Timing is EVERYTHING

Peace, time, music, and wisdom... my gratitude list today.

Peace~
This morning, after everyone had left the house, I went out to the backyard to water the yard a bit.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  The hissing of the water coming from the hose, and the sun glinting off the drops of water on the leaves of the plants was soothing to me.

Time~
It seems like such a precious commodity these days.  I know that my long days filled with my children are numbered.  They are growing up and starting their own lives.  I'm so excited to see where life takes them but I want to cherish every minute I have with them.  Time is precious.  My daughter and I have been always been close.  I love that even now as she is a teenager, she enjoys spending time with me.  We go for walks several times a day and just talk.  She shares her hopes and dreams with me, she shares her life with me and this time with her is perfect.  

In fact, as I was typing this my son called to tell me

about his first day of his senior year of college classes.  I stopped everything, shut my computer so that I could just enjoy this time with him and listen to his stories of today that led to stories from the summer while he was gone which led to his dreams of his future!  

Time is precious and I'm working at enjoying every minute of it.

Music~
I love music.  I always have.  I wake up with a song in my heart every morning and it will play most of the day in my head.  I'm lucky in that my kids have my love of music and they love to play their instruments.  I get to daily listen to my daughter practice the piano.  It's some of my favorite time of the day.



Wisdom~
You're going to laugh at this one but sometimes I find great wisdom on social media.  I know that sounds crazy but it's true.  Sometimes it's in a blogpost from a friend or an article someone shares and every once in a while it's in that meme that goes viral (every once in a great while...).  Sometimes that wisdom comes at the perfect time, just when I need it most and when that happens, I am so very grateful for it.  Timing is sometimes, everything.  

~~~
And then there is this...

Can you see it?  I think some else has been using my brush!  I mean really!  When exactly did this happen???  Those are grey hairs, yes, there is more than one, on MY brush!!  Ok, so I've had a few grays in my head for a while but I do NOT remember seeing them on my brush before!!  There's that time again... my how fast it goes... 

~~~~

"Teach us to use wisely all the time we have."  Psalm 90:12 (CEV)

It All Adds Up

Short daily walks that add up ~~ friends being there when you need them ~~ cooler days giving me a glimpse of the fall that is soon to come

I'm so grateful for all these.  
~~~

I've stepped up my walking game a bit lately.  I've not sped up in my walking or even added distance to my walks really.  I've just added more walking.  I've been trying to go for a walk morning, afternoon and evening.  Just strolls really, though every once in a while I have to remind myself of that, thay are just around my neighborhood usually.  Sometimes I throw in a longer one but usually not. I've been amazed at how they have added up in steps and mileage. I had two 8 mile days in a row!  Yes, I, me, simply Sherri, walked 8 miles in a day, two days in a row.  I've had a total of 3 of these days ever!  After, the second one, I decided I wanted to try to do it at least once a week.  I never dreamed I'd do it the next day!  I wasn't even trying!  I'm really enjoying these walks, not only are they good for my body, they are good for my soul.  

"Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you."  ~ Genesis 13:17

