Oversized picnic baskets, bologna in my purse and "snee gulls"

I really have no amazing insight or indepth lesson for this particular blog. Just a series of unfortunate events that often seem to pop up in my life. It seems that these events always bring me to one conclusion though. Life is funny...no...down right hilarious! That and I believe that God has a sense of humor. I've always believed that. My friends and I used to wonder if God would see us stubbing our toes or tripping over things and giggle in spite of himself. Not because I believe that God isn't compassionate or anything, I just think that cause...well, hey, I laugh at myself when I don't pay attention and I know that God gave me SOME kind of common sense so surely he must laugh with me when I don't use that precious gift that He gave me.
Not everything I tell would be funny to just anyone. Some things are in the moment hilarity that not everyone would understand what is so stinking funny. I don't like calling them private jokes, nor do I like laughing about stuff in front of other people and saying "oh never mind, it's a private joke" when someone asks what is so funny. That's so annoying. Like your silliness is far more superior than mine. I assure you...if you fall on your face in a superior way, that in itself is gonna be a great story! So no, I'm not buying it...I'm thinking maybe folks who say that just don't know how to tell a good story. lol  Who knows, maybe I won't be that great at sharing my own stories. But hey we'll see. I assure you TELLING a story is more fun than WRITING a story. There's just something so great about sound effects and tones that can make a story come alive. That and laughter just makes other people laugh too. Some people have the BEST laughs!

So here's the deal. I'm either a very brave woman or a very stupid one lol but nonetheless I am one to take my four little darlings on road trips of three hours or more (one way.) Why, you may ask, because my children's grandparents live 6 hours north of us. 8 hours if you count all the bathroom stops that three little girls need to make frequently. I'm the mom you see at those pit stops with the five year old dancing all the way to the restroom and I'm screaming the entire time "WHERE'S THE BATHROOM!" and countless strangers part like the red sea all pointing to the back corner of the rest stop. WHEW! We made it again! And that's just our road trips we make in 30 minutes! It's true!

Fortunately, this is not one of those stories. This is the one where I thought a sea gull was gonna snatch my lunch right out of my hand while I celebrated my success of getting four kids into my husbands little red focus. Yeah that's always a great idea when you're thinking about gas mileage!
Not such a great idea when "she's touching me" or "how come they get to watch cartoons and I can't!" when the kid sitting in the front seat can't see the laptop screen. Anyway, moving on.

So I drove 3 hours to meet my parents who had been visiting with the grandkids all weekend so my husband and I could attend a marriage conference. Wasn't that sweet of them!
As it turns out one of my kids came down with the flu and was quite feverish when I went to meet them. Poor kid. So you can see why I'm trying to hurry. After spending quite a bit of money on our travels for the weekend I decided that it might be best to shop the local walmart for lunch meat and other picnic lunch stuff, rather than go to yet another drive up for our vittles. (Trust me...I should have gone through the drive up.) Also we needed medicines for my eight year old with the flu.
So we get all that rounded up and make it to the cash register. The slow process that always occurs wasn't helped much when the cashier asked to see my drivers license so that I could purchase children's cold medicine. I laughed and said to her "Apparently you have to be over 18 to have a cold now!" Yeah....my dad about choked. As did the Paula Deen lookalike behind him.
 Ok, moving on...We FINALLY get the suitcase, and massive amounts of toys that I DID NOT send north shoved into the tiny trunk, we get the car seats buckled in the car and the kids strapped in the seats before I take one look in the car and decide...I don't have any room whatsoever to make sandwiches.

.....excellent....

Ok, I am mom hear me roar! I got this!

I get the brilliant idea to use our shopping cart as an oversized picnic basket. (If you call it a buggy that's your choice but I am seriously laughing at you for it ;)

I got those pudding packets out, and the plastic cutlery (Thank you mom for reminding me to buy the spoons) the lunch meat packet and bread layed out on top of the plastic bags and went to work. It wasn't until I realized that the pack of bologna was resting IN MY PURSE that I decided this was bad awful wrong!!! Things are getting dramatic here! My mother is laughing so hard and runs off to grab her camera. I really am her pride and joy you know. Well, maybe not the pride part, but I definitely bring her joy.
Did I mention I hate bologna?! And there is BOLOGNA in my PURSE! Ohhhh, my daughter better know that this is love right here. Bologna in my purse...good grief!

Remove bologna from said purse and continue on.

