Dogs

I miss Ringo.

To Appreciate My Blessings

This last month has been a trying time for The Sanders Family. Andrew's father passed away just before Thanksgiving. I could go on and on about how sad this is and how much it hurts, which it does, but I wanted to 'free write' more about a lesson I am learning from this experience.

This trial has helped me see the blessings that surround me, my family, my life, and it has helped me appreciate them more.

Opposition in all things right? We can't know comfort if we don't know hurt. We can't know joy if we don't know sorrow. Knowledge of this doesn't make it easy, but it does help me see and appreciate all that I have in my life. If we don't see the blessings around us, then it will be a very dark sad lonely world.

This is not to say that I am always an optimist. I am not. Loosing my father in law, and seeing my husband and his family with their loss, hurts. There is little to ease the pain. BUT, I am making it a point to be aware of the people that have been placed in my path to help me, and to bless me. I also noticed, while Andrew and I were in Texas, the people in my mother-in-law's life that are blessings to her. I am thankful that she has wonderful angels around her supporting and loving her.

I have a favorite quote that says:

“When something does not insist on being noticed, when we aren't grabbed by the collar or struck on the skull by a presence or an event, we take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude”

Why is it that it takes something huge to happen for us to notice and/or to appreciate it? I think I know what my New Year's Resolution will be: Take time every day to find and notice the blessings in my life, no matter how small or grand, and appreciate them. And if I already appreciate a specific blessing that I see, then I will appreciate it more than before!

"Whatever fills your heart with gladness is a good thing. Let yourself be filled. There is much joy and beauty in the world if you only open yourself to it."

My last sweet memory of Dad was when he sang "Happy Birthday" on the phone to me, and he sang it with all the vigor in his soul!

Hugs and loves to you Papa!

Puzzle for fun

Jerricho Sings

"You Are My Sunshine"

There is a reason for my post somewhere - or is it just rambling

I keep thinking about my family. My entire family: immediate family, extended family, family-in-law. The family members who are in a good place, and the family members who are struggling. I feel like I am on a roller coaster and I know I'm not the only one. So many thoughts have flown in and out of my mind and heart lately that I can't really organize my thoughts- which is probably how random this post will be as you read it. If you read it.

I hate seeing my family members in pain, yet it's inevitible in life. I hate feeling helpless in that I can't take their pain away. It's hard to sit back and let life happen when it's not how you want it to go.

But

Puzzle

The Band Perry - If I Die Young

Summer

So much has happened this summer, and it's only July:

1. My sister Rachel and her boys came up from California to visit in June. It's amazing how much the boys grew since January when I saw them last. It was fun to go miniture golfing with them and to just hang out. Unfortunately I have no pictures on my computer to share at this time!



2. My sister Allison took us horseback riding at Eagle Island with her three horses and that was fun, as it always is.



3. I was busy painting our living room in our new home. What a task just choosing a color! I've been quite tired and bored of all the neutral colors so I wanted to go bold. I think I accomplished it without an overwhelming feel to it. I love the red. The color is actually "Sangria Red".
   

4. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sing with the chorus in the traveling show "Star Wars in Concert". They came into town and asked the Boise Master Chorale to sing two songs with their orchestra for the show. While I am not a memeber of the Boise Master Chorale, I was invited to sing with them. What an honor! This is a famous show with tickets costing $60.00-100.00. That was an awesome, adreneline heightening experience. I had so much fun and it made me miss singing in a choir, with adults!

5. Andrew's sister and two of her three kids moved here to Nampa, Idaho from Lake Stevens, Washington. It is exciting and fun to have them here, and I know it means so much to Andrew to have his sister living so close to him. We are all excited for the good times ahead we'll have with them.

6. The boys have started swimming lessons. So far they are off to a good start. It's neat to watch them improve from last year, and will be great seeing them improve this year.

7. For the rest of the summer, I hope to paint a few more rooms in our house, and to TRY and find some time for relaxation. Yesterday I found an hour to lay out in the sun (on our new big back patio) and I almost feel asleep. I surely need more of that before I go back to work!

Andrew's Surprise Party

Well, not sure how surprised he was by he had fun - which was my main goal. Andrew has wanted to play poker for a long time so Happy 40th Birthday - Apirl 6th!

Maybe

This is worth the read when you have a few minutes.