Extending Grace: The Second Chance

This is going to be very short and sweet - but I have been reminded often lately about the blessing of receiving and giving second chances as an extension of grace.

Who can you offer a second chance to this week?

Mama, Come See!

Last Wednesday {Leap Day and my newest niece's birthday!} I got to talk to Carrie on the phone! We usually plan to talk on the phone for about an hour once a week and that was our time! We had a great time catching up and it was relaxing and fun and pre-baby.

And, God was gracious in allowing my children to play so nicely during this time. Often, my children completely fall apart when I'm on the phone - but it was a gorgeous day and they were in and out enjoying it.

But they weren't just enjoying the day. They were inspired.

They closed the curtains to the porch and worked away on their idea. When I got off the phone - one held one side of the curtains open and said, "Look what we made for you!" While another waiting nearby started a CD player {that they had moved outside and set up} with soft Christmas music. And, a third rushed over to a pink chair prepared extra special - for who? Me.

"We wanted to plan something special for you because you are sad about Aunt Carrie being in the hospital."

Oh. my. They are listening and observing and even though it is more than being concerned for her being in the hospital, it is that I am not there and we've talked about my going and agreed all together that to wait is best.

If I were there with her in the waiting, I would have brought some little fun project to make, given her a pedicure, read books, sat quietly, played a game, watched a movie, listened, prayed, cried and hugged and loved on. I would have brought flowers and fresh fruit and any little comfort that would've encouraged her.

But, God knows and He is watching over both of us in different ways. And, oh - how He blessed me through those sweet children {blessings!} that afternoon.

They found a piece of fabric for a tablecloth, picked flowers and put them in the very cutest cup they could find, set out tea cups, poured the tea {milk} and fixed a snack of gum and chocolate chips, put on pretty music and even brought a painting out of my bedroom to decorate the porch.

They are watching. Emily passes me a tea cup with a tiny bit of milk and some chocolates {by now, Rachel has brought out the M&M's!} and I'm holding my camera and she asks if that interests me. I am so humbled. They are studying what interests me and hoping to encourage by showing that they have noticed. And, it really does encourage!

We sip our "tea" and eat our treats and Samuel drops his M&M's and chocolate chips into his milk and proclaims, "Shhhhh - they are sleeping!"

I guess he wakes them up because he then begins fishing them out and getting milk all over. But his smiles and all the cheeks sprinkled with freckles are just complete beauty to me at that moment. And, the precious gift of love they poured into this time. How they have blessed.

And, how blessed I am to be their mama. When I struggle with the challenges of mothering, when I feel unappreciated and worn to a frazzle - may I be reminded of these sweet blessings. I would never want to miss these moments that God has given and it makes me thankful that I have these moments to treasure.

I'm an auntie!

Read the announcement here!

3 Mobiles, 3 States

While a sweet sister waits for her new baby in a hospital room far away ~ I feel stuck about how to encourage, hug and uplift from a distance.

Then, we unexpectedly find ourselves home for a Sunday morning and I have read this and am inspired. {note: I'm really enjoying this new blog!} I spend most of the day painting and praying and sewing ~ beauty feeds my soul, have I mentioned that before?

The rainbow colors just pop out amidst all the neutral in these frames and I love their used look and simple beauty: truly a simple pleasure.

Colors run out and aren't as vivid as I hope ~ but the subtle colors end up being very pretty too. Then, I take a dry brush and spatter some more paint on and I love the grungier look of that. I want to use the colors that infuse peace and calm.

Words are inscribed and stitched with love and prayed both then and now:

Rest in Him
Thankfulness
Courage
Blessing
Faith
Peace
Jesus

These are the things I'm praying for the hearts of those waiting and caring for those waiting. I make three mobiles all together. One to hang in the hospital, one at our home and one where my parents and niece and nephew are. Three homes in three states, yet our hearts knit together in prayer, love and support under one Lord.

And, yes - beauty to be brought to the hospital home. It is a home for these days and even though it is not as cozy as we would think of a home - it is where hearts we love are living and stories are unfolding.

Something beautiful to gaze on. Truths to cling to. Hope to believe in. Prayer to sustain the soul.

Beauty

I've been missing writing about beauty lately - in my mind, some of my favorite posts ever written were the Days of Beauty month long series that I enjoyed last October.

The alive feeling I had then is what I miss, lately it feels like I am like a dry crispy leaf fallen from a tree rather than soft green moss which is alive and beautiful. I guess dry crispy leaves are beautiful in their own way too, aren't they?

There has not been a change in my pursuit of beauty, it is still a huge priority to me to seek, cultivate and even create beauty. But, the change is in my heart - how I am not feeling like I exude or feel beauty. When I have a bad hair day and get out of the habit of exercising again and just don't feel beautiful.

However, beauty is not going to cease because my heart is not feeling beautiful. Beauty cannot cease when God is still the Creator and when He is still sending beautiful moments into our days. And, I continue to write down three things a day in my One Thousand Gifts journal.

The same that is true of my heart feels true in my writing lately - dry. Missing beauty. Wanting to have something lovely and beautiful and profound to say. Yet, I cannot give up this writing even if it isn't what I wish it was because it is such a part of me.

And, so my humble offerings continue that He may use them as He sees fit or to bestow beauty as He chooses.

What is beautiful in your life right now?

Mama & Me Crafting

A little night owl lives in my house named Emily! And, she recently asked me to do a craft time with just her. I couldn't do it right then, but did keep the idea close to pull out one night when other littles were already asleep.

I pulled out canvases, buttons, ribbon and paint. I lit candles and put on some peaceful, worshipful music. And, we created ...

No rules, just fun and whatever we wanted to make. She asked for help painting a horse :)

Of course, Rachel wanted to paint the next day - here is her creation:

Daffodils at Home

Once we picked our daffodils, I had fun implementing an idea I saw on Pinterest to slice limes and add to the water with some burlap ribbon and a bow - pretty!

DaySpring Winner

Katy is the winner of the DaySpring giveaway! Thanks for all your sweet comments and well wishes!

Daffodil Farm

Last Friday was the first day the local Daffodil Farm was open for picking. We were close by and met some sweet friends to enjoy a spring-y activity! What fun!

Rachel wore her favorite hat - she wears it everywhere!

Daffodils are such a sweet simple pleasure!