New freedom

 

Well, we finally got our fence around the backyard! Riley doesn't know what to think about that, and I'm not sure that she has fully accepted the new home.  She has the new freedom now of not having to wait on me to take her out to do her business on the lease. She can go by herself now, in the backyard. And she has the new freedom to run! No more walking with momma, she can run! and boy, she does. (Riley is our 6 yr old boxer. In her lifetime, she has had 3 homes.)

But with this new freedom, means that momma is back to having to clean up the backyard after her doing her business! No fun. 

Riley still waits for me at the front door, asking me to take her out. Now, we still go for our walks, but she is still in the habit of going out on the lease. And I think she is trying to get more walks in each day! She loves getting in all her sniffs and smells. We have a lot of wildlife around the house. Like this week, a snake was in front of our garage! It looked 6 ft long, but I bet it was smaller. But I'm going with 6 ft! A snake is always scary, no matter how long it is. (and so is spiders!)

Happiness is found in many things. Sometimes you can find joy and happiness in the simplest of things. Like watching Riley run in her new freedom of the backyard, going for walks, see all the creations from God even if they are scary. Take time to stop, look and enjoy what is around you.

Romans 15:13; "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope"

Love to all,

Happy Mother's Day 2026

 

Happy Mother's Day 2026!

For some, today is a hard day, for many reasons. And me telling you that God is with you and loves you, may not be enough. Trust me, I know. I struggled, as you may know from reading my blog, I struggled with infertility. I was the aunt, the volunteer in children's church, VBS volunteer, baby-sitter, the dog mom, and so on, and so on. So I understand. 

But God eventually blessed me with 2 children and they made me a momma. It was a lot of waiting and praying. So I celebrate today my 29 years of being a blessed momma. My kids are amazing and wonderful. I now know when someone says that they have experienced love overflowing, what that means. Every time I see them or talk with them, it just does my heart good. 

I am not only a momma, but a daughter as well. I have a wonderful mother. A mother that has put up with all my stupid things throughout my life and supported me through my many rough times. She has held my hand, prayed over me. When I got married, I received another mom, an "in-law" (key in the music: dom-dom-dom). Everyone talks and jokes about in laws and how horrible it can be. Well, I don't have that. I have another mom that has been placed in my life. Another mom to support me and pray over me and I feel loved even though I am her "in-law"!

God has plans for us. Whether it is to be a daughter, a mom, a mom to others, or the best aunt ever, but God has plans. You never know what he is going to do with you or place you in this world. And he will be with you throughout it all. He hears your prayers and knows our struggles, whether it is during the fight of infertility or during the struggles of motherhood. Lean on him, pray, give it to God. 

Oh and by the way, I will be THAT memaw that everyone talks about (If God blesses me with grandchildren!) because you know I am that kinda mom. The one who wants to know everything, plan everything, have everyone over to the house and ready with the $$$ if you need it. Who knows what is going to happen going forward. I am sure God will surprise me!

Proverbs 31: 25, 28; "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

Isaiah 66:13; "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. "

Love to all,

Words have power

 This is one of my lavender plants. I haven't killed it yet! I do not have a green thumb, but rather a brown one! I thought:  I gonna get some plants for the house this spring. I have gotten some hanging ferns, which are beautiful and huge!  And I got some herbs. I figure I could get some use out of the plants with some fresh herbs and some awesome smelling lavender while they are alive. AND....did you know that peppermint and lavender keep bugs away? Well they do, so double work with those on my patio!

Sometimes caring for them can be kinda boring. I mean it is the same thing everyday..water...water...water. Except yesterday, I trimmed them. I think I am going to see what they do when I dry the pieces I trimmed.

But back to my thought, I do get sidetracked sometimes. Some days it just feels like I go through the motions, same thing day in, and day out. Wake up same time. Get ready for the day. BUT...

There is always something that God places each day in your path that you never expect. A person, or an experience.

