Summer Wanderlust

Do you get that bug for a road trip, or running away sometimes? I do, I wonder if mine is more of a running away thing, than a road trip thing most days... remember that escapism I talked about a few days ago... Ya, it's probably that.  But I digress...

These are fun, summer prints, full of wanderlust and beauty. They scream summer, sunshine, and salt water.

Did you know that the word Aloha and Mahalo, are more than just words? Did you know they are blessings? I just learned this...

Mahalo: 

[Ma = In] + [hâ = breath] + [alo = presence, front, face]"(May you be) in (Divine) Breath."

And when I think of it, I think of... may you stand in front of the Devine... The one and only, may the God of the universe see you, know you, love you.

Aloha: 

[Alo = presence, front, face] + [hâ = breath]A"The presence of (Divine) Breath."

And when I think of Aloha, I think of The Devine is here, present with us, all around us, and in us. It's a beautiful way to greet someone.

When I start to learn the definitions of words, it changes my vocabulary. We lived in Quebec Canada for over 10 years, where French is the first language, and I had to relearn a lot of french just to survive in our little town. In the beginning I would always greet people with a simple Bonjour... which means good day. But then one day it clicked, there is also another greeting "Salut"  which in typical every day French means Hi. Sounds innocent enough, but then I remembering hearing about the "Armée du Salut" which is the Salvation Army... and I looked a little closer at the word Salut- and it means Salvation.  So now when I greet people, I greet them with a friendly 'Salut'... a blessing...

Another one that I learned, was after a Merci! or  thank you in Quebec we have three choices: 1. De rien (which means 'it's nothing'), then there is the colloquial 2. Bienvenue (which translates to 'Welcome'), and then there is a third option which is old French, 3. Je vous en pris... (which literally translates to, 'I'm praying for you')... so guess which one I use?

I find it so fun to learn about language and use it with purpose... what are some of your favourite words that you use intentionally with purpose and blessing? Do you choose your words, or do your words choose you?

Share the love,
M.

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MAHALO
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ALOHA
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Every Day is an Adventure

I didn't want to be silent, I didn't want to say nothing, let the lines go dead... but I did... It isn't because I wasn't thinking of posting a printable, or wanting to post one... it's just that time, that crazy little thing called time, literally slipped through my finger tips into the abyss... and now here I am... posting for the first time in what feels like forever... and posting about Adventure.

It is so true, every day is an adventure, life is an adventure, no matter how many times I want to pack up and leave my reality, escape the adulting, hole up in a shack somewhere in the the hills over looking the water and owe nothing to anyone... no schedule, no work, no responsibilities... but alas, that is probably never going to happen and I think I'm ok with that... maybe... maybe not. 

Most people who know me, see me as an extrovert, and basically that is because I love to have fun, hang with my friends and make LOTS of noise... but in all reality, this girl is an introvert, I can be social with people and lots of them, if I've had lots of time to myself, to reflect, breathe, and recoup. 

We've been home for almost 2 weeks and I have loved every minute of my time with my family and my friends (although my friends have been left out this time around due to that thing called Life, and what I'm choosing to call adventure?  I'd say 48 hours after the plane landed life started happening... the tree on our front lawn decided it needed a break from the weight of one of its branches and dropped it, onto the road, onto my neighbours car, seriously? Yup. 

It has been one thing after another, I keep repeating to myself, this too shall pass... this too shall pass, and then I keep waking up in a ball of stress and wondering WHEN will this pass?

Does that happen as we get older? I feel like I am less able to deal with crap that happens, I mean stuff that you buy insurance for- for years, and years, and years- hoping and praying to never have to use it. I keep telling myself, That's what it's for, and I calm down, only to wake up again stressed... 

...and now that I am writing this and thinking about this, I know exactly what is going on... I've failed to take it all to God in prayer... I failed to run to the rock, throw my cares on Him and breathe... I've tried to make it all work, fix it all myself, when I truly needed help... When I needed Him the most, I decided to do it all myself. How can I possibly expect a peaceful sleep and a peaceful outcome if I haven't gone to the peace maker...

