a Touch of Hawaii

In a blender:
Papaya [EZ Orchards/Costco]
Pineapple
Coconut milk [Trader Joe's]
Yogurt
Honey!
XO

Swimming!

One week ago this Sat. I left for Hawaii with my Kesh and Vin and my two little angels.
Being in Hawaii was a dream come true. We had the best time swimming in the ocean. I especially loved playing in the surf and sand with Co and Isla.
Swimming in the pool at the condo was great too. I realized how much I love to swim.
Today, my good friend Linny, and I went swimming, and decided we would do it regularly. So happy to be back swimming again!
Maybe I won't miss Hawaii quite as much. [Maybe.]
God bless!
XO

SNUGGLE

I love to snuggle. It is one of my favorite things to do. Why didn't I spell it right?!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well!

Smiles!
xo

Listen, God is Speaking

A week with my Co and Isla has ended. We were joined at the hip with only me to care for them. I couldn't love them more! Waking-up to a quiet house seems strange. I miss the snuggeling in the morning with our blankies. Precious moments, gifts from God. I know too well how fast these special gifts change. It seems only yesterday I snuggeled my own babies, and tucked them in at night with stories.

It is easy for us to get caught up in the rut of thinking 'time, moving on' is going to be better. I, especially have been thinking this way, "as soon as that is over I can begin doing this." "As soon as I get this over, I can begin doing that."
The girls and I were driving and Co asked me to turn on the radio. It was on K-Love and a woman was talking about the Now and Not the Later. It was God speaking to me.
It was all about people putting their dreams on hold thinking in time, time will settle down and they can DO WHAT THEY DREAM OF. Time will never settle down! Life will always be hectic and busy! Do not wait to do your dream, thinking all will be better in time! Instead, make every moment count. Make each day special, and live in "THE NOW."

God is always speaking to us. We just need to take time to listen.

God bless!
XO

My Angels and Me

My little angels are fast asleep. It's nice to have the quiet time to catch up on all the blog reading I have missed. It feels good to write and think. Cohen and Isla and I have been out exploring every day. Yesterday we went to Bauman Farms, and today we played at a beautiful mountainous park.
We all need a good night's sleep, for tomorrow will be another fun day!

Nighty night. XO.

Seattle

Getting away to Seattle was amazing for me. I was able to have conversation with Kesh, and hang-out with my Ryder and Paula. [I miss them and wish we were closer geographicly.] The reality of the hardships in my life went away and did not come back until I returned home. I need to get away more often.

Thank you God for my children and your grace.
XO

Cohen and Isla

I thank God for the pure joy in my life; Cohen and Isla. My darling little bright lights. How special to be the grandmother of two beautiful angels. They can make the darkest day happy with their ever flowing smiles and love.
xo

She is Gone

I try to be up-lifting...and keep my spirit bright; even when dark clouds cover my world. The words "she is gone" brought sadness to my heart last night. Yesterday was full of joy as I worked hard on business and watched out my window while Mother Nature entertained, acting-out with a variety of amazing plays. Sunshine, then dark rain clouds, and rain that pounded down to earth like horses running...then strong wind that blew the clouds away bringing back sunshine, then hail, then sun, then rain, then sun again!!! I was loving it and smiling! I had a fun evening planned; shopping for my sister's b-day gift and then meeting my friend Linda for a bite and some chatting. But my first stop was at Life Source to pick up some baking supplies. Debby, a girl I knew from High School was a checker there. One of the most beautiful ladies ever. Inside and out. A few months ago, I learned she was fighting lung cancer. When I asked about her last night, the lady checking my groceries said, "she is gone." "She died a little over a month ago. She then went on to say, I never knew anyone who fought so hard to live." Life. The most precious of all gifts from God. Love it. Live it. Count your blessings everyday. Every moment is sacred. Do not take it for granted. I thank God for the rain, and the gift of watching Spring take action here on earth. To feel the wind and watch clouds move across the sky. She is gone. So sad.

