homecoming

I was up with the sun this morning.  My mom and dad pulled out before the sun even came up.  As I sat in my quiet thinking space preparing for the day the walls started turning pink...everything aglow.  Is there anything better than a glorious sunrise or sunset?? I don't think so.

I've had a lot of thoughts rumbling around in my mind this week.  There have been some changes in our house.  Good changes, but changes nonetheless and it's a constant reminder to me that we are part of a plan.  A bigger plan than we see...there are pieces being moved behind the scenes.  We have to just go with it...trusting that He knows the end result.  He knows right where the puzzle pieces fit in perfectly;)

Okay so my time with my parents was precious as always.  When they come everything slows.  My normal stops.  I sit and drink coffee at the kitchen table until 10.  I don't go to the gym.  I stay downstairs and watch tv with them until late.  We sit in soccer chairs in the driveway and "visit".   I have thoughts of recording my dad praying over dinner...but always too late.  Next time I won't forget. **BTW my dad is doing great.  He paces himself.  I'm praying that his heart will steady and he'll keep on keeping on!! Thank you so much for lifting him up.  I appreciate it so much.


The forced slowdown is good for me.  I have a tendency to over extend.  Unfortunately, I was hormonal this visit.  PMS and being overly busy had taken it's toll and I found myself edgy and irritable some days.  I didn't feel as engaged and alert.  I wasn't on.  If I could have just slept all day I would have.  I'm sure they noticed.  Kind of hard to miss the yawns, snippy responses and quiet mood I was in.  Oh I hate that.  Wish I could rewind and be a bit more like myself.  So thankful they love me unconditionally.

 

My momma had a lot on her mind this week as well.  HER mom is a month from turning 100.  They're planning a visit out to Arizona to see her for her birthday.  Unfortunately over the past few months my Grandma has been declining and almost overnight has developed pretty severe dementia.  Last night my Aunt called and Grandma was in the ER with trouble breathing etc...  They were running tests. 


It's hard to believe that the day is finally here where Grandma won't be with us much longer.  I'm in awe at how God has prepared my mom for this day.  I can see His grace covering her...giving her peace and I know her heart is prepared for when she goes home to be with Him. 

Instagram this week...farmgirlpaints

Several years ago my mom would talk about Grandma passing and break down and cry.  Her heart just wasn't ready.  The grace for that moment wasn't there.  And I know no matter what age they are it's never easy to let our loved ones go...BUT God readies us.  His grace is sufficient. 


I'd love it if you could lift my family up.  My mom wants more than anything to be there when Grandma passes.  I pray that the timing all falls into place.  I pray that her "time" will be peaceful and quick.  I pray for my family out there who is caring for her that mercy and strength will fall on them.  I pray for those pearly gates to be lined with all the ones she's been waiting to see.  I pray for an awesome homecoming!

Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

806.   unconditional love

807.  antiquing with my folks

808.  glorious pinks and oranges from His perfect sky

809.  my new fall pillows

810.  Grandma H...

 

 

 

had to have it!

Good morning friends.  My mom and dad are still here.  We've been running all over the place eating...antiquing...having fun.  My dad's got some Elvis gospel playing on my stereo as we drive around.  It's forever engraving those silky smooth songs in my mind for future memories:)  Hope you've been having a great week as well.


I wanted to take a minute and tell you about a shop that you might not know about.  My friend Tiffini started making signs awhile back and when I saw this new one she made...with MY name on it;)  I just had to have one!  FARMGIRL!  YES!!!  It looks perfect over my office/studio door. 

Love this one.

 

LOVE THIS ONE!!! 

 

And this one just makes my heart SING!!!  You know it does!  She is so SO talented...

Tiffini is a soldier.  A warrior woman!  I love this girl so much.  I've watched her journey.  Her struggles with her health...her marriage, and she always takes those trials and runs straight into His arms. She blesses me with her timely posts that speak right to my heart, and her "never give up" attitude is beyond inspirational to witness. I've seen her start a business out of necessity and God has blessed it and provided for her sweet family.  Anyway I hope you bop over to her corner and take a peek around.  She's offering a 15% discount to her shop.  Just use Farmgirl in the coupon section.  **She is doing a feature on my shop today too.  Check it out for a discount;)

Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

801.  my big brother Jim who turned 50 this week!

802.  time with my folks

803.  a good start to a new beginning for my honey

804.  His hand that i know keeps me safe and directs my steps

805.  friends in blog/IGland that reach out to me and make me feel so loved!!! 