(Interlude I literally stopped writing and prayed... Do you need to stop and give it all to God- what is stressing you out, have you taken the time to share it with Him? if not, I'm going to encourage you to do that...)

These are the lyrics that came to my heart- this will be the song that I sing all day:

I go to the rock of my salvation

I go to the stone that the builders rejected

I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me

When the earth all around me is sinking sand 

On Christ the solid rock I stand 

When I need a shelter 

When I need a friend I go to the rock

Lyrics by: Dottie Rambo

So on this adventure called life... Go to the rock... 'cause life is an adventure, and not always a peaceful one... Go to the Rock... Share your heart, your hurts, and your joy.

Share the love,

M.

Ps. This post was not at all what it was suppose to be, instead of it being a fun and light post of encouragement it is an open letter from my heart, it is a little journey... and as raw as I feel, and as exposed as I feel to share my spiritual journey, literally... in the moment, well here it is.

LostBumblebee©2016 MDBN : Every Day is an Adventure
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Eat Half, Walk Double, Laugh Triple.

I saw this quote recently and it resounded with me... It just makes sense, it's the secret to a long happy life. Yes it is a simplified version of a long happy life, but it's a good start. It's a great recipe, and I've been implementing it in my day to day.

As you might know, I've gotten a little chubby lately, I'd love to blame it on the IVF, and the stress, the moving half way around the world, the and the ups and downs, but really the thing is, I love food, it's so yummy and it feels so great in my tummy... and I just want more... and more, and more- and hey, if there is cake, I'll have some of that too!

I eat pretty healthy, I cook most of what we eat, I'm a herbivore, lots of fruits and veggies, bread, lentils, beans, and no meat. Please note: the 'no meat' is a personal choice, based on what I like to eat, please do not feel in any way shape or form that this is what is right for you- this is what is right for me, now- at this moment, in my life- I am not religious about it, if I choose to taste some fish, or have a piece of salmon, I will- if one day I am craving a burger so badly, well then I will go out and have one- I've never really craved meat, so I just don't eat it... I just don't have the taste for it.) 

The key to that entire sentence is LOTS... I eat lots of fruit and LOTS of veggies... it's like I have this feeling if one banana is good than 3 are better!

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, mainly about portion size and control.  I think it's been mulling around in my head, because we are not large consumers of stuff. We don't buy what we don't need or use, we don't over indulge in spending and purchasing, we do not get caught up in the bigger is better... with stuff- but with food... somehow it has become excessive and more than I need. And I know this for sure, because I am wearing the evidence on my body and a reminder that I might actually be greedy- taking more than I need... it's kind of a big thing- Greed.

So as I start a new journey, to take less and leave more, to allow God to fill my heart and not me trying to fill my tummy... I don't actually know how to do this... I don't actually know how to stop being greedy. Oh,  I know how to lose weight- in 2005 I lost 100lbs with my doctor, I know the rules, I know the formula, I know it... but my heart didn't learn it. I am very capable of disciplining myself to do what needs to be done, to get the weight off... but unless my heart changes, nothing actually changes.

So I guess I am again on a new journey, a new adventure... would you like to join me? Maybe this print will help you along your way too...

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
Eat half, walk double, laugh triple
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Empty house... happy heart.

Wow, who would have thought that emptying out our home and packing up would feel right? Of course there is anxiety, and stress... but there is so much happiness too. Our lives are not what we would have planned... this jet set kinda life isn't what we thought we would be doing, we thought we would be raising tiny humans to be highly functioning members of society... but alas, we are just raising ourselves and are somewhat functioning members of society- and more so somedays than others!

