Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I'm smiling...












again.




my pity party is  over :)



it's time for me to walk my talk

~
~
~
I have been so encouraged these last weeks by 
your amazing words.
words that offer comfort
words of understanding
and 
words from the word of words.




Your compassion is amazing;
even as some of you fight for your life
you took the time to comfort me.
How humbling.
How sweet.
How Christ-like.




As for  me,
I am doing better.
I can handle the 25K hospital bill.
I can handle my (paid-for) van
 blowing  the radiator and head gasket.
I can handle the microwave breaking...
It all just money
but
when the relationships in my life are not right
you might as well cut off my legs. and hands. and blindfold me.
I become useless.
~
~
~


There have been 
hurt feelings
misunderstandings
poor communication.








It all came  spilling out  a few weeks back.
I did not see it coming
and
it  rocked my very being.
It went to the center of all that I am
a wife, a mother, a daughter, a homemaker, 
a creator,
 a business-woman, a blogger...
and left me re-evaluating it all;
Examining my heart.
what is real
and
what is emotion?
where does change need to occur?
this mommy business of love
is hard work
but 
oh, so worth it.


my family is my passion


I have been  thankful for grace.
grace for  forgiveness for me, 
for all of my shortcomings; 
grace that I could forgive
when I was so misunderstood, angry and hurt.


And I am  so very thankful
 for my amazing Grace.










May she always know ...

She has my heart always.


Here are some  my pictures
of 
my darling grandbabies.


Aren't they sweet?!


The triplets
 burst into tears 
when we lined them up.



I have such a great effect on them!




















   Because of the LORD's great love

   we are not consumed, 


   for his compassions never fail.
    
   They are new every morning;
       

   great is your faithfulness.






   Lamentations 3:22-23

29 comments:

stefanie said...

what an inspiring post!!!! loved all your babies!

Tete said...

Welcome back- you are far too precious not to be on here.
"Laughter through tears is the best emotion."
Blessings- Tete

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Now these sweet babies should keep you smiling even through the tough times, but as mother's I know sometimes it's hard to keep a smile. You know what I try and picture during these times is God smiling. If I mess up does he frown on me, I'm sure he does, I'm sure he's even sad for me at times, but then I look up and remember Ps. 112: I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD... He'll never leave you for one second.

It's me said...

My dear Renee........what a sweeet sweet sweet grandchildren you have....and what a lovely daughter.....nice to hear something from you......wishing you all the best darling...you are a great woman !!...God create you....don't forget that ever darling......love and blessings Ria...

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Rene.. Beauty all around... Your family, your words, and knowing you will be back to share with us your beautiful photos and creatitions!
Glad everyithing is coming back together for you:-)
Hugs to you,
Bella

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Precious Rene ~
Your post is so beautiful and I am glad that you are smiling again ~
Life can be hard sometimes and I just have to always remind myself that the Lord takes us through these times to teach us to rely on Him ~
How amazing it is that through trials He is forming us and teaching us something wonderful ~

Hugs sweet friend,
Lori

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I'm so glad to hear your smiling again!! Those babies are all so beautiful (;

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

So happy you are smiling!! Welcome back and thank you for the photos of the little ones...they sure did make me smile!!!

Julie said...

Rah! says this Marine mom. Keep the Moto up...Daughter of the LIVING God. There is nothing so priceless in this world as: Knowing God. - Your Creator, Your Controller, Your Comforter, Your Confidence.
Knowing the Gospel. -You are redeemed from all that is in and of this world. You have a sweet ending which in reality is eternally just the beginning!
Knowing Yourself - You know what you can handle and what you cannot. You know when to turn and let go and get the grace you need.
Knowing your Purpose. - Woman of God - Wife far above rubies - Mother who loved her kids beyond measure, unconditionally.
God is good. Every day. God is GOOD.
Hugs to you. He will take very good care of you because YOU are His. period. amen.

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

You have such a gorgeous family:) Love the freckles too. I am the same way. Family is everything to me. I adore them. They make me keep my priorities straight. I am glad things are working out for you:) You are such a sweet, talented lady:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Trisha said...

