Day 2 of 6 people Away

Had a great day. 

Vacation for 6

This vacation is like none other.  We are 6 total traveling. 

Seasons

There are many seasons that we journey through as we walk this earth.  But the saddest of all is when we have to say goodbye to someone.  Often times it is when we move away or when that person moves but the hard times are when they leave this earth. 

 There comes a joy and a peace when we know they have gone home to be with our Heavenly Father. When we don't know we can become consummed with such grief.  Don't mistake me, I know grief occurs even if.  

Either way saying goodbye to someone who was only 31 is hard.  He lead a hard life but he did bring joy to those lives he touched deep.  My prayer is for those who will be struggling. May God the almighty father pour out His love and peace to you during this time in your life.  And may the church rise up to meet all the needs of those who are suffering.  

Truly Blessed

I know beyond a doubt that I am a blessed individual. I just have to look around and see that. The comfort of my home, the love of my hubby, the health of my children. All these add up to tremendous blessings. But then I find this:  

And my thoughts go to all different kinds of negative places.   Like - what am I a maid, how can a family of 5 plus 1 use this many dishes in less than 12 hours where 8 are spent sleeping?  Thoughts of how I can feel like I am only good for cleaning up after them or giving them money for gas and haircuts and the like. But then God reminds me that it is a blessing to have a sink full of dishes. That we have provisions enough for sustenance  (and then some).  That these dishes that are dirty put smiles on the faces of those who ate the dessert or enjoyed the smoothies or the hot beverages. 

So with a smile on my face as I clean up this mess, where many are sure to follow, I say a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for all that He has bestowed upon me and mine. 

Today may you encounter the blessings in your life. 

Time Spent Well

Had the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with my hubby in San Francisco.  He was there for a conference and I met up with him for an extended weekend.  Here are some highlights from our time there.

Wandering

As opportunity would have it, I am going to be spending several days in Cali with my hubby sans our kiddos.  This is biitersweet for me as I thoroughly enjoy being with my enitre family.  I am dreading the day when one moves out or heads off to college.  I am tremedously grateful that my eldest decided to stay home and attend the local community college.  HIs future plans will be to attend the local 4 year college which will have him staying home then too.  Ahh.  He is in a very serious relationship with a young woman I adore.  She is truly the daughter of my heart.  They are talking marriage already so I know the time is coming too quickly.  All I know is that that day will be hard.  

For now as I am without my children, I will do my best to enjoy the time spent with my hubby.  

Some Photos so far:

Glowing

In March we were faced with finding a new instructor for Abigail and horse back riding.  I must admit, I took it for granted and thought it was going to be easy.  You see we live close to a lot of different farms that provide lessons.  We are still in the process of figuring out where we will end up finally.  She has been riding at a location that people have praised but we just were not feeling it.  I would look at her face and see her sadness but we forged forward.  Truly hoping it would get better.  Well, this week it did.  Below is a picture of that day.

She is glowing again!!!!  It warms a momma's heart when one of her own is joyous!  I truly shed tears to see her soooooo happy doing what she loves.  I mean this girl loves horses and the barn so much that I can usually see her shoulders relax when we arrive at the farm.  So, we will still try some other places throughout the summer.  But this face, this smile, this girl who has my heart, was happy and so was I.