Day 59

Morning Everyone! I would say good but I am trying to get past the fact that I really want to crawl back in bed, go to sleep, wake up and start over again! I really want to try and be cheery on my blog but also I know that life sometimes has stinky days. I got a quote in my inbox this morning that said "Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference" by Virginia Satir. Oh how I realize that and I just wish I was coping a little better today and knew the way to handle certain issues. Being a mother is very hard sometimes especially for someone like me that wants to be liked by all. Sometimes it is hard for me to be tough but I know that I must. Does that make sense? I am just human and some days are just better than others. I do know that even though my day is not looking bright that in fact it truly is bright because I have my Savior with me in all things and well it is always bright when He is there, even when I can barely see the glimmer of light for the day.  So I am looking ahead and looking for the brightness in this day, oh look there it is, straight forward!

On another note I think I am having some sort of allergic reaction and it is really driving me crazy but this too shall pass! And this evening and tomorrow is looking brighter and brighter as the day goes on!

Have a good one, I know I am going to try my hardest! :)

Oh and the picture is of a kettle my hubby got me at that estate sale he went to this weekend!



Day 58

My hubby found me this chair yesterday at an estate sale! I love love it! It has a little rip but I think it can be repaired and if not totally well someone will be sitting in it anyways for pictures so not really a big deal.

Today is my baby girls "13th" birthday! How the time goes by so quickly. I am so very proud of the young lady she has become in her 13 years.  Also yesterday we received her ACT scores. She was able to take her ACT early because of high standardized test scores and she scored a ....................22! I didn't go to college so I wasn't real sure what that meant until I started telling people. I tell you those little prayers I prayed over my stomach while pregnant with her, sure paid off! Thank you Lord for answered prayers and for giving me such a blessing of a daughter to care for in this life!  (I know you probably were expecting a picture of my beautiful daughter but my hubby is funny about pictures of the kids online sooo trying to be the good wife lol).

Have a wonderful evening!

Day 57

Sorry I am a day late with this photo. I was so sick yesterday. This picture was taken with my iPhone yesterday as I was curled up in the bed.  The sprite was not even very pleasing to me! Feeling much better today!

Day 56

Good Morning!

I have been seeing this shot and wanted to try it out myself and put my spin on it. I really like it!

It's finally Friday! Yes! That means sleeping late tomorrow and I sure need the sleep after having a sick kid the last couple days. 

 It's a birthday weekend in our house. Yes my oldest is turning 13 on Sunday. Where does the time go?  Seems like just yesterday she was crawling in my lap. Now she sits there trying not to smile at my silliness. I was singing to my youngest this morning, what fun would it be to have a boring momma, it would be so blah! The one thing I enjoyed about my own mother as a child was her joking around with us and laughing and making up songs.  I wonder though, because I can not really remember is if I really enjoyed it as a 13 year old or did I in fact think she was goofy. Doesn't really matter now because when I look back, that is the memories I love to remember and I hope to give those same memories to my children.

Have a great day!

Day 55

Good Morning Everyone!

Boy I am tired, I am really thinking it is nap time. My baby girl started with the stomach bug right before bedtime last night. I think she is finally starting to feel better so hopefully it was just a little 12 hour thing. Lysol and hand sanitizer were my best friends last night and hopefully it will keep things at bay. (Yes I think I might have used a whole can)

Well I was told by someone that I need to write more so lets see what I think would be a good topic for today. They say if I really think I can find something, there is always something. Really because to be honest I am drawing a blank as of this moment. Except for the fact that a nap is sounding better and better in my very near future, oh I already said that didn't I.

Oh lets see I did read something this morning in my daily  Bible reading that struck me. It was about Moses when he went up in the mountain. 

