A chair and a thankful 40 year old...yes 40....

I am writing this sitting right here...just thought you might want to know:)

Well...I know I have not blogged in forever. It seems as though this past 6 months life has thrown some heavy things our way. We have had several tragedies at our church (my husband is a pastor)...and my mom was sick and in the hospital...then my dad had quintuple bypass...we lost a dear friend....and then another....life is hard. Blogging just did not seem to fit in the midst of all of that. But how could I NOT blog the day before I turn 40! I started this blog as a means to journal the things I love and am thankful for...and I just have to share my blessings with you and for my children to read one day when they turn 40!

I did not know if I would make it to 40. It seemed like a far reaching and totally out of my control goal when I was younger. I was diagnosed with Lupus at 13 and Chrons at 19...when faced with death so young, 40 seemed a loooong way away. 

God has allowed me the absolute JOY of living these 40 years. I am so grateful...yes and maybe more grateful than some because I know the frailty of life and came to understand it young....for that I am grateful.

The JOY that God has so generously blessed me with are a thousand fold! I have made a list...it is too long to share with you...but I will share a few...

Mom and Dad with our 2 kiddos...

These 2 people made me (although the though of it still makes this 40 year old want to gag...just like my son when he sees my husband and I kiss) They fell in love...and out of their love = me... (and 2 older brothers who are well past 40). I am so grateful for their love... they gave everything they new to do and be for us...and yes inspite of their imperfections have never left, never not picked up the phone, never said no when I really needed them to say yes...and most importantly have always pointed me and led me to Jesus. I am THANKFUL for my imperfect  pretty perfect dad and mom.

Thankful!

This man has a list of his own...he is the J.O.Y.in my every day. He has made my heart come to life in ways I did not know it could. He has softened what was rough and brought lightness to what was heavy. His promise to me on 7294 brought the kind of peace and hope and joy a little girl dreams about. He is my MAN. As we grow together and fight and struggle to be the followers of Jesus we desire to be, he holds my hand and I hold his. I never thought I could see on earth my weakness reflected back to me with such love...he gets it...I  am still growing. I learn from him EVERY day! He understands my Heavenly Father in ways I long for... he is the real deal...and I LOVE him SO much...he gets me and I get him....THANKFUL..truly THANKFUL.... p.s. he told me today that I am far more beautiful than the day we met, that all we have been through together has created a beauty in me he never even imagined...and that if I were (yes he said were) an old white chippy antique that he would pick me...he really gets it!.
ONE BLESSED GIRL! I pray the same for our children.

Handsome Dude.

This beautiful boy (I mean handsome dude...he is 10...I am learning the "appropriate" way to compliment him now). The JOY he has brought is un...well there are just no words. I am honored beyond measure to call him son. He is the kind of boy who lights up a room when he enters it... because he will say something like..."the party is here"...and he means it...and so do I . He is full of life and gives everything right back to life! He is honest and hardworking...hilarious...kind and respectful and dare I say sweet (shhh)...he cares about others...he loves Jesus...and his family...his friends...and oh yes his cat and dog too! I LOVE him in that unspeakable heart only can translate kind of way. I am SO THANKFUL for him and his LIFE in mine.

Sweet and Spicy.

Have you ever had something so sweet and spicy at the same time...I have. She is the definition of sweetness and the definition of spicy wrapped up into one delicious little girl. I am  honored beyond words that God has blessed us with her. She is JOY in its purest form...from her beautiful face to her beautiful heart. She is sensitive in the very best sense of the word ..she loves deeply...she is a character (well many...she loves to do impressions...watch out you might be next). She is diligent and hardworking. Kind and respectful. The sweetest kind of sugar when we snuggle and have "pillow talk" (as she named it)...she is creative and artistic and gosh just beautiful! I am honored beyond measure to call her daughter. She loves Jesus and her family and friends...and yes that cat and dog! I am SO THANKFUL for her and her LIFE in mine.

Gloria:)

I have found true friendship here. We have laughed until yes I think we peed our pants (shhh), cried the ugly cry, fought like cats and dogs (I don't know who is the cat and who is the dog), we have encouraged and been encouraged, listened and talked (and by talk I mean like the atmospheric pressure truly changes when we get started), decorated and decorated....and then decorated some more...spend each other's money (and gained lots of points with the other's spouse in doing so), watched our kids grow and learn and have fun and fight...and teach us how to make up. We have prayed for each other and lifted deep sorrows and joys on each other's behalf. I know that we will see each other turn grey haired (or a light shade of blue)...and for that I am SO THANKFUL. I am also THANKFUL for Mr. friend...for putting up with and loving all of the above.

And for the other dear friends I consider family...for their love and compassion and lighthearted ways. They know who they are..cause when you live life together...well you just know.

Old & New chair.

And now for this...a chair...that caught my eye. Because it is old...."like 40  years or so"  the dealer said...yet it has brand new fabric upholstered to it to make is extra beautiful. I like it because it is both old and new. Here is to the next 40...I pray I age with all the beauty that comes from knowing where I have been and what God has blessed me with. I love Jesus with all that I am and He has made me...I am THANKFUL... soooo very THANKFUL.

Love and counting, Tracey

Paradise found!

