Today

Today was a good day.

A sunshiny day.

A bare foot day.

An over 70 degree day.  (Yes, I'm still in Michigan!)

A day I got to spend with some very special little people.

All those reasons gave us much cause to smile :)

And so we did.

 

Some feet have seem more of the outside so far this year than mine...

  I promise he's not falling on his head, just showing off a flip!

  

 

See? Safe in one piece.

 

I hope you all had as beautiful a day as I did!

I'm still here!

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, died of some strange disease or been abducted by aliens, I promise!  Between School, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Clay coming home for the holidays, an interesting trip to the doctor's and catering a wedding reception for a friend, I've been concentrating on keeping my feet under me and my focus on what is right before me.

Obviously, it wasn't the blog.
Here is a quick update on what it was :)

School: Yes, I've finally finished!!!  My official graduation date was January 2nd, though I cannot take the national exam until May.  I am so glad to have all that over with!

Doctor's appointment: After a couple years of worsening fatigue I finally went to see a trusted functional medicine doctor near us.  He put me on the infamous "Candida diet" (otherwise knows as the canteatit diet) due to, among other things, adrenal fatigue, digestive issues and gluten intolerance.  (Gluten? REALLY?!?!?! Of all things, it had to be gluten, didn't it?) It has been an interesting journey through the land of rice cakes and almond butter, not to mention French fry and ice cream cravings, but I have learned much about myself and my health through it.  ...and lost a few pounds in the process.

Christmas: Yes, on the Candida diet.  (wasn't as bad as it sounds.  I'm thankful for that healthy dose of creativity I have!) Mom made me some buckeye type cookies (with alteration) that I could eat, which made my day, and, Clay was home!  That made for some happy times, to be sure.  And I have to add, I think he looks real good with a goatee!

Wedding Reception: Before Christmas a friend asked if I would coordinate the reception at his wedding in Travers City.  I agreed, and spent the next few weeks making lists, comparing prices, making phone calls, baking cookies, and learning all sorts of interesting things.  (For instance, did you know there are about 30 cherry tomatoes in one pound?) I am happy to say that the wedding was beautiful, the reception went well and no one left hungry! (sorry, no pictures, I was kinda busy...)

Now: Now? I'm job hunting, attacking my enormous sewing pile, preparing for a new four legged addition to the family (more information coming soon!), and learning to rest in more ways than one.  But, more about that later.

...That is, if I don't fall off the face of the earth, die of some strange disease or am abducted by aliens...

Life In General These Days.....

Clay worked the rappelling
tower and rock climbing wall

Yes, that is me!

Wow. It seems like all summer has consisted of is being home for a week, then leaving the next! Today Mom and I returned from visiting Clay in Texas for two weeks. (yes, almost as soon as I published the post titled 'home again' I wasn't!) Mom and I had fun working in the kitchen with a great group of girls during family camp, but as you can see from the pictures, we found time to have fun outside of the kitchen as well! The highlight of the week for me, (aside from visiting with Clay) was seeing Lew Sterrett for the first time! The way he draws life lessons from horses and applies them to our life makes you look at life with a completely different perspective. I could not help but buy one of his books, Life Lessons From a Horse Whisperer. In one chapter he tells of a horse he trained that knew him so well he could blind fold the horse and direct him with without a bridle. The horse was solely directed by his master's voice and promptings. It made me think. When I don't know where I am going, when I'm seemingly 'blindfolded,' do I get frightened because I cannot see, or does it cause me to listen all the more closely to the master?



Yep! That's me too :)

Now that I'm home, life promises to keep me busy! I have finished all my classes for medical assisting and start the two month clinical portion of my training bright and early on Monday morning. I appreciate your prayers as I step completely out of my comfort zone!

So, because it has been so long since I've posted anything substantial and it promises to be that way for the next couple of months at least, here is a link to a blog article that has blessed me!

The One Purpose Behind All Our Passions

Be Blessed!



Sometimes life makes me smile :)

Last Saturday I went to a friend's house to help out with some things, and brought Grandma along. She had such a good time playing with the kids and holding the baby! She was especially taken with red-headed Lydia. She spent at least an hour out side with her, watching her play, and trying to explain why she couldn't join her on the trampoline! When they came in side Lydia crawled up on the couch next to "Gamma," as she calls her, and this is what happened... Tina and I must have taken at least a dozen pictures of them sleeping like that. Both of them were out like a light! A few other cute moments...

Grandma and Esther

Lydia, Esther, and Josiah playing paper dolls

Baby Malachi

Lydia, Grandma, Malachi, Josiah

I'm so thankful for friends!