Exodus 20:18,19
And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."
So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

Hmmm...in my time of testing do I step back or do I draw close to God. To be honest I think I have done both. Sometimes it is scary to draw close in our test because well we don't think we are passing very well and we forget about the mercy and love of God. We feel wretched, broken, weak and feel all our strength is gone. We know the answer to pass the test but we don't always do what we know we should do, our feelings and emotions get in the way. Basically and very honestly we want to feel good and we are selfish people. I hope that in my times of darkness that I draw near to my Savior and that I stay under the shelter of His wings.  He is my strength in time of weakness. And weakness tries to tear at our very souls. But I am glad that I serve a God that shows me so much mercy and grace that I am able to overcome my weaknesses with Him.

So that is my thought for the day. Hope everyone as a wonderful day, as for me I am heading off to dreamland!

Day 54

This is an old lantern that someone gave me over the weekend. She said that it was in a old barn that was being torn down. The man actually ran over it with the tractor and the glass didn't break, isn't that amazing! It is messed up a little but I still love this piece.  Sort reminds me of something...you see how this glass withstood and didn't break under the pressure of the tractor well I was thinking that I am glad that God is my barrier and my wall that protects me and guards me from the unknown coming my way. He gives me the strength to withstand and not be broken in times of trouble and trying. Yes I  might show a few scars from it but they are a reminder of what I had to face and that I came through in victory.

We lost a dear saint of God in our church this past weekend and I know he is dancing on the streets of gold. But I also know what a hard time his family will face and my heart goes out to them. I want them to know that God will give them the strength to go on and he will fill the voids that are now empty from the loss of their loved one.  It makes me think of my dad and how much I miss him. You still will miss them because there is a special place in your life that is made for that person but the void is made less by the comfort of our Savior that fills the void. Yes I miss my dad and wish I could hug him one more time, wish I could call him on the phone, wish I could go to my mom and dads and snuggle up in the bed next to him one more time but I know that he is in a better place where there is no more pain. And one day I will see him again. My hearts prayer is for my dear friends that are facing the newness of this lost loved one. Love y'all so very much!

Let God comfort you today!

Day 53

Have a great evening everyone!

Day 50, 51, 52

I was out of town this weekend so I am adding my missed days from the weekend! Hope everyone is having a great day! And a few extras from day 50!

Day 49

Good Morning All! Yes I am bright and early this morning, I have a very busy weekend so no post this weekend but I will be taking pictures and I will post all my captures on Monday morning.

Today I had to get some pictures of my beautiful sunflowers I picked up the other day. I am so enjoying these big beautiful flowers on my counter. Never realized how much I loved them until I saw them in the store calling my name the other day.

I was thinking this morning on a flicker of light. As I was praying this morning I kept seeing this little flicker in my eye of a light shining through, not sure what was up with that but anyways. I was thinking sometimes it seems as though we really try to let God's light shine through and them BAM! something distracts us and it seems as though only a flicker here and there is being seen. When things try to creep up on me and distract me from what I know is my first love I have been trying really hard to sing praise songs and just worship my first love because He is my source of joy, hope, love, peace and so many other things in this life. It just that life seems so busy sometimes and I don't want to forget where the source of all the things that keep me sane comes from in this life. Gotta keep my eye on the prize! And that is seeing my glorious Savior one day!

Have a wonderfully joyful day today!

And I couldn't decide which ones I liked best so here a little collection!

Day 48

Good Afternoon! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Trying to think of what to say today but my mind has been kind of foggy since I woke this morning, kind of like this morning.

Well I received one of the kindest compliments the other day and you know a girl loves a compliment. I humbly accepted this compliment because I knew that only with God was this compliment even possible. I pray for God's light to shine in my life and sometimes I wonder if I do my part to shed that marvelous gracious light that he shows me daily and well every once in a while it is nice to hear that a glimpse of that light is truly showing forth in your life. And usually they come when you least expect them to come. I hope that His light continues to shine in my life. Sometimes I feel that barely a glimmer is showing through but as I said yesterday a simple smile goes a long long way!

Have a great day!
As you can see I went through the car wash today and I had my camera!