With the bread tie between my teeth, I set to work at making 4 sandwiches for my little dearies. I hand them their food and realize that the bread wrapper seems to be stuck in my teeth! Oh isn't THAT rich! Thankfully it was easily removed without further incident. It would be MY luck to have to go to the Emergency room because of a dumb bread wrapper.

Side note: I've always been leery of freak accidents that send one racing to the E.R. every since I saw that college student pacing back and forth while his friend was making the appropriate calls explaining that the pacing kid had slipped on a chicken bone and fell on an axe. Yeah....try covering THOSE snickers up in the middle of the waiting room. Classic.

My mom is rolling laughing by now. I get everything made and handed to the kids who are by now covered in chocolate pudding. I get my own sandwich made and throw my hands in the air like I'm running through the finish line. WINNER!!!

It's at that moment that I remember the seagulls, at which point I do the whole duck and cover move trying to save my turkey sandwich from those wretched buzzard wannabe birds. My mother is by now looking at me like I really am going crazy haha. I look at her and exclaim, " I thought a "snee gull" was gonna snatch my sandwich!" 

I look up. Mom looks up. The sky is empty of any and all feathered assailants.

Yeah...I wonder what other people are thinking by now.

You see 3 hours north of where I live there would be no worry of seagulls snatching ones lunch since there really isn't any water due to the fact that we are now in the plains. But hey, I saved my sandwich so that is what matters right?!

Yeah...whatever.

So if you made it this far into this particular blog of nonsense I leave you with these comforting words.

This blog really does make NO sense other than the fact that I truly hope it made you laugh as hard as it made us laugh.

And yes...we did make it home without further incident.

In joy,
Aimee

Mommys time out:


"Time out!"

No, not for the misbehaving child. Time out for YOU! Yes, mom I'm talking to YOU.
This time things have gone too far.

You look exhausted. Have you been resting well? Yeah me neither.
You look undernourished. Have you been eating the proper foods or are you grabbing every meal on the go like I do?
Have you taken the time for yourself to enjoy a nice hot shower or bath? Or do you rush through the tub as quick as possible knocking the dirt off.
Are you taking any vitamins? Do you forget those sometimes like I do?
Have you had an hour or two for yourself? Or are you rushing around caring for every one elses needs and then grouching at night because you feel like you haven't had a chance to breathe. Yeah I do that too.


Oh, momma! It's time for us to take a step back and have a time out!

You know what? We think our kids don't notice, but they do.
"When momma ain't happy nobody is happy."

Wonder what our families would look like if we took time out for ourselves on occasion.

This is why I decided to do just that! I have began to consciously take a mommy "time out" if not a little every day than at least once a week. Here are some of the things I have been trying so that  I can  make a turn around. I decided to share them with you.

(1) Take that time out to soak in a tub of hot water and read a book.
(2) Sit with the kids at the table to eat and when they make their demands tell them they need to wait.
(3) Delegate chores to the kids. (You can't do it all by yourself and if you don't teach them some responsibilities NOW, they will expect VIP treatment for the rest of their lives.)
(4) Buy a multi vitamin designed for womens needs. I know you're not expecting. But your body still needs certain vitamins to maintain health.
(5) Go to bed an hour earlier.
(6) Change the diet. Don't grab the chips for a quick snack. Eat a banana or a spoonful of Peanut Butter. The potassium and the protein will give you a good boost.
(7) Take time for a cup of hot tea. This can be very relaxing, and they make some pretty good blends. Try them out and find one you like! Then sit back and enjoy!
(8) Above ALL else, take time for yourself to talk to the Creator of all things. He made us and He knows just what we need to feel rested and fresh. He knows when we need that added energy and He creates the quiet moments of solitude and rest. The trick is...knowing what moment is what and taking advantage of that gift.

Those are just some of the things that I have started to do. Here are a couple of links that I enjoy when looking for ways to pamper myself. For me, the simple act of making things is relaxing so sometimes I get carried away and make too much. In those cases the act of giving things away is a joy in itself!

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/sugar-scrub/
 I love this link! Lots of good recipes for sugar scrubs.

 Another way that I like to de-stress is to make potpourri and let it simmer on the stove. Sometimes the fresh scent has a calming effect even when I can't find that "alone time"
Here is one of my favorite recipes for stove top potpourri.

