DO WHAT YOU LOVE. EVERY DAY...

Setting it aside

My baby granddaughter came into this world on April 15th of this year. She slipped in rather quietly and calmly…along with her momma and daddy and myself in the room. It was a quiet little room, dimly lit, very soothing and calming for mom and dad.  Doctor was calm and relaxed as well. One nurse was there to be a helping hand to the doctor. I was there…actually very subdued, and God was there, right in that room, taking care of absolutely everything that needed taking care of.

My first witness to birth. It was utterly amazing. When Violet was born, her quiet, gentle spirit grabbed my heart immediately. It was nothing like the births you see on tv or in the movies…no screaming, no sweating, no chaos, no docs and nurses running frantically in circles, no out of control or hysteric dad…it was a picture of peace. And Joy. And love. I will never forget the look on Carly’s face when they showed her the baby. Oh…it was priceless. A momma…tired of being pregnant, tired of worrying, tired of false alarms and trips into the hospital. A momma…finally holding her baby. For the first time. That feeling of physically holding her baby in her arms…after so many months of keeping her in her heart. Touch her. Smell her. Feel her little body lying on yours. I could see and feel Carly’s joy…as several little tears rolled down her check. Beautiful tears, joyful tears. Tears she never realized she would have, or feel, or come to understand. The tears that only a momma has upon holding her newborn child close to her heart. Tears that will never go away. Tears that are a blessing from God. Tears that hold that something that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

DYI Sneak Peek #2

Finished another DYI project this weekend…this sweet picture frame (and picture!). My brother, Kent, began making picture frames and blessed me with several! This is just the first of quite a few! Kent made the frame, I sanded it and painted it, then put it together. This will go in the DYI nursery! I still need to put hardware on the back to hang it. I know it will look absolutely wonderful in Violet’s nursery! I’m excited!

Thank you so much big brother! I love it! My next project will be a “key hook picture frame”! Curious? Keep checking back!

Back to blogging

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged here! I guess I got side-tracked by 3 years of a 365 challenge, and of course the other daily things I do (not blogging material!). But now I’m back…and focused on something near and dear to me. My first little granddaughter!

I am in love.

Violet Isabella was born on April 15th. She is a dolly! This new little life is beyond a blessing! I am so excited to watch her grow up and become exactly what God has created her for! I am proud of the amazing parents Violet has, and so happy that she has an amazing big sister! Blessings, blessings everywhere! And with all of this, comes lots of prayer.

At Carly’s baby shower my friend, Paula, brought me a gift! (I wasn’t expecting that one!) It is probably the best gift I could ever receive; a devotional book dedicated to praying for my grandchild. And, inside, very appropriately signed by Paula with the following verse: Psalm 103:17 - “but from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.”

Perfect. Lord, keep me tied closely to this book and to my prayers for Violet…and Ava.

I imagine my next posts will be lots about my little granddaughter. I just can’t help it! I am so in love!

I am working on her nursery, which will also be Ava’s room when she comes to visit. I have several projects going right now, and will blog about the progress I make as I go along!

My first shot is a picture of the quick little DIY project I made today. I thought it was cute and it will look sweet in the baby’s room. This is it: simple, but cute!

 

Of course I’ll need to add at least one picture to each blog post! And maybe once in awhile a few more! I love this little pumpkin so much! She is just 3 days old in this picture.

Hope you’ll come back to visit soon, as I continue with my nursery updates!

Bless you!

Rhonda

There are no two alike...

Saturday...

Icy snow...

 

 

 

 

Moonlight

It was a cold, cold night on January 31st. But the moon hung deliciously above the horizon and made the sky look warm and inviting!

The Sun and the Moon at 5pm January 25, 2013

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us.” Psalm 103:12

Jesus you know just how far the east is from the west

I don’t have to see the man I’ve been, rising up in me again

In the arms of your mercy I find rest

Cause you know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other.   (Casting Crowns)

 

Eyes of a child

With the eyes of a child
You must come out and see
That your world's spinning 'round
And through life you will be
A small part
Of a hope
Of a love
That exists
In the eyes of a child you will see

Winter in Minnesota

If it looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck and acts like a duck, it’s probably a duck…or a goose, or a swan…

Once upon a snowman

 

Hello. It’s nice to meet you…

 

Hug? Ahhh, of course!

 

Muah!!! I like you too!

What a life…

JANUARY 23

I may be terribly optimistic, but in spite of the cold weather, I am super excited as each day gets longer and longer!

Today - the sun at 5pm:

Today – the moon at 5pm:

Spring is on its way!

:)

Winter

Broom hockey??

 

Comfort food on a cold day

Beauty

Just like big brother

Winter

January in Minnesota

 

 

 

January 6, 2013

This little guy brings me joy! (Pax)

It’s a new Year!

 

2013...

How can that be?

Like almost everyone else, I am perplexed at how quickly the time is passing.

Christmas was wonderful. Carly, Mike, Casey and Tony were all home. We got to attend church together, have our traditional Christmas Eve hors d' oeuvres dinner, open gifts from each other, and spend Christmas day...with Santa Claus, more presents, more food and precious more time together. Carly and Mike were able to stay until the day after Christmas (what a blessing that was!) and Casey and Tony stayed until the 30th. It was very hard for me to let them go...

You out there, with young children, do you think that once your kids get older it's easy to "let them go"? It's not. It really is not. But I draw comfort knowing that they are each on their own special journey, looking to build the life that God has for them...for their spouse, for their family, for their life-long work. It is a comfort to know that God gave me those children, and now I continue to "raise" them from a back seat...always guiding, always encouraging, always praying for each of them. I knew from the very beginningthat I had them for only a little while...and then I would give them up for them to build their own beautiful lives.  And that they are.

I love this quirky family!

2013 will be a special year. My first grandchild is due to arrive around the 2nd week in April. To "parent role" I add "grandparent", with so much excitement I can hardly stand it! I look forward to loving another little one into my family!

I've changed the title of my blog to "Do what you love. Every day. That is my thought/desire/destination for 2013. To do something that I love every single day of year! THAT is what makes life, a good life.

So, come back often. Much of what "I love" will be in photos. Because, after all, photography is something I love a lot!

Bless you for reading this. Bless you in 2013.

LOVE is THE word!