Hello Friends! Happy Friday 😀
This week for family dinner we had sloppy joes, homemade mac & cheese, salad, and I made an apple pie.
This is the first pie I've made in a while, so I was just winging it, but in spite of the store bought crust, it wasn't too bad.
Thursday was Millie Day,
which turned out to be a beautiful, fun day.
The girls had fun finding things in the garage they wanted to take home,
such as dolls that were David's mom's, costume jewelry, a snow globe and
some old phones we found in one of Collin's old boxes.
Why do we haul this stuff from house to house?
That is the question of the century.
Addie (5) in her (fake) glasses.
Her little pouch on the bike was holding her wallet,
keys, glasses, and phone. Obviously she knows what a girl
needs when she leaves the house. 😅
Riding bikes up and down the driveway has become the new favorite activity.
We are accruing quite the collection of bikes, due to all the ages
and abilities.
When one kid outgrows their bike, the next one gets it
and we need to go looking for a bigger size for the one that has longer legs now.
Now we just need to remember to buy things in boy colors,
since the boys are catching up to all the girls.
Emmy and Ella love showing me how they can do the splits,
cartwheels and other tricks they learn at home.
(ouch)
We also had a surprise visit from a friend, who has 2 girls that my girls love to spend time with.
So that was a bonus to the day.
These girls love friends 😀
(Don't we all?)
🏡
Transitioning to a deeper topic...
I was thinking about houses and seasons of life that take us to different locations.
They say that moving is one of the most stressful events we do, as humans, and I wholeheartedly agree.
But I think it's how we've been conditioned to believe it, rather than looking at it as another
adventure in the story of our life.
Of course, moving can be linked to different reasons - some which might bring on negative emotions.
But many times moving is a choice we make because we want something different.
Some people actually move because they like change and then some never move because
the idea of change scares them to death.
Even just this recent move of ours, made me wonder how my girls would like the new place.
Would there be enough to explore, room to play outside, places to make memories?
And guess what?
They found their thing...riding bikes.
At our little lake cottage, there wasn't any concrete, just a gravel driveway and a big, grassy yard.
Not exactly bike riding conditions.
They had swings and a big yard to run in, but they would get bored
and we would all end up inside.
Yesterday we stayed outside for hours and I had to make them come in to take a break.
It just made my heart happy to see that they found something here that we didn't have before.
This is life, right?
Every home, job, church, community - whatever it is that is new - we can find
something about it that is a blessing, if only we'll look.
And we need to look because life is full of changes and if we choose to stay stuck
in the past of what we had, it's going to be really hard to embrace the next thing,
and I think we miss a lot of blessings because we're so often looking back,
instead of enjoying the present.
"See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19
God is a good, good Father, and though changes are scary,
moving is scary, new places are hard to get used to...
you are not alone.
Look for something that you didn't have before and enjoy that thing.
Don't waste it looking back at what you're leaving behind.
There's always something to be thankful for.
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
Such cuties! New memories to be made at the new house - always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI love your dining room chairs!
Thank you, Cheryl!
DeleteThat is a great way of looking at things. One of my sisters is in the midst of a move from a townhouse to an all one level apt. (but in the same complex). This is largely due to her husband's health as he can no longer manage stairs easily. It is stressful - especially just before Christmas - but 1) her kids are stepping up and taking care of the Christmas meal etc. and 2) this is an opportunity for some new furnishings and to declutter and make some changes that are long overdue so she is trying to be positive about that aspect. She will just be glad to be settled by the NY.
ReplyDeleteMoving is so stressful and then doing it during the holidays...wow! Even more so. I hope she gets settled and has a great Christmas.
DeleteBeautiful post, good thoughts about change. Thought-provoking and so true. I know. It has been my lot in life to move many times, both as a child and in my first marriage.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your new home has advantages the children are enjoying. They definitely enjoy spending time with you!
Thank you, Barbara :) I've moved many times in my life too. I'm really hoping this is it for a while!
DeleteSuch little Beauties! And it's so true about seasons of our lives and trying not to live in the past. I know there can be such nostalgia with each home we may have and that ties us up a bit and makes something new even more difficult. Until the new memories are made. I always loved the quote (by Dr Seuss I think?) that goes: Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". I've always loved that thinking. To live in gratitude no matter our circumstances always. Abundant blessing wished to you dear Debbie. xoxo
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I love that Dr. Seuss sentiment. That's a great motto to live by.
DeleteThank you, Debbie...I was thinking last weekend when I was cleaning out my closet and how much stuff we bought down from when we moved from NY 3 yrs ago. We still haven't gone thru our late sons' things, I don't see that happening anytime soon...anyways, moving along, I wish I could do splits, grin.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely day friend!
Linda, some things take time and are meant to be cherished and remembered. Hugs, my friend.
DeleteYes! Why do we lug things from house to house??? I have things in the garage that I have not even touched since our last move! Great post with wonderful reminders. I love your new home, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Billie Jo! We have those boxes too. I found some of the silliest items that have been moved several times and now I see them for the junk they really are :) I will be making lots of donations to the thrift store and the garbage can :)
DeleteLoved this post and your thoughts about change.
ReplyDeleteMilli Day sounds fun. Do you have another post that explains more about what it is?
My grandkids call me Millie, so Millie Day is the one day a week when I go pick them up, bring them back to my house and we spend the day together. Sometimes we do schoolwork, we always do a craft, art, playdoh, puzzles, games, coloring and some outside time. Every now and then I will take them to the park or Dairy Queen. Then I take them home around 4:00 so they can have dinner with their mom and dad. It's just a special day where we spend time together.
DeleteI loved every word of this post! Thank you. Once again, I'll tell you that you have such a way with words that speak right to my heart. I love that your grands (and you and David) are finding your way in your new home. Isn't God amazing with how He works in our lives and the things that He leads us to do? It's so comforting that His ways are far better than anything we could ever dream up on our own. I love reading about this life that you have!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, you are so sweet and always encouraging. Yes, God thinks of everything! And he's so much more creative than I am :)
DeleteIn everything (everything!) there is a blessing. Or, many blessings. Thank you for the reminder. This year has been tough (I almost think I would have preferred to have moved. Twice) but I am doing my best to literally count/list my blessings. Especially the "small" or every day things - like a great place to ride one's bike!! I love that reminder! Thanks Debbie!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I agree...2024 has been tough! But even still, there are so many small blessings tucked into those hard days. I'm grateful for those :) Here's praying for 2025 to be an amazing year :) !!
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