This path laid before me

 

I continue to follow Gods leading. Walking down the path laid before me. Though at times I don't know where I am going, I have complete condifnce that I am going th right way. It's a sense of peace as I walk. God is right there. I can't see him with my eyes but I feel him in my soul. Feels really good.

Aspire to be

Milly aspires to be a chef.

 She says she wants to have her own restaurant. She loves to cook and pretend to cook. I say she can do anything she puts her mind to do. I try to encourage her creativity. I encourage her to explore her strengths, acknowledge her weaknesses and celebrate others. I want her to be proud of who she is and how God made her. That she is a unique creation of God and he has a plan for life. 

In his heart a man plans his future but the lord determines his steps. Probverbs 16:9

A happy place

Don't you wish you could live inside a picture sometimes? Just jump in. I bought this marvelous piece of art because it spoke to me. I was mesmerized  by it. Made me feel like I was right there, standing between the Paris buildings looking up in awe. It does not fit in my house, it's enormous. But hey, sometimes you just gotta step out. Throw practicality out of the window. It lights me up and takes me to a happy place :) where is your happy place?

Fruit pizza

What better dessert then a fruit Pizza for Easter Lunch. It's always a big hit and the creativity set in as I cut up the fruit. Easy recipe.

                                    Fruit Pizza

Cookie dough mix.                            Strawberry's                        

8 oz cream cheese.                           Blueberrys

Cool whip                                          Mangrin oranges 

3/4 c. Sugar                                      Kiwi or green grapes

Make cookie mix. Press into pizza pan and bake. Let cool down. Mix cream cheese, cool whip and sugar. Chill. Smooth cream over large cookie and place your cut up fruit on top. And Viola!

Keeping it Simple

I am not a fan of the big poofy church dresses we used to wear when we were growing up. I convinced my mimi to go simple with the Easter dress this year.

Though I did agree to the $3 bonnet Milly picked up at Target and she simply fell in love with the pink dollar gloves. Why not, I thought. It brought back the childhood memories of or Easter bonnets and gloves we wore as children.

I so want to give her the sweet childhood I had. The tea parties, making tents in the living room, riding our bikes, blowing bubbles, going camping, playing jacks and pick up sticks, laughing till our bellies hurt. All the simple joys in life. It is so hard to not get caught up in the "Lets sign up for everything-Rush here and there-society we live in. I would like her to grow up with an appreciation of the simple, the pure, the good.

Back in the swing of things

Ready for inspiration! Getting some things in my life in order. I want to start inspiring myself and others to make goals, take steps and and follow through. What are your passions and dreams? Make a list and climb those mountains!

We belong together

Family friends and loved ones, 

Thank you for all for hoping with me, cheering me on, believing with me. Thank you for the words of encouragement when I was discouraged, picking me up when I fell down, holding my hand till I felt strong again.  Thank you for the walks, the talks, the texts, just being there by my side. Thank you for dreaming with me.

This child. "My child" was born in my heart. I knew her, though I'd never set eyes on her. I loved her even though I'd never met her. I knew she would come. I prayed for her, prepared for her, dreamed about her.

The moment she walked through my door, it was a sense I felt. I knew she would be mine. I knew she was home. 

Adoption is a precious thing. God asks us to take care of the orphans. There is no explanation for the connection I feel with Milly other then it was God ordained. We have so much in common. She likes to shop, she doesn't like peas, she is kind, she is sweet, she likes to help people and intuitive of those in need. She has a heart for the homeless, she is creative, she can draw, she can paint. She likes to dance and sing. She's a cry baby sometimes- a little dramatic (just like me!)

We celebrated our new family August 27,2015. We belong together now. 

Blessed, Loved & Grateful

Through my eyes I see beauty bestowed before me each day. I find things to be thankful for. I still thank God everyday I lay my head down, for a peaceful home and sweet sleep. Even on the days I am exhausted, I feel blessed. A sense of wellness, wholeness and goodness fills my home and my heart. I watch my child as she sleeps and know she is blessed too. She sleeps with a smile. She knows she is loved. Enveloped in the safety of Gods arms. Together we walk on this path that has been laid out before us. I don't take this for granted. We are blessed, We are loved, We are grateful.