It's really funny, when I shared with my Dad we were headed overseas for two years, he made a very remarkable statement... it took me a little while to get my head wrapped around it, and make it part of my own philosophy. He said "Miss, you don't have kids... you don't need to live your life as though you do. There is no reason for you to have the house, the two cars, the close to school proximity, the backyard... you don't need any of that, unless that is what you guys want. You're living your life as though you are tied to it... you aren't. You and Duy have freedoms that others don't have... you also have loss that others don't have... But whatever you do, don't get stuck living your lives for someone else... or, for Pete's sake,  don't live it because that's what you think is expected of you... live it for yourselves..."

It took me a long time to think about this, to really embrace it. Is this selfish? Can we actually live our lives for ourselves and not be idiots? We don't have children, not because we don't want children, but because at this time-it's not happening (you can read more about our fertility issues here: Why I do -what I do! ) But what is happening is an opportunity that perhaps we would not have had, if we had children. I'm not saying our lives our better or worse... they are just different... and that is ok...  It took me awhile to learn that living our lives for ourselves did not mean selfish at all... Duy and I are consciously living our lives on purpose, what should we be doing, what are we called to do, where are we called...  How will we give when we arrive... after mulling this over... I realized that living our lives for ourselves, didn't actually mean selfish at all, it meant honouring what God has placed in our lives, and living it for Him, no matter where we were or what came across our path...

So looking around this empty house, my heart breaks a little... there is no pitter patter of tiny feet, no baby toys, no backpacks and sneakers at the door... but there are boxes... boxes that hold the past adventures of our lives, and hopes and dreams and expectations of future adventures, together with the man I love. The man who has stood by me through thick and thin, loved me through chubby days, skinny days, and now chubby days again... he has loved me through poking and prodding at the fertility clinic, 4 rounds of IVF, he's loved me through, loss, heart break, laughter and tears... and now we are so blessed to have this amazing opportunity ahead of us that we get to take together...

It's just another adventure along this journey we call life... no matter where we end up, as long as we are together, we will be home... as long as we are living our lives on purpose we will have peace...

So no matter what you are going through at the moment, just know... the life that you had planned may not be the life that you are living, and that is ok... look into the life you are living and find the diamonds, find the gold- hold onto the positives and focus on just how awesome life is, even if it isn't the one you had planned... there is always something to be thankful for...

Share the love,
M.

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LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
Home is wherever I'm with You
Personal Use only

Let's Keep It Simple.

It's Monday.
Let's keep it simple.
Coffee and Friends make the perfect blend.
Amen to that.

PS. I can't do anything other than simple today, my brain is buzzing, we finished our 2 big fundraisers for our Living Life ON Purpose 2015 Uganda journey, now it's all about tying up loose ends and breathing + believing that everything is going to work out. We are still raising funds up until the day we leave- your generosity and love has been amazing and we appreciate it so much.

You see that thermometer over there- the one that says $1412.00 RAISED? well I just wanted to give you an update on that- soon it will be hitting our $2000 mark as our very generous brother in law and His family have decided to TOP it up to reach out $2000 GOAL to purchase the Diesel Generator + Pump. WE ARE SO EXCITED!! This gift is what YOU guys will be sending to Uganda with us. WE are so happy that we could be the conduit for you to give such an amazing gift!

So continue to support us with your prayers, your positive thoughts and your donations. YOU are a BIG part of making this happen for us and we appreciate it very much!

Share the Love,
Missie + Duy

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7.

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Home is.

This is a fun little ditty, because I get so sentimental when I am home with my mom. I grew up, for a big portion of my life, in these parts, and I miss it. I miss the people, I miss the open space, I miss the smell, I miss the sea, I just miss it. When I come back, it just feels normal, like I'm home.

I've started a petition at my house to make a move back here. It has one signature on it, it only needs two- but getting the other one will take awhile. Every time the hubby says "ok, let's go"... I think about all of the packing, the selling, the readjusting... and... well you know how that goes. I just settle in a little more... look around me and see all the wonderful friends and family that surround us, and I appreciate them even more.

