Reboot

I was wishing today that I had a "reboot" button. This week I had trouble with my computer. After trying everything I've ever been taught to fix it with no luck, I simply rebooted the silly thing - and it worked great.
I wish I had a reboot button. Lately I've been plagued by thoughts gone crazy, my mind going down pathways I don't want to go. I've been struggling with an overwhelming feeling of failure, constantly thinking that I haven't done well at the things that were the most important to me in life. I try everything I know to get out of those channels of thinking, but sometimes I can't escape.
I wish I could just reboot my brain when those moments hit.

My Raegan

She flirts.

and smiles



and oh how she loves to talk.

That's my Raegan. The little girl who has tightly wrapped her fists around my heart!

What a Week.

First off let me say: Shannon, Tab, Liv, all you moms out there that are parenting small children - my respect for you is renewed and immense. I guess I was so far removed from that time that I forgot how consuming and exhausting small ones can be.
I just completed my second week as a Granny-Nanny and shwoo-ee what a week. Zane had "the flu" (not sure if it was the regular or the swine) and was home most of the week and Raegan had a stuffy nose. So it was not a normal week. (Or actually, maybe it was when it comes to kids). Regardless, it was exhausting. . . . .but OH SO REWARDING! My grandkids are awesome!

I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of Zane with his little white mask the Dr. gave him to wear. It was basically to protect the rest of us from his coughing and he wore it like a trooper. But here's a pix of him and his best bud Radar:

If you've read any of my previous blogs, you know how much I adore this guy!!!!! What a little man!!






And now my heartstrings have been gripped again by the world's sweetest little lady.
She will be featured in the next blog as for some crazy reason my photos of her don't seem to want to download at the moment.
so. . . .to be continued.

A Different Picture

Isn't it funny how when you walk with Jesus things often don't turn out the way you expect?

Five months ago I was watching the want-ads and diligently looking for an office job. I was getting some part-time experience in an office, was discovering the gifts and talents I have to offer, and getting all gung-ho about my possibilities. I was sure it was time for me to work full-time, and I was taking all the steps.

In the back of all my decision making, however, I was seriously petitioning the Lord to show me HIS plans for me. It's really easy sometimes to paint a picture of how I think things need to look and then try to fill in that picture. But I really truly WANT the Lord to direct my steps and to take me where HE wants me to go and be.



And He has.



And He is.



Tomorrow, I start the most amazing job! I have to get up early in the morning and head to Salina. But. . . . . .I'm not going to an office. . . . . .I'm going to a home. And I won't be wearing a skirt or a "power suit". . . . .I'll be wearing either shorts, sweats, or maybe my pajama pants. I won't be carrying a briefcase . . . .but I have a cute little canvas bag of "board books".



Tomorrow I start a full-time job as a "Granny-Nanny". For the next ? months, I'll be taking care of my Beautiful granddaughter Raegan (and occasionally my Wonderful grandson Zane).



Aren't God's plans "so much more than we can ever ask or think"?




Tomorrow sure doesn't look like I thought it would. . . . . . . . it looks even better!

Thank You Laurie and Mike

For my birthday in August, my dear sweet friends Laurie and Mike gave me a beautiful bird feeder. It has been a never-ending source of laughter and entertainment since we hung it outside our window. We have been Grand Central Station as a huge diversity of birds have come in to fight over the feeder. It has been like a dance as they fight over the feeder (and those who lose end up on the ground with the leftovers), splash in the bird bath nearby, or sing in the trees and on the fence post. Whenever it rains we bring the feeder in (the seeds tend to get mushy and jammed up), and I really miss the noise and singing. It is way too quiet outside my window today as one lone bird sings his song, but since I don't know if the rain is over I won't hang the feeder back out.

Thank you Laurie and Mike for such a lovely gift that brings so much joy.

Spontaneity

I love spontaneous moments, and I think we should grab them more often. The other day, we were trying to plan out our day (when you own a home you are never at a loss for what to do), and we suddenly decided we wanted to "get out of Dodge". So we loaded the ice chest with cold water, gassed up the car, and went to the zoo in Great Bend, Kansas. It is a free zoo and what a wonderful experience.





Because of the wire fencing, many of my pictures did not turn out as well as I hoped. I will admit that I was very grateful for the fencing, however, especially when viewing the big cats and the grizzly and black bears.

Hands down, our favorite moment at the zoo was at the alligator pen. We were standing at the pen debating whether the huge gators lying on the bank were really real (since none of them wanted to move), when a worker came out to feed the gators. What an experience! The guy was great and explained all about gators. He then got into the huge lake/pen and fed them raw whole chickens. Gator with whole raw chicken.

Sleeping gator

I love moments like we had, spontaneously going on an adventure. I'm not an expensive date, but I do love new experiences and adventures. And viewing God's creativity and awesomeness is always one of my favorite experiences.

Sleepy Head

I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to visit my daughter in the middle of the night in order to see this little lady's eyeballs. Last week when we visited:




Raegan snuggled in Uncle Zac's arms.

Today when I visited:

Oh well, before she ended up in her seat, we had a wonderful snuggling and rocking time. Warm and sweet-smelling and oh so cuddly in sleep.