Westwoods

I'm noticing the wisemen this year because Shaunti brought them to my attention while we were setting up the manger scene. I was trying to explain to her what their role was in the Christmas story. I discovered that they were wisemen by profession but the truly wise thing about them was there search for Jesus to bring Him gifts and to worship Him. That is really what is needed in my life these days. True seeking and worship in what God sends to me for my roles as mom and wife. My worship to Jesus might be going through the things of life that keep working my faith and the things that are growing me up. A friend recently pointed out to me that the struggle is not shameful but something to be thankful for because it is changing me and molding me. Its all a part of growing in the wisdom that is from above. Growing wiser is laced with humility and worship for my Maker. thank-you Jesus, for those wisemen that showed by example.

A weekend away in Sand point... We went to the beach one drizzly afternoon. It was balmy, fall weather really. The weekend was very relaxing. We spent most of the time in the hot tub and pool at the motel. The kids were all suffering a nasty cold and were rather tame all weekend long. The plan was to get away before the mad rush of school sale and Thanksgiving season. Bruce has also been giving most of his spare time to the building of his "Hummel Bird" I'll post pictures of that another time. But for that particular weekend, I was hoping to pull him away for a little family attention. He remained with us in body but his spirit was far from us. Occasionally I waved my hand in front of his face to see. He WAS glazed over. He was appreciated for being a sport for the rest of us though. The kids and I had fun anyway. We took paints and glitter glue, paper and colors. I played a couple games of "go fish" Great fun! We went through the McDonald's drive through on...

My inspiration this week was an old thought...finding contentment in the simple things of life. Seeing the ordinary as beautiful. I don't know what esp. made me think of it. I had a usual week. Went to a birthday party or two, went to an all day sewing, spent a day shopping for winter clothes, painted a small area in my kitchen, read a book, and did other endless, meaningless chores. Just plain, simple life happening all around me. Maybe its more than contentment. Perhaps a better word is editing. I am noticing that many things can so easily be overdone, such as too much chocolate, coffee, or words. It is so easy to fling words around like they have no tomorrow and in doing so they lose their true meaning. It even happens in emotions or in the ways we express ourselves, for example, I can say "It was SUCH a good story," Or "It was a very, good story." there's not really anything wrong with either statement other than if you find yourself b...

Yes, I am thankful for my husband...hat and all... and that friends have birthdays so we can go out for dinner at a nice restaurant... I already said I was thankful for my husband... even the hat... And time with my friends that go way back! Jenn and I had so much fun when I flew to GA for that ladies retreat.

OK... Amy I really do want to update but I seem to not have what it takes to sum up my summer in a few words or pictures. I really will one day write a decent update and blog pictures of me making bread or harvesting tomatoes... One day... Anyhow, this is to let you know that my brain does work and I am a fun and fulfilled person just bursting with good ideas, I do have three beautiful children whom I think are normal, and a husband that I adore at least some days. { Where's the smiley face thingys when you need them? } So maybe a good sit down with a cup of hot coffee with sisters would be a good thing... Any takers?

My baby is four.... These pictures were taken on her birthday, August 7. Toria and Shaunti have a sisterhood bond they are not yet aware of but one that I am so thankful for. Shaunti is the ever cheesy photo shoot. She almost can't act natural.

Today we spent time with a person that believes everything they think and that all things have to have a deep, deep meaning... How tired God must get with all our words of wisdom! I was wondering... Is it OK to have a bubblegum conversation? Just a thought...