Heart Issues

This past week has been one that I will never forget...a reminder of how life is so very fragile and precious. My heart is full of emotions. So many different ones at one time makes it hard to sort through them all.

A large part of my heart is so, so grateful that my dad's life was spared this past week. He had a large, let me repeat, very large blood clot in his leg - 2 ft long to be exact! Part of the clot broke off, went through his heart, and lodged in his both of his lungs. The dr. called him a 'lucky man'. He spent 5 days in the hospital, but is back home and doing remarkably well. I am overwhelmed at how many people cared...so many phoned, texted, dropped off a meal, did my laundry, babysat the girls....thank you, thank you!

Another large part of my heart hurts deeply for my dear friend Mary who lost her beloved husband, Mark, to cancer last Saturday. My heart is torn & full of questions as I watched a 8 year old lad throw dirt on top of his daddy's grave with tears streaming down his face, and his 3 older brothers doing the same. I see their raw pain & anguish. It doesn't seem fair. Not for 1 minute. Why does God allow this to happen? I don't understand God fully...in fact, I never will this side of Heaven. But I do know characteristics of Him...He is in control, he is a God of love, a God of mercy, He is faithful....HE IS SOVEREIGN. That is what keeps on coming back to me. And I cling to that.

Mark's life will not be forgotten and he leaves an incredible legacy. He was a devoted, humble, godly man. He truly had the heart of a servant. He was driven to serve others....God gave him that talent and he maxed it out to the fullest! His life is an inspiration to me.

Visiting Grandpa @ the hospital

Grandpa is explaining what all the tubes, wires are for...

oh my, she just couldn't understand... 'Why I can't jump on Grandpa's bed?'

sick or not sick....they are the best parents! I am so blessed...

In the midst of all the pain....Sunday was the day to celebrate LOVE - Valentine's Day. Kevin says it's a women's holiday. I tend to agree. He got me a dozen red roses, chocolate, & the sweetest card. I apologized and said "I'm sorry, honey, I didn't get you anything." He shrugged, smiled, and quietly said "Like I said, it's a women's holiday." We both laughed....and I was off the hook. However, I am not taking for granted the love we share!

I am so often blown away by his love for me - he is patient, forgiving, slow to anger, spontaneous, humorous, gentle, thinks the best for me, kind...it's a love that resembles my loving Heavenly Father and makes His love feel tangible.

...and of course some pics of our lil' Valentines.

attempting to bl0w mommy a kiss - only one nailed it.

Love is what makes the world go 'round.

cjs

Snowed in!

I can say this weekend has been one of my favorite of all times!

First of all Kevin came home from work early on Friday because of the snow. He had text me saying he has a suprise....it was a good one! He didn't have to work on Saturday. That just set the mood. We all enjoyed the snow immensely knowing that we could relax inside the house and not have to go out on the road anytime soon.

We had special family times....

playing a hardy round of memory

& half of a game of sorry

sleeping in

digging out our driveway

playing in the snow

drinking hot chocolate

staying in pj's all day

Friday as the snow was falling {fast} I heard giggling, zipping, doors banging...these little ladies were getting ready to out in the snow and this was there dress attire. The one that was least dressed for it took a loop in our back yard. By the time she came back to the deck she said in a rather raspy voice, "It's cold out here!"

starting to dig out our driveway

With all the snow piles and drifts we made tunnels and a little fort. The girls had a blast going through them. I was a bit surprised that Jasmine loved the snow the best. She had a total riot in it and heard her singing away! One time when I was helping make the tunnel I threw a handful of snow right back in her face. She just looked at me a little shocked and the gave me the biggest smile. After that there was snow in her hair and eyelashes and with the sun her whole face just sparkled. Out of all of them, I figured she would be the least to enjoy the snow.

the wind created some amazing snow drifts ~ some pretty crazy looking ones.

our snow covered street

my favorite house on our street...it's vacant (I dream of fixing it up!)

Today I got to get outa the house and get groceries(which is another story in itself), just as I was walking out of the house I grabbed my camera. I was grateful for it.

Two song that have been going through my head all weekend long~

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow

&

I see Your Glory, the Glory that's all around me

I'm so very grateful that God erases our slate as white as snow. WOW. I saw some fairly white snow this weekend. It's pure, clean, radiant, beautiful ~only God can do that to our hearts!

feather dustings

truck 4 sale...excellent condition

We're supposed to get another 8-9 inches of snow starting early in the morning. Aaahh, I say bring it on! It's makes the cold winter truly a wonderland.

cjs

Winter Blahs....or Not

Long, winter days are here. I am not always fond of them. I don't like the bitter, harshness of it, the way the cold creeps into the corners of the house. I dream about the warmer months of summer and long for them.

In some ways this is kind of like my life. I see areas where I let the corners of my heart become bitter and cold. Where I let pride, jealousy, hurts, rebellion seep into my heart. They are places I don't want to visit and want to push away.

"Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, til He comes and rains righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12

This verse has become very real to me. In order for righteousness to come I must overturn the yucky places of my heart. In a very gentle way I must expose my heart. God is leading me on a journey... drawing me to HIM, and leading me on a pilgramage that leads to freedom and fullness in HIM!

This week I have joined a Bible Study group in our church. Crazy thing is, I really didn't want sign up, tried my best to get out of it. God is pursuing my heart, I know He is. He is a redeeming God, and wants to make the rough edges of my heart new! He promises to meet me when I am willing to pursue Him with all my heart.

Glimpses of our "blah" Winter

Toddler 1 is fond of butter...

....toddler 2 is fond of peanut butter

Dog sitting Oreo for the wknd ~

guess what dog they want now??

Warmth & love is felt when daddy plays Memory on a cold winter night.

One morning I heard this keyboard jamming away, and fits

of laughter coming from these two. I just had to investigate,

and this is what I found: them trying to help each other move

the keyboard. It brought smiles to my face as well!

Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other."~ Carol Saline

cjs