Book review

I am happy to share with you a book that I just finished called "Shades of Morning, by Marlo Schalesky.
This was a book that I had the pleasure of receiving in the mail, on request that I read it and then blog my review.  What a treat for me, I say!!

This book was outstanding in it's character formation and it's story line.  I identified with the main character, Marnie, and the ways that she was afraid to allow others into her world because of past hurt.  When she is confronted with the situation of having to care for her nephew, Marnie's choices are to do it with a close heart, or an open one.  As the story unfolds, her transition to openness and the love of other's is truly beautiful.  Marlo has written a story that many readers will treasure in their hearts as they interact with the ones that they love in their life.  The easy ones to love, and the hard ones to love.  I was uplifted and encouraged to read about a woman who is unprepared for the task in front of her, and yet by faith she takes each step as it comes to her.  She allows Taylor and Emmit into her world and gets to see big-picture miracles happen.  These miracles change Marnie's mind about God, herself and the gift of love.

Thank you for letting me share with you my thoughts on this wonderful book.  To find more out about Marlo Schalesky, please visit her blog at www. marloschalesky.blogspot.com

May you only read HAPPY things!!!

C.O.U.R.A.G.E

Can I get a C?? An O?? A U???!!!!.... you see where I'm going with this. COURAGE is what I have seen in my kiddos this week during our swimming lessons. Marky and Maddie are doing a diving class, and Meredith and Michael are taking their very first swimming lessons. I have been the mom on the side of the pool, grinning from ear to ear as I have watched my 4 little ones participate in their swimming lessons. I've been smiling because the kids have done such a good job, but I've also been smiling because I know things their teachers don't know!! Things like, Meredith hasn't EVER jumped into the pool. She always tip-toes. TODAY?? Oh yeah! She was jumping in, making the biggest splash ever! Another thing I knew... Maddie was TERRIFIED of trying a front flip. 4 days ago - SHE TRIED IT!!! It was a bit uncoordinated, and it hurt her leg and her pride a little as she smacked the water, but SHE TRIED IT!! Something else that I knew was that it had never crossed Marky's mind that she would be any good at diving. And flipping. Guess what?? SHE IS!!! Like... REALLY!!! She is a natural at it. Graceful, willing to try and keep trying, happy with her success, willing to work on the ones that didn't go so well. Michael has been a joy to watch. He is enthusiastic, and willing to try whatever his teacher asks him to. He is floating on his front and back like he's been doing it for months! All of this took so much COURAGE from the kids. I am so proud of them. I can't wait to see how much they progress over the next few weeks.

our hunky diving  teacher Matt

swimming lessons make Michael very tired

Life

I decided today that I am in love with my life.  

It was a good decision, prompted by the events of some great things, some challenging things, some bad things, but mostly prompted by the ordinary preciousness of our life.  

Like... my favorite place to be... on our bed with one, two, three or four children cuddling, 

talking or just being with me.  

Like... my happiest moment of the week so far was being out in the garden Michael, cutting flowers that we had grown to bundle in a bouquet of prettiness for someone whom we love so much.

Like... our very un-fancy, ordinary lunch eaten on our well-used green plaid blanket in the shade of our backyard trees becomes our favorite meal ever eaten. 

Like... adding some nice music to the mundane dish-washer unloading and loading process 

turns the chore into something more bearable.  

Since celebrating our anniversary over the weekend, I have been wrapped in the comfort of this thought.  Patrick is here to stay.  He's just not going anywhere.  Because of past abandonment, I have had some issues with security in our relationship.  It's not something that "gets me" very often, but every once in a while my fears and insecurities try to crowd out the joy that I'm feeling and attempt to be the emotion "on top".  Not this time. I'm fighting back!   What is most comforting about resting in Patrick's love is the fact that he could leave.  He could run.  He could bail. And yet he doesn't.   He stays.  Because of who he is, because he said he would, because of what we are, because of the very common, (yet very beautifully decorated), nest of little birdies that reside in every nook and cranny of our beings.  As I continue to trust God with our marriage, rather than give in to my fears, I can see a future crafted by the threads of commitment and trust, secure with knots of integrity and unconditional love.  

It has given me a soft place to land these last few days. 

   

Sometimes, I ask the Lord, "Am I doing enough for You?"  " Is there something I'm missing?" "Is there some great big plan that I'm supposed to be apart of?"  

Because, really I don't want to miss anything.  I want to live in step with whatever God's will and plan is for me.  I want to do it..um... well... right!  I want to do it right! Not perfect, just right.   

And today I have felt God's peace over my spirit telling me that THIS is the big plan.  

THIS is what is right. 

Here.  No place fancy, no place exotic, no place far away. Just here
in the humbleness and simplicity of
what
He has blessed me with.  

 The everyday, the good and bad stuff, the easy and hard stuff.  In our ordinary and imperfect lives, in our common home, with the hours that don't differ much from the day before - this is my destination, for now.  God is telling me that this is His "now"plan for me, to be here in my home loving our kids and my sweet husband.  I am convinced more than ever that I am to make the minutes of our days as special as I can for my family and friends and 

THIS is what doing
it right means.