A Full Heart

Well everyone, Nells is home! We picked him up on Tuesday evening, and he is settling in pretty good. It's tricky to figure out the right rhythms for him, because he is still paralyzed, and he is on strict quiet time for 4 weeks. So there are just unique circumstances around his recovery, and we are trying to figure out what will work best.

The first day or two was really hard, and ya know what? Never mind, I am not going to complain, so I am moving on--
Nells has shown some happy, playfulness in the last day or so, and is seeming quite eager, I'm so proud of my little Walrus, that's my new nickname for him!


I wanted to lighten things up around here since they've been a bit gloomy for the last week or more, so I wanted to share what makes my heart full, because after all, there is so much to be joyful about.

Here we are at the U of M getting released.

Getting some fresh air while we wait for final paper work.

Pea time! I have been giving him frozen peas for a healthy snack and for a way to get him wiggling a bit. I was taught a rehabilitation program for him before we were released too. Since it was considered a spinal cord injury, his full recovery will be 8 weeks.

He is starting to lift his head a little more often!

Seeing my daughter and her girlfriends so happy and carefree in their gorgeous dresses the day of Prom.

Getting to put a blouse on and some lipstick, after being sick for over a week, and having the ability to come out of it. I had forgotten how awful it felt to be dehydrated and have my electrolytes messed up. {This was taken a week ago}

Having fresh berries in my fiesta ware with fresh whip cream on top. Oh yes.

Having my teenage daughter in my bedroom, looking at my jewelry and telling me that I am the one that taught her about forgiveness, and that I was the reason she's able to do so. {My heart almost stopped}

Enjoying more sunny days, and getting out on my deck to read, write and study.

When my Lily of The Valley bloomed, my heart was extremely full. These guys are my favorite.

Getting together for a girlfriend's birthday party, and of course taking a photo of our feet {cute shoes rather}.

Making a cake for my girlfriends birthday party with lots of bright candles! {although, I'm not a fan of the design I made on the sides of the cake, what do you think?}

Having coffee at the birthday party and relaxing on the cute white-washed deck with Nells and being reunited with my "use to be" pup, Hazel {we adopted her out last year}.

Reaching 200 followers, I know the numbers don't matter, but they matter because they stand for people, and you all matter to me! I officially welcome my new readers! Thank you.

Mini sticky buns in the morning!!!

My mushroom embroidery soon to be pillow, that is coming along. Progress is slow, as is life from time to time. We have to be gentle with ourselves, and not put such grand expectations on ourselves, chasing after a lifestyle that will never be perfected, no matter what books we read, no matter what classes we take or no matter how intentional we are. We've got to almost expect chaos, and remember that life is never without it. Sure, life is full of beautiful moments and times. And there are stretches where life feels and seems good, and that's ok. It's just if we hold on too tightly to the outlook that it will continue to stay that way, we will fall harder when life hits us unexpectedly or when pain enters in. So take one day at a time, with grace and ease, not clinging so tightly to some picture of a life you have-- and know that life can be easy, it can be hard, it can be fun, it can be unpleasant. It can be joyous and content and it can be maddening and unfair. It can be clear and it can be confusing. It can be exciting and it can be dull. It can be put together and it can be destroyed. It can be healthy and it can be sick. Life can shine and it can sting.
But just remember who's holding you and the world around you, and you'll be just fine.