A Good Sunday

Grateful for an almost 'perfect' Sunday.

When we all (especially the kids) get along, eat, play games, have little spiritual discussions,
and pray together.

Family life can be tough sometimes.
These are some of the little moments that make it all worth while.

New Year's Movie & Family Time

As tradition would have it, we went to see a family movie on New Years day.

At the Dinner and a movie theater.

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

A Great Refreshing Beautiful Family Movie.

We LOVED it! 

I also lOVED spending this day all TOGETHER!

(we were a little squished in the 5 seater car the 6 of us! Emric was at a new year's party with freinds.)

We are so blessed to have such a beautiful Family!
I am blessed to have such a wonderful life companion...

 Sisters

This is the Place Where Heaven Meets Earth

Grateful.

I love this place.

My Castle.

Two days of Darkness

These past 2 days have been dark so dark with rain and more rain.
Don't get me wrong, I love rain, but
I had to do something to keep the darkness outside from seeping into my soul.
So here are a few things I did to keep the darkness and gloom out.

* 'Downton Abbey' Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 (Awesome!)

* Yoga
* At least 3 episodes of 'Parenthood'
* Walking the dogs in the drizzling rain and foggy woods with a friend
* 'Doc Martin'

* Eat all the yummy gooey oatmeal cookies a friend made for me.
* Zumba (To burn off the cookies)

* Blogging & Picture editing
* Sprouting class at Church
*Power naps
* Spiritual soul-searching time alone in the Word (scripture that is)
* I didn't do the dishes for 2 days, but finally did them last night.
* I didn't sort and put away all my winter clothes I dumped in my bathtub,
before I left for Ohio. I might not need them this year again...

And Today the Sun is Shinning bright!
My awesome man, who I haven't seen during those dark days, (he is overly busy at work)
 cleaned the garage this morning before I was out of bed!

Windows are opened to let the fresh air and the sunlight shine in!

This Past Year

“Come and hear, all who fear God, 
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.”
Psalm 66

How He has blessed my family in 2012:

* Answered my prayers and desires for renewed love for my man.

* 2 Surgeries to fix my man's shoulder and knee. 

* Long painful but successful recoveries.

* Extended family ties where strengthened this summer.

* Righteous daughter growing up, taking small and giant steps toward adulthood.

* Channeling a little girls energy in better things, like gymnastics.

* A courageous son slowly getting his Crone's disease under control. 
(Fingers crossed)

*A good teen-boy, keeping himself worthy, against the norm.

* New girl friendships with opportunities to serve and camaraderie.

* New callings to expand my talents, to grow and to serve in his kingdom.

* A new lovely place to walk my Chloe everyday. The rainbow bridge trail.

* 4 Best friend visits to keep a 22 year old friendship well and alive.

* My man's job extended past his 2 year original contract.

* A new affordable fun fitness program I love: Zumba. 

* A healthy body at this wonderful age of 45.

* A romantic Aruba trip with my man.

*A Summer trip to Utah.

And many more...

Blessings

Christmas Spirit

Today as I was checking out at the grocery store, 

a group of handicapped children sang some 

Christmas carols.

It was so sweet. 

It warmed my heart.

Something else that makes me happy: the thought of seeing my sweet girl tomorrow!

Look Up

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

Psalm 19:1, 

It does one's soul a whole lot of good to look up once in a while...

Try it a few times a day...

And see the glory of God.

Thanksgiving

*******

 ”Christian thanksgiving is the life of Christ in the heart, 

transforming the disposition and the whole character. 

Thanksgiving must be wrought into the life as a habit—

before it can become a fixed and permanent quality.

We must persist in being thankful. 

Thanksgiving has attained its rightful place in us, 

only when it is part of all our days and dominates all our experiences.

Every day of our years should be a thanksgiving day.

He who has learned the Thanksgiving lesson, 

well has found the secret of a beautiful life.”

J.R. Miller

*******

Today - Part 2

Today

A 'Ray of Sunshine' came through the back door at the drop of a hat, 

in the form of a sweet sister-girlfriend, Jamie.

To comfort, to offer friendship, to paint toe nails orange!

A breath of fresh air on a beautiful, beautiful sunny day!

Even though my heart was gloomy.

Funny it is.

Because yesterday, I was an answer to her prayer, so she says.

She called me 'Angel'.

I went to her, offering a helping hand, a chick flick and a lunch.

When she said: 

"How can I repay you?", 

I said: 

"By just by being you, a Ray of Sunshine, 

you just make people happy just by your presence."

Today she was just that to me!

Today

A sweet concerned caring Justine called from paradise.

A little uplifting comment from across the world. Merci Petit Frere...

Sometimes you just need to know someone cares...

Grateful today for an answered prayer.

Thank you.

'Macaron aux Framboise" French almond biscuit with vanilla cream and rasberries.

Today

I defrosted a Trader's Joe 'Macaron aux Framboise'

*****

Today - Part 1

Today 

I am sad for our country. 

Today 

I am mostly sad for my 20 year old 1st born.

His disease has spread to his small intestine.

I can't imagine having to endure illness this long,

for over 2 years, with no real progress or good news...

Today 

I shed tears

I desperately try to find joy.

But it is hard, so hard...

I see a flicker here and there but I have a hard time holing on to it...

 Today 

My heart will just be sad with small glimmers of hope

as I try to dig deeper for small graces, tender mercies and gratitude.

Today 
I will open my windows and let the Sunshine in!

I will
Cary on.
And think of my boy Alexi...

*****

Sunday Joys

Waking up next to my man - one good man.