So glad that a smile has come back to your face...keep it up!

Gracie's Cottage said...

Beautiful photos of a beautiful family! May the sunshine always find a way to your heart through the clouds. "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

Jan

Debra@CommonGround said...

Bless your heart, Rene, we love you!! Life isn't easy is it? Thank goodness we have a BIG God to lean on!
hugs and love,
Debra

Irma@CosasBellas said...

Hello Miss Rene, my heart hurts to see that you're going through such trials.
In a world were people are labeled, either, optimists or pessimists...you either see the glass half full of half empty...we as Christians believe that we serve a God who can not only fill that glass till it's overflowing...but turn that water into wine...WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE...please don't lose sight of that.
We, too, have been through some difficult trials(you can read my post under "when we are down to nothing, God is up to something")
but the Lord has been so faithful. Even when our trust was running on LOW, we clung to Him, and He honored our "mustard seed".

You will be in our prayers Rene.

"Be anxious for NOTHING but, through prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING, let your request be known onto God and His peace which surpasses all understanding will GUARD your HEART and MIND".

Warmest of Hugs=o]

Angela said...

Your family is absolutely beautiful!!

Sandi said...

What cutie pies your grandbabies are Rene! Just adorable!
I have been thinking about you a lot lately {and praying too}. Just keep your hand in the hand of the One who stilled the waters and you will be just fine. life is hard, but God is good!!
Hugs my friend!

Sue said...

Beautiful post, beautiful words, beautiful photos, and such heartfelt feelings as I look at your beautiful grandchildren! You will be alright, you have all the reasons to be!!

Take care, Sue

Susan said...

When you're smiling, When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you! Can you hear me singing?
I'm so happy you've got a smile back on your face! May it soon be followed by a spring in your step! Then... dancing with those little ones in the kitchen!
Blessings, sweet one.

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I haven't been blog hopping as much lately and missed your recent happenings. I hope all goes well. Your faith is so inspiring:)

Unknown said...

Hi, I found your blog and became a follower at the beginning of your current trial. I am so sorry.
I was happy when I saw you were back, your blog is so beautiful.
I am amazed by your pictures.
welcome back,
God bless you,
glenda

podso said...

Wonderful, wonderful post. The ending photos sum it all up so well--victory through grace ... you are smiling again. Sorry it's been tough but happy you are on the other side, though I can tell its still a challenge, but that's life, isn't it?

The grandchildren are darling and your photos are just superb--both the way you photgraphed, AND how you altered them for such a really neat look! I know you enjoy every one of your precious g-kids!

sherry said...

My dear friend - - -

I ***know*** of what you speak.
Paralyzed.
Fear.
Heart chaos.
Nothing's right.

I also know of what else you speak.
His compassions and mercies are new every morning. Glory to Him!
For it is only *through* Him that we can put one foot in front of the other. He's so patient - such a gentleman with us His hurting children. So precious - is He.

Oodles of delight and gushy sweetness in these pictures. Such wonderfulnesses!

Love,
jAne

sherry said...

Gotta tell ya ...

my word verification for my last comment was:

blessyapb

translated:
bless ya peanut butter?

;o) jAne

just a little bit shabby said...

Rene,
Such beautiful photos, angelic grandchildren and so glad that you are doing better! God is good!!
Sandy

Faded Charm said...

You are a very lucky lady in my eyes. What a beautiful family you have and all the tough times somehow always work themselves out.

You are in my thoughts often, Renee. God Bless.

Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Aren't you glad that God holds our hand through the good and the bad days!! We would n't be human if we didn't have those days!

Glad things are looking up!

bee blessed
mary

Amanda said...

Beautiful photos of a beautiful family, in the end all that counts. Take care, Amanda x

Sweet Old Vintage said...

I hear your words and feel your feelings... Hope you will continue to smile and and have many many blessings come your way... Each and every grandchild are just beautiful....

Angela said...

Hi - this is my first time visiting your blog. I love your photography and you are a blessed woman with a BIG family! I hope one day my family will swell up and reap sweet spouses and grandbabies. I especially love your holy bible pic. :)