And the link here....   http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2010/03/spring-is-here.html#comment-6a00d8341c51ba53ef0120a9772f44970b

It's a long link...I know. But I haven't figured out all the tricks of internet links. So hang in there with me ok. :)


I have a book I bought for next to nothing at the Dollar General. It's called '101 ways to Relax and Reduce stress' by Candy Paull. If you can find a copy you should get one. I've had mine for a few years actually. It's really been quite helpful when I need reminding that reducing stress doesn't have to be a 2 week vacation on a sandy beach. Some of her helpful hints for taking back our day in just momentary tasks are quite easy really. One of her suggestions was as simple as practicing mindfulness. She says, "...when you wash dishes, concentrate on the act of washing dishes. Feel the silkiness of the warm water. Take pleasure in the clean dishes. Allow the Spirit to whisper to you through the simple metaphors of daily living."
Doesn't that make you want to rush into the kitchen to do dishes right now!

Another article I read somewhere said to enjoy the scent of the dish soap that you use too. This is why I like lavender dish soap.

"Anywho"...that's just one of the ways she suggests reducing stress. When I take a moment to think really hard about what I need to do to take my mommy time outs and still be effective in my day to day tasks,  I generally remember at least ONE of the 101 ideas she gives in her book.

There is no excuse for us moms who do not take time for ourselves. There really isn't. Mothers should look fresh in appearance. Be clean enough that our children want to snuggle their faces close to us while delivering their best hugs! One of my favorite things to hear my children say is "Mommy! you smell sooo good!" You know that they are going to carry the memories of our appearance and our very scent with them for the rest of their lives. I want my children to remember me smelling of sweet scents and clean soaps that are fresh and not overbearing.

We should be awake and fresh in mind and body so that we can enjoy their playful antics and silly gestures instead of ignoring those precious moments because we're too tired to tolerate the silliness. We should be refreshed enough to respond quickly and creatively to their acts of offense. Sometimes a creative reaction can turn a fight between siblings or a childhood meltdown into a beautiful lesson in grace or self control.
Our children need us at full capacity. When we don't take time to care for our own needs, eventually our health depletes and our bodies become so exhausted that we cannot care for the needs of our families. The family NEEDS the Mommy!

So there you have it. I am determined to set myself straight on this whole Mommy "time out" thing. I hope that when others see me they too feel refreshed by my appearance and are drawn to me by my friendliness and the cheerful ways that I raise my children. God forbid if we ever have a moment where people turn the other way because of our unkempt appearance, bad odors and sour attitudes simply because we didn't take a "time out."

So mommys or any one else who just might need a break. Take that little "time out" to reflect on who you are and WHOSE you are. Regroup and take the time to relax on occasion, reduce the stress and rejoice in the beauty of things surrounding you. It really will make all the difference! How do you reduce stress? Let us know by leaving a comment in the Comments section below. Would love for you to share your feedback!

In Joy,
Aimee

My Thoughts on Friendship:

Topic one: Forgiveness.

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“Friendship?” Why on earth did I choose a topic like this you might ask? Because, in today’s society you see less and less relationship and more and more selfishness. I see more posts about friends leaving friends or being “unfriended” or this person walked out on them and…well, you get the point. We have all felt the hurt of relationships gone sour. Trust me, I speak from experience. So I am going to cover this topic. Mind you, I am by no means an expert. This is just me sharing my musings from everyday life. I don’t claim to profess that if you follow steps one through whatever you will have more friends than you ever had and everyone will love you and worship the ground you walk on. Not so. It just doesn’t happen, and if you really think it works that way for YOUR life you are either a very blessed individual, or the truth just hasn’t come out yet. Not being negative, those are just the facts.

So on to my real topic considering friendships. That is “forgiveness.”

We have all experienced pain from relationships at one point or another in our life. Why? Because there is one element that human friendship brings to the table every single time. Humanity.

That’s right, humanity.

In one of my dire situations in dealing with people my younger brother quoted a favorite movie line to me.

“People is peoples” he said, “You know, like in The Muppets take Manhattan says, people is peoples.” He then went on and gave me some of his treasured wisdoms that he shares from time to time. But the “peoples is peoples” speech just kinda stuck with me.

People are just that, people. They don’t always mean to be hurtful. They don’t always mean to say things they don’t mean. Trust me on this. Have you ever had a moment where you said something and as soon as it came out of your mouth it surprised even you? Were you shocked and embarrassed? Were you hoping forgiveness would quickly ensue from the person you were talking to? Yeah, I have been there too! Don’t you think that happens to other people as well?

