Could it be possible?

This is my Sophie. She is proudly modeling the new feathers she had put in her hair.
She is also proudly modeling her "birthday makeup..." because today she is 14. ( cue gasp.)

It is not possible right? I am only 23...oh yeah ~I already told you I was 40.

Today I can hardly believe there are only a few ~ 4 maybe 5 more summers, of her at home, it seemed like we had plenty of time... and today I am very painfully aware that every minute must be treasured. It really flies. Listen to me moms of little ones...Don't blink.

We started her day off with Krispy Kremes and candles...( don't tell Mrs. Obama, I don't think she likes me as it is...)
We are going to pick her up from school for a Jimmy Johns Lunch... and her dad and I might shed a tear over coffee this morning...we are softee's.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sophia... you are a container of Joy! I love you.

What comes around goes around...

Twelve years ago... I started making jewelry and selling it in local Omaha Boutiques...
I enjoyed a following of collectors of my wearable one fo a kind art.
That season came to an end 4 years ago when I moved to Colorado.

The new season, opened up my creative view...and I dove into furniture restoration, upcycling vintage and found items... rescuing anything old and useful... I enjoy my retail space and interior design opportunities~ I live a creative dream!

So now it is a new year, new season, and the jewelry has crept back into my repetoire of creative living... I have to admit I love EVRY SINGLE ONE OF THESE!

They are all one of a kind, and a perfect mix of old, and tarnished alongside the beautiful twinkle of vintage rhinestone.

These and more will be available 2.18.11 at Magpie in the Barn... come down if your local and see!

Remember to do something you love everyday!

Muahhh!

Peace.

Hey you.

I am so pleased that we are thawing out. I have been cooped up inside and not very productive for a week now. We have had some brutal winter weather... which here in Colorado is typically mild with erratic storms. Not used to the long stretches.
With my husband and daughter home it is difficult to find time to escape and write~ or escape and think for that matter...

I have also been faced with the news of my fathers diagnosis/prognosis. This has been a low grade concern for years but actually has become very clear that the time left is brief. ( Less than 6 months brief.) I am accepting of this and had a long time to process... but nothing can actually prepare you for the REALITY that someone you love so much is dying.
The immense heaviness of it bears on all you do... whether you are aware of it or not. I am not fighting the facts or angry or demanding answers, but I am grieved... in a deep deep way. Grief is a very unique emotion because ~ I have found ~ it is wrapped in acceptance which in ITS OWN SWEET TIME can give way to peace.

In studying the biblical root word for Peace, I have found that the English language is so one dimensional...Peace like Love are flat little words in our language. In the Hebrew Peace ( Shalom) has multi-faceted meaning: Perfect. Whole. Complete. Lacking in NO good thing.

Now, as a parent I empathize so much with what my dad must be feeling. I will someday be faced with watching my daughter ~watch me leave this earth... and it would burden me so if she was striving and angry and broken. I would want her to have Peace. Perfection. Wholeness.
This is what I wish for her... so I can only imagine this is what will lighten my own fathers load as he walks toward the horizon of his life. My heart is to grieve my way to deep peace and live like he has tried to teach me all along... his theme to me has been " don't worry~ bout a thing... evry little thing is gonna be all right" ...

Come to think of it this is our heavenly Fathers message as well...

ALL is WELL.

and the precious Lord said... MY PEACE I leave to you.

I can through this time of change more deeply experience this truth. For that I am thankful.

Have a peaceful beautiful full weekend!

Open handed life ( pt. 2)

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

...love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When I look at the attributes I talked about in the previous

post... the next one that really touches me is generosity.

One thing that has been burgeoning so deep in my heart is always be generous of spirit. When I am with people I am learning to discipline myself to be totally present. To avail myself.

It is written that "deep calls to deep" and I believe that ones heart knows if you are turned toward them and available.

Generosity is an attitude, not an occasional act, or donation. This is a paradigm shift that has most got my attention lately.

Generosity also encompasses the others, you most humble yourself to give, it is evident that it is sincere, and it usually is expressed as some form of hospitality...

Happy February... happy open handed life!