We Have It All

I have had this picture as my phone lock screen for months....and the poignancy of it strikes me so often.

Sometimes amidst the hurry and scurry to do it all, make it all, buy it all, and have it all...it hits me that I already do!  I've almost blogged about this vast subject different times, but for one reason or another, the words never made it onto my screen. They did make it onto my lovely LED light box which is a super favorite birthday gift from my friend Moni! #nailedit

https://www.target.com/p/diy-light-box-led-room-essentials-153/-/A-52007695

Last night was one of those times that stopped me in my turbulent tracks. Danl decided to cut some of our grass before it needed to be baled for hay, and of course Danielle was more than happy to help! I was inside bustling about trying to take advantage of the opportunity to straighten things up a bit without a little Taby underfoot. I purposefully strode out to deposit a bag of trash in the dumpster when I noticed Danl waving at me to watch Danielle. He was letting her push the handles of the lawnmower, and she was beyond ecstatic to be in control; shrieking with happiness and grinning as wide as a one year old can can grin as they zigzagged crazily across the lawn! As I stood waving and gazing at them, witnessing the magic of their daddy/daughter mowing session, I consciously thought, "My heart could not be more full. Life does not get better than moments like this. Thank you, God." 

And I realized anew that truly, even though my "to-do" list would vehemently deny it, I had it all. 

All the things I was gonna get done lost their importance, and I climbed onto the gooseneck and just sat and breathed and watched them mow as the sunlight faded and the stars came out. And these lyrics that I've always loved played over and over in my mind...

Life Is Beautiful

by the Afters

Through the window

I see you waiting
You are smiling
Cause I'm coming
Your eyes are a story
An ocean of memories
Pictures of faces and places
And all of the things
That make us feel like we have it all

All of the times
That make us realize
We have it all

Life is beautiful

Living and dying
Laughing or crying
If we have the whole world or have nothing
I know there are long nights
But we'll make it
With every sunrise comes a new light
And all of the things
That make us feel like we have it all

All of the times
That make us realize
We have it all

Life is beautiful

A father's love
A wedding dance
New Year's dreams
A toast with friends
A soldier coming home from war
The faith, the hope of so much more
A brand new life
A mother's prayer
Shooting stars
Ocean air
A lover's kiss
And hard goodbyes
Fireworks
Christmas lights

These are things that make us feel alive
These are the times that make us realize
Life is beautiful

This week holds it all too...

Yesterday morning a wedding; a dream came true for Curtis & Janelle! I was privileged to have taught them both (#feelingold!) and could not be happier for their happiness! 

Yesterday evening a passing; my Great Uncle Ward laid his armor down in his courageous battle against cancer. His life was the enthusiastic embodiment of the words vim and vigor! I will miss him so much. Visiting Oakwood won't be the same without his contagious zeal and positive attitude.

And so life goes on, and the magic fades away...but then is suddenly there again, startling us to take notice of the normal, because it is so precious and we don't deserve it. It is a gift.

 I love that my little cinema box is currently reminding me of this 

every time I glance up and read these words:

WE HAVE

IT ALL

💜

#happysaturday

I know this is Sunday, well almost Monday actually at 11:59 pm, but I wrote this list in my head on Saturday, and I still want to share it!

1. Going to Market in the Park with Danielle...

(And later savoring the cinnamon rolls I purchased from Aunt Rose; gooey caramel pecan are thee best!)

2. Shopping WeCare with my sisters...

 Scored some apparently unworn BabyGap moccasins ($1.99) for Danielle and  classy black Yellowbox flip flops ($2.99) for me! 

3. Visiting Grandpa Smith at the nursing home...

4. Eating a corn dog, fries, and chocolate/vanilla swirled cup of ice cream from Dean's Grill...

(Thanks for the Food Certificate, Mr. Hiebert!) The gal at the window gave me a medium cup of ice cream instead of the small that I had the balance for! And a medium at this Southern food shop is a whopping 16 oz cup! I gave it my all and conquered!

5. Chatting with friends and neighbors at our hometown Piggly Wiggly...

especially made my day to say hey to one of my favorite Walmart employees there! Maybe we both share a love/hate relationship with Walmart!

6. Watching Danl operate his new machinery...

 He is so talented!

7. Taking a family walk on Garrett Road...

We all love the "new-to-us" jogging stroller!