My heart is happy here, My heart is happy at my home, My heart was happy in China, My heart will be happy in Uganda ~  Happiness is a choice, Happiness is knowing that all is well... no matter the situation, the location, the participants... Find Joy in the Journey.

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN: 5x7

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I'm Possible.

Nothing is impossible- even the word itself says I'm Possible. This has been running through my head and heart for the last 5 days. Nothing, not one thing, no thing is impossible. That makes my heart sing! That means all things are possible. All things. Everything you can think of, all things you can imagine are possible. I love what Mark 9:23 (NIV- emphases added) says;

"What do you mean, 'If I can' ?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."

Anything is possible if you believe. That just gives me the kick in the butt I need today! (ALL THINGS MISS, all things! Everything- you know that $2000 goal you set to buy the orphanage a diesel generator and a pump- well it IS possible if you believe.)

(If you haven't read about our Africa Journey- you can find my video by clicking the Living Life on Purpose 2015 Button (on the right) Or you can read about our journey to Uganda here:  How it started, what it has become, and how honoured we are to share this journey with you.
1: It's Time for Africa
2: Live Your Life On Purpose
3: YOU are WONDERFUL

About 2 weeks ago, I really felt I needed to contact the orphanage that we will be going to volunteer in and ask them -what big ticket items they need. They need a new truck. That is a pretty big ticket item- but they also mentioned a diesel generator and a pump- which will cost about $2000- I said Yes, we can do that. I wonder if I had stopped and read this verse before I jumped on the generator + pump, if I would have had enough faith, enough courage to say yes for the truck?

We are starting with raising the $2000 for the pump.
Maybe just maybe if I keep believing by the time we get there we will have raised enough for the generator+pump as well as the truck! Hey, All things are possible. Jesus said it himself. Right?

Share the love, and + Don't Stop Believing- All things are possible. All. Things.
M.


If you are in the Montreal Area and would like to meet and greet Me + my hubby- We will be having a small fundraising get together. We would love to meet you! Live music, fun, friends (new friends) and more. Contact me and I'll send you the info!

Just a little reminder: *Please note all free printables and images are free for Personal Use. They may not be used for resale or commercial use without written permission. >> If you are using these images on your website or your blog you must link back to www.lostbumblebee.blogspot.com

Please visit our INFO page.

Thank you :)

M.

All LostBumblebee® Prints ©2009-2015 Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen

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It's My Party.

And I'll cry if I want to.
Cry if I want to. Cry if I want to.

The clock of my life has just ticked another year older. June 1, 11:42am, 1978 I was spewed into the world, if my mother had been a blogger, I'm sure there would have been a very poetic account of my birth, but alas she was not... therefore I was spewed into the world in a pile of goop, and probably poop- if we are being completely honest.

For years now, since I turned 29- my birthdays are somber, a little sad, slightly uneventful (except my 30th, we partied like it was 1978- and it was awesome- I'm a sucker for a good costume/theme party- I love them.) 

But in all seriousness, I take (probably) too much time to think about life, what is happening and what isn't happening -that I wish was happening. This year I tried to see things how they are... not how I expected them to be when I was 18. Do you know how much time I've wasted wishing my life away- hoping and praying for things to be different, instead of being grateful for how they are? the lessons I'm learning?  and just how blessed I am?

This year was a turn. Did I have a moment of tears, yes... did my Hubby take time to sit with me and discuss it? yessss... but only after he imitated me, being me, having my own little pity party- and then we laughed until my sad tears turned into the tears of joy. (Psalms 30:5b - ...weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning... )

I wish I could see only the positive in life, I wish I could be the person who always sees life from a higher perspective, but sometimes I'm not. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I throw a pity party for myself. Sometimes I put my feelings above those of other people. Sometimes people make me want to scream-  and I love people.  I'm starting to believe that seeing the positive in life is a skill that is learned and not something you are born with. A skill that needs to be honed and nurtured, protected and chosen. You can't catch it, like the measles-  You've got to pursue it, believe it in, aspire to it, choose it, live it, and give yourself a break when you fail miserably at it.