 

 

 

the big announcement

I told you I was done with the Outer Banks pics...but I fudged a bit.  There was one night I was waiting to share with you.  One very special night where our dear friends decided to break the news to their kiddos that they were expecting their fourth.  This is how it went it down...FYI we already knew and had told our kids;)  

 

This is about the time that I was thinking...maybe we shouldn't be here. 

He's in complete denial;)

 

 

Uh...can we go through the back door??  Maybe we can sneak out and they won't notice...HA!

 

Ahhhh sweet innocent Sophia...

Seriously the whole thing was such a sweet memory to take part in.  The kids were in shock...but quickly warmed up to the idea.

 

 

When it comes to baby stuff I was really private. Hard to imagine me private, but I was.  I didn't even have my family at the hospital when we gave birth to our girls, so for the Hutchinson's to include us in this beautiful family memory...it was an amazing honor!  We are so beyond excited for them and the wee one on the way:)) 

**BTW thank you to everyone who shared your history with food/diet on the last post. My heart aches for those of you who have struggled...and those of you who continue to battle with food issues.  It's a touchy, hard topic and I'm so grateful we have people who can help and a God who can heal!  The winner is WHITE WHISPERS 2U.

Have a blessed day.

 

796.  a cozy rainy day where i can pull on my hunter boots and my scary scarf;)
797.  a house full of family
798.  a community of women who love and build one another up
799.  friends who want us to be a part of important family memories
800.  the guest speaker at our church who shared truth and didn't tickle ears  

  

my weighted past & a give-away!

 

 

When I was a little girl I remember my momma always being on a diet.  Her side of the family struggled tremendously with obesity, and it was just the norm for her to be trying something new...to be working on herself.  I don't remember the names of them.  Heavens back in the day who knows what silly diets they had, but I do recall watching her once chew an enormous bowl of popcorn, and then spit it out after every bite.  It makes me sad to think about that now.

As an adult my weight has fluctuated.  At one point I weighed more than my Honey!  I know!!  And you wonder why I keep a close eye on it (#operationzipthosepants).  The difference between how I grew up and what we do in our home now is that weight is not discussed.  We talk about being healthy...we focus on eating right and moving.  We limit sugary sweets, fast food and provide plenty of good stuff to snack on. 


Back in the day I don't know if they really knew what to feed us.  Seriously Twinkies, Ding Dongs and junk were the norm in my house.  My honey grew up eating powdered sugar donuts and hot chocolate for breakfast.  He wore Husky jeans...remember those??  Hmmmm wonder why he's so disciplined now??  That husky tag must have scarred him for life;)

I never really liked how my body looked growing up.  Obesity ran in our family and I had to really watch it not to fall into that category.  I remember hating on myself at my 8th grade graduation.  I wasn't even heavy, but I remember crying because of how bad I thought I looked:(


In high school I thinned out, only to gain it all back in our early years of marriage.  Have you ever heard of the Master Cleanse?  I used to take laxative teas and drink a strange lemonade/cayenne pepper mix to detox and shed weight.  Not the best method by the way.  All of that to say most of us have some sort of history with food.  Most of us have experienced a diet and/or not been happy with our body image.  Maybe even done something extreme or dangerous to lose it.


I'm in a different place than I was all those years ago.  I don't look at myself and feel sadness or hatred.  I look at myself and feel love.  Sometimes I get frustrated because my weight doesn't respond to what I'm doing, but it's out of a caring place.  I want to eat right and exercise, not only to look good and feel comfortable in my clothes, but because I love my family and want to take care of myself for them.  I also do it because I'm aging and I want to be healthy and not struggle with disease. 

It can go either way for people...this desire to lose weight.  It can obviously become an unhealthy obsession and take over their lives.  My friend Emily Wierenga struggled horribly with anorexia.  She's one of many of my friends who've experienced an eating disorder.

 

Emily has written an amazing book called Chasing Silhouettes.  I'm so very proud of her for using her history...her past...to help others.  It's a valuable resource...if you or someone you love is hurting in this area.  She's offering one copy to a reader, but I'd like to encourage you to purchase a copy for your school, church, youth group etc... 


You can buy it HERE.  Her story could help so many.  To enter the give-away just leave me a comment telling me your history with food.  Any twitter, facebook, blog post etc...gets another entry:)  Thanks for spreading the word.

Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

 

 

792.  my parents are coming tomorrow:)

793.  a forced break in my routine

794.  two lovely women i'm meeting today

795.  loving myself flaws and all