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Welcome friends! I am so glad to have you visiting today. This blog is filled with lots of ideas for a growing family. Sometimes I post affiliate links and, should you purchase any of the products I highlight by clicking through the links, you will be helping me to continue to create fantastic posts and helping to feed my Starbucks addiction. You can read my disclosure policy here.
Welcome Friends! Sometimes I post affiliate links should you purchase any of the products I highlight by clicking through the links, you will be helping me to continue to create fantastic posts as well as feed my Starbucks addiction. you can read my disclosure policy here.
I am sitting here on my deck, my favorite place; my eyes are drawn to the sky where for the fourth time this week a rainbow formed in the heavens. I am in awe at the beauty that God has created and think how sometimes that beauty is often overlooked and taken for granted. I know until He started working on my heart, I wouldn’t even venture outside, being a total hermit. But now I am enjoying the North Carolina weather; even it is too stinking hot to go outside.
Top: Market & Spruce Sam Hi-Lo Short Sleeve Tee via Stitch Fix | Shorts: Liverpool Kaiden Distressed Frayed Cuff Denim Short via Stitch Fix| Kitty: Jinxy My Writing Buddy
This cozy little place on my deck is where I get my best thinking done, where I enjoy reading in the afternoons, ( I am currently reading What Remains by Carole Radziwill} where I wake up and hurry to get outside to do my devotionals before the girls wake up. It has become a place where I can just sit quietly and enjoy the day. Of course, I always have a few little visitors when I am sitting here. At the moment all three cats are catnapping in various locations and Allie is watching me through the patio door.
And I also have one of my favorite things in the world when I am on this deck, and that is my beloved StarbucksGrande Iced White Chocolate Mocha.
It is in these little things that I find joy. I was reading inOne Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, a devotional by Anne Voskamp that only me, myself and I can kill my joy. That when I am not feeling joyful it is because I am choosing not to believe it. Sure there might be stressful and extreme circumstances, especially when you look back at the events of 2014 {Gracie’s Epilepsy, car accident, multiple doctor appointments for Gracie and I, Surgery for me, and finally watching my dad slowly slip away from us in hospice} I certainly know that I chose to feel sad during that time. How couldn’t I? But now I realize that even in those circumstances the act of thanking God for all things is where starting to feel joy comes in.
I will admit that God has been working hard on me. Lately, I can see some many things change because I chose to feel joy even in the midst of multiple migraines a week, constant acid reflux, and Allie pooping on the carpet it seems like every day. I think to myself that these are God’s reminders me to slow down and take a step back and re-evaluate the situation. I think my ring tone on my phone says it best. It is Shackles By Mary Mary.
In the corners of mind I just can’t seem to find a reason to believe That I can break free Cause you see I have been down for so long Feel like the hope is gone But as I lift my hands, I understand That I should praise you through my circumstance
Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you You broke the chains now I can lift my hands And I’m gonna praise you I’m gonna praise you
Everything that could go wrong All went wrong at one time So much pressure fell on me I thought I was gon lose my mind But I know you wanna see If I will hold on through these trials But I need you to lift this load Cause I can’t take it anymore
I know this is a horrible picture, but I don’t care. I am jumping for JOY!!
So in the midst of all the turmoil, I choose joy and praise. So tell me what do you choose?
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