Photos and a Guest Post

Valentine's Day, my first time babysitting Ezie, and being with people I love. It's been an amazing week. 

Top left: Sneaking one in. Top Right: What a pair. They're amazed by each other.
Bottom left: My Diva's...much love.   Bottom right: Her Valentine's gift for him.

Monday, 2/20/12 ~ 


I'll be guest posting over at Sisters in Bloom. I'll have a lead in post from here. I'm so excited. 


Guys, please don't hesitate to head on over and read in. I fess up on a time I messed up with David. But, ah grace. 


With You in Mind ~ 


Have a blessed weekend and may it be filled with whatever you're needing in rest, fun, adventure, or __________(you fill in that blank). 


As always make time for unwrapping little joys and discovering small wonders He's gifted to us. Then go ahead and linger in them.

Week in Photos ~ BFF's and Sunset

I'm so happy to take a break in my day and have time to share a quick peek into our lives. It's been awhile since our last week in photos. We've been "lingering" which has made for letting go of a few things in our schedules. We may not be able to every week, but as we're able I will be happy to share a few moments in our week.


My fave photo this week ~ BFF's on a sunset walk. We stopped to rest and saw that golden gift in the sky. I just had to capture the calm warmth it brought. Smiles all the way home.


Have a wonderful weekend. May you find time to linger in who and what fills you up.

Week In Photos ~ Slowing Down

The past two weeks David has taken up his Christmas gift and has been making memories with his new camera. I keep forgetting to upload the photos he's taken for me. Anybody else do that too? So for this week, I want to share two that stand out and make me smile such a huge smile that my heart overflows. 

God bless You all and have an amazing weekend. 

Seek out time for refreshing and find little joys to fuel your road ahead.

He notices us now. He watches what we do and listens when we talk.


Take notice, watch, and listen.
You might be surprised by a few small wonders.

I love watching David capture memories.
His expression as he takes it in and then "clicks".


This weekend, truly see and take in what and who is around you. 
Linger in it all.
Let it and them fill your heart.

Encouragement:

The everyday can be so chaotic, at times painful, and almost seem "not worth it".
The everyday is also filled with so much goodness for us to receive. 
Remember to look up and let Him open you to the little joys and small wonders He surrounds you with - His gifts to you and me.

Soul Refreshment: 

Genesis 13:14 ~ "Open your eyes, look around. Look north, south, east, and west.

Colossians 3:1 ~ 

Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Share any thoughts you like in the comments and thank you for spending time with me today.

If you've quietly slipped in, remember you are always welcome here. 

Our Week In Photos ~ Merry Christmas Everyone

A quick note for you: We'll be on holiday until January 9th! Pausing, refreshing, and family.

Although away from our blog home, we will be on facebook here and here, randomly. Do come and visit us there for our little happenings.

On our hearts today...

It may be a wonderful time of year or a difficult time of year for you. Our little family is in both places. 

We have been on amazing adventures. We have had enormous challenges to face. Right now as I write to you, we are both grateful and interceding. We are excited for all God is doing and exhausted in the midst of the battle. 

No matter where we are, the ones who are stronger lift the ones who are weak. It's a continuous cycle of love. 

No matter what we're going through, the dreams still come true and the healing still progresses. God continues to breathe grace on us strengthening us to look for the little joys...discover the small wonders. His constant reminder is to pause and slow.

A wonderful woman's insightful words to me..."God's is saying for you to follow the joy, Jeri. Just follow the joy."

And so we embark on the adventurous journey of trusting God --


believing His best is for us
trusting His promises are true
knowing He desires to give us every good thing...even in the battle
walking beside His still waters, together
resting in His lush green pastures, together.


Our little family we'll be better than okay. We have the highest connection possible...Jesus.


You all, are our blessings too. If we had your photos, we'd have a collage of all of you too. We have you in our hearts. The words you've shared were not wasted. Your quiet visits lift us. Thank You.


Merry Christmas to you all. Our prayer is, "Lord, your grace in every area of our lives...healing, relationships, connections, and the everyday. Amen."

It's very difficult, but we know that...

{With His help} we'll find the little joys and discover the small wonders 

in our everyday

in each other

and all around us...

to get us through.

Soul Refreshment:

Romans 12:1 ~ 

God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Our Week In Photos ~ How We Connect

And now we head into our time off-the-grid, but first...


How We Connect

There are so many ways we connect with each other. Lisa-Jo has prompted our 5 minutes of unedited writing with a word close to my heart -- connected. 


Friends - coffee time, phone calls, emails. 
Neighbors - hellos, friendly waves, quick catching up at the mailbox. 
Family -  they are most dear to me. My highest priority next to God. I crave time with them in any way shape or form...


Connecting with Mele and Ezie


So, you can only imagine that after 9 days of not seeing them (when we usually see each other all the time) I was ecstatic to see...

