Shilah Writes

Remember? I said I would show you the closet again when it was reorganized and wallpapered with this thrift store find? I kept my word.  I still have some of this wallpaper left.  Anyone?  That's pretty well all I have to say today.  The kids are out of school and we are biking and playing and working. My writing is on the back burner for awhile and my brain is quiet with work.  A lovely spot to be.  One of these days I'll smack you upside the head with some really deep thoughts but for now you are on vacation.  Aren't you glad?

Mothers day is here again...  This year I'm going to praise my kids who are teaching me what being a mother means... I don't feel like the day itself is a celebration of mothers as much as its is a celebration to being a mother...  I love being a mom.  Not all days, because I'm human and am undeniably tired and grouchy with the whole thing, but most days; it truly does feel like a celebration to me to have this grand privilege of being "Mom" to three beautiful children.  I haven't any deep thoughts pertaining to motherhood for this day, just pure physical touchable things that make it a joy.   Laife, who is fourteen, taller, and stronger than myself... He's my go to guy for heavy lifting, for errands by bicycle to the grocery store, and for helping me lighten up my mood.  This morning, while eating his breakfast, as it was dumping down rain, he said, "I think I'll ride bike to school this morning,". Of course, I bit and said, "...

  When we moved into this old house, we found all kinds of quirky things, like this closet.  It's little, has no light, and has three old stair steps in it.  Kristy, my sweet friend, whom was privileged to wash it out for me suggested I hang a mirror on this door...                       I thought that was a swell idea until I tried it...                                              Oops... Do you see my boo boo?  Bruce was NOT impressed!   So.... I kept my eyes peeled at the thrift store the last couple months and thought about the kind of wallpaper I could live with in my bedroom.  I'm not a wallpaper gal but can live with t...

Happy Easter... New beginnings... A start on the rock wall... My kind of adoring what God has created... I love beautiful things... Nothing like roses to see the beauty of this earth... Healthy, happy children are beautiful too... He's getting too big for his britches... Snoopy loves Shaunti... Can you tell? Clifty... The River... Life is Beautiful...

    How does God view the conflicts we are in?  Conflicts with people are so complex, especially with other believers.   I heard on Christian radio this morning, that the way to end conflict is with humility. The broadcaster was saying that the way to diffuse a bomb is not with another bomb... In the same way conflicts with others don't go away with more talking or explosions of anger. Hence, conflict is diffused by humility.   In Sunday school, we've been studying 2Cor. Last Sunday was about not comparing ourselves among ourselves.  We are having communion on Good Friday so all kinds of self examining is going on in my heart.  Scripture states that instead of comparing yourselves among yourselves, be concerned with what God sees in you. This is something we've as a couple been searching seriously the last while because of some conflicts we've been dealing with in our own lives.    It's hard for me to hear and understand con...

Spring break started on Thursday and we are having a lovely time.  On Thursday the kids and I went to April's house for the day and in the evening, April and I left our kiddies at home with there daddies while we went to Sandpoint. Friday, the kids and I did a bunch of cleaning and then took a bike ride out of town.  The sun was shining gloriously but was still cold. Late afternoon, we walked to the library, and then over to the ambulance barn, where Bruce was finishing up working. From there, we drove in his pretty Jeep half a block to the Panhandle Restaurant for supper out.   Today, Shaunti is having a tea party with Anika, a friend from school.  They decorated these wonderful little cupcakes that turned out so cute.  Their tea looked disgusting, which they said was delicious from adding a secret ingredient.  We found out later it was smarties. The taste buds of the young... gross...  This is where Shaunti says...

     The other morning while I was working at the Post Office, Sherry Beck, a sweet lady whom we have the privilege of working beside, when asked how she was today, answered with a chirpy "good!" she continued with "might as well be!"  It reminded me of my Grandpa Skrivseth.  He would often say, "Praise the Lord, anyway" on hearing something negative. I remembered being embarrassed beyond words when he would answer the phone with "Good Morning, Praise the Lord!"  How foolish to be embarrassed by something so full of God's way.  I was pretty young.  I'll use that for my excuse.      I'm learning that this is the attitude to have.  Psalm 90:14-17 caught my attention this week.  Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  It's pretty much saying praise the Lord anyway.  Some mornings I don't feel joy about my present circumstances but t...