8. Skipping cooking and dishes for an evening!

9. Ordering my childhood favorite menu items at Taco Bell...

(hard taco, soft taco, pintos 'n cheese!)

10. Hearing our baby "sing!" 

She loves to coo along to all her favorite little songs!

Sunday Mornings...

OK, I'll confess right away! Sometimes I'm not writing sermon notes in my church notebook; I'm writing five sense poems like the one below! But one must take advantage of inspiration when it strikes, lest it leave! Right?! :) 

~ SUNDAY MORNINGS ~

Sunday mornings are soft, settled, peaceful...

No phones ringing or dinging, 

No agendas pressing, no to-do lists looming;

Just the privilege of sitting for longer than 15 minutes!

Sunday mornings look spiffy, clean, respectful.

Slicked-down hair crispy with hairspray...

Attentive faces turned toward the speaker.

Sleepy children snoozing on warm laps and bony shoulders.

Sunday mornings sound like old-fashioned gospel singing.

Hymns with meaning soothing the soul...

The Word falling gently down, hopefully landing on soft ground.

Powerful prayers pleading for our infirmities; stomachs rumbling soft and low, ready for roast!

Sunday mornings smell like perfume 

Mingling, clashing, blending - 

Uniting in a single aroma of women who want to be beautiful inside and out.

Faint hints of hearty breakfasts or the browned pot roast cling about.

Sunday mornings taste like mints,

Fresh and revitalizing.

 Hall's cherry cough drops, strong and soothing

Any disturbance must be muffled.

Sunday mornings feel so right, so solid.

"God, thank you for blessing me, 

For inspiring me to walk with You.

Thank you for giving me these priceless Sunday mornings."

SMF 

02.21.16

CS"Eye" Miami

Okay, I've got to blog because I keep thinking of little things I want to write about, but I can't because I've never yet written about Miami! And one  must write in chronological order! It's not that I don't want to write about this epic adventure, I do! I just don't, because I know it'll take me awhile to get it all typed out! So I will start and however long it takes me will just be fine. 

 Over two months ago (gasp!), October 29 to be exact, Miss Susan Smith, Nana, and I flew down to the tropical city of Miami for the purpose of consulting with Dr. Lam at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute about Miss Smith's retinitis pigmentosa. I always pictured Miami a bit on the shady side, meaning that I would need to clutch my purse closely, and cast a wary eye about while cautiously walking the streets, you know, "CSI Miami"ish.

But it wasn't like that at all! We found it to be a friendly city full of helpful people who honked a lot and cooked great food!

Our flight from Pensacola was smooth and comfortable. The ticket agent rebooked us into roomy bulkhead seats, so Nana had plenty of room to sprawl and we luxuriously stretched our legs out as well! As we circled to land, I could see the gorgeous glistening blue-green waters of the Miami beaches! We landed, and then began the trek to get to where we would pick up the puddle-jumper we had rented! A labyrinth of concourses, moving walkways, stairs, and trams later, we finally arrived at the Budget booth and stood in line there for at least an hour. But we had our Hundayi Accent at last! 

Then we checked into our Comfort Suite. Very nice! You can't go wrong with a hotel that has pretty decor and lots of waffle toppings! 

I fell in love with the teardrop light fixtures above this lounger in the lobby! 

We rested a bit, refreshed ourselves, and met the Mennonite Miami gospel tract couple, Riley and Rita Schmidt, at "The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant" Versailles, to experience tasty Cuban cuisine and culture! We were not disappointed! 

 

Of course I had been browsing the menu days prior because it takes me so long to make up me mind when I want to try EVERYTHING! I was happily satisfied with the "The Classic" of the Cuban Samplers. 

THE CLASSIC

White Rice, Black Beans, “Picadillo” Ground Beef, Roast Pork, Sweet Plantains, Ham Croquette, Cuban Tamale, and Cassava with Cuban Mojo

Next we all enjoyed a cup of cafe con leche! I am hooked on this sweet, strong frothy coffee! They bring the espresso in the darling little silver pitcher and then you pour it into the foamed milk. I've tried to make it at home, but alas, have not conquered. 