Day 47

Smile! Yes I know I wasn't smiling in my pictures yesterday but I do love to smile! You never know when it will brighten someones day. If we could look into others lives what would we see, would we see the long miles they have been facing, would we see that a simple smile would have given them a glimpse of hope in their lives! You never know what a smile can bring! A smile can lift your spirit as well as someone elses! A smile is the sunshine in this garden of life! So extend a smile today, maybe to the door greeter at walmart, maybe to your little girl who seems sad, maybe just someone at the gas pump! Let the light shine in your life today!

Smile on!

Day 46

Yes it is me again! Haha! Self Portrait time again! I actually dont mind them too much anymore.

Well I have been kind of quiet around here because well I am just at a lost for words right now. I do have stuff on my mind but stuff I would rather not be known to the whole world so I will just be in my silence for a while. Dont worry I will be back to babbling in no time!

Have a nice evening!

Day 45

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentines Day! Enjoy your evening!

Day 44

Just an old door! Thought it made a cool picture. I have been a crazy picture taking person this week.  I learned of some news today that made me a little sad. I guess things like that happen. Storms come, storms go. I am glad that in the end my Savior is with me on the other side.

Have a wonderful day!

Day 43

Found some peso's I got while in Mexico 3 years ago.  Seems like forever ago and so many things have changed since that trip. I look back and wonder why in some areas but then look to other areas and see such growth from that experience.  Well life is a season of change, some good, some bad and well some just plan normal. I don't always like the change that I see in this life, sometimes I just want things to say the same but I know that life isn't that way at all. And then something starts to change in my life and I see all the beauty in it, all the growth that lead up to it. Growth what an amazing place! Growth brings about amazement, wondering, and even the Oh My's but all in all if we walk according to the steps directed by our Savior growth is an amazing thing in our lives.

Have an amazing day my friends!

Day 42

I had an extremely busy day yesterday so I was not able to blog. Here is my photo from yesterday! I had a photo shoot yesterday and well this is one of my favorites.

Yesterday was different for me because I am used to photographing children but I really enjoyed it and he was a pleasure to work with yesterday.

Hope your day is blessed! I will be adding my picture for today later on and let me add that on my photo shoot yesterday, I  definitely reaped the benefits of using my camera every day, I felt more comfortable behind my camera then I used to before my 365.

Day 41

I know not as sweet as yesterdays photos! Today we are dealing with pink eye so I thought I would just use photoshop on my phone today.

It has been a few weeks of sicknesses around my house but I am still smiling, see :) :) :)

I wish my house was smiling! LOL That is where I am headed right now to make my house smile and by that I mean CLEAN!!!!! (And it will make my hubby smile too!)

I was thinking on some things that I looked forward to in the morning. As I was headed to bed last night I was thinking that I so love my electric blanket and falling into dream land at the end of the day! But when it is time to wake I look forward to having my coffee and settling down into my Bible reading time. I so enjoy learning more about the word of God! It is a part of my day that I can no longer leave out of my life, it has become a part of me these past few months.

Let me add a few more things I enjoy!

I enjoy making my husband smile!

I enjoy making my children smile!

I enjoy teaching kidz church and making the kids smile!

I enjoy my daily picture taking!

I enjoy photoshop!

I enjoy my friends!

Oh and I enjoy the size clothes I am in right now! (Hey it was a hard task to accomplish and I am proud of it)

Even though sickness has been a part of my life the past couple weeks, I still have a joy I feel in my spirit that can not be drowned out by the daily trials of this life. Yes I get down and yes I am sad at times but deep down I feel that hope, love and joy deep in my heart that screams Kara it could be worse and your Savior has this so just trust him and move forward!

Have a wonderful day!

Day 40

Having one of those busy weeks. Enjoy!

Day 39

Can I say busy! That is my day so busy that I have no time to sit here and blog so just a few pictures!

Have a wonderful evening!

