:. nutshell .:

So how do you catch up on 2 years of life? Bullet points, I imagine.
In no particular order:

• it's Lewy Body, not Parkinsons. Silly neurologist! You should've listened to me from the beginning!
• if you want to know how selfish you are, try caregiving 24/7. Eye-opening, I tell you.
• Cohen Russell Saldanha. Mmmmm.... that taste of heaven is new since we last spoke.
• 7 (SEVEN!) grands! The most wonderful little people in the universe. And they have become...
• ...cousins who love each other deeply. What a joy to see them enjoying one another.
• hours upon hours spent in my studio. So thankful for that space in which to create.
• dozens and dozens of bags, pillows, hats, scarves and etc.
• my kids. May I just say I am so grateful that God has blessed us with such loving sons and daughters. They refresh my heart in so many ways.
• westwind church continues their great care of us. I have said so many times that I have never seen people be so consistently like Jesus. It's a beautiful thing, indeed.
• my garden has never really recovered from too many seasons of neglect. I think of it as a microcosm of the world God created: intended for great beauty and perfection, but pretty much overrun with weeds and decay and disarray.
• I've learned to let a lot of things slide. A LOT of things. 
• I've also learned how to change a furnace filter and put air in my tires and take down a light fixture (and actually get it wired back up without getting electrocuted!)
• it's really, really hard to be needy. I imagine there's some pride involved, but I think a lot of it is I don't like putting other people out. I know, I know. But YOU try it. It's HARD to ask for help.
• I've never been so exhausted in my life.
• emotional strain is more wearing than lack of sleep. Emotional strain PLUS lack of sleep essentially zombifies a person.
• sweet little Mozart #5 (or 6, I lose track) is such a delightful beauty. He sings like there's no tomorrow. Hmmm.... perhaps he knows something I don't know??
• I repainted my living room and my bathrooms (gorgeous!) as well as my bedroom furniture (also gorgeous!)
• our bedroom is next on my list, but so far I haven't been in the mood to paint. And trust me, you MUST be in the mood to paint.
• after years of heavy-duty sewing, I FINALLY purchased a heavy-duty sewing machine. Wow. Just wow. A dream machine!
• and of course, most importantly, my God has never left my side. He has walked right beside me through it all. Oh, who am I kidding? He has CARRIED me - a loving Father tenderly carrying His weary daughter.

Surely there's been more, so much more in the last 2 years.

But this is a good start 'for the record'.

:. hello 2016 .:

Wow. It's been over 2 years since I've posted. I'd pretty much given up blogging; it's so 2010.
And then a funny thing happened: I went back to the beginning. The other night I logged on to this old blog and read some of the very first posts. That's when I realized why I blog. It is history, my history. It is a record of how things are at a particular moment in time. Of course... so obvious, right? What I didn't count on was how much I'd forgotten; how many little snippets of the past had been wiped from the old memory banks. Joy and pain, good and bad, it's all important in shaping who we're becoming. And it's nice to have a written record.

So..... I may or may not start posting semi-regularly. But it is my best shot at remembering who I am and where I've been.

:. the babe, the awesome king .:

As you celebrate the birth of that tiny babe in Bethlehem, don't misunderstand who Jesus really is. Many of His day didn't recognize their King; many failed to respond to His offer of mercy. Most didn't understand that He was the Eternal God incarnate.

The apostle John knew Jesus well. He walked with Him on this earth, saw Him transfigured on the mount, and ate dinner with the resurrected Jesus. He saw Him ascend into heaven with his own eyes.
Yet towards the end of his life, John records a vision he saw of his beloved Savior and friend. When he beheld Jesus, he "fell at His feet as though dead." He was now seeing the glorified King of heaven and earth - awesome, indeed. Jesus placed His hand on John and told him he needn't be afraid.

That babe in the manger is now the glorified Christ who sits at the right hand of God in heaven. And He has said He will return to the earth one day. On that day, there will be no mistaking Him. He is coming the second time as "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS", with power and great glory. At the sight of Him, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
What kind of people ought we to be?

Yes, rejoice that the baby was born.
But recognize that He deserves your all.

:. a beautiful chaos .:

For various reasons (laziness being high on the list) it's been awhile since I've hosted family dinner. Last night we finally all came together.
There are twelve of us in the immediate family: six adults and six children. We grown-ups are all friends; we love each other dearly. And the cousins, well, they are absolutely ecstatic whenever they get together. My home is on the small side, so all of us together makes for a very cozy gathering. Very cozy. Some might call it chaotic.

Coming from the kitchen after seeing to the final dinner prep, I stood in the doorway drinking in the scene in the living room:

• my wonderful sons, engaged in conversation, deepening their brother-bond
• my two beautiful girls, sharing an armchair, talking and giggling madly
• all six of my littles, their toys strewn EVERYwhere, laughing, running, hugging, sharing

I thought my heart might burst.
It continued through dinner - the stories, the laughter, the happy chatter.
The highlights?

• the lovely prayers lifted up by the little ones before we began our meal
• Josh telling his crazy fat raccoon story, every child in rapt attention 
• Eisley guffawing that wonderful belly-laugh of sheer delight at the conclusion of said fat raccoon story
• Liam explaining how he planned (with my help) to make a brain out of yarn
• the way my kids love their nieces and nephews as if they were their own
• the deep love that showed itself as we sat around the table enjoying lasagna and family

I found myself offering up a prayer to my wonderful Savior, thanking Him for such beautiful chaos.

:. today .:

Today was a good day.
I spent some time with Gavie -
we invented a new game involving bubbles, squirt guns and Han Solo.
We also spoke in cursive...
and worked on our multiplication tables.
We sang...and laughed...
and enjoyed the glorious spring day.
Today was a good day.

Today was a good day.
I saw a girl crossing University on a unicycle.
A unicycle!
I walked out of the fabric store having spent only 66 cents...
and I overheard friends sharing a laugh.
The sky was blue, birds were singing...
And I had a good book to read.
Yes, today was a good day.

Today was a good day.
I had food, I was clothed, I had shelter.
I had people who love me...
and those I can love in return.
I had enough trial to help me grow...
and failure enough to keep me humble.
I had everything I need...
and more.
Yes, today was a good day.

"This is the day The Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it."