So this year for my birthday I'm giving myself the gift of grace. I generally hold myself to a higher set of expectations than I hold other people to, but this year, this year is a year of grace. (Not an excuse to be a sloppy human, who does whatever they want, whenever they want and never puts the hearts of others above their own). But instead grace in the truest sense of the word- Grace that excludes merit. The one that I can't earn, even with myself. A grace that isn't deserved, just given.

So here is to a new year, a fresh start, and a year of grace.
Maybe you need to offer yourself some grace... true grace, one you can't earn, maybe you don't deserve, but you need. Make today a fresh start in your life...

I created this print, initially it was only going to say Grace once (in black)... but then I kept adding more, we need so much grace in our lives- many times in a day. So as many times are you read grace on this print, give that to yourself, to your children, to your coworkers, to your hubby, to your friends and to everyone else and then times it by 7.

Share the love, and the grace...
M.

Just a little reminder: *Please note all free printables and images are free for Personal Use. They may not be used for resale or commercial use without written permission. >> If you are using these images on your website or your blog you must link back to www.lostbumblebee.blogspot.com

Please visit our INFO page.

Thank you :)

M.

All LostBumblebee® Prints ©2009-2015 Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen

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Grown Up Colouring : Let's Be Adventurers!

my version so far :)

I love the idea of adventuring all over the world and seeing new things... but what I love most is the people. I love watching the people, trying to communicate with the people. Seeing how they do what they do- Because we all do it differently. And it is awesome.

When we were in China last year, and the verbal communication between me and the people -whose paths I crossed every day -was basically non existent. Oh but communicate we could. I am slightly dramatic (or so I've been told) in conversation. I taught ESL for 10 years- so I got use to asking people to repeat themselves without feeling badly about it, I got used to deciphering gists of conversations- The one international symbol that I did notice is that if you smile at people, it warms their face. Things melt away, the stress, the frustration, the fear 'Oh my gooooodness! is she talking to me in English?' A smile can melt many hard emotions and bring peace to a situation.

As you know we are going to Uganda. (If you didn't know, you can check it out here). I look at the photos of the children from the Orphanage, their faces are lit up with these huge smiles... it makes me so excited to meet them. I am not stressed about meeting the children, their smiles give me hope, and peace. They will teach me so much more than I could ever offer or bring with me.

So to all of you who dream of being Adventurers... you can start in your own community, talking to those you don't know... loving on people, and radiating love- and move on from there. What was your favourite adventure from your travels, feel free to leave a comment here, or go to the Facebook page and leave it there :)

Share the love,
M.

Adventure.

Do you hear it? Does it call your name? Do you feel the need when the weather starts to warm up-  that need to get out, have an adventure? Somedays adventure for me is getting on a plane and flying to China solo to meet up with my husband. Other days it is walking to the mail box... This year our adventure is huge. Bigger than anything we've ever done.  But the biggest part of this adventure isn't the going to Uganda to volunteer for me, I have volunteered all of my life, the hardest part is the asking for help.  It's asking you to contribute to our journey. It's asking people to visit my Esty Shop and buy a family portrait, a painting, or a print. It is really hard to keep asking. But I will. It has caused me to grow in my creativity, find my voice and challenge myself to speak up. It's a huge adventure this growing up and into yourself thing. Huge.

What adventure is calling your name this year? What is pulling at your heart, begging you to reveal it, nurture it, achieve it?  If you aren't sure... Start with this questions, "what breaks my heart?" Once you answer that question, move on from there to discover if there is anything in your neighbourhood, community, city that you can do to help alleviate that sense of pain.