Day 38

Kiwi.....don't really care for it but thought it would make a good picture. I have been seeing some other 365 peeps photographing fruit so I thought I would give it a go today.  I mean I have so many more days to go and with being stuck in the house my inspiration has seemed to dwindle.

It has been a somewhat busy day. Trying to get everything ready for a newborn shoot I have this week. So very excited about it!!!!

We had an awesome Kidz Service at my church last night! So very honored to be involved in the Kidz ministry at my church! It was a scary thing for me at first but I guess I am growing more comfortable with it. I love those kids, they bring sunshine to my life! And I love the ones that I work with in the Kidz Ministry, they are just awesome people and glad to have them in my life!

Until tomorrow.......

Day 37

Well I decided to go outside and take some pictures from a different perspective today. There is a tree in my backyard that I find intriguing in a way. In the process of trying to capture the angel I wanted for the shot I stepped in an ant pile that was exactly where I needed to stand to get the shot. Thankfully I had socks on so no ant bites.  I couldn't capture it the way I had intended to but I did get this shot that I love very much. The lighting behind it is just beautiful.

Not much to say today, well because I am feeling a little loopy from the cold medicine I took last night so I can not think clearly. So you are spared from my ramblings today.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Day 36

Let me just say that blogging, picture taking, editing and sickness does not mix very well. And I should add in there creativity. I slept on the couch all night trying to avoid spreading my germs to my hubby and well I was looking around and saw my daughters journal so I thought that will work for today. So here is my picture!

I will add another picture below so you can see what the front cover says which is "It's all about me!", if only right? I guess we have our time when it is or seems to be all about us but once you become a mother it is no longer all  about you but all about your children. As I felt awful yesterday I still had to rise to motherhood and drag myself off the couch to fix my sweet angels some lunch and drinks. It is rough being sick when your kids are sick. But you know sometimes in our times of testing we see such revelations (Yes being sick when your kids are sick is a test indeed, just honesty). And here is my revelation of yesterday....

My sweet baby girl right before bed saw me curled up on the couch shivering so she went and grabbed me some more blankets and covered me up before turning off the lights and getting on the love seat (both of us sickies camped out in the living room). As I have said before it is the little things that count. I count it such a blessing to be a mother to this sensitive tender hearted child. I know at times that she can be a handful and she is a determined little thing but down deep in her heart she loves with such an intensity. The intensity of her determination and self will is the same intensity of her love for others. As a mother of a strong willed child I often question the reality of who this wonderfully and fearfully made child is headed in her life. She gives me a run for my money, she has made me a stronger person and I see the things that I have taught her starting to blossom in her life. The days that are struggles make me question if I make the right choices in how I handle her will but then on nights like last night when I see the tenderness that she has for others I know that what I am trying to do in teaching her to control her strong will, is far better than breaking that great will that God has given my child. He gave it to her for a purpose and well who am I to try and break it, my job is to help her mold it into what God intended it to be, a great gift from Him!

Cherish what God has given you! Embrace it and trust him to lead you!

(Please forgive me if my ramblings get off track sometimes, my mind seems to go in so many different directions but hey that is who God created me to be, right? lol)

Day 35

Today I had to make myself take a picture. I feel horrible and well I just want to lay in my bed. But I took on this project so here is my picture. I have been stuck in the house all week so I have been trying to be crafty. Here is a pillow I made for my daughters friend for her birthday. I sure hope she likes it after she sprays it down lol.

Also I am including a close up of my flowers I made for the top of the pillow and a picture from yesterday of the icicles on my house. I love icicles. I remember them hanging from the house as a kid, seeing we did not get much snow around here but I do remember the icicles and I loved them. I was telling my kids I wish we would get some and my youngest looks outside and says whats that hanging from the house, Icicles! I was so excited! Its the small things that matter, right? :) Now I am going to crawl in my bed and stay there for the rest of the day.

Have a wonderful day!