~~~

I often see on social media some kind of meme or quote about friends.  They say something about how true or real friends are the ones you don't talk to for a long time but are there for you when you need them. I have mixed feelings about that.  I think it's important for friends to spend time together but in this busy world of ours, maybe that's just not possible.  I have a good friend, a neighbor really, who I don't talk to or see enough but when one of us needs the other, we are always there.  It's so nice and refreshing to be able to call on a friend when you need one.  I'm so grateful to have a friend like that.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

~~~
This weather has been perfect for all my walking.  If it was warmer, I don't know that I could it! I've been enjoying time out on the patio more because of the cooler temperatures too.   I have always loved fall.  The cooler temperatures, the leaves changing, wearing sweaters, fires in the fire bowl, soup and chili, home baked bread.  I can't wait for this next change of season.  Actually, I love all four seasons though, I'm noticing as I get older, I like the heat of summer less and less and I find myself wishing for a little shorter winter sometimes too, but I do love the different seasons.  They all have their place.  I've always wanted to live somewhere that has all four seasons and I do now.  I do have to say though that Autumn is my favorite.  What's your favorite season?

Prayers

This is my work space this afternoon.  I'm working on a new project and the cool weather outside, called me to come out and work here.  Isn't it lovely?  I had to stop and clip a few roses to enjoy.

This is my favorite kind of weather, nice and cool with a slight breeze. Ahhh... it's just perfect, and a perfect setting to work on my new project.  I'm excited to get started.  I've been toying with this one in my mind for over a month now and I'm ready to get going on it.  

Question for you, do you pray before you start a new project, or work, or just whatever it is you do?  I always pray as I write a sermon.  I usually pray as I sit down to get started on it.  If I don't I quickly realize it because I struggle.  I often pray when I'm starting new crochet project and pray all through it for whoever might receive it.  I've been praying over this project for a while now, for God to guide me in it and to it and through it.  All prayers are welcome!  Just sayin'.  ;o)

It's a Beautiful Day

Lazy, rainy day, crisp cool morning, happiness and smiles 

Yesterday, we had rain and lots of it.  DD and I sat by the front window and watched as the rain came down while sipping hot tea and visiting.  It was a lazy wonderful day.  A year ago, my DH had this beautiful big window put in and we love to just sit in front of it.  We watch sun rises in the mornings, rain on rainy days and snow on snowy days. Neighbors wave as they walk or drive by, because they know someone will be sitting here.  It's a favorite spot in the house.

The rain cooled things off a bit and this morning is a fabulously crisp cool morning.  It's my favorite kind of morning!  I love the crisp cool air and have opened the doors to let in just a bit of it.

Maybe this is why I woke up this morning with a sleepy smile on my face.  I felt so happy as I slowly began to wake up and feel the warmth of my bed.  I had the song from Sunday, "Beautiful Day" playing in my head and I just felt happy and content.  This is gratitude at it's best for me and at the same time it is something for which to be grateful all in it's self.

Crisp cool morning, smiles and joy, and a plan for a new project (prayers welcome for this) 

This is a portion of my gratitude list this morning...

This Sunday Morning

This past month we have been traveling... A LOT.  I hate to admit it, especially publicly, but we have been really hit and miss with church.  I'm excited to be back in corporate worship this morning.  I've been thinking about it for the last day or so!  Plus, I get to hear my sweet girl play the piano for worship!  I know my heart will be touched.

I am really looking forward to being in corporate worship again.  I need the flames of my heart fanned a bit.  I need to reconnect again.  Hebrews 10:24,25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." That's what worship is and I'm ready.

Ready to sing his praises with others, ready to share our joys and concerns with one another in prayer, ready to read the scriptures together, ready to greet one another in Christian love, ready to hear God's message for me and then go out and live it!

Yes, as the song goes, "I'm about to get my worship on..."

Little Hands

Little hands in mine, giggles, smiles and lots of laughter, snuggles and joy, driver's licenses that mean fewer trips to the store for me

This is one of favorite photos.  It's of my children's hands when my youngest was baby.  Her big brother begged me to take a photo of them holding hands, well, of just their hands.  He thought it was so sweet.  He loved holding her hand.

I've thought of this photo a lot this past week.  My kids are now 20 and 16 and well, they don't hold my hand anymore, but this week my little nephew who is 5 has been visiting me with his big sister, 10.  Whenever we go to cross a street or walk through a parking lot, his precious little hand slips into mine.  I had forgotten how it felt and the first time my breath just may have caught a little and then I smiled, a great - big - smile.  I didn't realize how much I have missed those little hands in mine.  I'm grateful for all the little hands I've been privileged enough to hold in mine.



The giggles and laughter, pure joy and smiles we experienced yesterday and really all week have been so good for my soul.  Yesterday we visited the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum.  It's the BEST carousel you have ever ridden.  It goes about 10mph and is just awesome!!

Early yesterday morning, my darling daughter left to go get her Driver's License with her Daddy.  What an exciting day!  