“Well, I can’t believe she said that to ME!”

“Who does he think he is!”

“Well, if that’s how you REALLY feel!”

Oh come on! Don’t act like you have never thought those lines before or even said them in a vent session.

But have you ever stopped to think, maybe someone has felt the same way about something YOU said. My point is, we all say and do stupid things from time to time. We can’t help it…”people is peoples”…remember? Perhaps that person was just as shocked as you were by what came out of their mouth and hoped that you didn’t notice. Or perhaps they just didn’t realize they hurt you with their words. You know that can happen too. In working with people we have found many times that folks are not aware they have been hurtful. In those times we need to remember to offer forgiveness. Don’t let silly words and miscommunications ruin your friendships. Be bigger than that! Let us offer the mercy and forgiveness we so desire from others when it’s our turn to be “peoples.” We cannot expect for others to dish out what we ourselves are unwilling to serve. And while I’m thinking about it, let me just say that forgiveness is served best fresh.

Oh, but this person has done this and that and the other and I can’t trust them and blah, blah, blah.

Well, what did Jesus say about it?

Let us not forget Matthew 18:21 & 22

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Seventy times seven?! Are you kidding me?! That’s like, what, 490 times! We are supposed to forgive that person up to 490 times!!!

Let me just say this, if you are the kind of person that keeps score than you have more problems than friendships and forgiveness. In my personal opinion (and I know that the Bible is of no private interpretation) I think Jesus may have been suggesting that we forgive. Period. How many times has He forgiven YOU? I’m quite certain it’s been more than 490 times. (Some days I feel like I need mercy for 490 things in just one day.) But, isn’t it our goal to become Christ minded? To love like Jesus does. Oh my! Then perhaps we may want to review our take on forgiveness. After all it sure does help build relationships and keep them going strong. And even if the relationship has reached a point where it’s healthy for you to move on (and yes that happens) wouldn’t you rather part ways in love than carrying around the heartache? No, not the heartache of their offense…the heartache of your unforgiveness. You see unforgiveness has a way of being hurtful, not to the person we are “punishing” by being unforgiving, no, unforgiveness eats away at the depths of our very being until we can no longer even stand to look at ourselves in the mirror. How is that? Because unforgiveness can turn into bitterness. Bitterness is a cancer that eats at us until we can’t even live life happily, or look at ourselves in the mirror without feeling hatred for the person we have allowed ourselves to become. Forgiving liberates us!

“Forgive and forget!”

Oh, I’ll forgive but I won’t forget!

My husband once taught that forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget it. Forgiveness means you aren’t going to bring that transgression up any more.

Yeah…that was a wow moment for me too!



The main reason I want to forgive others is this. Because I can’t risk not being forgiven.

Mark 11:26 “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

We have all committed “trespasses.” Yep, all of us. Unless you aren’t a “people.” But since you’re reading this than you are undoubtedly a “people” and since I’m writing it than I too am undoubtedly a “people” as well. Therefore it is safe to assume that us “peoples” have all committed “trespasses.” If not to another person (don’t kid yourself) than certainly to our Heavenly Father.

I personally don’t want to be a victim of my own unforgiveness.

Being a happier more forgiving me is certainly the best way to be! J

In joy,

Aimee

Note: I do not write this blog as one who feels like they reached a miraculous point of glory in the success of overcoming the human nature of unforgiveness. I don’t write as a professor of forgiveness. I write as a student. As my husband so lovingly stated, “Teaching it (forgiveness) is easier than practicing it.” So to my fellow students of mercy, let us reach beyond the heartache of unforgiveness, and with much prayer and soul searching for us all, let us shed bitterness and unforgiveness, and pray that God continually fill us with a heart of love and mercy for those around us. For when we cannot love with our own love, we must learn to love with His.

