Be Strong, Be Brave, Be You

Our suitcases have been emptied

and most of the laundry has been done.  

Along with going thru our pictures 

in the last 3 days,

I've just about filled this little 40 page notebook

with snatches and snippets 

and feelings and thoughts

about our recent trip to visit my family

for our nephew's graduation.

Such a welcomed companion 

and quiet reminder

during this, the first phase

 of my emotional and spiritual unpacking.

💕

.          *          .

Today's Grace . . .

. . . room for resting, receiving and remembering
in the morning.

💕

. . .  and then time with our littles in the afternoon,

including her, our smallest one.

Blessed Be.

💕

.           *             .

Sweet, Graced Moments

Yesterday's Grace

The Saturday Morning Donut Fairies 

made a surprise visit!

Afternoon Psalter

Music provided by birdsong, 

old wooden porch swing creaks, 

and the west Texas breeze tickling the wind chimes 

(and also face-framing wisps of hair).

Life is a journey 

🌹    .     🕯    .     ❤️

.          *             .

Headed to Graduation!

💙

.          *            .

Circle of Grace

Found another sweet little circle of angel love 

in my sister's bathroom. 

Ahhh, Mama Grace, there you are!

Thank you.

❤️

.         *             .

Morning Grace

There is such pure sweetness 

in being gently stirred awake by morning birdsong 

and the fresh fragrance of dew. 

 My spirit stretches and my whole body eases 

into a tender, welcoming-the-day smile. 

💕

.         *         .

Day 1

We sure enjoyed meeting and playing with this little guy, 

our newest great-nephew.

See?

'Twas a perfect porch swing sitting evening 

and such a lovely end to day 1.

Nightie night, Texas. 

❤️

.           *           .

Prayerful Pause

Warm thoughts for safe journeys 

and traveling mercies welcome. 

💕

.            *            .

Prayer and Preparation

.           *            .

Whispering Prayers and Sending Love

🙏🏻

.          *          .

Noticing Beauty and Love

Perfect evening for a peaceful patio supper, 

all while being looked in on by Love. 

💜

.          *          .

Angels Watching Over Me

Intentionally taking time to be 

while trusting that my angels are watching over me. 

💕

We'll be going to visit my family soon where tensions are high and have been for a good

while now. 

My practice this week is breathing in Grace, Mercy, Hope, and Peace while asking for 

strength and guidance that I may bring love (with boundaries so as not to get pulled under) 

as this family that has been so hurt ~ *gracious,* have we been hurt! ~ continues to find 

our way home to healing...

 and, hopefully, 

given enough time

and patience 

and work

and love....

 to one another. 

(If you feel so inclined, your love, prayers, and warm thoughts would be welcome.)

 💗

.         *         .

The Journey of Present Over Perfect

Reading this afternoon and remembering

that practicing becoming

Present Over Perfect

is a journey.

Amen.

.        *        .

My Story Beads

As an early birthday present to myself, 

I asked my friend to make a set of her story beads for me. 

I have been filled with delight ever since opening them 

and was deeply touched when reading her story about how they came to be. 

Thank you, Deborah, for your gift 

of listening so well and honoring my heart. 

💕

If you'd like to read about this very special offering,
you can go here.

.          *          .

Sabbathing With My New Little Lovely

Isn't she beautiful?

.         *           .

Happy May Birthdays

Heaven is time spent with our littles. 

💕

We had a lovely time celebrating our 

May Birthdays last night. 

❤️. 🎂. 🌺

Happy Birthday, Aimee!!

Today is my first baby sister's birthday! 

She and I are 10 years apart and she's always been such a dear. 

This photo is from our trip back 17 years ago 

for her wedding and she's holding the cross stitch picture

that I made for her. 

Whenever we go back for a visit, she makes every effort 

to be there with us as much as she possibly can 

and brings her three sweet daughters with her. 

This touches my heart so much 

and whenever I thank her, 

she always smiles fondly 

and tells me she wants her girls to know 

and love me, too. 

Blessed be. 

Love you, sister! 

❤️. 🎂. 🌺. 😘

.         *          .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 9 - Looking Up

.          *           .

.          *           .

.          *            .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 8 - Aflame

#manifestingthroughmay

.         *           .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 7 - To My Left . . .

I'm thinking that for my birthday I want 

an "outside Mary" 

of my very own so we've started looking at statuary. 

💙

Smiling because when I first mentioned it to hubby,

he was surprised and said 

"don't you want an "outside angel"?"

Smart guy, that one!

I thought about it for a minute and knew,

"Nope.  I want an "outside Mary."

(This time.  😉)

#manifestingthroughmay

.          *            .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 6 - Tuning In

Tuning in . . . 

     ~ to Peace

   ~ to Love

   ~ to Light

     ~ to Grace

To being right here.

Yes. 

#manifestingthroughmay 

.           *              .

Help has Arrived!

Sallie had some more troubles today.

As hubby was driving she just stopped in the 

middle of a very busy road.

He was able to pull onto a side road

and got her started again.

She seemed to be doing ok, so we did another errand.

After stopping for a lovely supper out,

we got in her and she wouldn't even crank.

Gratefully, we have AAA and called them.

This kind, grandfatherly gentleman arrived

and knew just what to do.

Not long after that we were on our way.

Blessed be.

.          *           .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 5 - Purple

2 Purple Hearts

#manifestingthroughmay

.         *          .

Hope will Find You, Deb

So I picked up a small navy notebook that's been sitting on top of this little stack of books 

for a good while now. Having looked up what I was wondering, and not thinking too much 

about it, I put the notebook down and went on with my afternoon journaling.

Taking a pause to look around between thoughts a few moments later, I was taken by 

surprise to find just the words of comfort that I need during this time of transition and 

struggle with the unknown at work (our company was bought out the first of the year).

Smiling softly as the uncovered message felt like a secret treasure and very well-timed 

gift of Grace. Right here next to me, below my mandala that I named "Sheltered in the 

Cave of the Heart," the two books were offering me their quiet assurance: "Hope will 

find you", Deb. Just remember - "Present over Perfect" and All will be well.

.

Ah, blessed be. 

💕

.          *          .

Manifesting Through May :: Day 3 - Backlit

#manifestingthroughmay

.         *          .

Spring Ballet Recital

All ready for our sweet girls' spring ballet recital! 

💕

They did such a great job! 

💕

See their pretty flowers?

.         *         .