And the first thing I did was send out the grocery store!  Yay!  Those last minute items, I need or forgot will now be for her to go get!  She actually made two of those trips yesterday.  She is now also able to drive herself to dance!  WooHoo!!

I have had such a full week that I just can't help but be grateful.  Gratitude makes it even better!  I find myself making notes about little things I'm grateful for now, for these gratitude posts.  Looking for them and taking note of them is enriching my life and you know what?  I'm so grateful for that too.  :)

Living life and loving it!

Windows down, wind blowing in my hair, giggles from the backseat, finding a cool splash pad where the littles could play, more giggles or actually all out laughter!  A yummy home cooked dinner with my family...  

What a gratitude list!  My niece and nephew are here visiting from Texas, where the morning temperatures have been near 90 or even in the 90s before noon.  My niece was surprised to see the thermometer in the car said it was in the mid 70's this morning.  She couldn't believe it!  We rolled the windows down and enjoyed the wind blowing in our hair.  I loved hearing her and her little brother giggling in the backseat.

Later, we found a cool splash pad where they could play and get wet.  They thought it was a little cool, maybe even cold at first.  My nephew LOVED it!  He ran through the water laughing and singing the whole time, "This is the best day of my life!  This is the best of my life when I came to spend the night with Aunt Sherri!"  That was music to my ears!  Then, there was a little mishap and the next thing I knew, he had raspberries on his elbow, knee and toe and more scrapes on his sides.  Poor guy!  Broke my heart!

A trip to Sonic, several bandages, a movie on the TV and his iPad and he was feeling much better.  LOL  He's precious.


Then we had a home cooked meal of chicken enchiladas, which was  wonderful, if I do say so myself.  

Next up, a lovely walk and then to finish the evening off~ ice cream.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Even with the ouchies, this is has been a day full of gratitude.

Thank you, Lord.

Family time!

Road trips with my favorite young people and car dancing!  We love car dancing!!

One last yummy meal we can't get in Kansas, Golden Chick!

Coming home to this guy and watching him be a great uncle.

Had a great week with family and am so grateful for the time we had together!

Loved spending time with my dear daughter and her sweet friend.  They are so precious.  They had such a great time.  I have to admit though that it was tough sometimes when I could see that they were no longer little girls but really are 16 year olds!  Where did those little girls go?  Well, they grew into lovely, kind, funny, smart young ladies.

I enjoyed time with my mom and my brother and sister.  It was great to be with them.  It always makes me wish we lived closer together... if only they would move here!!  LOL  They always try to convince me to move back to Texas.  

Feeling so full and grateful.  Love my family!

Road trip and Family

I've been super busy and unable to post my gratitude each day so here is my gratitude for the week.

A walk in the park with my favorite girl and time to stop and dance at the fountain and snap a few photos.

Seeing these sweet little babies at the end of our walk.   We never did see the momma.  They were so cute.

Road trip!  We always stop half way for lunch at one of our favorite places.  We only get to eat here when we travel as we don't have one near us.  

LOVE Whataburger!!

We made it to Texas!  Just an hour more to go.  Loved traveling with these girls.  They are awesome.

 My amazing sister proved she was an amazing aunt too by taking these lovelies to the 5 Seconds of Summer Concert.  She is totally the coolest aunt! They all had a great time. That was the real reason we traveled to Dallas.  #5SOS

 My two favorite guys.  DS got home for a few days and though I wasn't there to see him, I'm so glad he and his dad (my sweet dear husband) got to spend some quality time together before headed back to the airport to go spend some time with his fiance and then bring her back home for the fall semester.

A Grateful Heart

This was the beautiful sky on walk this morning.

Affirmations, home, crockpots, love

~Today I took my DD to the local community college to enroll (dual enrollment) for a class.  She took a placement test and did really well.  I love when I get affirmation that I haven't ruined her by homeschooling her.  I know how smart she is and I know what she is capable of but it's really nice to get that outside affirmation.

~We got home from a week long trip yesterday afternoon, and as much as I loved our trip and wished it could have been a lot longer, it's always nice to come home.  Fortunately for me, I LOVE my home!

~I'm not using my crockpot tonight because I forgot to put something in it in time, so as my oven is heating up my home, I'm so grateful for crockpots which can make lovely meals without heating up the house. I will planning on using it soon.

~Love.  Today would be my parents 57th (I think) anniversary.  This is my mother's first anniversary without him and I know it is hard for her. My parents had a great love.  They were an amazing couple who set a wonderful example for their kids.  I am who I am today because of them.  I love them both more than words can say and today, I am forever grateful for the love the showed each other and that overflowed onto me.  

The Simple Things

~ A nice relaxing bath 
~ after a morning stroll through the zoo (and can I just say that God's creatures are just amazing!) ,
~ and a lazy afternoon with the family followed by
~ a long stroll through the neighborhood and
~ a family movie.

 I have to say that I've had a great week.  We didn't really do anything all that special but we took time to be together and get out and live together.  We took time to notice our surroundings and to enjoy the simple things.  It's those things for which I am so very grateful.  It's these things that having been bringing me joy.