And the Winner Is....................

...........Not who I was hoping for!!!!!

My family and I absolutely adored Les Miserables!!!! This musical holds a special place in my heart. When my husband and I were engaged and I went to visit him in New York, we were fortunate to see this musical on Broadway!!! I used to think it was my very favorite musical of all time because my heart was so filled with love for my fiancé (now hubby) and we were in the midst of planning our wedding and life together. This musical emulated the deep love and commitment we felt for each other as well as a profound inspiration of faith, forgiveness, courage and the endurance of it all. When we heard there was going to be a motion picture based on this musical, 24 years later, we were overwrought with emotions of that night in New York, seeing it on stage.

The movie did not disappoint!!! We have seen it twice and will be the first ones in line when it becomes available on DVD!

What a joy it was to sit beside my son and daughter and experience it again with them in between us........Sounds way overstated.......Way corny...........But if you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to make the time to see it on the big screen!!! It's magical and it is the kind of epic, feel-good film that will stay with you for months!!!

Truly, Les Miserables-le meilleur film............in my humble opinion!!!!!

Preparation and Lent.............

I have been thinking a lot about my personal preparation for Lent this year. Ash Wednesday is a couple days away and I am trying to reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent tempted by the devil. He overcame the devil by reciting scripture.......

Traditionally, Christians focus on the next forty days giving up something they are very much tempted by. Perhaps in a form of penance to prepare for Holy Week and what is to come.....

It is also a wonderful time to add something new, out of the ordinary......Something that draws us nearer to Jesus in this time of preparation......a new devotional, spending more time than usual memorizing specific verses, taking more time than ordinary to reach out to friends, family or anyone in need.....

As I continue to reflect on my own preparation, I think about Jesus citing scripture in the face of the devil......Can the word, the message, be that simple????? In the face of adversity, of challenges, of dry, arid seasons, is Jesus telling us just to open the words and say them out loud? Memorize them and keep them close to your heart and let them flow from the depths of your despair?

I may practice this over the season of Lent.........Perhaps speaking the words out loud will echo the meaning in a deeper form.......Maybe hearing them in my own voice, in the quiet moments of prayer will resonate.......


Wishing you quiet time, to reflect, to pray, to be thankful.........

Never Alone...........

I love this quote.......What a comforting thought that there is someone somewhere in the world waiting just for you, always.......


Just finished this book: "The Light Between Oceans"........

I loved it and it spoke to the mother part of my heart (which fills a major part of it).........
The love for a child, a daughter, is so overwhelming, entirely consuming and the very breath in my lungs......

My daughter, my heart, my life.....has recently arrived onto the hormone highway.......Emotions are flying, feelings are even harder to specify, friendships have become more complicated and difficult to navigate.........
my poor dear..........

It's a chapter we all go through and most of us never regret growing out of.....
It's a confusing time, even a scary one......

It's hard on Daddy's, too. They are at a loss sometimes how to handle things they just can't "fix".

So we breathe, we try and stay calm, listen to every word and feeling she can and is willing to share. We offer help and try not to be offended if she just wants to stretch her wings and decipher it for herself. We explain to her she is not alone, not ever, and that we are always here for her......

She will always have someone, us, waiting for her........everywhere........anywhere........

Waiting on the Wind

I once read that "God can't teach men how to be sailors in a calm sea".............

I guess I am earning my "sea-legs".......that's the best way I can describe the last several months (or years) but who's counting?

If this is my training, I sit in the crowsnest searching the horizon for calmer seas and a mild wind to fill my sails......

But, God fills my soul with His love for me and my husband and children fill my heart and life with joy.

The journey continues to be a challenge and the navigation uneasy as times....

But our oars remain in the water, continually thankful for the vessal He provides us along the voyage....

Grateful for the consistency of it all and the strength and tenacity to be hopeful for tomorrow....

May your sails be full today and if you find your self unable to find your balance in a stormy sea, try to sit down and make a written list (or visual even) of all those things you are thankful for in the midst of it all.......

I promise it will quiet the unsettled feelings of the unknown destinations ahead....

And don't forget how much You are "So Loved"...........

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Happy 16th Birthday, sweet baby boy!

16 years ago this sweet creature blessed my life.........and everyday that he graces his way through it with me..........is my utmost joy!

I thank God for this being, this wise old soul that continues to teach me love, confidence, a happiness I never knew before him, sincere kindness, patience without boundaries, and a love of family that makes my heart absolutely complete.

What an honor it is to be his Mom!!!!!!

Thank you, God, for this gift, this amazing son who shines his light on our family everyday!!!!