Joy in marriage.

The wonderful smells of Preparing Dinner.
Beef braising, onions, garlic, shallots, fresh herbs from my garden; rosemary, thyme, oregano...
Joy in smells.

Recalling childhood memories of early witnesses of a loving God on my drive to Church.

Joy in life lived.

 Amelie entering church with a bandaged one bare foot and one foot with a shoe.
She took off the one. Was Bare feet the whole 3 hours of church!
Me not noticing when she got in the car.
Totally faked injury!
Joy of childhood games.

Testimonies born:
A grateful wife.
An 18 year old Girl, rejoicing in serving a mission in 6 months
versus the 2 years she was willing to wait.
Witnesses of Divine grace and love.
Joy in the soul.

Laughing so hard after the telling of  Mike's trunk incident!
A son innocently admitting he heard "put it all in my Trunk!"
Joy in laughter...

Braking our Fast with Delicious Beef Strogonoff,
mashed potatoes, garlic green beans and mushrooms
Joy in the belly!

Skyping family
Talking about nothing and everything
Beautiful Justine in Hawaii, family in France, the Browns in Utah.
Joy in togetherness.

Sharing crepes and nutella with another family.
Lot's of noises, hugs, dogs running around.
Teaching them our family song
All bearing testimonies one by one...
Kneeling in payers
Joy in sharing

Bed time rest after a full day next to my man - one good man.
Joy in the body

I am blessed.
Joy in the heart & life

******

Today. I Vote. I Cook. I Blog. And more...

Walking my precious!

With Tammey and her 3 dogs.

Going to a Bread/Yogurt making class with women from my church.

I am definitely going to make the yogurt.
It was delicious!
And so easy.
I'm going to try it with greek yogurt.
It should work the same...

The bread was awesome too!

I took some home and ate it all day!

I got a hair cut!

I love the salon's bathroom sink.

They had the place all Halloweeny...

After trying different places for the past 2 years,

I finally found the one!

Skyrock Salon it is!

And Sam is my girl!

I did my civic duty.

I went to early voting.

Took a few pictures before I had to turn off my phone...

The line was short.

Mitt Romney is my man of choice!

Picked up Emric from diving.
Made spaghetti and salad for dinner.

Took Amelie to piano.

Came home and ate dinner.

Blogged

Watch Lie to Me with Mike...

Thankful to live in a free country!

Loved the weather today!

A Good Day

My forest

Now that the weather is cooler in the mornings, I love my daily walks even more!

Time Out For Women

This is the first time I attend Time out for Women here in Houston.
It waas held 15 mn from home.
At the Marriott downtown The Woodlands.
Sarah came and stayed for a week so we could go together.
Aude also came for 3 days.
That was the first one she ever attended.
We had a great time!

Summer Storm

I Love the Storms here... 

This was coming out of the Walmart Parking lot! 

Dry Storm

On friday night, a storm came through our camp. 

I ran to close all the windows of the tents.

The wind picked up and brought in some cooler temperatures.
It was so wonderful!

But to our surprise and relief, no rain! 

That cloud looked pretty scary! 
Reminds me of a huge spaceship with a huge beam going down to earth!

Vendredi soir, un orage est passe dans notre camp.

Je me suis vite depeche de fermer les fenetres des tantes.

Le vent n'etait pas trop fort et a emmene des temperatures plus fraiches. 

C'etait si agreable...

Mais a notre grande surpise, il n'a pas plus!

Le gros nuage dans les photos etait super effrayant!

Il ressemble a un gros OVNI avec un faisceau qui va sur la terre

Rise and Shine

More very favorite moments during the camp where the sunsets and bed time.

A wonderful breeze would go through our tent and cool us off. 

I could hear all the critters sing.

The girl's chatter and giggles.

I loved looking from my bed at the beautiful starry sky!

Then I would put my ear plugs in and everything would be muffled and quiet ...

And I was off to dream land.

I would wake up to the 6 year girls (their last year of camp) shouting/singing

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Children of the Lord

Camp Bovay

A few moments and things I loved about camp

Going to bed at night in a tent

Hearing the bugs and birds chirping

Waking up with the sun

Interesting bugs

Quelques moments que j'ai apprecie au camp.

Me coucher le soir dans un tante

entendre les oiseaux et inscects chanter

Me revereiller avec le lever du soleil.

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Storm damage

This could have been our car! A tree fell on it.
This happened in the parking lot at the pool Justine was working at at 4:15pm. There were tornado warnings too...
Justine was safe; she took refuge in the stinky-storm-proof-pool-bathrooms...

Needless to say she did not have to teach! And got to go home early after the storm calmed a little!


Ceci aurai pu etre notre voiture! Un arbre est tomber dessus. C'est arrive dans le parking a 4h15 de l'apres-midi, la ou Justine travaille. Il y a meme eu des avertissement de tornades aussi.
Justine n'a pas etee en danger; elle s'est refugier dans les toilette de la piscine qui protege contre les orages et ouragants.
Elle n'a pas eu besoin de travailler, tout a ete annuler a cause de l'orage. Elle est rentree des que l'orage c'est calmer un peu.

A Welcome Peaceful Break

 Between Mike's busy work schedule,
and all the graduating events,

we were able to go with his sweet Aunt Shirley to the Houston Temple.

 I always love being there.

I love the peaceful and quiet feeling I enjoy within and without it's walls. 

And I always come out wanting to be better!

And loving my hubby and family more.

(Ok, I admit it, that feeling sometimes is short lived, but that is why I need to go often!)