I'm learning a lot about prayer. I believe that there is a time and a place for prayers to be specific. I think that is very important. But I also am learning that general prayers have their place also, and I believe these prayers, once prayed, go on and on and on for a long time. I've often prayed in general for the safety of my children. I've prayed this prayer as long as they have been on this earth, but not everyday. Today I can't say I specifically prayed that prayer for my daughter but I believe that today that prayer was heard. Prayer is so mysterious and I believe prayers follow us throughout time. I really believe that the prayers my dad prayed for me are still with me. I thank God for prayer

What a day, the kind of day you find yourself saying"what next?". Ironically this all comes after I spent a wonderful evening watching Facing the Giants with my daughter and grandchildren. If you haven't seen it, the message is that nothing is impossible with God. Hmmm... a little easier to say when you don't really need any miracles. But today, my family and another family that is very close to me is in need of just that. I believe God is able to perform miracles however, I will praise Him if He chooses to work miraculously or not, at least I pray I will. Gotta run, I hear a little miracle through the monitor. He's waking up.

Wow has this been a strange start to a new year. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a lack of focus. I had my typical post-holiday funk and I worked through that. Now I just can't get motivated to do all the projects I need to be doing. Why in heaven's name am I having such a hard time beginning Austin's scrapbook??!! I have a grand total of one page done. That is pathetic. I feel like I have developed old age ADD or something. It's driving me crazy. I need to take off those holiday pounds and I don't seem to care. You'd think I would be motivated as I am going to have to put on a bathing suit in a few short weeks for my trip to Florida. But noooooo.... I just keep eating. I have, however, begun working out with my Wii Fit. - three whole days in a row. I did some work on the exercise ball this morning too. I partially clean a room and then I find myself distracted by nothing, and it stays half-way done. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM???!!!! @#%%$#!!

I have so many emotions tonight. I really don't think I can possibly describe all that I feel. It involves so many different happenings and circumstances that really don't even relate to each other. My husband is gone to market and that always brings out emotions in me. My son is leaving tomorrow to join him for his first market since he began to work with Mike again. I watched the festivities of the inauguration all day and experienced a lot of different feelings. I held Austin while I watched history unfold and I found myself wondering what the future would hold as he grows up. I told him as we watched, that God is in control of the future no matter who the president is. My thoughts and prayers turn so often to the little girl we are so anxious to welcome into our family and wonder when that will happen. I worry about her but I know God is watching over her. So tonight my head and my heart is full. I'm trying to quiet myself.

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

I love spending time with my daughter. It seems we have had precious little of that lately. But today we managed to carve out a few hours to be together. We went to the winter farm market. It's really fun to watch my daughter learn a whole new way of cooking for her family. Then we went to a new mexican restaurant and just relaxed and talked. It looks like Eric is slowly healing from his fall. I am so thankful it didn't turn out as bad as we had thought. I'm going to watch the OSU basketball game with my husband. It's cold, very cold but it's been a good day. It seems the older I get, the more I just appreciate the simple things.

Well, it happened again. I got the "after the holidays blahs". I don't really call it depression. No...I know that feeling. This is just the blahs. I think I am somewhat like Clark in Christmas Vacation. I really build up the holidays. I want them to be so perfect. Then when they are over, I often feel let down because nothing is perfect. Sometimes I deal with it better than others. This time, not so good. But I am working on it. I am not going to beat up on myself but at the same time I am not going to live here. Another thing I am fighting is some anxiety. We have been through a lot in the past few years and I am just a little anxious about what might be next. I'm really not a doom and gloom person and I'm just being honest here. Just things I am dealing with and I will get past. I have found that most of the time when these things creep in, I need to get my mind off myself.

You better get to livin', givin'
A little more thought about bein'
A little more willin' to make a better way
Don't sweat the small stuff
Keep your chin up
Just hang tough
And if it gets too rough
Fall on your knees and pray
And do that everyday
Then you'll get to livin'

Sorry, once again, I know it's simple but I like it.

Well, I have wondered for awhile who is reading my blog. Not sure it is any thing more than me just being nosey. (I've been accused of that on more than one occasion) Watching stat counter, I realize there are a few that come back once in awhile. So......... if you notice I have added a followers section you can sign into. It won't hurt my feelings if you don't want to admit that you take the time to read what this simple woman writes. I'll just keep writing anyway.