whatever...

This may be s-t-e-t-c-h-i-n-g it 

for white wednesday but I'm going to anyway.

I want to share a bit of what's been on my heart this week.

Whatever is…

true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

think about such things.

We're all women here, right?

We know how emotions

can rule

our hearts and our minds.

When I get in that dark place

and

the thoughts are swirling

and 

just getting darker and darker;

this is what I come back to:

What do I know  to be true?

I can always come back to the

promises of God

and HIS character.

God is good.

HE loves me.

And HE's got this(whatever this  is).

And almost  all  of what

I am dwelling on

is NOT truth

but 

rather my emotions.

This week, this became

my meditation once again.

linking to:

White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Creative Blogger's Party & Hop @ Homemaker on a Dime
Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Your Cozy Home @ Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
*****************************************
Cottage Garden Party@ Fishtail Cottage
Under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Fabulous Creative Friday @ Jennifer Rizzo
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805

baby bump...

Last week, I took an evening to take maternity photos

for mr and mrs g

I need to hurry and post ...her due date is tomorrow!

Before you were born I carried you

under my heart.

From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment

I leave it,

I will always carry you

in my heart.

-- Mandy Harrison 

A great Joy is coming.

author unknown

Is her name A_________ or is it M______ ?

I think they're leaning towards M______.

 Life is always a rich and steady time

 when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch.
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

"The instant of birth is exquisite.

Pain and joy are one at this moment.

Ever after, the dim recollection is so sweet

that we speak to our children

with a gratitude they never understand."

Madline Tiger

We are in the final days, 

when I go to bed with the telephone close by,

wondering at each ring if it "is time?"

I am remembering my moments of giving birth.

I am terrified for my girl, knowing what she will endure.

I am confident that she can do it...as women for all time have done it.

I am excited beyond measure to see my girl with her girl in her arms;

knowing that she  will never be the same.

knowing that she will now experience a love that I have only been able to tell her about,

with words that were completely inadequate.

(I tear up just thinking about it)

I am thankful for the One who created motherhood,

and who has my girl and her girl in HIS hand.

on how i spent mother's day...

We are back home

from watching my girl

play

golf 

in the Idaho State Championships.

She struggled  with nerves on Day 1

but came back on Day 2

ready to have some fun

She cut her score from the previous day by 10 strokes

and finished 11th overall

Definitely, the most unique Mother's Day 

I've ever had.

(Preston, Idaho)

I was tempted to stay home and work.

I am so glad I didn't.

It turned out to be a great  time

away from computers, deadlines, and responsibilities.

I was able to really watch my girl.

to see  her smile...even when  she hit the ball into the water

or missed a short putt.

It was an awesome gift of  beauty.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

my children...

completely

hold

my heart.

I am so thankful

to get to wear the name of Mother.

I don't think I have ever 

properly introduced 

my family

so since this is Mother's Day

you will have to indulge me this one time (right)

while I brag about my children.

Meet my oldest daughter Katie 

with her Mr. Wonderful

and 

3  (busy) boys. 

She is kind, compassionate, and creative 

and such  a delight to  me.

We have shared some hard times together;

I consider  her one of my very best friends.

She can sew and garden like no other...

 traits that remind me so much of my grandmother

and 

definitely not from me.

since this photo shoot

Baby James has been added to Katie's brood

(I think it is almost time for another shoot)

 Next in line is my oldest son, Jason

loyal, patient, hard-working

I miss having Jason at home;

he was my debater 

and

my fix-it man.

I love watching him parent  his batch of triplets

and being a husband to his sweet wife, Tasha.

My son, Brian

 conservative and hard-working

I miss his teasing...he kept us laughing.

He is married to Sheila...

and Dad to these 2 (tractor-loving)  boys, 

with another one (it's a boy, too)  on the way.

  If you've been a long-time reader,

you know my 4th, Mrs G with her Mr. G,

otherwise known as Grace.

She is my delight.

She is creative in the kitchen and on the computer.

She is kind, determined, organized and a hard-worker.

(I'm noticing a pattern-they are all hard-working-must be because I love to work:)

I am so looking forward to meeting Baby (GIRL) G soon.

due May 25

Grace is going to be a great mother!

 the.baby.of.the.family.

Abigail

This girl keeps me young, makes me laugh
and plays the most beautiful music. 

She is a threat on the basketball court,

volleyball court

and 

on the golf course.

She is the reason, I  am still teaching algebra

and still answering the infamous question

"Will I ever use this in real life?"

She keeps me on my toes

and challenges me to live by grace.

And just because

this is my most favorite pictures of my

grandbabies.

Not pictured:

Baby James

and the two in the oven.

Thank you for bearing with me...

as I celebrate these perfectly wonderful blessings.
I have to say this is one of the most unique
Mother's Day, yet.
Celebrating is in the heart
and celebrating, I am.

beauty in the rain..

I woke up this morning 

with my heart as  heavy

as the clouds 

that were pouring their tears upon us.

 I see changes coming.

Coming as quickly as the weather  

that changes from 

bright and cheery

to 

dark and dreary.

As any self-respecting, middle-aged ,mid-life crisis hormonal homeschooling mama would do,

I left my girl doing algebra 

and 

 I went outside to play.

I sought to find beauty in the rain.

Out on the porch, down the road, and into the alfalfa field

I went.

And do you know what?

I found it.

I found the beauty.

I just had to look for it.

 Find rest, O my soul, 

in God alone; 

my hope comes from Him.  

He alone is my rock and my salvation; 

He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  

My salvation and my honor depend on God; 

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  

Trust in Him at all times, 

O people; pour out your hearts to Him,

for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62

Where are you looking for beauty today?