I had to hug her and then hug him and then...well, just so excited!


She's always thinking of us and making sure we have time with Ezie. Shilo and I had been under the weather so the visits were postponed. Of course, Shadow was excited and beside himself. 


Ezie is getting so big and at the stage of recognizing, reaching, and grabbing. Mele's informed me that he laughs now! What a great holidays it's going to be with a baby laughing in the house.

Soul Refreshment

Jeremiah 30:19 ~ 

Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows; 

                                 laughter will spill through the doors.

Connecting with David and plans for connecting with the kids


David and I have been connecting over decorations this year. We're excited to have Mele and Ezie in our lives and wanna be as festive as we can. The boys will see familiar and new. It's all coming together nicely. The message of Jesus all over the house now.

Connecting here and there

A new of connecting for me is through facebook, twitter, other social networks, and linking up together at other blog homes. 


Connecting here with all of you.

Today, these words here are inspired by Lisa-Jo's 5-Minuted Friday prompt where I'll be connecting in link-up. 

I close with these photos for camera phone Friday link-up and connecting with Dawn over at her place.

A time of lunch, play, rest, getting out and coming home to decorations. 

It keeps getting better.

1-2) Lunch with David 3) David measuring to hang decor 4) Testing lights 5-7) Snuggle, play, and nap with Shadow 8) Couldn't believe I found this at the discount book store. 9-12) Outdoor lights/decor almost done. 13) Reid checking it all out before he leaves 14) David & Shadow hanging on the porch amongst the lights 15) lighting the nativity candles 16) Our Santa band - now a least 13 years old.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 

I pray - 

blessings on you in finding rest, 

recognizing little joys in each day, 

discovering small wonders in the people who surround you, 

and that you live life fully.


Do you have a favorite way of connecting? Hang out for a little while and share about it.


If you've quietly slipped in, we want you to know we're so glad you came by today.

Connect at Lisa Jo's place

Connect at Dawn's place

Color: Our Week In Photos

Here's wishing you a wonderful weekend with hopes of rest, little joys, and small wonders. We hope you enjoy our week in photos. There are a few November camera phone pics at the end as we took the Thanksgiving holiday off. 

Thank you for being here. See you next week.

And if you've silently slipped in just to read, we want you to know we truly appreciate your quiet company.

Here we go....

Colors have a way of changing moods. The way it brightens my day or feeds my soul rest. Fall colors and deep winter colors are my eye candy. 

 How certain shades inspire creativity

How about the colors of baking...mmm

Some colors give you permission to relax and just be

There are even colors that feed the soul

How is it that colors can even encourage play?

Colors of the heart as he tries to surprise and decorate

  Those colors that reflect you and memories of the season

What are the colors that reflect you, your soul, the season your heart is in?

I've linked up with Lisa-Jo

for 5 minutes of unedited writing

Today's topic: Color

And for camera phone fun with Dawn....

We did a lot of hangin' out after Thanksgiving:

1) David & I waiting for our massages - Thank You Reid
2) First Holiday photo of the season
3) Matching cups at breakfast
4) Having fun with fashion

Who doesn't love good food? ;-)

1) Breakfast before decorating
2) latte and granola mix with almond butter
3) I love the foam
4) Mele's scone recipe - we made mini's
and of course it's vegan!

Do I Rest or Push Through?

Today, my 5-Minute Friday post and our Week in Photos are combined. Have a wonderful, fun, and restful weekend all. Praying we all discover more of His love for us each day.


Let's start with 5-Minute Friday ~


Our session this morning was amazing! After we hung, up I felt so refreshed in all the revelation. 


She taught me to know the difference between the times when I need to push through or times when I am exhausted and need to rest. 


Need to Push Through: 
I know I can push through when there is still creativity flowing. If I were to be distracted in any way, I can still be refocused. Here, my joy is still intact. The task can be accomplished, and the goal can be achieved. 


Need to Rest: 
If I find myself drawing blanks, forgetting too often, or jumping all over the place then it’s time to slow flow. I need to walk away from it all and take time to breathe or even nap if need be. 

I head into my weekend off the grid in obedience to the choice that leads me to joy.

Are you at a place where you “need to push through” or do you “need to rest”? 

Photos from our time off last week:

Took time for each other over the holiday

Got lots of rest and did relaxing things

Happy Raiders Fans - watched the game with him.

{Gratitude} ~ The Week Off

Seems I get to have the week off. Yaaaay!

Mostly for catching up on personal stuff and for organizing toward creating.  I'm so thankful for that. This will be our post for the week. I've also included links for today's Photo Blog collages if you'd like to check those out (at bottom of post). We're still in the process of figuring out wether to merge the blogs.

