It Won't Keep

As a young mother I came across this sweet poem that reminded me what's really important in raising children. I learned that sparkling clean floors are no comparison to the sparkle in my child's eyes because I spent time with them.

As I am now in my 'mature' years with children grown and grandkids to love on, my focus the past few years has been on a different kind of baby.

It's the story locked with in me that cries to be released. It's the words that I birth as I labor over a blank sheet of paper or watch the curser blink on my computer screen. I've learned that when the ideas are hot, I must act on them. If I ignore it or procrastinate, those little ideas start to slip away.

We discussed this at our last writers group meeting,  brainstorming over the things that often keep us from writing and how to knock down those roadblocks to creativity.  Writing is hard work. But if we want to hone our craft, we must be dedicated. This writing gift deserves attention, just as a baby does.

A few days before the writers meeting, I created a quiet space for myself in our little travel trailer. A place where I can spread out my bible, my journals, my colored pencils and unleash my creativity as I spend time in God's Word.  This was due in part to inspiration I received from a friend who loves to journal and has put a crafter's touch to it. Illustrated Faith is one name for it.

 I've always been an 'underline my bible verse' kind of gal but now I'm taking it to the next level. I take my Sunday Morning sermon notes and ponder them all week long, taking a deeper look at the scriptures, meditating on them and making notes in my journal. I might color or add a sticker or two to make the thoughts I've collected stand out a little more or I might just stick with my ink pen. But the point is, I am spending more time in the Word, more time focused on things of eternal value. (it helps that in the tin-can travel trailer internet reception gets spotty so I can't surf the web very well, and therefore I can truly remain focused on what I went out there for!)

I shared with the writing group about my 'She-Shed' because I realized that one of the roadblocks in my writing is that I have allowed myself to be distracted and often the reason I don't write is because it was easier to just spend time on Facebook rather than putting any effort into writing.  While there's been a writing block in front of me that has had a lock on my creativity the truth is my creative juices tend to run driest when my spiritual life is also dry. When I have a clear close connection with Christ, my creativity flows much better. And my quiet time with the Lord had gotten way too quiet as of late if you catch my meaning...

The sermon this past Sunday was about priorities which just seemed to cement further the whole idea of getting back into God's Word and back into writing my words! In fact, our pastor encouraged us to make a list of the top 5 priorities in our lives.

It was pretty much a no-brainer for me to make my list (God, Family, Friends...) but I pushed myself to go deeper with each item on the list, listing specific measurable goals for each one. Not surprisingly, #5 was to make time and effort to work on my creative side.

So... quiet down Facebook,
Internet go to sleep.
I'm writing a story
and the words just won't keep.

life is beautiful

ready to roll... California here we come!

A day and a half driving down, 

2 full days there 

and a day and half driving back home. 

picnic lunch in the car

2 motel stays,

countless poddy stops, 

3 nights in the vacation condo, 

breakfast and lunches with family,

a little downtime lounging by the pool and enjoying the sunshine!

forgot to pack a swimsuit but dangling my feet was almost as much fun.

visit to the nail salon, 

dinner with old friends, 

and of course, one magnificent wedding and reception. 

There was also a special component at breakfast one morning

 that featured color enhanced cupcakes to reveal the gender

of a baby-on-the-way !

it's gonna be a boy!!

mother of the bride and the bride getting pedi's

Sharon was my pastor for many years before she moved away.
She performed the wedding ceremony for Bruce and I!
 Her daughter Michele and I were housemates for a couple of years before I met Bruce.
It was really great to get together for dinner and catch up with each others lives. 

this is the unique and very fun program used for the wedding! 

filling in the crossword puzzle using these clues, informed us about the bridal party!

all the guests got one along with cute little souvenir pencils.
here my two niece-in-laws work their puzzles while waiting for the wedding to begin.  

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!
followed by her supportive parents. 

mr and mrs newlywed!

Kimberly and Andy

my sister and her beautiful family

 

sunset along the freeway

 It was a whirlwind trip and the festivities were fun. 

The wedding was lovely; the bride even lovelier. 

Connecting with family, old friends and making new ones

 was all part of the plan and 

everyone came away full. 

at a rest stop in northern Calif. near the Klamath River. Autumn at it's finest. 

do you know the way to san jose?

doo-doo-do-do-do-do-doo-do-doo-do-doo...

I could have easily picked 'going to the chapel' as my title but since I'm not the one who's 'gonna get married' the San Jose reference was more fun. OK, technically, we are not going to San Jose, it's actually Santa Clara CA but the vacation condo rental where we'll be staying IS in San Jose and the wedding is taking place in Santa Clara, right on the border of SJ. The IMPORTANT thing here is that there is going to be a wedding and I get to go!

Yes, on Wednesday evening this week I will be climbing in the backseat of my sister and brother in law's Buick and riding with them to Santa Clara for the wedding of their baby girl. This baby girl has a special place in my heart and there is a very sweet little story I want to tell you.

When MY baby girl was about 8 months old, I paid a visit to my sister who was living in S. Ca. She had 3 children at the time. The oldest, Christy Lou, was almost 4 and the twin boys were about 2. A full house to say the least. However, my baby girl was pretty adorable (still is of course) and Christy Lou,was quite smitten with this sweet little baby. Apparently, so smitten that she decided she needed a baby sister. And was bold enough to PRAY FOR ONE one night at the dinner table. As the story goes her daddy's eyes flew open and looking upward, was heard to mutter "Lord, I've got seniority!"  We chuckle over the retelling of this story because it wasn't really too long after, that my sister announced there was a baby (girl) (KJ) on the way!

When KJ graduated from high school she came to Washington  and lived with us for a year. We loved having her here and it was hard saying goodbye when the time came to move back to S Ca. We have remained close and so it is with great joy that I will attend her wedding at the end of this week!

The only sad part of this is that my sweetie will not be traveling with us. We just can't swing a trip for the 2 of us right now. He pretty much insisted that I should go though and who was I to argue? ;)

Of course this ROAD TRIP gives my sister and I one more fun adventure to share. Not sure how my brother in law will cope with the two of us in the car but it will be lively I am sure. Stay tuned for updates and pictures!!