Normally at about this time every year I would be packing up, printing boarding passes and leaving on a jet plane. Wine country, Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, you name it. Birthday Trip has been one of my favorite times of year. The getaway.
Not this year. Tonight I sat out by my parents' pool and watched Betty 'babysit' sweet Mary Beth. I enjoyed conversation with of some of my most favorite people. A few hours together enjoying a bit of wine on a cool fall evening. My blonde headed love and a gurgling baby and some old old souls. Simple.
There is such goodness here and a very big part of that is the people I surround myself with. Not only my family but the Vennemans and the Giffords. Inspiring, loyal, family oriented, angels that truly inspire me and embrace the Calvert Ladies. I adore them. ADORE. Salt of the earth, kind and genuine.
Nope. I wouldn't trade it for one second. My little wine trip three blocks down the street was a fantastic birthday eve. We are blessed.
CHEERS TO 32!!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
SPECIAL THANKS
I am blessed enough to have a woman in my life who will ALWAYS ALWAYS surpass my realm of comprehension. Not only is she strong, amazing and incredibly savvy, she is the most spiritual God fearing person I know besides my mother. She is truly an inspiration.
God put me in her life for a reason and it becomes more and more apparent with each turn of the page.
I have often contemplated writing a children's book but never taken the steps nor the time to pour my heart into it. My best friend shared her final copy with me last night which I have read 18 times today. Tears and so much gratitude for the gift of endurance and overcoming and conquering this thing called life.
And in the last pages under Special Thanks my name appears. A special thanks to Grace Calvert. She did this out of kindness and appreciation for my support. What she didn't know is that it would teach me one of the most important lessons of my life. I am that person. I hope that for the rest of my life I am SPECIAL THANKS. Through the tragedy, through the good and the bad, through the heartache and pain, and through the happy times. I was there. I was part of this story because I could somehow be insightful and understanding. A tiny light that guided her. If one hug, one kind word, one pat on the back, led to her glory I AM FOREVER HAPPY.
To my published author who will be on Good Morning America or Ellen in no time, I will always always be your Special Thanks. I have loved nothing more than being on this journey with you in some small way.
Stay tuned friends: My Daddy is in Heaven with Jesus is about to go GLOBAL!!!!!!
God put me in her life for a reason and it becomes more and more apparent with each turn of the page.
I have often contemplated writing a children's book but never taken the steps nor the time to pour my heart into it. My best friend shared her final copy with me last night which I have read 18 times today. Tears and so much gratitude for the gift of endurance and overcoming and conquering this thing called life.
And in the last pages under Special Thanks my name appears. A special thanks to Grace Calvert. She did this out of kindness and appreciation for my support. What she didn't know is that it would teach me one of the most important lessons of my life. I am that person. I hope that for the rest of my life I am SPECIAL THANKS. Through the tragedy, through the good and the bad, through the heartache and pain, and through the happy times. I was there. I was part of this story because I could somehow be insightful and understanding. A tiny light that guided her. If one hug, one kind word, one pat on the back, led to her glory I AM FOREVER HAPPY.
To my published author who will be on Good Morning America or Ellen in no time, I will always always be your Special Thanks. I have loved nothing more than being on this journey with you in some small way.
Stay tuned friends: My Daddy is in Heaven with Jesus is about to go GLOBAL!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK
And then this in my study on Esther today:
Not only are you royalty but you also have been placed in your sphere of influence, regardless of the size you perceive it to be, "for such a time as this." Ecclesiastes 2:3 tells us there is "a time to be born and a time to die." God cut those perimeters for you and me on the kingdom calendar so that we would be positioned on earth right now. Likewise Acts 17:26 tells us unflinchingly that God "determined the times set for us and the exact places that we should live." You see your current location is part of the set-up for your kingdom destiny.
At some of the hardest times in my life, I have been able to make the more difficult choice out of pure blind-eyed, bent-kneed acceptance that it was somehow part of a greater plan. I was beaten by a conviction that throbbed relentlessly against my strong self-centeredness. As much as my flesh wanted relief, I knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling than served myself all the way to the meaningless. I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life. Beloved, in the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what's at stake.-Beth Moore
Not only are you royalty but you also have been placed in your sphere of influence, regardless of the size you perceive it to be, "for such a time as this." Ecclesiastes 2:3 tells us there is "a time to be born and a time to die." God cut those perimeters for you and me on the kingdom calendar so that we would be positioned on earth right now. Likewise Acts 17:26 tells us unflinchingly that God "determined the times set for us and the exact places that we should live." You see your current location is part of the set-up for your kingdom destiny.