I'm so glad David snuck some photos of me getting our home office set up. It's actually our dining area, but it'll double. Small spaces are very doable. 

Renovating, decluttering, and beautifying one room at a time...for creating.

Have you ever found that time off to balance out "catching up" and "resting", seems to free your creativity? 

It can be creating of any kind. Maybe you bake or sew. You could be a homeschooling parent. Do you like working on cars, renovating, building, gardening, writing? You see where I'm going. 

How you create is unique to you. I'm so thankful for how we each do this in our own way. I love to visit your pages on facebook, your blogs, or your websites and see how you "create" in your everyday. I'm filled as I see you fashion your lives. It's amazing and beautiful.

This week, take time for you. It doesn't have to be a whole week. It can range from a few minutes of breathing, relaxing your whole body, praying gently, giving thanks for the "small"...That's all it takes to get your mind freed to create.

God Bless You all and Happy Thanksgiving. I can't wait to come back on Monday and check out what I've missed.

If you do comment here, please feel free to leave the address link to anything you'd like to share with me. 

Soul Refreshment: God speaking to his people then, invites us to find rest today...

Isaiah 41:1 ~ Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. Listen!

Sit down and rest, everyone. Recover your strength.

Gather around me. Say what's on your heart.

Together let's decide what's right.

Unwrapping in Photo Collages: Click on the link you want to visit and feel free to look around while you're there.

September Living

October Life

November's update

*November's life-words are being dedicated to gratitude and dwelling. 

Every Monday in November we're just plain writing! Click here to join in.

Words of Thanksgiving are a plenty over at Bonnie's place. 

Head on over to the Jam.

{Gratitude} ~ Week in Photos

Here's a glimpse of a few things that took me to His presence in Gratitude.

The hiking photos were on my mind because I looooove hiking. But, they are from October...lol. 

1- (lg photo)Shadow after stitches removed 2- He kept wanting to snuggle 3- My fave fall mug. She only comes out in the fall 4- front porch office 5- My grease monkey (fixing my jeep) 6- Okinawa care pkg surprise from a beautiful lady 7- Last hike before rain 8- fallen tree on hike

Linked up with Dawn of My Home Sweet Home

Week in Photos - Family

Dwell...in the company of family and friends who lift you up. Dwell...in gratitude of the everyday moments.

Dwell...even on the little things that bring you joy. It's alright ;-)

May your weekend be blessed with slow flow in His grace...with His help.

*November's Life words are being dedicated to...
Dwelling and Gratitude.

Camera Phone Friday - Fall

I'm so glad Dawn put together Camera Phone Friday. I can't always take my regular camera with me and feel bummed I can't catch that "great" photo.

Using my phone reminds me it's not about the camera, but of capturing what gets me to pause and breathe in the given moment. Mindfulness...ah, yes.

Feel free to join in at her site. As always you're welcome to share your own feedback on what gets you to pause.

"On the walk" below was clicked by David. 

I hope to collect camera phone photos from the family to include each week. 

Let's see how that goes.

for Camera Phone Friday with Dawn using PicPlz.

Dawn suggested it to me since I don't have iPhone/Instagram. Thank You Dawn.

Android market has the the PicPlz app for free download.

*November's life words are dedicated to gratitude and dwelling.

{Dwell} :: Unwrap, Discover, Dream and Give Thanks

Dwelling...


I'll be taking the weekends off from social networking to make room for quieter living. I like to call it slow-flow. After 31 days of writing, it's gonna be hard to do. I had so much fun!


This is the perfect month for slowing down. During November, I'll be mindfully unwrapping the small wonders I discover. You're invited to come along and share too. I can't wait to see what God blesses us all with.


That said, the weekends be for photos while I slow-flow. Photos of what God gifted me with throughout the week. It may be one photo or a whole mosaic. Maybe even two! I also hope to link up with Dawn for Camera Phone Fridays.


The weekends will be for celebrating God's unwrapped discoveries that fuel my everyday dreams. I can only pause, breathe and give thanks for them all. I know I'll enjoy sharing them with you. I hope you'll enjoy the weekly peek into our lives.

1) Shadow & Ezie 2) David in the quiet before... 3) Renovations 4) Ezie's fall before he tries again

5) Shadow's playfulness 6) Morning walks 7) Writing life words 8) Family meal together

For Camera Phone Friday with Dawn

1) Coffee while we wait. 2) Errands together 3) The pretzel is back for fall.

4) Found this magazine at Walmart. 5) Free Starbucks 6) Chrismas being promoted already?!

Soul Refreshment: excerpt from Revitalize Your Spiritual Life

"God's dream for our lives has nothing to do with our performance. 

     It has everything to do with our hearts....

When we have come to the end of ourselves, 

    God is waiting to give us a new dream." ~ Sheila Walsh 

*I'm dedicating November's life words to gratitude and dwelling.