If animals are your thing, try volunteering in a shelter.
If children are your thing, try offering a free story time at your local library.
If Single Mom's are your thing, try offering a small group at your church to support them in their needs.
If missions is your thing, find an organization and donate, volunteer, host a garage sale to raise money, or plan a mission trip and go.

If real adventure is what you seek, look outside of yourself, and see the world in it's need and embark on an adventure that will change your life. Adventure to me is getting out of my comfort zone and doing something that changes me... which in turn changes my world.

Adventure awaits... in whatever form it looks like, embrace it.
Share the love,
M.

For more Grown up colouring sheets click here :) 

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8.5x11 this one is spaced differently to give you more surface area to colour, I did the above one, it turned out beautiful, but you need your pencil sharpener and reading glasses handy, it was slightly small. This one is slightly less complicated and a little larger :) 

BRAVE.

Brave. Bravery, Bravely. Boldly. Go.

This year is a big year for the hubby and I. We're so far out of our comfort zone it is amazing and very scary all at the same time.

This year, I've got to be brave. Brave. I've got to be Brave with my art work. I've got to just do it, get it up, share it, show it.

I've got to go to a new place I've never been where they have snakes the size of tree trunks, spiders the size of whales and insects that eat you. Ok, maybe I am going a little overboard with my anxieties about weird and wonderful creatures... but I've got to be brave. It's an unknown world out there for us to see.

I've got to be brave when talking to people, brave when asking people for help. I need to be brave. It is not easy.

So today I'm encouraging myself and hopefully you today, to be brave. BRAVE!

What situation are you in today that required bravery? It could be moving, buying a new house, working on a new project, sharing your story, speaking up when no one else will, going out of your comfort zone to start something new... or taking on snakes the size of tree trunks... Whatever it is, I pray that you will go boldly into that new journey and be brave... because you can do it, no matter what it is, you can do it!

Share the love today + and be Brave!
M.

For more Grown Up Colouring Sheets Click Here :) 

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All Good Things...

All good things are wild + free.

Sometimes I feel the only thing about me that is wild and free is the peach fuzz that may or may not be residing on my upper lip. Oh but I do dream. But is Wild and Free actually a reality? Can we ever be truly free? free to just up and go, and if so, where?

I don't really think we can ever be truly free... but can our spirits be wild and free? Can we have our head in the clouds and our feet on the ground? We are bound by family ties, monetary ties, jobs, memories, dreams, goals, life in general, and for me- Timothy the Dog. Is that a bad thing? No... being tied to things in life is not bad- those are the things, I feel, will be most important in our lives - I mean not my mortgage payment, but my home, the place we laughed, loved and grew.

So what are some of the things that keep you from being totally wild and free and you are so grateful for? I definitely have a a few...

Share the love,
M.

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Welcome to the GongShow. Make it Happen, Mama Said.

I love the saying "Make it Happen" - I am of the belief that you can change your world by doing something... anything, a teeny tiny step can be the beginning of a huge change... and then today started!

Here is a rundown of our morning:

a. Woke up this morning to Timothy the Dog crying (this makes me so nervous, a few days ago I was falling asleep and the last thing I said to my hubby was... I'm scared that something will happen to Timothy.) (Insert emoticon with HUGE eyes and gaping open mouth.)

b. Today was suppose to be my first day back to the gym... I've been off for 2 weeks due to an injury- I'm finally feeling 96% and I was all game to head back, because the sooner I start slowly working out, the sooner I get to be on the squash court. (I love squash!) But because Timothy was in pain, I decided to stay home with him... and that is ok with me, I love him.

c. The car wouldn't start, so no problem, it has a new battery, so we will just boost it from my little car, perfect. Not perfect. wouldn't start. Ok, no worries, Hubby decides to take my little car. Um, not today,  my little car now refused to start.

d. My Mom called. She is so full of wisdom and kindness and will never ever skimp on time and effort when a prayer for peace is needed... Thank God for praying moms.  At the end of our conversation she started singing this song to me, she said "Miss, sing this to yourself a few times today... cause tomorrow will be different".  Yup, she is the best.