The next day found us at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

There we met with Dr. Byron L. Lam M.D. and received the sad news that Miss Smith was not a candidate for the gene therapy program that we were hopeful about. But if you don't pursue the possibilities that arise, you will always wonder what alternate route life could have taken. We were both so glad we had made this trip regardless of the outcome. Miss Smith is such an inspiration to me! She bravely handled the disappointment with these sage words, "I've been happy up 'til now, and happy I shall remain!" 

Some good authentic tacos from Huahua's Taqueria also aided in brightening our mood! 

Then we headed to beautiful Miami Beach where we sat on the sand and enjoyed the crashing waves while gazing at the emerald waters...truly gorgeous. This pic below is exactly what it looked like!

 I also was completely mesmerized by the incredible cruise ships lined up along Port Miami. Just ship after ship! Wow. 

A sweet treat from Azucar Ice Cream Company in Little Havana was the next item on our agenda! (It's so much fun traveling with a fellow foodie!) I sampled the avacado ice cream! Not too good, not 

too bad!

We both had waffle cones of their famous signature flavor, Abuela Maria. 

After that, we walked along 8th street and felt like we were abroad! Old men were noisily playing dominoes; people were singing and dancing on the sidewalks. 

We picked out some hand painted souvenirs from a mom and pop shop, then headed back to our little Hyundai Accent lest it get towed for being "overparked!" Parking in Miami - I shall not elaborate, but it wasn't my favorite part of the trip! Back at the hotel, we popped some popcorn, ate leftovers from Versailles, and hit the hay after a long, full day! 

We breakfasted as early as possible the next morning, returned our rental car after an arduous procedure that included some illegal turns and curb hopping, and flew back to Pensacola.

 It is amazing how one can take a trip within one's own state, yet feel like their passport should be boasting another stamp upon return....

AW(s)

AW = After Wedding! 

Our life this past week has consisted of settling into the AW groove! 

No more sewing, lots more sleeping! 

And of course we both were back to work....amazing memories never far from our minds! Quality time Alisha, Pierre, Jayna, Jordan, Jemma, and Luc... baking brownies and maple sugar cookies shaped like maple leaves....walking around the pond....playing on the playground in the bright Canadian sunshine...getting mani-pedis {even Luc! He LOVED it!}...having fun with family and friends at the backyard BBQ...getting dressed on the 12th floor of the downtown Sheraton...lacing up Alisha's spectacular corset-back dress... {Mom and I pulled and pulled!!!}...gazing at Daniel all dressed up in his tux...{probably a sight we will never again behold!} ...walking over the Bow River to the River Cafe....wiping tears as Alisha & Pierre pledge their lives and love to each other forever...

laughing at antics during family photos...devouring all the hors-d'oeuvres and desserts...{they were EXCELLENT! and I tried to sample each one!}...savoring our salmon and bison steaks....tearing up over the toast from Jayna and Jordan....riding home {to the Deerfoot Inn} in a limo...{our first ride and probably our last!}....experiencing the Calgary Stampede rodeo in a first-class private box, chef included! {this once-in-a-lifetime event could be an entire post, but I will refrain!}...touring the old sights of Heritage Park....buying candy in the olde-timey candy store.... riding the flying swing ride with Luc....marveling at the majestic mountains of Banff....standing mesmerized by Lake Louise, the loveliest place in the world!...eating ice cream in the poppy garden...finally flying home sweet home...reuniting with our favorite fur children.....gearing up for the next nuptials....having fun with family at the family supper at Aunt Donna's....lighting the sky with Chinese lanterns....crying that Daniel had to work in Baton Rouge and miss Mel's wedding...accepting that life just isn't fair...transforming the Walnut Hill basement into a land of coral gerbera daisies in sparkly teal vases, polka dots, and sour gummy worms....eating Chipotle-style stacks at the Saturday night supper....doodling on the tables with Crayola crayons....staying up 'til 3 am decorating their tiny wedding cake....listening to the seraphic swells of the choir....watching my little sister become Mrs. Shane Boeckner!!...chowing down on white BBQ chicken....gazing at all the lovely gifts....sending them off to honeymoon amidst showers of bubbles and rice....

