just a few things I love

clear, bright blue skies
fluffy, stark white clouds
storm clouds rolling in...and the breeze that tags along with them
ridiculously bright green grass
pictures of really cool starfish...purple ones...starfish that I hope to one day see IRL
velvety baby cows and their bossy mama's that keep me away
a silly, annoying donkey and his ignorance of our dislike of him
dogs who think they own the ranch
one specific dog who things he owns everything.  Well, everything except for that one specific little boy who thinks he owns the dog.
cackles and giggles from an unnamed little one while he harasses the aforementioned dog.
temperatures under 100
temperatures over 100 {as long as the humidity stays away}
air-conditioning. {on days when the humidity wants to stick around awhile. pun intended.}
laughter with my family

a rusty, but working tractor that we can all sit on and hang around while watching the storm clouds take over.

 the little one beating his own little drum

 the best youngest sister a gal could have

 the best youngest brother...who loves my little one no matter how many socks he wears

 my smiling Jahna Pali

glistening, beautiful storm clouds

 brothers and little ones playing and laughing until their guts hurt

a roof over our heads.

Many consider it important to have a roof over their heads.  I agree.  I prefer to sleep inside while the mosquitos sleep outside. It makes me sad that many people don't have the option of staying away from mosquitos. Mosquitos are mean.

That being said, I'm beginning to quickly come to the realization that having a specific roof over my head might not be as important as deemed by the society I live in.  

Our way of living is currently not listed in the normal category.  We live back and forth between 2 cities, 5 hours apart.  I travel about 90% of the time for work and when I am not traveling, my office is located at least 2 hours from one of the places where we sleep.

Many people don't understand.  They think something must be wrong. 

They wonder how we do it.

Well, if I thought about it for very long, I might wonder how we do it as well.  But, I try not to focus on things I don't understand. 

(As I've grown up, I've come to recognize this ability to not focus on the bad (or unknown) as a gift - a gift I'm continuing to hone on a daily basis)

There is a season for everything. Right now, we are in a season of my husband finishing school and God has blessed me with a job that can provide for us while he finishes his studies. It won't always be like this, but it is how things are for now.  I know- it's not normal.  But, then again, what is normal? 

My mom always said that normal was just a setting on a dryer.

Many times people ask how I cope with being away from home for so long.  I'm always frustrated by this question because I know that my answer won't sound right.  I want to say that although I miss my husband, kiddo and family, I don't really feel away from home. I enjoy the travels.  I enjoy seeing God's creation.  I enjoy imagining what it will be like to bring my family back to the places that I find and love.  I enjoy knowing that I am being used as a light in a pretty dark world. But, I know that to many people, who spend most nights in the same place, this answer will sound weird. 

Today, I was reading one of my favorite blogs and I came across a post that made me smile.  One of the sentences read "Communion with Christ, the continual conversation of the heart, wherever you are, this is what makes the heart love....love is the only real dwelling place"

I stopped and re-read it.  "wherever you are...love is the only real dwelling place" 

My heart smiled.

How do I do it?  How am I okay being away from home?

I'm not away from home...My Heavenly Father is with me - loving me, encouraging me, sharpening me...my only true home is with Him.

Is it difficult to not be with my husband and little one every week?  Yes. 

Do I miss my family, my siblings, my dogs? Of course!

But, the time away is giving me time to grow closer to my Heavenly Father.  This growing closer...this sharpening of my soul...it is refining me to be a better wife and mum.  It is preparing me for the day when our seasons change and I no longer travel like a gypsy. 

Tonight, I'm thankful for Ann and her blog post today. A post full of words that comfort and encourage me. A post that helps me remember that my feelings are okay, even if they don't fit with what society deems normal.  A post that reminds me that I'm not here to always be comfortable and normal, but I am here on this earth to be a light, to share His love with others...so that others will want to find Him.

And while I do that, He is always there, giving me grace.

Even though I don't sleep under the same physical roof each night, I do sleep under the best roof each night. 

Him.

a weekend full of fun

This weekend, someone turned two.

TWO!
Seriously?
Um, I totally did NOT authorize that.

But, I did authorize the ridiculously fun weekend that we had with our family!
No work, No hotels, No alarms.
Too much sugar, Too much sleep, Too much fun


Want a glimpse?

Sparkly Shoes #493

 Backseat Entertainment #494

 Sugar, Sugar, Sugar #495

Serious Painting #496

 and more sugar...

 more backseat entertainment

 camera phone Easter pics #497

We had lots of fun playing and hanging out!
We even had family in from Virginia - we were just having so much fun with them that the iPhone was MIA - which means the pictures are on Jimmy {the real camera, who doesn't travel with me for work}
So, you will have to wait to see those beauties!