This week, which is derby week here (remember?), and we got to wear our derby hats to work on Friday. I had a patient wave me into her room and she was just so fascinated with my hat. She complimented me and told me how pretty my outfit was that day. That made the difference to me and got me through the rest of my day. 

Then when I got home, as I always do, I shred the work clothes and got into my comfy sweats. I know, lovely right? My hubs was pulling in the garage so I decided to meet him at the door to see how his day was. He told me when he saw me, how beautiful I looked. Whoa. I can't tell you how that made me feel. Especially from him. I was like, va-va-va-voom! BAM! Like a teenager again. He always knows how to make me feel loved and better about myself. I think that is why we have been together for 41 years! (married 36!)

So what am I trying to say with all these jumbled up thoughts for this Sunday? Be kind. Cultivate where  you are. Don't wait to show or tell someone you love them. Maybe if I talk to my plants they will grow more!

Words have power.

Ephesians 4:29; "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Ephesians 4:29; "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Love to all,

First Saturday in May in KY!

 

The first Saturday in May in KY!! IYKYK! 

For those that don't know, well.......It means the Kentucky derby. Normal, regular life ceases as we know it and it is all about parties, bourbon and horses! I was born and raised here and I can say that I have NEVER gone to the derby. I may have partaken in a few parties, chow wagons and concerts though!

Don't get me wrong, the Derby can be fun, but it is also trying on your very last nerve! Let's take for example, traffic. Tons of people coming into the city for the derby, so many people. I am just trying to get to work, jealous and wishing I could be with those people trying to get to the horse track for the party!

Derby....humph! And all this celebrating starts 2 weeks before the actual derby! 2 weeks of when everyone's life is turned upside down....for horses. 

But there is also some crazy fun. Like this picture of the pink snail. This is to bring awareness of breast cancer. At one of the races, there is a breast cancer survivor walk. This pink snail is slowly sliming its way to all the cancer institutes. Today it has finally made its way to my hospital I work at. It is awesome! And breast cancer survival is near and dear to my heart. Why? Because I AM A SURVIVOR! And because so many of my friends and family are survivors too! If  you want to read my story and testimony of my trials and survival of this awful thing, go back a few years in my blog when I first started it. 

Even though I dislike this time of the year, I love where I live. Kentucky people are one of a kind. Everyone needs to experience a little KY in their life!

Psalm 95:2, ESV; Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 118:24; This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Love to all,

Necessary interruptions

                                       

We all have them. Interruptions. Sometimes they come at the worst times. You know those. Like when your trying to get your work done, and a co-worker wants to talk and all your thinking about is wanting to get out on time. Or when you just close your eyes for a nap and your dog barks....at nothing, just the air. 

But some interruptions can be an invitation. An invite for you to give someone your time. To give someone attention that they are needing. You don't know what that person may need, until you listen. It could be nothing to you, just a simple conversation, but to them, it could mean much more. Like alleviating anxiety for some news they received, or loneliness from just needing someone to talk to about their day or an experience. Have you experienced anything like that? I have and I know that those people that took the time to give me just a few moments of time and not just brush me off, made the biggest difference in my day. 

I saved a quote from a devotional I had a while back and it still speaks truth now. It is from the Desiring God website. They say "When our life in him (God) is healthy and vibrant, we not only ache to keep sinking our roots down deep in him, but also to stretch our branches out and extend his goodness to others."

We all will have many interruptions in our life. They may be small, but some are big. Some are good, happy ones, and some can be devastating. Whatever the interruption, your life will be changed and how you respond will affect those around you. 

So welcome those interruptions. You may be a blessing to others but you will also be blessed in the process.

Mark 1:29-45: Jesus is constantly interrupted by people needing healing.

Matthew 14:13-14: Jesus interrupts his solitude to minister to a crowd.

Acts 16:6: The Holy Spirit interrupts Paul’s travel plans to direct him to a new assignment.

Love to all,