Teachable Moments

Today I was talking to my parents about my day. About this man who was really rude to me and how I politely handled it. Not realizing my sweet child was paying attention. She said mommy, I know what, you could get something to put on his mouth so he wouldn't be rude to you. I said well... I could but, even though he was mean we still have to be nice. God does not want us to be rude just because someone else is. She said "oh yeah because he would be sad, right? I said "yes he would." He is happy when we are nice to people, even when people are rude to us. She smiled, and understood.

Having these teachable moments to instill into a child something positive she can take into her adulthood ... Is priceless.

No words

She came. Fulfilling a lifelong prayer. No words can express how grateful my heart is to mother this child. My heart wells with an overwhelming love that runneth over. The joy and privilege I feel, to keep her safe, hold her when she is sad and comfort her tears away. I don't know if she is mine... But I feel like she will be. For now, I will fill her days with love. One day at a time.

The Season of peace love and joy

Quiet Christmas this year. The season is full of joy and good tidings to all. Just sensed a real peace this Christmas season. Family gatherings, friends and laughter. Just thankful for all the blessings as I look toward a new year :)

Peppermint chocolate delight

                            Peppermint chocolate delight

3 cubes of chocolate bark                 Crushed up peppermint candy

Graham cracker squares.                   Chopped pecans

Melt 3 cubes of chocolate in microwave. Dip graham cracker squares in chocolate. Set on wax paper. Sprinkle peppermint and pecans.

                                              Yum!!!

Living in the Moment

,

This is it. We get this one big beautiful messy life. Clarity and uncertainty woven together. Living in the moment is difficult but it's gotta be done. I can't wait for everything to be perfect and happen when I want it to. I must live for today and take the next day as it comes. In the end it will be this tapestry of beauty, woven in all the joys and difficulties in one big quilt. I want to say I lived it well even through the challenging and and uncertain times. The legacy I will leave is "how" I lived my life. I can only hope to live it with grace and peace and strength. 

Ice cream

Ever notice how when you start a nasty habit you just can't stop. You say I'm in control. I'm gonna have that ice cream in my fridge for that "once in a while" craving. But you cave. It calls your name every night. You reach into your freezer, pull out the scooper and pile a few scoops into your bowl. Then, if that's not bad enough, you reach for the chocolate syrup. Your done. You've lost all control. I must say that after it's all said and done remorse sets in. Because no matter how good it made you feel while you were eating it, it doesn't feel good in the morning when you step on the scale. 

Living victoriously

I love this quote. God created us to live with victory above our circumstances. I have been guilty of this, living under defeat and unworthiness. But I was created for so much more. God has lead me through, Step by step, on solid ground and I must say it feels good. To know that I was created for a reason gives me peace and the courage to keep moving forward.  Though life rarely goes according to plan doesn't mean I can't live it with passion and purpose. Plan B is more often life's sweet victory.

Change is good :)

Life is constantly changing . When I think about how many turns my life has taken in the last year in a half I am amazed. What will the future hold?  As much as I sometimes wish I new it's just exciting to see what wonderful things are in store. This past Monday I got my license:) it official. I'm just on the brink of welcoming a child into my home. Change is good. 

Reasons I Love New York

New York is my happy place. A year ago my counselor asked me to close my eyes and go to my Happy place. This is It. Right here. In New York, wind in my face the sound of the water with the New York skyline at my back.

My favorite places being the statue of liberty and all that she represents.

The hustle and bustle of the night lights at Times Square. The excitement to just walk around and take in the ambiance. It's like no other place on earth.

The magnificent Bethesda fountain. A feast for your eyes.

My favorite person in the world to share it with. My sister :)

 The color of a real Autumn. The crisp air, the way the leaves crunch beneath my feet.

 

The entertainment while sitting on a bench in the middle of Central Park. Just brings peace into my soul!

