You Are More

I love the song "You are more" by Tenth Avenue North. So many people beat themselves up over past mistakes. Though we are held responsible for or choices, they do not define us. You are MORE. Just to paraphrase my favorite lines:

You are more than the choices you've made

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes.

You are more than the problems you create.

You've been remade.

Stop living in the shadows. Embrace who God created you to be and move into the light.

Baby Steps

Dream big. Make plans. Take steps.

Are you where you want to be? Are you who you want to become? It may take a thousand baby steps to get there, but each step is one step closer. It only takes a step to get towards where you want to be. So what are you waiting for? Put one foot in front of the other and find yourself closer to your dream.

(Arent these shoes adorable? Check out joyfolie.com )

An Ordinary Day

Yes, Id love to say that I receive flowers from my husband all the time, but then they would'nt be so special. Just an ordinary day made special with a thoughtful gesture. I never know when they are coming but when it does they always warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.

Make someone's ordinary day special with a thoughtful gesture :)

Find Joy in the journey

My goal for this blog is to uplifting and encouraging to others on their journey. Teaching us to see the beauty even in the struggles. Life is messy and complicated and tough. But there is a silver lining around those cloudy days. So much of our journey is not about the destination as much as it is about the ride. keep your eyes open and dont miss that beauty in each day along the way.

Find Joy in the journey.

Aspire to be . . .

My Bella-Boo. Look at those eyes of admiration. Do I really deserve such dedication and devotion? Not really but she thinks so. To her, I am alllll that and more. This is her waiting for me outside of my bathtub. She has become quite the little showdog. Staying perfectly still as if she knows, she is the center of my attention. She waited patiently as I grabbed my phone to snap the picture. Look at that show off. She blended in so well into my shower curtain and bath rug. I thought it was just lovely.

We should all aspire to be the people our pets think we are. Dont you think?

Summer Dayz

Yes, summer has begun and I have hit the ground running trying to lap up every hour I have. I don't want to waste one minute. I have been blessed with jobs that allow me to be off for the summer and I take every minute as it was gold delivered right to my door. I usually recharge myself and ignite my passions and creativity again. Each morning I awake with new eyes and excitement for what my day will hold. Mostly reconnecting with friends and family: lunching, going to craft events, going to movies, bookstores. But I have been pursuing my passions also: photography, decorating, shopping. dreaming, starting up projects,completing old projects, finding new ways to be inspired!

What are you doing with your Summer Dayz?!

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to know I have lived the width of it as well. - Diane Ackerman

A Tribute to my DAD

My earliest memories of my father are when I tightly wrapped my arms around both his legs as we were ice skating because I got scared and made us both fall down. I remember walking with him to the park in the snow to go sledding,and him taking us trick or treating on a chilly evening, so cold you could see our breathe. I remember the countless trips to D.C. to to go sight seeing with a guest from out of town. He was always full of so much knowledge. I can remember him teaching us to ride our bikes in the back yard and how he built us a play house in the back yard with a loft bed and table and chairs. He also coached my soccor team and my brothers basketball team. I remember camping and waking up to his music and the smell of bacon. I recall our vacations to virginia beach and how we had to wake up when it was still dark to travel there. I remember catching fireflies in our back yard and eating hot bread and sausage at Tyson's corner mall. I remember searching for our easter eggs at the park every easter and at Christmas running downstairs to see what Santa clause brought us, checking to see if he had eaten the cookies we left for him.(yes my DAD ate them) Nothing in the world can take these precious memories from my heart. They are treasured.

So I ask. What makes a father a DAD? Money? a fine house with lots of things? No, NO. Its Love. He didn't just work and come home. Any man can father a child but only the cream of the crop can be called a Dad. My father was a Dad. He was an active participant in our lives. He gave us memories that made us who we are today. He taught us to dream and achieve our goals. He taught us to forgive others and help the needy. He taught us to admit when we were wrong and always do the right thing.He loved us, encouraged us, always told us he was proud of us. He is a man of honor, of integrity A man of prayer, A man of God. I love my father and am so Blessed to call him my "Dad."

Happy Fathers Day Pop.

Love, your daughter

LISA :)

Living In The Moment

As I sat on the beach trying to take all the beauty into my soul, this sweet bird landed. I quickly picked up my camera hoping he would stay long enough to snap his picture. To my delight he stayed for a moment. There are so many moments that pass us by as we are trying to pursue our objectives during our day. But if we keep the eyes of our heart open and look around us daily, there is so much beauty, so many lovely moments. Dont be too busy to breathe during your days. Smell those flowers, listen to the words of your kids and loved ones, cherish those precious moments.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Fruit Pizza

A delightful summer dessert I made yesterday. Here is the recipe:

FRUIT PIZZA

Press sugar cookie dough into a round pizza pan. Bake and cool.