And that, my friends, is the short version! :)

finally fall

 

Finally made a fall bulletin using this quote. I really like how it turned out. I colored the "a"s  orange and the heart red, then put up the ears of corn from Brent and colorful leaves around it. Today was a great day at school! We had our second "Sing-along." We all love having Ms. Roxie teach music!

reenactment

Habits are safer than rules; you don't have to watch them.  And you don't have to keep them, either.  They keep you.  ~Frank Crane

   The above quotation is my inspiration quote for this "Healthy Habits" month of July! It is becoming easier...{I think!} to keep {some} of my aspirations! I do know that our bed has been properly bedecked in its wrappings of coverlets more days in a row than ever before! The hardest things to win stars for so far has been keeping my feathers unruffled and cleaning up the house and kitchen daily. Gonna keep on keepin' on though!

   Now a few thoughts about the reception or "reenactment" as Danl called it! It was a splendid affair! Approximately 225 people attended, giving a small and cozy feeling to the event. We all were adorned once more in our wedding garments, except for Jacob, who wasn't able to wear his wedding britches due to the hole that somehow now adorns one knee much to Rhonda's dismay and despair. Nathan and Shawna stood in for attendants instead of Taylor and Drea. The short service consisted of an opening song, "I sing the Mighty Power of God" by John William Eicher, a few words of welcome by Dad, a song about love that I didn't know by a quartet {Shane, Tyson, Seth, Troy}, some thoughts on honoring God and each other from Uncle Carlos, "Sunshine in my Soul" and "Locked in the Bottom of my Heart" by a large group of couples, a congregational song, "Oh God, Our Help" led by Steve, and closing thoughts and prayer by Mike. Then we went down to eat brisket sandwiches on HOMEMADE buns with HOMEMADE BBQ sauce, lettuce salads, sweet salads, pasta salads, potato salads, fruit cobblers, and Bluebell ice cream cups! We wiped our faces on the beautiful light aqua napkins that Dad laboriously matched to a scrap of Katie's dress. Some people had to use a grey napkin. Rhonda and I arranged the bouquets. We weren't sure if they turned out according to our vision or if we even had a vision, but they at least they were interesting! The colors of the blooms were primarily dark purple, hot pink, lime green, and white. It was Katie's mom's birthday, so we had Roxie and Jeremy put a candle in her cobbler since they were serving bride's table. A small and mostly insignificant detail here that I just thought I'd mention is that my 8 year old wedding shoes sort of gave out on me... I had to remove that bottom pieces from both heels lest they come out mid stride down the aisle and render me helpless and prone to stumble and fall. So I just plunked around with open heels! On the sad side, it was exactly a year to the day that Uncle Kale passed away. We had a special bouquet in his memory on display, then sent it home with Aunt Donna. We all miss him so much!!

{TOMORROW is the DAY to draw a WINNER for the HAPPINESS giveaway!!}

purple, love, and tumbleweeds

 