Brooklyn bridge

Sister bonding while passing the Brooklyn bridge :)

The Amazing New York architecture 

 And nothing like subway transportation (which we probly spent 1/3 of our time using to get around.)

Enjoyable for a trip but was glad to get back to my car when I got home.

Beautiful skyline.

No one better to share it with. We had a fabulous time in in a fabulous place! Sister trip 2014. The beginning of a tradition.

Gifts

Gifts. They come in many forms. A word of encouragement, a smile, a hug, letting someone in the lane, a prayer, making someone laugh. Give a gift today. Brighten someone's day :)

Friday favorite

Turn your ordinary into extraordinary. Decorate your life with a ltiile fun. A little goes a long way. Throw off the weeks worries, Savor the moments and laugh till your belly hurts :)Happy Friday!

Live with purpose

I was put on this earth to serve God. with my Whole Life. When I get off track there is such emptiness. When I live my life for God it compels me to fill the world with his love. I am driven to find people on this path whom are struggling. And shine the light of God down upon them. There is hope, there is meaning, there is life, I want to say. Don't give up no matter what your circumstances are. God created us with a purpose. Find out who your are and become that person. Live that life. 

Daring Adventure

Being an active participant in life takes risk. I can choose to sit on the sidelines and watch my life go by as my circumstances take me through or I can choose to get in the game, take some risks and falls and get back up. The satisfaction of pressing through the trials as opposed to giving up and sitting it out is phenomenal. I don't want to be a spectator I want to be in the game able to say I gave it my all. The triumphs are so sweet.

I am at the end of the foster process. I jumped through all the hoops, climbed the mountain of paperwork and passed the fine tooth comb of my personal character. In two weeks I will be a licensed foster home.

Just the tip of the iceberg. Now I actually begin being a foster parent. I am prepared for the second quarter of the adventure. So blow the whistle and sound the trumpets ... Let the game begin.

Friday Favorite

Thank you God!!! Sweet rain. It's as if the sky and earth are celebrating. 

I just want to throw a party!

Don't wait for an occasion for celebration, each day is reason enough:)

Changing Course

Sometimes we choose to change our course and other times our circumstances change our course for us. Over the years I had lost myself, my love of life and my joy. I found the courage I needed to change my  course and headed into the direction of the light. Trusting God to lead me.

The past year and half brought many challenges along the way, but I am happy to share that I now live a life I can be proud of.

I laugh now. My heart is fuller. I appreciate the common. Find joy in simple things and revel in the extraordinary moments life has to offer. Changing course gave me my life back.

Friday favorites

Don't you just love Fridays?!?! Most days I wake up slowly and have to shove myself out of my bed to start my day. But Fridays are always happy days because this means the weekend is just around the corner. I woke up with joy today :)

Happy friday

Hello

Rough week full of disappointments and frustration. Did feel like I was falling off the deep end. But after some quiet inner positive self talk, and much prayer I am hopeful once again. I have been working diligently towards my dreams for some time now. My feathers did get ruffled with some bumps in the road. But I am so grateful for where I am now in my life. With each goal I reach, I know I am not alone, I am blessed. I trust I am on the right path and choose to move in this life with a grateful attitude and an open heart.

Whimsical Week-end Project

My cousin and I decided to make terrariums this weekend. Just a fun and creative way to spend our day:)

First we went out and bought the supplies we would need. Hobby lobby had the moss and rocks. Lowes had the plants.

Finding the perfect containers, I already had. Washing them before I started.

Layered small rocks at the bottom for drainage when you water the plants.

Layered an inch of dirt and then water with spray bottle. Spray the bottom of moss and place arrange it.

Arranged the plants, planting the roots into the dirt. I added big rocks in one corner.

We were so proud of of how they turned out! Beautiful :)

 

A perfect day of creativity.

Try

I can't say that everything I've tried has succeeded but I can say I tried.And this gives me a sense of fulfillment. I've fallen flat on my face before, but I get up and try something new. Never stop dreaming or taking new paths. Life is too short to wonder what if. 

Truth and beauty

Just happy to be on this path. Discovering that all along it is the simple things in life that  truly make me happy.