Speaking of beauty...we also took a few senior pictures of a pretty fabulous little graduate!
Here's a sneak peek...

what I've been up to...

To sum it up in a few words - going crazy.

My little one will be ONE in 17 days!  I can't even begin to imagine how much fun we are going to continue having as he gets older...  I still haven't totally decided on when and where his birthday party will be - it's looking like we are going to have 2 - one in Houston and one in the 'ville.  It is becoming too complicated to make it all happen in one place.  One thing I do know is that he will have a rainbow cake.  And, I already baked it!  All 6 layers!  Wrapped in freezer wrap and placed in the deep freeze.  Patiently awaiting me to rescue it from the freezer and slather it in yummy cream cheese icing. (Now, I know that those of you who know me well are now on the floor choking, seeing as how getting things done ahead of time is not normally in my DNA.  It's ok.  I'm trying something new - don't hold you breath, I'm not sure how long it will last.)

Easter was quite fun.  The little one and I went to my parents for the weekend and most of my siblings were able to come as well.  My husband was able to make it up from Houston on Sunday afternoon!  My sister and her two adorable blondies were not able to make it, but we hunted for extra eggs and ate more sweets in honor of them.  Next year we are hoping to have everyone together!

Besides baking and Easter egg hunting, I've been busy working!  The office this week, New Jersey next week, Oklahoma the following week and then finally, back home.  It should be an interesting few weeks!

My sister is moving

Tonight, it is finally hitting me.  My little sister is moving far away. 

Yes, I know that I have enough siblings to spare, but all 8 of them are special to me in their own way.  This specific sister is no different.  Except for the fact that she is moving.

She has a good reason.  She recently graduated from college and was commissioned into the United States Army.  I’m so proud of her.  Such a determined girl she is...

We never imagined that this would be her path.  

We never planned for this to be her path.  

If it were up to our family, we would make her stay here, in the great state of Texas, with us.  But, as I’ve said before, thankfully we serve an Amazing God who knows what is best for us.  He makes such better plans than we could ever think up.  Life goes much easier if we don’t fight, but instead follow.

And that is what she is going to do.

She is a tiny thing, girly in all ways.  The brothers find it amusing that she is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army.  She just smiles and informs them that she is going to be the “Elle Woods” of the Army.  (For those of you who don’t know who Elle Woods is - go watch Legally Blonde.  Then, imagine her in the Army.  And you will have a fairly accurate view (minus the blonde hair) of my adorable sister)

She is going to do great things.  She is going to work hard and shine HIS light in a dark world.  And she’s excited to be able to do it.

I’m excited for her.  But, I’m so going to miss her terribly.  I’m going to miss her hanging out with my little boy.  I’m worried that he might not remember her.  I’m worried that she is going to be living all alone, far, far away.  

I’m going to stop worrying.  My Heavenly Father created her and He is watching out for her.  I’m so thankful that I can give my worries to Him and He will take them and exchange my worries for peace.  

I have 2 more weeks for her to reside in Texas.  Why waste it worrying?

I am thankful for these 2 weeks. (Blessing 233)  Thankful that she is still going to be in the US (at least for a while) (Blessing 234)  Thankful for her smile. (Blessing 235) Thankful that she loves my baby boy past the moon. (Blessing 236) Thankful that she loves the Lord more than I can explain.  (Blessing 237)

I'm going to choose to quit worrying and instead be glad that she is here for a little bit longer. 

Lessons from my sister...

I returned home late last night. finally.
After a baggage fiasco at the airport, we were off to my sisters to pick up the little one.  He was pretty excited to see us!  I'm not sure that he was as excited as I was, but then again, he's been playing all week and I've been at work.

I hate not being able to be with him all of the time, but I know that there is a season for everything and right now, for this season, I will work.
I will work because it is what we need for our family right now.  I will work so that I can once again, come back home to hang with and love on my baby.

We learned last night from my sister that we don't know the first thing about packing the little one's overnight bag.  Evidently, we should be packing about 3 outfits a day, including socks.  We packed one outfit a day and some socks.  See, at home, he hangs out in a diaper, cute hat and baby legs most of the day.  Clothing just gets dirty, so we don't really mess with it.  Seems to work well for us, but when he goes to spend the night elsewhere - we will pack more clothing.
We will also pack more bibs, as all of his clothing was totally dirty.  Dirty to the point of humor,  I was laughing as I pre-treated the stains, trying to imagine all of the fun he must had messing up these clothes.
Thankfully, my sister doesn't mind shopping for babies, so when they ran out of clothes, she was able to rectify that issue with a quick trip to Target.

