Monday, February 29, 2016

Day 19 Lenten Journey

Having that taste of Spring on Saturday, was great! Especially b/c in Alabama they always say, "Spring in Alabama " is "SUMMER in Alabama". Yes, we have a bit of Spring but it hops right into the throes of summer. So, when we see the crocus putting out her head out of the frosty/brown ground and see the Japanese Cherry Blossom trees blooming, we know it's around the corner. And it is. The grass might say it's winter, but the kids were running around in the brown stuff on Saturday--barefoot. (However, when the sun goes down, it's BRRRR, chilly again)! But, just seeing the fresh pale yellows/greens/pinks and blue clothes in the stores gets me excited. It was fun watching Ella Kate open some of her presents that included bathing suits/short sets/rompers/pretty dresses ---as we know that , truly, Spring/Summer are coming. And fast. (YAY)!

As those days approach, and I look forward to more time outside, I hope this season I don't wish Spring, (however short it may be!), to leave too quickly. I want to breathe in the sights and smells this Spring. check the ground for the beginnings of my "elephant ears" , that come up faithfully each year. Walk behind the fence by the lake and see if I see any signs of a Mother Goose feathering a nest.  Watching people fish by the lake. Start preparing our little garden spot for the tomatoes/okra and peppers we plant each year. And, even though I have already had a jump on Spring by taking the cushions back on the porch furniture, cleaning up the winter doldrums by cleaning everything on my beloved porch.  and cleaning MY PORCH SWING. Oh how I love it. My old one, I used for the past 15 years, now is in Natalie's back yard. Terry bought me a new one last year that I love even more. It faces the lake and it's at the back of the porch where I have privacy to sit and swing to my heart's content. The children, ALL OF THEM, have loved GranJan's swing. *We  have taken untold "trips to the moon" on that thing!* It's my HAPPY PLACE, that swing. I have prayed in that swing so many days. I've cried on that thing. I have waited to hear "it's a boy or it's a girl" while swinging. I've talked to teachers on it (when P and K were in school). I've talked to Mimi on it many times and I would tell her what I was seeing as we talked.  I've talked to my BFF, Bobbie, on the phone on that swing so often she will say "are you on the swing? I hear  the train" HAHA. I have learned more about God on that swing b/c I taken time to do studies while on it without the conflict of the T.V. or phone. (I need to buy a sign somewhere that says "no cell phone zone" for it! ). I love watching the birds on the feeder which is right by the screen and watching the geese walk around the backyard from it also. (I guess they can't see me that well, so it's like watching the "nature channel" on T.V. watching them)
....Saturday, we were outside and I started looking for Charles. I asked Rachel if he had left (they came in separate cars b/c Blakley and Rachel had another party to go to before Ella Kates) b/c I didn't tell him good-bye and she said "no, he's still here". Then I looked thro the screen and saw him swinging on the porch swing. (glad I wasn't talking bad about him! LOL). It's just a comforting thing to do...Everyone loves my swing. wonder why? Does swinging remind us of when we were young and would swing at school or the park?? Does it free  us to put a swing in control vs. ourselves? (DEEP THOUGHTS from GranJan). Does it relax us, like it does babies, who instantly fall asleep when I am gently swinging with them? Maybe all of those things. All I know is that God and Granjan meet daily there from the start of Spring until the frost comes and it's too cold to swing. (thankfully, that means a good 9 months of swinging in Lake Cyrus!)! One reason I didn't ever want to move from here is b/c of that crazy swing! I love love love my view from it . Nothing but lake and backyard. 

















I told my little Sunday Schoolers to find a spot to call their own "God Place". we talked about where that could be. Obviously, mine is "the porch swing" (weather permitting), but I believe everyone should find that spot that is away from the hustle and bustle. It's so easy to get distracted by electronics in this day and time.I'm so glad we don't have a TV on our back porch.I must say I wanted one a first. But, we get some blowing rain sometimes so that can't work on ours. And, really, I'm glad. I'm also glad our porch isn't glassed in. I like to hear the geese and birds and see the people fishing. (Patrick may never forgive me for leaving his mounted fish he caught here on Lake Cyrus on the back porch and it getting ruined. Oops. Mama faux pas). Anyway,  back to your/my  GOD PLACE. Find one! Think outside the box. If you find one, it will be a place you will run to when you need God's: comfort/solace/praise place. It will change your life. Yeah, I'll go so far as to say that! So, if you don't have one, I highly recommend finding one. And let me know where it is so I can share it!


Blessings on day 19. Easter isn't that far away. Keep the faith.

#lentenjourney #findyourhappyplace #findyourGodplace #Springiscoming #carrythecross

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Day 18

It's DAY 18 ! Wow, time is marching on . (get it, almost MARCH?)?! ....Today was Ella Kate's Birthday and we continued to celebrate her day by going to church and then out to eat. Sadly, it was soon time for the Cullen Clan to head back to Atlanta. They are back home now, safe and sound but with lots of memories of a fun/busy packed birthday week-end! We truly had a wonderful week-end and it was so much fun to have all the cousins together for a few hours. They played and ran outside until the sun went down! It was truly a wonderful day.....

Here are all the latest pix of the grandchildren. and their ages. I have 9 at last count!

Lily: she is 11 years old 





Kemp--he is 11 years old , too!






Powell--8 years old



Daisy --8 years old (they are only 6 days apart in age!)



Blakely--6 years old



Carter- will be 5 in April




Ryder--will be 5 in May




Gabriella Kate--3 today!




Beckett--3 months old





Terry and I feel so blessed to have these precious grands and we love to see them whenever we can. They are growing so quickly!!!


THE BOYS!

THE GIRLS!




 A few randoms......And.....they are with their favorite GranJan!


#lentenjourney #lookingtowardsEaster #ourblessings #blessedtimes9