Appreciating the Past Changes the Future

Wow... a lot to think about lately. I've been thinking of all I've been through in the past year and a half. I listen to the news and hear about the economy and job markets. I hear about how many people are now unemployed, homeless, nothing left. I can't help but remember how all that was to live through. I feel like I am a year and a half ahead of the rest of the world.

BUT... then I think of where I am today. I think of all the prayers, family and friends who helped me through all that. I wonder what it could have been like without them. I think of learning so many lessons along the way and how its changed my outlook on so many things. I try to share the hope with others going through it now.

I know I didn't like being on the receiving end, but without it I couldn't have survived. I know I feel much better back on the giving end now. It made me understand how giving has to be done the right way, no string attached, no expectations of people holding up to their promises, no assuming some people would never let you down or hurt you if you needed them. I know who will always be there for me, and who I will go to the ends of the earth for. I've seen the emptiness in my daughters eyes when we had nothing. I've heard the grumblings of our hungry stomachs. I've experienced how people treat people with nothing like dirt.

BUT... then I think of where I am today. We are on our feet again. I am employed and surviving with no fears of the past. I have to keep looking forward. Life is already better. As I've always said, "the cup is always half full". I think of "Footprints" and how we were carried. I'm trying to look for a new person in my life now, who will understand what I've/we've been through and know we are good people who will never give up on life. There is someone out there like that, I know. If God wants it for us, it will happen. I know I promised I'd move on and find someone, I just didn't think the time was right before now. Everyone has their own timetable. Mine is starting again now...

More Girl Time, Yeahhh!!!

I love getting to spend time with my Granddaughters. When they come over, it's just them, Auntie and me... ahhhh! We may do some crazy things, but they will all be memories someday! When they first come over, they love to go out on the patio. I think it's because they can see the pool and hope to be in it soon. It was a bit too chilly last night, but we had a blast anyway!

Makenzie loves hangin' with Auntie. They get to talking and it's like they are in their own little world. Sometimes Makenzie gets moody, but she and Auntie love each other sooooo much!

These pics are a bit out of order, but you can see Kaylie enjoying her patio lunch. We broke the "Girl Time" trend so we could have Dannen join us too. He just slept. Guess he can't keep up with us girls just yet. Give him time!
We watched a movie called Dunsten Checks In. The girls loved it and laughed like crazy. Then Makenzie wanted to play with King Louie because he looked just like Dunsten. Now she wants a pet monkey. Oh-oh.
The girls had their time hanging out with Auntie while I got breakfast ready. Sometimes they help, but today they just wanted to play. Our house has a hallway leading to the bathroom. There's a second door on the other end of the bathroom, leading to my bedroom. Now that the girls know they can run in circles and chase each other through the rooms, they wear themselves out pretty fast.
My bed is up on risers. Kaylie says it looks like a queen's bed. They literally have to climb up to get on it. We go to sleep watching movies in the "Queens Bed".

Makenzie wanted me to take a picture of her "little pony tail".

There's a rule at Zamma's house: if you eat all your lunch, you get Oreo's for a snack! Mmmmm!

Sometimes you can "wear" oreo's on your face too! Just ask Makenzie!

I think King Louie just got renamed to Dunsten....

Kaylie, Miss Independant, was teaching me how to tie her shoes. She's been tieing them for 2 years already. She learned how to tie, watching Little Bill, on Noggin. I think my grandbaby is growing up...

The weather was 80 degrees, so we just sat in the sun and colored. We also played one of Zamma's games. When Zamma counts to 3, just have to freeze, and just listen. Then when she points to you, you have to tell her a sound you can hear. Kaylie heard birds, Makenzie heard squirrels, Auntie heard different birds, and Zamma heard the TV because she was sitting by the patio door. Lots of sounds if you listen closely, shhhhh!

Makenzie's favorite color this week is red. She has to see the word "red" on the label or it's the wrong color. Hmmm, wants to read already!

I'm so blessed to spend time with the girls. When the 4 of us get together, it's all about making awesome memories. We're talking about hanging sheets inside the screens of the patio and making it a giant tent. We may even spend the night out there soon. It's been in the 70's at night. Pretty soon...