Soaring and Stillness: Life with the Chickadees

" We give thanks not because of how we feel ...but because of Who He is..." -Ann Voskamp This is a week of thanksgiving, in word, in deed, in practice. A week where we pause and count our blessings, give our thanks. A week to remember... strength growth sorrows laughter upheaval  peace joy There is gratitude in the remembrance; allowing ourselves to visit the year with fresh eyes and an open heart, seeing what we may have missed in the hurried of the day. Giving thanks in all things, because His purpose is present even in the shadows. They shape us, define us, allow us to find a strength within that could only come from Him. In the dark, we are hallowed out and space is shaped for Him to come in.  Our invitation, most often, is when we are in the dark places. The thanksgiving? It is a response of gratitude. Of joy. It is an acknowledgement of the One who gives us all good things in His time. His time.  Not ours

Sometimes, the rain and temperature drop combine for a caustic combination on the body.   I tell my chicks that our walk for today is on hold, seeing as one of my ribs doesn't feel much like cooperating with the rest  of the cage.  Sitting up straight is virtually impossible. Deep breaths take work.   UGH . The eldest conspires with the little. They are supposed to be studying for a Latin exam as I lay flat on the  floor, the only position offering relief at this point. A plan has been reached. "You take her arms and I'll grab her legs and we'll both pull, okay?" ... WHAT??? Tiny hands encircle my wrists, stronger ones grasp at my ankles. The dog decides to come and lick my face. I'm trapped .  Protesting quickly turns into belly laughter as they both start pulling in opposite directions.   Round 2, all pulling at once...I grabbed the camera between giggles I'm not in any less discomfort as I type this, but a smile nudges at the corner

When life gives you puddles... Grab a partner in crime Take a leap Hold on tightly Laugh with abandon Rest Make a big splash Empty your boots Begin afresh

; Last week, I missed the Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.  We were travelling to Greenville, SC,  for a dance competition and convention for our grace girl, and I don't have wireless in the vehicle. Today I'm downright exhausted from the travel, the waiting, the stress and three consecutive mornings which began before five a.m., but I desire to write.  I just need a bit of inspiration. So, I'm choosing a grace offered to me in the form of "Unexpected"... Five minutes, no editing, no turning back.  Writing for the joy of it all... Unexpected .   .   .   .   .    Unexpected.  The word which defines six out of the last seven days. Synonymous with  the likes of : unforseen, unlooked-for, surprising, abrupt. The definition of my heart at each new turn and bump and rise in the road. The events of  last week were completely out-of-the-blue. How we dealt with them was even more surprising.  Proud and shocked in equal measure at how the professor bla

"It is never easy to keep reaching for dreams. Strength and  courage can sometimes be lonely friends. But for those who do reach for stars, they walk in stardust." This weekend, we chased dreams with our grace girl.   She reached.  She sparkled. Joy was in her eyes. She soared. Stardust was underfoot.

Her maturity astounds me. How this girl woman at the most unexpected of times shows me how to accept what seems unthinkable and unfair and cruel. Her arms wrap all the way around me, the cap of her hair no longer nestled at my chin but at my high cheekbone. No tears are shed. Her sister, a wisp of a lass, sobs when I break the news. My grace girl?  She envelopes the little in her chest and repeats what I am already murmuring..."I'm so sorry, sweet pea, so sorry...we'll find something else, we'll make it alright... He'll make it work out the way it is supposed to..." I believe it. I believe that there is a bigger plan in place in our lives. I know I am not privy to all of the details. I trust, most times, blindly. I incorporate the trust, the belief, the letting go into my life and consequently theirs. Faith. Not that things are all going to turn out rosy, but that they'll turn out according to His plan. I'm tha

My friend, Sara, lived life loud . Her voice was heard far and wide. She had weight in this world. She was.. . beautiful loved cherished spirit-filled Sara lived  in such a way that she will be carried, in speech and heart, forever by those who followed her blog and walked beside her in life. On Sunday, after an afternoon spent tossing leaves and smiling for the camera, I tuned in to the internet campus of Crosspoint church. I spent some time in worship that was out of this world phenomenal. I had a box of tissues at the ready in case my heart came out through my eyes.  It did Blake spoke of happiness, of joy, and of the difference between the two. It was the same talk we'd had with our girls that very morning. Sigh . He stated it was a choice, this joy choosing. My sentiments exactly The sermon was thought provoking and challenging and incredibly well done. Just like one of my favorite people who no longer treads ground down

Courtesy of the fabulous Abby at Me.Photography A Whirlwind Weekend: Dance practicing Shrub trimming Lazy Susan transplanting Worm playing Mud covering Football yelling Extra sleeping Pew sitting Mercy learning Hair curling Outfit finding Shutter Clicking Look sharing Heart smiling Hand holding Kissing Internet churching Tears falling Memories circling Joy choosing Good nighting Sweet snuggling Whispered praying Eyes shutting .   .   .   . That's what our weekend looked like...What happened in yours?

Today I'm linking up with The Gypsy Mama and trying out her five minute Friday. For five minutes I'll write, unscripted and unedited.  Today's topic? Remember.   Ready, set....Go. REMEMBER I can't remember what it's like to live not feeling every joint I've been given. The joke around the nest is that I still have all of my original parts. Every single one, even when I feel that they need a lube and oil. I'm grateful. The chicks mouths gaped in awe on on an evening not too long ago as I told stories they probably thought they were fairy tales  about... Dancing Playing soccer year round Running miles, long and hard, the breath coming from the deep and the exhilaration filling all parts of me Remembering... ...twirling in shoes pink and soft, feeling beautiful. ...long hours on the field in all weather, on and off for over a decade. ... how it felt when my feet barely touched the soil and I was lost to everything except the thou

"Something about the sunrise  reminds me of your  faithfulness..." -Ten Shekel Shirt I awoke to the dark Lying in silence, thoughts swirled Music filled my head The lyrics a balm to my soul Praising in the darkness Praising from the shadows Praising because I can I should I will Rising and dressing, tiptoeing down the stairs Phone in hand Greeted by this Coincidence? Never. Gratitude? Always. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised."  -Psalm 113:3 Swirling in my brain? Ocean by Ten Shekel Shirt Ocean (Album Version) by Ten Shekel Shirt

This morning I got lost in the remembering... Instead of bustling through my schedule and checking things off the to-do list, I paused and looked over my shoulder Carving with my Dad (I was 12 days short of 5 years) Belle 2004 October 2005 2006 Cinderella and a tired trick-or-treater Fern and my little pumpkin 2007 (yes,  we got mileage out of the pumpkin) First Year in TN  2008 Oct 31, 2009 Disney for Daddy's work conference Glamour Girl and Pebbles October 31, 2010 Little Witch (Professor Petite) 2011 As I was perusing the Halloween shots, I came across this one, taken seven years ago today... November 1, 2004 Seven years ago... My girls were four and the all important half and almost three months ... I thought I'd never sleep again and wondered how I was going to shop for Christmas with two little people. I recall making dinner and thinking  it was strangely quiet...too quiet. I peaked my head ar