At some of the hardest times in my life, I have been able to make the more difficult choice out of pure blind-eyed, bent-kneed acceptance that it was somehow part of a greater plan. I was beaten by a conviction that throbbed relentlessly against my strong self-centeredness. As much as my flesh wanted relief, I knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling than served myself all the way to the meaningless. I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life. Beloved, in the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what's at stake.-Beth Moore
Monday, September 17, 2012
IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS
.JPG)
Fast forward a few weeks later. Within that time I have gone through an ENORMOUS amount of self-realization.
And then a very loooooong conversation with my bestest Mattie Been regarding contentment and peace and high expectations not always achieved. As I reflect on my life, I realize how much I change my mind. When I asked Mrs. Been if I am flakey she responded with, "Not flakey. Fickle." To which I replied HOW DO YOU FIX FICKLE. I'm afraid you don't. She and I both agree that we have set some pretty high standards for ourselves perhaps losing the importance of the little things and those that really truly matter. Big salaries and large homes. Long vacations and 'movin' on up'. I am surrounded by a group of incredibly talented and successful friends. But I have begun to redefine my definition of success. Accomplishments come in all shapes and sizes. I have spurred change right here in my own horizons and perhaps they are small but they are significant nonetheless. What does God consider an accomplishment? That is the true question and I believe providing for your daughter surely falls into this category.
As fall has moved into this amazing little village and I have been completely busy with lunch packing and art walk, the bears in my heart have silenced. I do not feel myself searching for bigger and better and farther away. I feel extreme peace and contentment as I drop my little bundle off at Gus Birdwell Elementary on a brisk Monday morning. I pray this new peace sticks around for as long as possible and I remind myself each day of the blessings I have here. I am so fortunate to be so close to my family and to be able to walk each afternoon to pick my child up from school. A couple of days ago we saw the brother of Betty's friend walking across the crosswalk. Betty rolled down her window and shouted, HEY JACK. Jack turned around, gave his biggest smile and wave and squealed Bettttttty! My heart sang. It's the little things people. It's truly truly the little things.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
BAAAWWWWWK BOOOOOCK SQUAWK
I think I just about have all of my bases covered except for the damn dirty chicken. Basically, I can get everything fresh from the farmers' market ie veggies, beef, eggs, etc. The Lowes even has a few organic things and so, for the most part, I am feeding the wee one some pretty good love. But she loves chicken. Not the real stuff of course. The salty, greasy, mixed part stuff from God knows where. So yesterday I decided I would break down and buy some organic chicken. Little did I know I would have to sell my kidney on the black market to be able to afford it. Organic chicken? Homemade soap? Dirty farm fresh eggs? All natural sponges (I draw the line here)? What the heck has happened to me. I think I have been conscientious of our diets since I read Eating Animals, thanks a million Johnathan Safran Foer. But since school has started, I have gone over the deep end. Freezing okra, squash, peaches and tomatoes was just the start of it. There are three river fresh trout in my fridge as we speak. Lawd. Anyone who would pay over $20 for a dead chicken has lost their dang mind right? Right.
I don't know exactly what it is except that I FEEL GOOD. It makes me feel happy when I know I am feeding her the best I can get my hands on. Is it perfect? No. Does it really make a difference? Not sure (ask me in 5 years and if she hasn't entered hormone fed poultry induced puberty, I will say yes). Sounds neurotic? Perhaps but maybe, just maybe, it is ok to get back to the basics. It is ok to expect more out of a meal than to just be full. I feel so fortunate to even have these options but the truth is, other than the darn bird, it's cost comparative. I won't get into statistics and the physical state of our nation or how tiny chickens used to be before they were pumped full of crap but I will say it can't hurt to buy as fresh as you can right. Right?
Oh and for the record, I put pink sponge rollers in her hair last night and this morning I hid a tiny toy Indian in her lunchbox. Good grief, I am my mother's child.......
I don't know exactly what it is except that I FEEL GOOD. It makes me feel happy when I know I am feeding her the best I can get my hands on. Is it perfect? No. Does it really make a difference? Not sure (ask me in 5 years and if she hasn't entered hormone fed poultry induced puberty, I will say yes). Sounds neurotic? Perhaps but maybe, just maybe, it is ok to get back to the basics. It is ok to expect more out of a meal than to just be full. I feel so fortunate to even have these options but the truth is, other than the darn bird, it's cost comparative. I won't get into statistics and the physical state of our nation or how tiny chickens used to be before they were pumped full of crap but I will say it can't hurt to buy as fresh as you can right. Right?
Oh and for the record, I put pink sponge rollers in her hair last night and this morning I hid a tiny toy Indian in her lunchbox. Good grief, I am my mother's child.......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)