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 16-24: Kind words are like honey---enjoyable and healthful. I have been reading provebs every morning. It is amazing how wisdom is given in small sentences. Powerful little frases that are eye openers and very helpful in everyday life. May God bless your Saturday! xo

April Fools Day!

It's April Fools Day...so stay clear of Vin!! He got me last year! Today is also my lovely sister, Jody's birthday. Happy birthday Jody!!! I can't wait to see you Sunday! I'm taking a much needed break from my business this morning to enjoy my two little girls. I have been working my fool head off since Tuesday and still have much to do! I really thought sun was in the forecast today, but now I'm not so sure. Oh well, my grand girls are bright rays of sunshine, even on a cloudy day. God bless. xo

SUNSHINE MAKES ME SMILE!

I could not believe my eyes when the sun came out this afternoon. Busy as I was, I took the opportunity to go outside and feel the sun on my face. We have, had, the rainest march in a long, long, time. What's up? Is God testing our ability to survive an extra cold, wet Spring? Last year, on my birthday, [in March] it was sunny and warm, and friends who called me from the Oregon coast reported the weather was perfect. Just warm, sunny, and no wind. Tomorrow is going to be sunny! We do appreciate it SO much! God bless, and enjoy some sun on me! xo

Meditation of My Heart

Allowing God to live in our hearts is what it's all about.
Think kind thoughts, and forgive those who know not what they do.
Appreciate God's Mother Earth and respect her.
Take time out from a busy schedule and spend time with God.
Walk the earth and smell the trees and breathe fresh air.
Look up to the sky at nightfall, and enjoy the sparkle from the stars.
Be in awe of the moon.
Open your heart to those in need.
Fill your heart with love and joy, and be thankful for all God's blessings.

xo

OOPS! We meant to spell Temperature correctly!

Keep cozy in Winter with a tip from Isla

I enjoyed my little Co and Isla yesterday. We spent the day hiking and exploring outside. When the tempature began to drop outside we decided to go indoors and warm-up by the fireside. Isla grabbed her blanky right away and snuggled it. [She takes it everywhere she goes, and has it on hand.] Co, now that she is older, leaves her blanky at home, and only cuddles with it when she takes a nap or goes to bed. I retrieved blankets from my closet for Co and I.

There's a direct link between the texture, temperature and weight of things we surround ourselves with and our level of contentment. That's the word from researchers at Yale University, who found that touching warm, lightweight objects kick-starts production of the mood-elevating hormone oxytocin. Take it from Isla; for an instant happiness boost, grab your favorite blanky, or slip into soft comfy jammies and fuzzy slippers. Treat yourself to a warm drink while sitting in the coziest nook of the couch. It's the greatest part of enjoying Winter!

Romantic and Sad

Blame it all on my roots...I showed up in boots, and ruined your Black Tie Affair. The last one to know, the last one to show; I was the last one you thought you'd see there.
Some lyrics from Garth Brookes "Friends in Low Places." The song was in the movie Kesh and I went to see last night, "Country Strong." I would see this movie again. A mix of a romantic and sad protrayal of someone fighting with alcoholism, and the haunting past it created in thier life.

I love being- out with my daughter. It took me back, to years ago, when Kesh and I went to see "True Country" together. She was just a little girl, 8 or 9, but the love story impacted her life as much as it did mine. I'm delighted to say, Kesh grew up to find her True Love. Vin puts all the romantic characters in these love stories to shame!

I love my son in law, and thank God for sending "A True Love" to spend life with my beautiful daughter.

God bless,
xo

A NEW YEAR and a NEW COMPUTER

I did it! I bought a new computer! Nice not to worry about writing something, only to have it disappear. My old computer would crash all the time.
I am enjoying a quiet Sunday, curled-up with my favorite blanket, reading a good book, "The Case for Christ." I rarely take such quiet time for myself...but it just turned into 'that kind of an afternoon.'

xo