May Days

Goodness...May is nearly over and I realized there's not been a single joyful post this month!

This season is historically busy but when you have a graduating teen, it certainly adds to the chaos.  My calendar looks like an angry toddler played with an Etch-A-Sketch.

And although there have been many days I don't know if I'm coming or going, May has been full of joys.  However, given the busyness of my schedule, a blog-o-photos will have to do for now.

May means sunshine (and extra doses) so we dusted off the deck and have enjoyed our mornings and evenings there.  Most days Tim gets home just before I leave but we manage to sneak in a mini coffee date, serenaded by the birds.

My baby went to senior prom with his girl.  They had a magical night and allowed me to sneak in a few pics before they left.  This is one of my faves...

That same weekend was my sweet Grandma's 89th birthday.  She was surprised by many guests over the course of several days.  Seeing her smile always brings me joy.

I promise she was happy, we were just standing 

in her way of Cheddar's with all our pics!  tee hee

With all the formal dates on the calendar, Noah and I finally got some "mom & me" time, even if it was to try on dress shirts and pants.  I paid him in sushi after.  He's on the cusp of being all grown up so I soak up every moment with him I can get.  In the end, I know we've done our part to raise him right and the rest is up to him and God.  He sent me this pic last week out of the blue...knowing that he stops to take in the beauty of the day, assures me they've got this.

Like mother, like son.  In more ways than one...

I literally pulled off the side of the road to take in this view.

And Tim captured this over the weekend...

My flowers are starting to bloom, which makes me smile daily.

Tim's working on the boat, with hopes we're floating by Friday.

I've started classes and excited about the potential it has for our future.

Sunday, Mother's Day, was a bittersweet, but beautiful day.

Loved having my momma beside me in church, 

as well as other family who don't normally come.

Tim went out of his way to make me feel special and loved.

Noah cooked an amazing dinner.

And Austin, as always, sent me hugs and hellos.

All in all, May has been overflowing with joys.

Blessed beyond measure.

Here's hoping I can pause to catch up more with you soon!

Faithful Friday: Seasons

This weekend marks the celebratory close of summer.  Earth seems to know the calendar, as the signs of fall have been slowly appearing.  Leaves are beginning to change, gardens are fading, flowers and plants aren't as lush and bright as earlier in the season.

Seasons are inevitable.  Both in landscapes and in life, there is an ebb and flow. The only thing that stays the same is that everything changes.

 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”  - Genesis 8:22

I've reminded Tim he's in a season right now.  Just about time for winter, he should be healed.  His spring will just come early.  Now is his time to shed the pain, like falling leaves, retreat, and heal.  Just as a brittle tree braces through the winter winds, seemingly lifeless, green soon emerges.  My sturdy oak will survive this and come out stronger on the other side.  It's just a season.
One of my sweet volunteers uses the expression as well, while talking with women facing cancer.  As they share with her their concerns in losing their hair, she wraps them in a hug and reminds them that "this too shall pass."  And then she helps them embrace the change by finding just the perfect wig that helps that woman remember she's beautiful.

Grief has seasons too.  I remember all too well our cold, barren winter after losing Austin.  Fitting that the earth's season matched at the time, though its spring came much quicker than our own.  Healing from such a loss comes in slow steps.  Gradual.  There is no pretty timeline.  And even when you feel you've reached the end, a memory or moment can drag you back to the lonely and coldest season of the year.  You survive because you know spring will once again arrive, in time.

For everything there is a season...but God's promise is that no matter what season we may find ourselves in, He is always there.  That promise is a constant, regardless of the changes that may come our way.  Knowing this is how I can find joy, even in the longest of most difficult seasons of life.

For whatever season you are facing today, hold onto to the hope in knowing a new season will arrive. 
In time.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Do you know what today is? Yes, it's Friday, always a joyful day in itself, with the starting of a new weekend. Yes, it is also my hubby's birthday eve and we'll have lots of surprises and fun to share the next two days. But that's not why I'm so excited; something special about today has me brimming with glee.

I knew it was close and the weather lately has been whispering the news. The trees have been slowly displaying messages. There is a crispness to the air announcing an arrival. Yesterday was so beautiful I opened my windows to enjoy the breeze throughout the house. Sleeping to the sound of crickets is just about my favorite way to slumber. This morning, the cool air reminded me that it's nearly time to bring out my down comforter. And, as I snuggled under a blanket with a steamy cup of coffee, the news reminded me that today is my favorite time of year...FALL is here!

Tim surprised me a few weeks ago with my favorite fall flowers, mums, and in my favorite mum color - yellow. They greet me at the front door each day and always bring a smile to my face. In the stores I'm seeing other signs of the season, with decorations and pumpkins, hues of brown and orange. I can hardly contain my excitement for the many doses of JOY October will bring.

But, of course, there's still plenty of September to enJOY!