Mix together softened 8 oz cream cheese, 1c sugar and a container of cool whip. chill about 15 minutes. spread over large sugar cookie. Arrange cut up strawberries, kiwi and can of mandrin oranges. Cut slices like a pizza!

Mary's photo shoot

Yes, I am pursuing a dream. Children's photography.

Mary is my first teen. We went to a thrift shop today, I had her try a ton of stuff and we came up with this! I wanted to capture her beauty along with her childlike sense of wonder for life. Mary is 16. She is full of life and laughter with a child-like spirit. She is a joy to be around :)

Open to new possibilities

I recently watched a movie/documentary about Temple Grandin... She was autistic from childhood.Though the doctors suggested institutionalization, her mother refused and pushed her through out her life to succeed and pursue her dreams. She went to school, college and received her Masters degree, wrote several articles published and designed several devices for more humane treatment of our livestock. she is now a speaker around the world on autism and how her mind works. Though it was so difficult at times with her mothers persistence patience and love she has made a difference in her world. She is truly amazing. I was inspired. One of her teachers told her to think of new experiences like a new door and if she chose to go through them it would open up a whole new world. She visually pictured a door when she felt afraid and challenged.

So are YOU open to new possibilities? Will you choose to walked through the door before you?

A weekend get away

My husbands job takes him to the East Coast so we took advantage of Memorial day weekend. We went to New York, took the ferry to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty, then across to the city walking on the streets of NY in Times Square. Also took a drive down to Atlantic City and walked down the boardwalk and relaxed on the beach. The last day we rested and went to South street, shopped AND got a cheesesteak in Philly. As exhausted we were, "We were together," and enjoyed our time.

CHERISH the time with your loved ones where ever you are.

Anticipating Summer

Summer is upon us. Days of sweet slumber, fun in the sun and lunch with friends. I dream of Sundresses, sleeping late, pic-nics by the lake. I dream of lounging in a body of water with the sun beaming on my face. Surrounded by the sound of the peaceful water trickling over the rocks as nature envelope's my soul. I long for the carefree days that rejuvenate my soul and awaken my passion for life again. The inspiration summer brings are beyond words. I... cant... wait.

Anticipating Summer.

In summer, the song sings itself. - William Carlos Williams

Sunday's

Sunday was very relaxing and inspirational. I made new gift tags . . .

I washed towels . . .

And Sheets.

And Baked Cookies :)

Saturdays we usually go out from morning till evening. Floating through the wind in this great big city. But Sundays have truly become a day of "rest." After church we have found that our home is the place we want to be. My husband usually finds something on TV and I, well- find so many wonderful projects, chores and inspiration to fill my day. Our sunday is full of peace and tranquility. Our home is a haven away from the world. It makes us both happy and prepares our hearts and mind's for the week ahead of us.

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

Life is Good

After a stressful day Yesterday, I went shopping, got a massage and bought this peony( Isn't it beautiful?)

Today I met with an old friend. And over a cup of tea, some awesome chocolate croissant's and Hours of sharing and laughing, I literally felt the stress melting off of me. Amazing. Now a days we pay a counselor or shrink to talk out our issues when all we really needed was a good girlfriend. I love my husband. He is great. but nothing compares to a true friend. Thanx Cindy for your friendship. LIFE really is GOOD.

A Joyful noise

We were designed to make a joyful noise. So why don't we always choose to do so. At times I find myself whining and complaining, I have to stop myself and remind myself that life is too short to fit such things in my day. Make the most of your days. Choose to be joyful. Find the good in your world and count your blessing. Make good use of your time on this earth,

Make A Joyful Noise.

Ingenuity

If we all thought the same and viewed the world the same how boring and un-imaginative this world would be. I am constantly amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of seeing the world through different peoples eyes. Just because we see the world a certain way does not mean that is the way it really is. Maybe its time to step back, open our eyes and get a new perspective on life. ... It is GOOD.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George Smith Patton

Keep Calm and Carry on

Life is full of surprises around each corner. Though I have learned to carry on because life does not stop. It just goes on. And we must carry on. Remember that there is a reason and purpose for everything under the sun.

Artful Blogging -visually inspired online journals

joysclaire.blogspot.com

Loretablog.blogspot.com

pastelsandwhites.blogspot.com

beachychic.blogspot.com