Hello readers! Just wanted to pop in while little D. is resting.
This has been a CRAZY month for our little family. We have battled all kinds of little flus and ailments and now little man has pneumonia so I've not had much time to sit and compose anything. Actually I haven't had much time to myself at all other than the quick trip I made to the Dr. myself. Ok, ok I admit it...I was gone for more than 4 hours. And no, I didn't just go to the Drs. office. But wait, I don't want to get ahead of myself.
After putting myself on the family "back burner" for  about four months I decided I was tired of the back pain and went to see the dr. One thing led to another and so I found myself sitting in another Drs. office nervously waiting my turn. I don't like going to the dr. Especially if I'm having to find a new doctor. Bleh. Anyway, moving on. So the good thing about mommy needing to go to the Dr. means that mommy goes alone, right? Therefore, I always find myself EXTREMELY patient with people when I go to the Dr. alone. "Oh, you need to go ahead of me? NO, that's ABSOLUTELY fine. I can wait, no really I insist...I'm in no hurry" I admit I am secretly thinking about the fact that it's quiet here and I can read one more chapter in my book, or scroll through another page of pinterest on my phone. Devious isn't it. I know.

                                                    
                                                      Ironic that I just found this clip.

Ok, so I get through the dreaded Drs. office visit, and during that visit I find that I have NOT lost weight as I had previously supposed. In fact I may have gained a pound or two. Apparently, southern food does not agree with me so much. Bleh, again. I get in the car and start to head home. Or should I go ahead and go to the grocery store? I COULD get through there a whole lot quicker alone. Oh look! This is the street where one of my favorite consignment stores is! I could pop in there for a few minutes and take time for myself!
 And so, off I go to my favorite little consignment shop....
Folks, I admit it. I got lost in there slow stepping the entire way. I am a deep thinker, and when left to myself I drift into a silent state of deep thinkingness (It's my blog so I can say words like "thinkingness")
I found lots of goodies in various colors and styles intending on trying something new. You know what I mean, don't act like you don't. This is the part where we gather those items that might give us a "new" look or style and then we hide in the dressing room trying that mess on to see if it REALLY looks good on us before sharing it with the rest of society (those of you who actually do this BLESS YOU!) I gathered my things and stepped into the dressing room. And that was the moment this particular blog was born. I looked around at the pretty set up in that little room. One corner had a little white chair with green seating, the other corner had a fabulous looking chair in zebra style and in between the two was a large mirror detailed with white scrolling. The room looked absolutely darling and harmless enough so once again I feel duped into stepping inside to make myself fabulous!
The first skirt I tried on was a neat little flared skirt with a maroon, black, and cream print. I really liked it! It had darling pleats in it and looked so lady like! I put it on, zipped it up, and stood in front of the mirror. WHOA! Where did SHE come from?! Why does "that" girl always appear right in the middle of my fun! I didn't invite her along. She looks way less than fabulous in that skirt! In fact it is quite possible that she has bigger hips than I. For shame! (turned to the side) Yeah....NO. Besides, I didn't really like this skirt anyway, and one little gust of wind and those pleats would go sailing along with my dignity. Ok, so next item. Ahhh yes, the straight red skirt. I like straight skirts, they seem to hide a multitude of imperfections on my mommy body.  This one is RED! Yay! I have been searching for that perfect red skirt for quite some time. I put it on and look in that tattle tail of a mirror. Whoops! This one just isn't the right fit. It's entirely too short & completely uncomfortable so not even an extender slip would do the trick. It gave my lower half a funnel shape. It also made me wanna shout "ROLL TIDE" but not because of football to be certain. And the jacket I tried on with it, although very cute just wasn't for me. Now, before you start getting all depressed for me, understand that I did try on that fabulous yellow blouse with an amazing navy cardigan and had success! Very happy about that cardigan because it will match most everything in my closet. I love shopping in my color pallet. My color pallet is Autumn so I get all those neat golden yellows, oranges, and deep greens. And, while I'm on the subject, if you do not know your personal color pallet you should really find out what it is. Then you must shop for yourself in those colors. It will change your life and how you and others see you. That's a subject for another day. Ok, now that I said that I also have a confession. I bought a black and white striped cardigan too. For those of you who DO know about color pallets you are now shaking your head and thinking "WHAT?" after she went through the whole color pallet speech she bought something in another season?! Why yes, yes I did. But again, that's a subject for another day.  Now that I'm done rambling let's get back to the story. I had taken probably 10 or 11 pieces into that dressing room. And purchased only 3 items. Partly because of that other girl that tagged along and partly because while I was in the dressing room trying on my fabulous finds the store music was turned off and the shop was closing. Oops! I seriously did get lost in there! My "quick" stop had turned into an hour and a half of slow wandering and deep thinking.
  I walked out of that store having learned an important lesson that all too many times I forget. I am my biggest critic. Nobody will be harder on me than myself. It's true.
 I left the store looking the same as when I went in. I walked in the front door of our house feeling a few pounds heavier than when I left thinking I had lost weight. But I didn't walk in the door feeling less loved. My family loves me for who I am not for what I look like. And God loves me for who I am too. Unwavering, unconditionally, loving me, because I am His. I cannot fit the style of someone else no matter what that style might be. I can only be me. I can no longer wear the clothes of a thin girl (though I certainly will lose that weight!) But, I can wear styles that suit my shape best. The same thing goes for other areas in our lives. If we try to "fit" the life of someone else we will surely fail every time. We can only be the "we" that we are. We are all blessed with talents that only we can do like nobody else. Nobody can do the things that I can do like I can do them and vice versus. Attempting to do the things just like our favorite "model" that we flatter so much by imitating causes us to lose out on just how wonderful we can be too. It's ok to be comfortable in who you are and in WHOSE you are! Remember, we are Gods child and He loves us and blesses us not because of what we do or how we look but simply because we are His. Just like my clothes must fit my personal size and shape, my talents too must fit me. But, just so we're clear on one thing. I feel it's ok for me to grow and shape my talents and improving them. As for my size...I think I've grown and shaped that enough!! ;)