Paradise is defined by webster as: A place of ideal beauty or loveliness.

On our spring break we went to Anna Maria Island. We fell in love! We found the place we will return, and return....and retire! The beauty of this place brought out the beauty in all of us! I love our children beyond words...on this trip I captured some of the beauty I get to see in them everyday...and wanted to share that with you!

Our son so intentional, sweet and full of LIFE! Wrote us a very sincere note and left it at the foot of our bed while we were sleeping on vacation. It reads..."Dear mom and dad-Thankyou for this wonderful vacation. I want you to know I want to become a serious fisherman. I would like all of the top line rods, reels and saltwater bait that you can find. This is what I want to do! I love you...C" Just like all of you we are often asking our children..."So what do you want to be when you grow up?"...Our son may have just found his answer... He was in paradise!

This little sweetie would say...mom get your camera...and then she- being the hilarious little 5 year old that she is, would say "snap a pose...snap a pose...." and she would do like 30 different poses (which I have photos of each one...but thought I would share just this one.)

 People stopped on the beach to watch her...she is so full of joy...she is contagious!

She was in paradise!

Fishing feet! My husband and my son had great father son time while reeling in tons of great fish! Paradise!

C with his first catch of the week...a blue fish...(it is actually frozen and staring at me when I open the freezer!)

Must be a man thing to want to look at what you have conquered...better than on the wall I suppose. Paradise...frozen paradise!

I took a bunch of this old fishing boat that is now docked by a reasturaunt. It was perfectly chippy and old and if I could have snagged it and put it up on my wall I would! I guess I can't mock the fisherman who do that same thing...I guess whatever you happen to love...you want to look at! This Island was full of things old with chipping paint! Paradise!

As we waited for our fried fish dinner (which is a locals hang out...always the best...a fisherman gave us the tip)...we learned a new card game from mema and poppy (my parents). It is a card game called golf...do you know it? It was sooo much fun and perfect for the kids too...M our 5 year old won the first round!

Fried fish, family and fun! Paradise!

I have like hundrends of photos from our week. It is nearly impossible for me to narrow them down to share. I have sat through hours of friends photos from trips...lets all just agree it can be boring...at times even painful...but we sit through them because we love the people who took them....so... If you don't understand the above picture...just remember you love me...I LOVE this picture and will probably print it and put it in my house (wherever I can find a space). This old fishing boat rope was laying next to the old boat that had been docked (the old chippy one)...It looked as though some great fisherman had come in for the day and placed it there for the night and never returned...and it looks like it had been sitting there for decades! Paradise!

Watching our children with thier grandparents...fishing, swimming, laughing, playing cards, building sandcastles...making memories...Paradise!

C found this piece of crab trap netting...one of those treasures that a child finds and you know it has such value to them you promise to put it in a special place. Simple treasures...Paradise!

I know...sometimes there are no words...Paradise!

Paradise as defined by me: A family that I love with all of my being. Knowing that I love them unconditionally and that they love me without conditions as well. Knowing that the love, joy, laughter, pain and promise that comes from that kind of love is ours now and for eternity- together. Knowing that in each of the hearts and souls of the above lives Jesus, and all of His truths and promises! All of this...and crystal clear waters, white soft sand, the smell of salty air, the sound of the waves, the pitter patter of precious feet, giggles of joy and whispers of love!....Paradise!

Priceless.....

Paradise...is crystal clear!

Strawberry Patch Faith

It amazes me that this...

...turns into this! Kind of like how we are as followers of Jesus...we bud, bloom and hopefully

bear fruit. This big strawberry had reached its full potential...(well almost:)))

...which is what we hope and daily pray for these little buds as they bloom and bear fruit in thier lives.

My littlest nephew, could not stop eating strawberries, he was mesmorized by them

(which his momma was reminded of later that day:)

What I love about fruit is...it is so great all on its own-but the possiblities are endless once it is ripe! Humm...

Lots of fruit together...makes a big difference...

...and a sweet ending!

During this Holy week I am reminded not to stay in the budding-blooming stage, but to ask

Jesus to help me see where and how I can continually bear fruit for His Kingdom! It is so easy for me to stay a pretty little bloom, and not go through all that it takes to bear fruit. The truth is it is not me doing the fruit bearing anyway...uhh if I could only remember that truth-there would be a whole lot more fruit! Life with Jesus simply is a whole lot sweeter!

...."Remain in me and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit.

FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:4-5 (NLT)

Love and Strawberries, Tracey

p.s. Bisquick strawberry shortcake recipie on the side of the box...is the best ever.

People are always asking me for the "recipe"...we just add vanilla ice cream and real whipped cream.

It is a great dessert for Easter...nice and fresh and light!

 

My gym...

I keep saying I am going to join the gym...but I think I might miss...this "gym"!

I took this on one of our morning walks through the nature preserve.

This place and its paths have become the

place where my husband and I walk and..."work out" not only our hearts but our hearts.

I don't have to pay a monthly fee...smell anything other than the crisp air...hear anything but the morning birds, and the voice of my favorite person in the world!

I think I just talked myself out of joining the gym again...but will let you know!

Hope you excersise your heart today!!

Love-Tracey