My thoughts are in a bit of a skirmish....so much water has passed under the bridge, that I don't know where to begin! Spring Break is history, I've been to Kansas, Roxie and Jeremy are now Mr. and Mrs. Koehn, and it's already MARCH 10!! What more shall I say?! It was incredibly inspiring to journey to the western flatlands to witness the vows of my dear friend and cousin, and to hang out with Jill and Max! Although it is still a great mystery to me why anyone would voluntarily choose to dwell in Kansas, the bumbling, bouncing tumbleweeds did sorta tickle my gizzard! Other than the hypnotizing windmills, the land just lacks character in my opinion. {I realize I am not writing this epistle in spatial order. Please forgive.} On the way, we ended up veering from the planned route due to obediently following the faithful GPS. We ended up taking 55 north through AR instead of 20 west out of Jackson to Dallas like we had originally planned. I didn't mind; we actually got flurried on by several snowflakes, and saw fields of the white stuff around Wichita. Backing up again, I want to tell you where all we ate! LOL! Dad treated us to the Western Sizzlin' buffet in Magee, MS for lunch. {Of course, we had a laundry basket of snacks for in between meals.} For supper, we settled in at an Arkansas Waffle House. I highly recommend their pecan waffle! We soon sacked out in style at a fairly new Sleep Inn in Van Buren, AR. I swam solo in the heated pool before calling it a day. After whisking ourselves down for complimentary waffles the next morning, we headed west again. It got warmer as we got closer to Ingalls, much to my dismay. I was relishing wearing my winter boots for once!! Aunt Sue and I settled in at Jill's grandparents house; Jill, Jan, and Max soon arrived! Max is just growing up like the cutest lil weed! Next event was the "Saturday Night Supper" as we commonly call it! I was thrilled to meet the other members of Roxie's family, and to see friends I hadn't connected with for ages! After eating, all those that were so inclined stood together around the projector and sang their hearts out. Back at the Schmidt's, we got to visit with Louis and Amy and their 4 kiddos! {They are just a tiny bit older than we are! Help!} Louis and Daniel have been friends for years, so he was disappointed that Danl hadn't been able to come with me. Jill and I stayed up as late as we could of course. All too soon, my alarm was ringing its head off! The wedding day had arrived! Roxie was a beautiful bride in a lovely, yet simple, dark lavender dress. The bridesmaids wore teal, which complemented the purple perfectly! Rox and Jer were full of excited grins and goofs! {I loved my side-view seat!} "I do, I do, I will, I will," and away walked the bride and groom, towards their new life together with huge smiles on their radiant faces! After eating the delicious wedding meal of yummy pork, roll, coleslaw, beans, cake, and coffee, I was dismayed to see a purple toaster, just like the one I had already purchased to give them at their Florida reception, come happily through the gift line. I had applauded myself for not procrastinating for once, all to no avail! Now WHAT in the world shall we get them for a present?! I had picked out that toaster for Roxie at Target long before she was even engaged!! Such is life. At their send-off, we riced them down thoroughly,{Anthony was even on the house roof and doused them good as they came out the door!} and sent them away to honeymoon, their car billowing with balloons, streamers, and caution tape! I didn't go to church in the evening, opting instead to spend precious time with Jill, Max, and my cousins from PA and WI. We said our sad goodbyes and left out Monday morning, after shopping at "Just For You" in Montezuma. Bought myself a teeny-tiny glass dog to add to my collection for a souvenir, and got some Kansas beef at the local grocery store to take home for Daniel! This time, we headed for Dallas down through the beautiful scenery of Oklahoma and northern Texas. Braums was a MUST for lunch! I loved my thick, onion-y chili and two scoops of ice cream! White chocolate raspberry and cherry pecan chunk.... yummo! Several hours later, Dad treated us to Pancho's Mexican Buffet in Dallas. Fresh-made flour tortillas and hot sopapillas hit the spot! I drove some intricate loop-de-loops in downtown Dallas since the GPS couldn't figure out the construction zones. Finally after midnight, we stopped for a few zzzzz's in Marshall, LA. Or maybe it was Marshall, TX. I don't know! With home sweet home on the horizon, the last stretch of the way dragged along! Stopped again in Magee for lunch, this time at Dairy Queen. Finally, we rolled into Atmore! Then on to 6350 Garrett Road and into my hubby's arms! HOME at last.

thoughts from the pew...

Do you ever end up letting your mind wander away from the sermon you are supposed to be listening to, and then God ends up sending you another sermon tailor-made? That's what happened to me yesterday... as my thoughts were drifting, He impressed some powerful directives upon me, and brought the following song to my heart. I'll try to leave the gist of them here.

"Life should feel full of wonder for a Christian....is mine? Life will bring many changes, some good and some not so good....will I be able to handle it? God set me here, in THIS time and place.... He will be there for me, for us, ALWAYS. God is the One who created this magical world, with all its wonderment... Happiness doesn't just fall out of the sky; it's up to me to find it, to keep it alive no matter what circumstances life brings to me. Because... "He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." {2nd Corinthians 9:6-7} If I give my all to God, to my husband, to others, and to discovering the simple joys of life, my heart will be full and overflowing."

 

GOD SET YOU HERE

by Janarro Jantz

 

You have arrived in life,

At this time and place.

God set you here

By His love and grace.

 

What e're you meet today,

God's mighty hand

Planned it that way.

Fill your place today.

 

Chorus - "God set you here....God set you here."

 

Oh, faint not at the load

That you have to bear.

God won't forget you;

He's always there.

 

 

What e're you meet today,

God's mighty hand

Prepares a way.

Fill your place and pray.

 

Chorus - "God set you here....God set you here."

 

So spread some cheer around,

Tell someone you care.

You have a place here,

A part to share.

 

Your sunshine's needed here,

So give someone

A smile to cheer.

Fill your place right here.

 

Chorus - "God set you here....God set you here."