I'm thankful:
for a sister who loves my baby and watches him as he was her own. (159)
for nieces who love on an play with their cousin (160)
for time with my baby boy (161)
for warm chili, jalapeno cornbread and brownies (162)
that I have running water, both hot and cold - on such a cold day... (163)
to be able to sit in front of the fireplace and watch my husband yell at the football game.  and I'm thankful that I can chuckle, because I do not understand this activity at all!   (164)
for the ability to watch my little one grow - even if it is happening too fast! (165)


 

Thankful for....Options

This has been a roller coaster of a year.

It has been great.  It has been stressful.  It has been sad.

But, most of all - it has been amazing beyond belief.

I am thankful for a God who is full of surprises.

Today, I received an offer for a promotion at work.  The job would be really challenging and fun.  I'm thankful for a God who hears our prayers and answers - even if in a surprising way!

Long term -
I want to be home with my kiddo.  Playing with him.  Learning with him.  Worshiping with him.

Instead of being upset that we need money or that I have to work away from home, I am thankful for a God who provides.  The provision (for right now) is a job.  For me.

My new job would allow my husband to finish his degree while continuing to work at our church.
It would allow him to continue ministering to the hearts of those little kids in the after school program.  It would allow him to continue following God's direction for his life.

for our life.   

for our family.

I know that if I take this job, we will face conflicts.  It will be hard going to work full-time with my kiddo at home.  It will be hard for me to be working a few hours away.  It will be hard for us to listen to other people tell us what we should or shouldn't be doing.  I know that people will tell us we are doing the wrong thing.  That I should be home with my child full-time.  But, I know that I must follow what I feel God is telling me to do.  I must ignore the others and listen to HIM.

As the little guy grows up, I want to be his main (but not the only) educator, playmate and friend.
So, for right now, I will work outside the home.
I will help us get to a place where I am able to return back home full-time. 

And I am thankful for the option to do just that.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessing 81 - My dad's smile!


Blessing 82 - Small, blue flowers. My grandma used to call them josanna flowers - it wasn't until a agriculture class in college that I realized they had a different name!

Why the lists of blessings?

Every Wednesday, Ann Voskamp posts a spiritual practice that draws her nearer to His heart. She invites others to join in, sharing practices that are drawing them nearer to Him. I've enjoyed reading her posts, and this week I have decided to jump in...

For me, a spiritual practice that is bringing me closer to my Heavenly Father is actually my 1000 blessings list. The idea of being grateful each moment has kept me busy! I've been amazed at how it has helped to keep me in constant communication with Him. I am continually thanking Him and talking to Him. It has helped me to remain conscious of everything around me, conscious of the many, many ways He shows me His love...

After reading Ann's post, I am convicted that I need to start eating the Living Word at each meal. What an easy, yet effective way to "eat" and hide God's word in my heart - many times a day! I struggle with not eating meals correctly and just grabbing food when I think of it. I really think that this concept of eating "living bread" each time I eat might actually help me slow down and pay attention to what I am putting in both my mouth and my heart.

I'm excited about the idea of raising Augustus to follow in these steps. How neat for him to grow up and look at this behavior as normal. What a special practice - to make each day special.

What brings you closer to him? Join in for Walk with Him Wednesday!

already at blessing 27...

Teaching myself to find the blessing and beauty in everything is hard work. It's easy to be thankful when I say my prayers or when something good happens, but being consciously grateful throughout the day is difficult. But, I will press on. I will find beauty and joy in the mundane!

Blessing 27 - living is an age where we are able to travel at over 300 miles an hour. No matter how often I fly, I'm still amazed to realize that I am drinking coke at 34,000 feet while flying through the air at over 300 miles an hour. wow.

Blessing 28 - clean, clear, crisp, sunny days. I love summer, but there is something surreal about a crisp autumn day. So clean - so clear - so sunny - yet, crisp and cool.
Today, my taxi driver decided to take a different route from Oklahoma City to Norman - no highways involved. Probably one of my favorite taxi rides ever! Riding on back roads, passing huge ranches and seeing the horses and cows enjoy the beautiful weather that God gave them is so peaceful. The sky seemed bluer, the grass greener and the animals - happy. josanna - blessed.

Blessing 29 - chocolate chip cookies - warm and fresh - awaiting my arrival at the hotel