Orange and More Orange!

The first picture is my 15 year old Ryan with my 3 year old Grandwonder, Grace! The little "orange" haired girl is the daughter of a friend. I love the many shades of orange, which is great because years ago, the only orange I ever really noticed, and hated, was the stark orange of Halloween that was alwys matched with black. Today, I see gorgeous orange everywhere!

Antiques on the Square

In this little mile high town where I live an event takes place at the Couthouse Square. I brought my trusty camera along because I just knew I'd want pictures of some of the FABulous items I would see! Thankfully, the weather was perfect; no June gloom here! It was about 75o, sunny with a fre pretty puffy clouds, and just a hint of a breeze. Beautiful day!

Little Flowers, Big Storm Clouds

I'm sure glad that God knows what He's doing! Sometimes I wish I had alot more control over what happens in life. That seems to be a pretty normal thought for alot of moms and wives. I would not be living here in this rundown little house, that's for sure! However, I am thankful that I do have a little house and that I have my family and friends. The pain in my life has not crippled me. I am like the flowers in the vase; kept alive in water in a clear vase that people can see through. (For the most part!) My constant fear is that I will be overtaken by a huge storm and my life in the vase will be obliterated. If that ever happens, remember. God is in control.

Yesterday was so beautiful,,,,,

What made the day beautiful is that Tara, Josiah, Grace and Autumn came. It was great to spend time with them; laughing, talking, eating, children napping, Tara and I shopping while P.Pa was in charge of being on guard! Later, after they left to make the 1 hour drive home, Rich and I drove to a couple different locations so that I could capture an incoming storm with my camera. It was so exciting to be out there shooting until the first snowflakes fell! I quickly hopped into the car and declared I was ready to go home. It was FREEZING up on the hill! The pictures were well worth the discomfort of the temperatures, breeze, etc. I felt so blessed and so protected. God is awesome in what He reveals to us and when. A storm is powerful and is to be respected. It is ominous and dangerous. Yet it provides good things for the land. In my life, a storm can cause me to huddle in fear, curling into a fetal position, spiritualy and physical disabling me. God's wisdom, power and love provides the cushioning and protection that I so need in everyday life. He allows me to hurt but not be destroyed. He helps me to forgive...and to love those who caused the pain. He helps me to let go of my fear of being hurt again. His love and forgiveness is everlasting. I thank Him!

Nitpicking My Brain

I am living in a Benadryl induced fog. The Spring winds have been blowing, the warm sun has been shining and the Juniper trees (my enemy) are bursting heartily with pollen. The fine dust like pollen is absolutely everywhere, making my life miserable! I envision myself with a bubble type of head covering. The puny little white masks at the hardware store don't do a bit of good. Oh well. My season of suffering will be over soon and I will kick into gear, plant my garden, attempt to pretty up the yard...There's so much to do here!

Yesterday was a fabulous day because Jonathan, Tara, Josiah, Grace and Autumn came. They are like sunshine to me! It'll be so wonderful when they move closer to where we live and we'll see them more often. Oh, thank the Lord God for providing a new job for Jonathan!

Tomorrow, Brianne and Ryan return home from their Skid Row mission trip in L.A. I will be so relieved to have them home! My prayer was for them to be safe and that they'd have a life - changing experience without any life - threatening experiences!!!

Maybe this next week will be one in which I will feel a revival in my desire to do what it takes to lose weight! I wanted to be 7 pounds lighter for my birthday on Thursday! Oh, what flighty illusions my mind comes up with! At least I haven't gone all out and eaten everything in sight! No, just a portion! Some items in this house should be under lock and key! Lord, help me!

Blue

I just happen to take alot of pictures with blue in them. Now, I will try another color scheme!

Gearing Up for The New Year

Before I knew it, 2008 zipped on by! So many events, so much life! I feel like I am falling behind and trying to hurry up and catch up! I need to lose weight. Still! So, I go to the Health Club and do a workout and then I come home and eat! I eat trail mix loaded with M&Ms. Why?? Because I crave the feeling that chocolate feeds my brain. Ridiculous. I do believe that someday, hopefully a few months from now, I will be fit and thinner! There IS something to look forward to!!! Maybe not a wedding or a trip or anything "big". The SOMETHING might just be looking and feeling so much better and buying new clothes that fit great and are a smaller size. Do I dare post pictures of myself in flesh exposing clothes? Hmmm. No, not yet!