In Joy,
Aimee

Hello, readers! Just thought I would share a quick note with you all before heading to bed.
After a long discussion over the frustrations of household clutter (especially in large families) my friend Patty and I decided to do one of those clean house challenges. Here is what we are doing to bring in the New Year! It's a 30 day challenge. You have to clean out 30 things a day for 30 days. It can mean throwing things in the trash, or cleaning out closets and donating to Salvation Army, Goodwill, or just consigning items to have some kind of cash return. Another idea was to have a clothes swap with other ladies in our areas. Perhaps someone else can use those clothes that no longer fit or just don't meet your current tastes any more.
Which leads me to this thought. I have learned that when I am so eager and cheerful to give things to others who may need them. Or to donate items without looking back, God sees fit to bless my giving. I am no longer bound in the "what if I need that" or "how will I replace it" traps. I give knowing that if I am ever in need of anything God will surely supply. Many times I have given things away rather than selling them because I knew that God would bless the person I was giving to and also would bless me when it was my turn to be the one "in need." On one occasion I was able to purchase an entire Gymboree wardrobe for my infant son for $30.00 at a resale shop. It was a major blessing at the time because he had outgrown everything else and $30.00 happened to be just what I had. He wore those 10 outfits, (maybe a few more I can't recall) hats, socks, and all for the following 6-9 months!
So come on and join us in our 30 day endeavor! Don't be afraid to dig in to those overloaded stacks of things long over due to get rid of. Give them away cheerfully. And toss worn out things without a look back. You will live a happier, uncluttered life.

In Joy,
Aimee

Icicles.

A Matter of prospective: (Learning lessons from my 8 year old)

This morning while looking out at what little snow fall we DID have here in Alabama my eight year old takes a look at the awning there above the door. "Look at the icicles mom!" I looked...I didn't see icicles I saw dripping water. "That's not icicles, that's just water dripping from the roof." She said again, "No, mom. Look at the icicles. THERE!" I looked. I didn't see them. It's just water. We turned to get our chores done before starting school.

It wasn't until this afternoon when we were looking out the window at the remaining snow that held on in the coolness of the shadows that I looked up and guess what I saw....ICICLES! There they were...only a few inches long but they had grown throughout the day.

And then it dawned on me. I got down on my knees and looked from the level of my child. All along the edge of the roof were tiny icicles gleaming in the sunlight...growing steadily through the coldness of the day. They had been there all along. I had been wrong. Those icicles WERE there. All I had to do was look through the eyes of my child. We spent the next few minutes taking turns looking at those icicles from each others points of view. Me on my knees and her in my arms held up high.

The point is:

Sometimes, we don't see what other people see, no matter how hard they try to tell us. But if we look through their eyes on occasion. We just don't know what we might behold. We just might find a thing of beauty.

Hello! Welcome to The Butterfly Season. A blog shared about the seasons of life, and the lessons we learn in those seasons.  There is actually a reason I call it "Butterfly seasons" but we'll get to that later. I just wanted to let old friends know that I am back in action with the whole blogging scene and new friends to know that we welcome you! :) Bear with me while I get this whole thing going again!

In Joy,
Aimee