Happy Birthday

Today, our niece turns 6! I don't know where the past six years have gone! I am so thankful for the blessing of her smile, her love, her laughter, the way she gives hugs and kisses and makes me laugh, and for everything God has made her to be, which is one very special girl. Happy birthday!!

Manito Park

I spent a couple hours at Manito Park with my friend, who came down to help occupy my mind for a few hours. We had a great time enjoying all the beautiful flowers and intricate details in each plant! It is always so relaxing to go to Manito Park and enjoy the beauty that so many work to keep beautiful for others be able to come and take in the incredible flowers. To all those who work in the gardens, thank you. It's always nice to visit and take in the amazing beauty. Thanks to my dear friend for a few hours of distraction!

Tiny, But Mighty

It measures approximately 10 cm in length and 4 cm in diameter at it's largest, but boy, does that tiny thing cause havoc! It can bring you to tears and keel you over in pain when it's not working correctly. What you ask? The gallbladder. . Evidently, although all tests show 'normal' except for a polyp, mine isn't working correctly so after being together for four decades, my gallbladder and I will soon be parted. If it truly is what is causing all the pain I've had for the past three weeks, or should I say four years, I will not miss it one bit.

I am nervous, scared, a bit apprehensive, and my mind has wondered to many places it shouldn't go. I have had to capture those thoughts as best I can and turn it over to God, knowing that He is in control and with me along the way. I've had to stay as busy as I can, which isn't always the easiest when the pain is flared up but I've been planting flowers and my garden, reading, writing, taking pictures, and going to town just to try to not let my mind wander. I will have to say that it amazes me how everyone I talk to has a gallbladder story, even some of the techs I've visited over the past three weeks. I have heard numerous horror stories about waiting too long to take out the gallbladder, or how someone had such horrible things happen because the doctors didn't think it was the gallbladder. And, 'did you know that can kill you if you wait too long to get it out?' Gee, these are all what a person needs to hear when going through test after test, ER visits, and doctor visits, trying to find out what is wrong with them. Many doctors have suspected gallbladder problems over the past four years, but since every test has come back 'normal' they haven't taken any action. Apparently, the pain level was bad enough this time that my doctor thought I should see a surgeon, and the surgeon, although the tests are 'normal', thought it's probably my gallbladder acting up so I will be having surgery on Friday. I usually don't write too much about my personal life, but your prayers for the medical team, and for a non-eventful surgery, would be very much appreciated! Thank you.

Focus

We spent a lot of time on the lake over the weekend. It was an amazing Memorial day weekend as far as weather was concerned! We also spent a lot of time in the yard, working on projects and planting. Saturday, the majority of the day was spent just relaxing in the boat. We enjoyed watching geese, eagles, ducks, butterflies that followed us all around the lake and swarmed my husband, grebes, and even a beaver. At one point a grebe was chasing a beaver, just a few feet from our boat. It made both of us laugh to watch this bird chase a fairly good size beaver across the bay. The water was so clear in the bays that we could see to the bottom in even seven feet of water. The sunset was amazing as well.

It was nice to just be still and know that God had made all the beauty and nature that we were enjoying, and to know that no matter what is going on, He is still in control. He cares about the little things, He cares about the big things, and He cares about everything in between. It's hard to remember that sometimes when life it out of control, or there is a lot of stressful things going on in life. But, for me, there's nothing like going to the water to refocus and know that God is right there with me, and that He cares about me, and He will help me through.

What helps you to unwind, to focus your thoughts, and to put things into perspective? Is it being in the mountains, walking through a flower garden, sitting under a tree in a meadow? I challenge you to find some time in the next few days to spend some time there, and let your mind relax, refocus, and know that God is in control and that He loves you.

Remembrance and Respect

To those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom, all Americans owe the a tremendous debt, one that can never be fully repayed. We can, however, honor and respect those who gave their lives for this country and our freedom, and make sure that Memorial Day is not just about picnics, cookouts, yardwork, and fun. We need to take time today to honor and remember those who gave all for this country, for each of our freedoms. We need to take time to thank a veteran, or a current soldier. Give them the proper respect they deserve, and remember to respect the flag for which so many have died. Don't take your freedom for granted! Fight along with our troops to preserve the freedom this country has and don't let our freedoms slip away! There have been too many give their lives for this country to just let that go to waste. Stand up for your country, your freedom, for our troops. Make sure that those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country did not do so in vain. Their duty is done. Our duty, our right, is to honor them for their sacrifice and give them the respect they deserve.

Thank you to all who gave for my freedom, my right to live in a free country. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

New Each Morning

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. ~Lamentations 3:22-23 (New Living Translation)

I needed that verse this morning. God's love never ends!! His mercy, compassion never stops! Every morning they are fresh and new. He is always faithful to us. Always. We are the ones who don't grasp His love and grace and mercy. We start our morning and forget to stop and take time for God. We just rush through our to do list and forget to stop, and take time to be with our Father, our Creator. We can easily get too busy the moment we wake up. Our minds start racing through to do lists, and by the time our feet hit the ground, we are usually running for the day. I don't know about you, but with all life throws at me, I need to take time every morning to take in His love, His mercy, and faithfulness. I need to wake up and say good morning to my Father, and take the time to see what His plans for the day are for me. I need to remember, and I need to live a life with Him at the center of each day. He's always there, just waiting for me to stop and remember.

Sunshiny Day

Yesterday was a gorgeous day! It was in the low 80's. My hubby had the day off because we were supposed to be on vacation, but we didn't make it. He finished our paver patio in the morning, and I planted the garden. In the afternoon, we went for a drive. We headed down the lake, and took some roads we have never been on. We had no idea where we would end up, or if after we drove for an hour, if we would have to turn around and go back. We finally came out to a road we knew and were close to the highway. On our trip, we enjoyed the beautiful lake, we saw a hen turkey, geese, ducks, and as we rounded the corner on one turn, we were blessed to see two bull elk. They didn't stick around long enough for me to switch lenses, so I didn't get a picture. It was a great day, and I enjoyed spending it with my hubby, even if we weren't on the Oregon coast.

Time with Family

We had a great time with family over the weekend. We enjoyed a wonderful day up north to the Refuge. It was special to get to spend time with both our moms, my sis and her family, my dad, and my cousin. We had a great day, and God sent extra blessings our way including watching a pair of eagles at their nest for about an hour, several pairs of Canadian geese and their goslings, numerous ducks, and sunshine! My cousin helped to spare the life of a turtle who seemed to be pretending it was a statue as it sat in the middle of the road. He was moved along safely to the other side. We all relaxed in our own way, I think, which we all needed.

Enjoying the Refuge Headquarters

Mom time

Tulip Day

It's National Tulip Day. I'm always excited when I see my tulips popping through the ground, and usually snow, because it signals that winter is soon coming to an end, and spring is on it's way.

No matter what the weather or where you live, I challenge you to enjoy some tulips today, whether you walk beside them or tiptoe through them, enjoy the beauty in each delicate bloom!