Some Family Sharing

Our granddaughter and grandson posing on school stage, after Ella's kindergarten program..  This photo shot reminds me of those "real people" stagings Norman Rockwell would use to create his paintings from. Ella is 6  and Ezra is almost 3 yrs old. Ezra was so proud to get to stand on the school stage with his sister after the event was over.

Last month, my husband and I

took a quick trip to Pennsylvania and we made it just in time to see our

granddaughter, Ella's kindergarten music program.  She was given a solo to perform and she did a spectacular job!

At first, we were not sure we could make the 9 hour trip in time to be there for her early evening event, until over the phone

 when she asked,

 "grandma, are you still coming 

to hear me sing at my program?"

 Once those sweet, begging words met my ear,

 I and papaw decided that come rain or shine, we would be there.

Her solo was in the song DO RE MI from Sound of Music. We were blown away by how well she sang.  Here is the video her daddy recorded of her singing her solo.  After her solo, we thought it was cute how she really got into the singing with the arm swinging.

Here is a picture of her and papaw at her surprise 

birthday meal after being picked up at school and taken to Olive Garden. 

(she loves Olive Garden! Good taste for a 6 yr. old )

Thanks for letting this grandma boast and share!

Hugs,

1000 Gifts List continued...

321. the anticipation of spending precious time with those you love.

322. the joy of hearing our sweet granddaughter sing 

323. our grandson's funny, cute and clever personality

Dare Not To Think

Been thinking too much lately.  
Have you ever been in that place? 

I am trying to change up that part of me that over thinks things, or at least I'm

trying to be more aware, more intentional about catching myself

and turning the over-thinker off

 and starting the action accelerator  instead.

(this is an art journal page from a post I did last year. See it here)

I think...I mean I think and think..that maybe over thinking is

 a way of procrastinating!

“Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?”  

 …. A. A. Milne  (Winnie the Pooh)

Okay, so as a little test this week, 
when I start to feel myself
wanting to go into the over-thinking mode, 
I am going to allow myself to stay
 there only 15 minutes. 
We shall see how this turns out for me.
I'll let you know.

"Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh

 and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right,

 and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose."

Lance Armstrong       

Have you dealt with over-thinking things 
and putting off beginning?
If so, I would love to hear your story
 and how you deal 
with it now, or how you  have overcome it.
Winnie the Pooh and I want to know! (he he)


♥

After writing this post, I went over to read Bren's blog and saw where

she wrote a post about almost the very same subject of the

 problem with over-thinking and to just stop it!

You can pop over and read it here:

 http://esynergy.blogspot.com/2012/05/just-begin-then-finish.html

1000 Gifts continued....

313.  fresh outside air to breathe

314.  the gift of "choosing" to think or not to think

315.  celebrating 36 years of marriage to my hubby

316.  for our youngest daughter's engagement to her     special guy

317.  beautiful and free flying butterflies..

318.  knowing I can trust the Lord as I wait upon Him to answer

319.  road trips with my hubby

320.  Winnie the Pooh and the way he says things!

Number One Secret For Beauty

(enjoying my nature find after my walk...so had to tip toe through the tulips..he he) 

As I get older, even with the aches, pains and wrinkles that come 

with the aging process, I am more persuaded that

the the best beauty secret of all

is this special ingredient:

A JOYFUL SPIRIT


I have found that you cannot just decide
to be joyful...because it must
come from deep inside of
a GRATEFUL and Contented HEART.
And I know it doesn't mean that you are happy
all of the time.  It's much deeper than that.
I've known some wonderful people 
who have gone or are going
through some major trials, and yet
their joyful spirit is the first thing you notice.
It's contagious!


For me, I believe that gratefulness
comes when taking the time to recognize, remember and give thanks to my
 loving Heavenly Father, 
who gave it all for me and who 
continues to love and take 
care of me.
(in spite of all of my failures)
even when 
I don't understand why in the world
I have to go through this pain and trial
of a particular moment in time.
And believe me,
 sometimes it takes me some
 extra days to be grateful during those times.
Sometimes, I have to shed many tears of pain
and cry out the word "WHY" before
I can lay it to rest in the Lord's hands, 
for at least today.
Then tomorrow I may have to give it back
 and rest it
in HIS hands again.
(grinning as I realize God's unconditional love never gives up on us)




“It is His joy that remains in us
 that makes our joy full.” ~ A. B. Simpson




He is always faithful to deliver on his promises.
He never leaves us to go through our trials alone.

He even sends new life,
 like in these pretty spring flowers to
remind us that everything must go through
it's seasons of shedding the old, 
the agony of the long
winter waiting with no blooms in site, 
before the new
growth that is buried can come out with the freedom of
 glorious and joyful beauty!

I love it, when in the middle of a woodsy area
 you find a pop of flowery color.
It's as if God himself planted it in this
exact and surprising little spot
so that it would stand out 
and bring a blessing to a person
he knows will need encouragement for the day.
Just like He plants us!






We will be on our way to Pennsylvania
 in the morning
to have fun taking care 
of our 2 sweet grandchildren, while 
their mommy and daddy are at a retreat.
....then while there,
 we will also be celebrating
 our granddaughter's 6 year birthday!
(I cannot believe she is this old already)
I will certainly be taking pictures and coming 
back to share them with you.


I know this for sure.....I am
so thankful for each of you. Truly, your
friendship helps grow the joy inside 
of my heart.


~thank y♥u...thank y♥u...thank y♥u~
you are so beautiful to me!!


Hugs,