Joyfull Living

Summer highlights for our family include a few soccer tournaments with our youngest son and a week of working in children's church camp.  When plans were being made, the impact of these dates being back to back didn't seem too important.  But...one weekend spent out of town, followed by leaving the next day for camp, home to get a days work in at my job, followed by another day of soccer left me a bit off balance, tired, cranky and irritable!! During the activities, we had a great time!!  Here is my soccer boy and my cabin of girl campers!! The first full day at home was Sunday.  It felt so good to be home surrounded by what was familiar and dear!  Almost automatically, I began to do some of those 'homey' things that help me regroup. Before time to leave for church, a roast was ready for the oven, potatoes were cooked and ready to be mashed and a loaf of homemade bread was baking.  What a beautiful time it was in the kitchen 'going back...

Do you ever find yourself in the grocery store produce section and grabbing lots of those delicious looking fruits and vegetables?  Do you rationalize that you will be eating so much healthier, be a better mom, care for your families eating habits, etc.then fill the cart up? Have you ever fast forwarded from that moment to a few weeks later when you find that produce which was so beautiful, has turned colors, changed textures and is no longer edible?   One of my favorite healthy eating blogs, 100 Days of Real Food shared a free printable cheat sheet for produce.  How long will it last and where is the best place to store it?  Quickly look to see at your sheet.   You can find it HERE:  and use it as a tool to eat healthier and keep that produce fresh!!

What a beautiful mix of emotions this month brings.  Marriage is definitely first on the mind, as today is our 25 wedding anniversary!!  It doesn't seem possible, I can remember my parents talking about their 25 anniversary!!!  The years have flown by and through the good times and the trying times, God has blessed us mightily and been the source of life for us.  Also, my oldest son is engaged and we are immersed in plans for next month's wedding.  It is fun to be involved in the events going on with them as they prepare to begin their new life together.  Wedding details, new home preparations, bridal showers....I clearly remember the excitement and joy this season of life brings. But in the midst of all that joy, 25 years has taught me that there is more to marriage than the ceremony and a new home. A new life is one where two people merge into one family.  It is a beautiful picture of how the love of Christ fills our hearts and makes ...

A father holds a tremendous amount of influence in the life of a family.  The powerful presence or lack of, impacts families for generations.    As we celebrate Father's Day, this weekend, I am so thankful for my husband, who is a fantastic father to our sons. He diligently teaches them Christian values, how to work hard, think of others and above all to love the Lord with all their heart and how  to live out their faith.    Actions surely speak loud and this weekend, our oldest son moved into his own home.  Dad was right there beside him,  checking tires, loading furniture, giving advice, being a dad!!       We usually celebrate Mother's and Father's Day with my husband's parents, by inviting them over for lunch.  Both my parents have passed on and this gives a bittersweet day an opportunity to find joy and thankfulness with family.      But this year, after the...

This week, Monday arrived after a fantastic weekend!  Our youngest son was at a church camp over the weekend, our older son at work which left lots of relaxed, uninterrupted time for sweet hubby and I. We spent the weekend taking care of some household chores, then spent an afternoon doing some shopping and then dinner out.  Sunday morning was quiet and peaceful, we enjoyed some adult company for lunch, a leisurely nap and completed a quiet evening with watching the movie Beautiful Dreamer—a pure chick flick (thanks hubby!!).   Monday morning arrived and as I had only myself to get ready, was enjoying the quiet of the morning.  Deciding to take the trash out, first spilled coffee grounds all over, then when opening a new box of trash bags, cut myself on the box—really??? Who cuts themselves on cardboard??!!!   Plans changed to clean up mode to get the coffee grounds up as I realized I was bleeding all over what I was attempting to clean up!  Fi...

Today is not only Friday, but it is also the last day of school!  Summer is here and will begin with my youngest son attending youth camp over the weekend.  Summer for us will consist of a few church camps, hopefully a quick trip to the beach and of course...a wedding (my oldest son), bridal showers, wedding luncheons and all the fun stuff that goes along with this joyous occasion! It is so easy to get caught up in looking ahead especially when there is so much going on, that the blessings of the past week get quickly forgotten.  Here are a few moments from last week, I want to hold on to and cherish. Shopping with the girls ....Hobby Lobby, six women, four carts - doing some serious shopping for wedding flowers and reception decorations!  Following by dinner at one of my favorites places - Olive Garden!  Flowers to make my heart smile:   My mother had a 'green thumb', the ability to plant something and it simply flourish! She planted bea...

This verse was my daily Bible reading for today: By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas; Psalms 65:5 As I looked up various translations, each one brought forth some powerful words: Righteousness Salvation Confidence Faithful Hope Verses like this speak deep down into my heart, bring encouragement and build my faith.  When we face limitations, find ourselves in difficult situations, feel without hope, God has an answer...He is the Answer...the great I AM! He is faithful to hear and answer our prayers, able to show Himself mighty and is not limited in anyway....He is the hope of EVERYONE!  What an incredible reminder when we face our limits, He brings unlimited HOPE.

    This month my sweet husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage!  Although I can honestly say I love him more today than ever, after all these years, it is easy to become comfortable in marriage.  We know each other so well, our likes, dislikes, our reactions to situations etc.  We just 'do life' so well together.   There is certainly nothing wrong with any of that and it wasn't until this special young lady came into our lives that my  marriage outlook perked up.     Young love is so fresh and vibrant, but it is also so much more.  My oldest son will be married soon and it is so sweet watching them together.  They are so thoughtful of each other, love to do things for the other, plan according to the other's plan, purposefully do life to best fit the other person.  They notice and express appreciation for the smallest acts of kindness. Eagerly do things for one another and seek to be the first to s...