So, today we have a choice, what kind of day are you having? are you having a MAKE IT HAPPEN kind of day? or are you having a MAMA SAID THERE'LL BE DAYS LIKE THIS day?

I'm kinda chuckling about today, it seems so off, yet it is all part of life- just a little tiny piece of it. Are things going wrong? Yup. Will I survive? Yup. Will tomorrow be different? Yup. Will this afternoon be different? Yup.

Am I going to make it happen? Yup. Did Mama tell me there'll be days like this? Yup.

Share the love,
M.

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Truth.

Sometimes it's best to just tell the truth. I am trying to get my stuff in order before I head off on a solo adventure. OMG- 11 Days, Prague, to hang with my Bestie and My Godson. I am super. duper. off the charts excited (!).

But the lead up to the take off is always an anxious runway for me.  (Ha- my airplane humour kills me!)

I tend to worry about: the hubby, want the house clean, need to finish 3 Family Portraits (yup 3!) and send them before I go, I am co- hosting a conference this weekend (Saturday all day, I leave Sunday- What was I thinking?!) I have to finish work for the conference- My belief is when you host something go above and beyond - so I'm adding my magic LostBumblebee touch to everything I touch, WHICH takes lots of time, energy, love and creativity :) BUT it's almost ready and I am super excited!

So on that note, I am going to leave you with this little bit of truth... it is partly true, I find myself burying my nose online trying to just breath and relax, the anxiety comes because I know my floors need sweeping, my dishwasher needs unloading, my bathroom needs cleaning, paintings need painting and my bags need packing- and here I am writing a blog post and creating- 'cause I love you guys :)

Share the love,
M.

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Go Explore.

I'm trying to convince myself to go explore today, for some reason I am so tired and cold, I can barely keep my eyes opened let alone go explore. All I want is peanut butter and toast, a hot cup of tea and a nap.

So instead I'll encourage you, go out and explore something, do it for me, I'll be napping :)

Share the love,
M.

This was actually yesterday's post, but I couldn't upload it, so I gave up  and took a nap :)

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Be In Love With Your Life... every teeny tiny stinking detail of it.

That is such a romantic thought, I love my life… but every teeny tiny stinking detail of it? Come on- how can that be… Life is hard, life is messy… life sometimes throws you stuff you don’t think you could ever handle, it knocks you down, stomps on you a little - how do you love it through all of that? how? how is it even possible? 

Sometimes it is easier on the look back, they say "hindsight is 20/20” this means when you are looking back on your life, you actually have perfect vision of it- you can see the invisible hand of God… you can see how hard things worked out for the good, and you can see the grace that flowed.

Duy and I have been through the wringer (more than once) we have had hard stuff happen… but looking back on it, it has made our hearts grow- it has changed us, moulded us, created two new people- different than we were when we first met, even different than we were just last year… I am humbled, by the way things happen, by the bigger picture, and by grace.

So today- try it, try to love every detail of your life, see if it is even possible, look back over the trying times, the good times, the fun times, the hard times and see if you can love it, all of it... every teeny tiny stinking detail of it. Can you see grace that flowed? Can you see the fruit it produced?

We may not understand the why- because (as my mother says) we don’t need to understand everything, we just have to accept it… 

Share the love today!

M.

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September.

It's a Crazy time of the year, because I always think I ought to be buying school supplies.  I went from being a student, to a teacher, to a graphic designer, and now a "blogger" of sorts... more like a maker of free printables, but I digress...

On the day before the eve of our departure ( on the road again... is playing in my head ) I've created a sweet printable for the nursery, children's room, your living room, home, apartment- wherever you can think to hang it, it was made for that!

It's about dreams, possibilities and hope... for you, for your children and for others!

Share the love,
M.

These prints are : HoRiZONtAL :)

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