Creative chaos...

This mess-

I'm okay with it.

There are two other piles similar to this one on the living room floor right now.

And one large catastrophe on the kitchen table.

I'm okay with those too.

If you know me well, you might think

I'm lying.

This is something that I have been praying about -

yes, PRAYING about.

I don't want to waste my life being concerned about things like toys strewn around and scraps of paper littering the floor.

I want to encourage creativity and imagination.

Mostly I want to be concerned with hearts and relationships and pleasing the Creator.

And because my Lord graciously met me when I called out "Help me to be okay with this!" as the hurricane hit, I was able to see my children lovingly share precious cardboard boxes resulting in two new zoo habitats. I received a precious and glittery love note because they were able to color, cut, AND glue. Gwyn was able to finish her entire summer collection because she was able to spread her designs out and work on the ottoman.

And I'm pretty sure it will all be cleaned up before Dad gets home from work...

Sweet time with cousins...

California dreamin'...

Memories of Olvera Street...

I have been thinking a lot lately about vacations. Maybe because it's almost spring and I'm longing for warmer weather. Maybe because I've been so sick lately and I'm longing for warmer weather. Maybe because...I'm longing for warmer weather!

Last year we were able to fly to California and it was a fantastic trip! We drove around showing the kids the places I lived and "hung out" growing up. We spent time at Disney, the beach, the Sequoia National Forest, and at "tourist traps" in Hollywood and LA. We also spent a lot of time with my grandparents and the kids got to know them and love them. This was a special blessing as the Lord decided it was time to take my grandpa home about two weeks ago.

This year our sights are set on Florida to visit Bryan's grandparents. We would love to spend some quality time with them as well and are praying for the Lord to work out the details.

I love vacation.

Sweet time with family.

Warm weather.

Wonderful...

Birthday boy...

I can't believe he is 9 years old! Where has the time gone?!

The Lord has blessed us beyond measure with Bryan Paul!

He is a sweetheart and we can't imagine having a better son.

We love you so much, Buddy!

February Reading...

Thomas Hardy- The Return of the Native

Love it. But then, I am completely and unapologetically partial as he has been one of my favorite authors since high school. His books are intricate and devastating. There is always a moral struggle and an emphasis on human weakness. And someone always dies. Predictably unpredictable.

Marva J. Dawn- Unfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living in an Affluent Society

The premise of the book I agree with - technology can (and has for many) make us stupid and selfish. We need to focus on things eternal and living lovingly like Jesus. Her style of writing is a very technical/formal "dissertation" style which is not for the casual reader. There were a few conclusions that I feel were reached from a more "worldly" perspective than Biblical, and some areas of basic theology that I didn't agree with. Overall, a thought-provoking read, but not likely a book I would recommend to just anyone.

Now I'm into my March reading. First, a book hot off the presses...