bought two Topsey Turvys, one for his peppers and one for tomatoes and herbs. We also bought an indoor herb garden. This evening we planted all the little seeds in what will be their home for the next couple months until they're mature enough and it's warm enough to move them outside. So now our kitchen is serving duel duty as a kitchen and as a green house.

Josh is so excited! He's even started a blog dedicated to his new gardening adventure. I think this is his first time gardening. Although he has helped me weed flowerbeds. I don't know that I've ever grown food but I've done plants and flowers. I'm interested to see the differences.

Should be exciting...

Tiny life awaits
Snuggled in the warm darkness
Wanting to emerge

Quick Update

I've been wanting to blog since Saturday. It was a great day! I got my hair cut in the morning (I love it). When I got home, B told me I looked like Aunt Jenni. This is the BEST compliment I could receive.
I then got to spend the afternoon and evening visiting with old friends. It's only been three years since I've seen Frances. How funny I think "only." I think it had been four years or so since Josh had seen Jef and Frances. My how times have changed. When last we were all together... well, times have really changed. One of the coolest things, other than us all being parents now, is that we're all non-smokers now!

Sunday was great too. Josh surprised me and decided to go to church with me.

I know I have more to write but my thoughts have escaped me. I'm tired and I think I'll turn in and read for a bit. I have a few chapters of Revelation to catch up on.


Warm blankets hugging
Soft pillow gently comforts
Welcome the slumber

Another vent, happier ending

So yesterday I felt disconnected and cranky, today I had a chance to reconnect and got to deal with Cranky!

6:30 in the morning she's throwing a tantrum! Is there something in the air? I had planned on calling a couple people today to see if they wanted to come over for a play date then B happened. She snatched a toy from her sister, so I took it away, she demanded the toy back from me then talked back to her father...Upstairs she went and that's where she stayed, until she made herself sick, yelled down that she was calmed down and would like to be sick in the downstairs bathroom... okay.

Nothing like a 3 year old acting as if the world should revolve around them to help you to understand the world doesn't revolve around you either.

Anna called and invited me to coffee, so Paige and I went to meet her and Grace (thank you Josh for keeping B).

On the way I observed quite a few people lost in their own worlds paying no attention to what was going on around them. A train was blocking the road so quite a few people were turning around heading the other direction. No big deal normally, but some of these people were making U-turns in the middle of the road no where near the backed up traffic. Really?! You can't drive the extra 20 feet to a drive way and turn around there?
I get to the parking lot and it was almost lunch time so there weren't a lot of parking spots. I was getting ready to pull into one when a woman gets out of her car, no big deal, I'm patient for the most part. She then opens her back door and I see a car seat, okay, I totally understand what it's like getting kids out, don't mind waiting. But she doesn't get a kid out, she gets a piece of paper. Then puts the paper on her front seat, all the while chatting on the phone totally oblivious to the fact that someone was waiting to pull in. When she finally closed the doors, she slowly walked through the open parking space. I was annoyed by this point.

But how easily it all fades away when your favorite neighbor kids is waving at you through a window, she was so very excited to see Baby Paige! Anna and I had a great visit, Grace played with Paige, who was in heaven, she does enjoy being the sole recipient of someones attention.

Paige is sleeping, Brenna is having quiet time. Ahhhhh!

Warm sunshine smiling
Longer days and warmer nights
Flowers soon to bloom

Ramble: Disconnected and Cranky!

I'm feeling a bit disconnected again. I go through this every once in a while. Life catches up with us and we don't get to see people as often as we'd like or make the calls that we know would cheer us up.

I feel like I haven't seen my friends in ages even though I saw most of this morning at MOPS. I didn't really visit and it's probably a good thing, I was in a dark mood today and hopefully it didn't rub off on anyone.

The day started off well enough, got up and weighed myself. I'm 4/10 of a pound from reaching my first goal (I set them in increments so I feel I'm achieving something). Feeling motivated from my little weight loss, I knocked out my 4 burpee for the 100 burpee challenge. Woke up Big Bit, got dressed, all was going well until...

The Big Fit!

I should have stuck with my threat of staying home but I really felt I needed to go to MOPS and that if I stayed home with Little Miss Cranky Pants I would have just gotten more annoyed. But I didn't and off we went to MOPS with one cranky kid, one annoyed mom and one very nonchalant child (she had food, she was good). Even at MOPS it continued, when I went to drop off B she didn't want to go in that room. When I got upstairs I was feeling a little better. I had some great conversations but others felt forced, I was trying to listen and pay attention but it just wasn't happening. Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation while someone was talking to someone else right behind you about something totally different?! I felt distracted. I wanted to be cheerful but it just wasn't happening, I wanted to leave early then I had the perfect out, Josh locked himself out, he forgot to grab the garage door remote when he dropped the Jeep off to be repaired. Oh a high note, apparently Paige played for a while in the nursery.

The rest of the day stayed very blah. Josh had a meeting and wasn't able to come home for dinner, Paige took a late afternoon nap so I didn't get to take it with her, which would have been nice today. So all in all, I've had a cranky day, myself.

But back to my disconnection...
I don't know if I'm subconsciencly pushing away some of my friends since I know we'll be moving in 6 or 7 months or if they're pushing me away for the same reason. I've noticed I don't pick up the phone and call as many friends lately but I'm also noticing others aren't calling me either.
(That sounded a lot like a pity party, oh well)

Well, I've rambled on for long enough. I'm off to watch the end of the men's skating, I hope we're able to pull off a gold!

Feeling all alone
The silence is defining
Be with me, oh God

(It's just a poem, I'm feeling more disconnected than alone and I'll probably be fine tomorrow. I just needed to vent)

Make a Difference Monday: A Bride and her Sailor Prince

Overtired cries
She lays in her bed awake
Fighting needed rest


If you turn on my van you'll find KLove playing. I love listening to uplifting music and its comforting knowing I don't have to worry about B hearing something she shouldn't. KLove has "Make a Difference Monday," which challenges listeners to make a positive difference in someone else's day.

We were at lunch with Josh's Grandfather this afternoon when a young bride and her Sailor groom sat behind us. Brenna asked if she was a princess and we told her no, that she was a bride who had just gotten marries. B asked if she married her prince, I said yes!

Well, I thought about this couple as they sat behind me and I kept wondering how I could make a difference on this, their wedding day, Monday. Since we're not yet in a position to make a difference monetarily I was stuck on how I could make a difference because I felt it in my heart, I was supposed to do something. As we were getting ready to leave, I finally decided to tell the bride what my 3 year old had asked about her marrying her prince.

I don't know if it made a difference in her day (I think her mom liked it though) but it sure made a difference in mine.

(Needless to say this was supposed to be posted on Monday but I fell asleep before I did, oops)

Haiku

A Haiku a day
Inspiring a calm mind
Awakens the soul

I used to write poetry in high school, maybe earlier. Once I joined the Navy I didn't do much writing at all for a couple years. When I was stationed in Italy I decided to go back to school, it didn't take long to decide I wanted to major in English. I do love writing!
The first English class I took was heavy in poetry and I will freely admit that sonnets and haiku's made me nervous. After writing a few, I now find sonnets less intimidating and very much enjoy writing haiku's! I've even won a poetry contest with one.