A DAY IN THE LIFE... 07-22-14

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY.. (YES! Who can wait for Thursday when there's such a great #tbt on a Wednesday)... I woke up to this sight - just below me on the bottom of our trundle bed. We were staying in our tiny "treehouse" apartment at CHQ (2 rooms & a tiny bathroom, 5 stories above the ground!). My daughter had already left to paint the sunrise. We would catch up to her later in the day painting in a lovely wooded ravine area. I'd woken up BEFORE the Little that day - early enough to get some "me time". I remember being so blessed by that sight of our sleeping 18 month old red-haired sweetheart just below me! Looking at this picture even today, my heart is full. Morning by morning new mercies I see!

 

The girls & I spent EIGHT WEEKS last summer in Chautauqua Institution. It was one of the best experiences of my entire life. At the same time, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. And, it was one of the most stressful times of my life -- an 8-week time period when I felt I had little to NO control over what I did with any portion of my time & felt I had no control over the bank account. The scheduling of my times was all dependent upon the needs & wants of a little one. And, when I look back at how much I missed the LOML in those weeks away from the land of "stuckinindiana", I'm even MORE thankful the relationship I have with him today! And, when I think of the amount of money we put out to make that 8 weeks happen, my stomach sinks. We took a hit. But, I still believe with all my heart that it was the right thing to do! When given the opportunity to help someone achieve their dreams, DO IT! Even if it's costly, do it! Even if it takes you out of your comfort zone, do it! Even if it calls for sacrifices, do it!

Many people have said that I take A LOT OF PICTURES & I would agree. But, if you say that I take TOO MANY pictures, I'd have to disagree. This morning, on a whim, I decided to look at the pictures saved on my laptop that I'd taken one year ago today. Each & every one of them -- just from that one day at CHQ -- reminds me of the blessings I've been given... and God's faithfulness! Morning by morning, new mercies I see!

 

My three #JoyDare listings for 07-22-14 were:

 

7/22/14 Tuesday in CHQ

2779. a clean kitchen - Once you find a spot for everything you need to last you for 54 days in your tiny 8x8 kitchen (aka living room, family room, parlor)... it's not too hard to keep it clean... IF YOU PUT EVERYTHING BACK IN PLACE EVERY FEW DAYS!!

 

2780. making memories & getting to LOVE ON my g'baby like I did my own children

 

2781. being brought up on left-overs -  has made me a lot easier to please as an adult at mealtime

 

And, in looking over all of the pics from the day, I could have listed another 50+ blessings!!!

 

I know... I'm a broken record about this. But, if you really want to get the most out of your life, enjoy the moments & keep track of just a few blessings every day. When you look back on them, you will be encouraged. Living in the moment & reviewing those blessings could totally reframe how you look back at your own life AND how you move forward with it!