Monday, January 31, 2011

Meet Phoebe Grace….or just Gracie


Latest addition to the Shaw family…she was a bit of a surprise…in a round about way!

You see, a sweet friend’s Mama Yorkie, Daisy, gave birth to Phoebe Grace and her sister on November 10th ,one promised to her son and Phoebe promised to another friend; but after much deliberation and the unexpected adoption of a stray, that friend was unable to give this little one a home, so guess who said yes………

And we are having a “splendid time”, between the puddles! If you know me, you know I’ve never been much of a “house dog” person…OH, I’ve attempted it a couple of times, an unavoidable life experience with boys!

Just never fared very well, not the dogs, me! But at this mellow (right!) age, I have been thinking about it quite a bit and just felt the need to care for something tiny and sweet that doesn’t talk back!

Genesis 1:26    Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

 or wees on rugs! 

See GRACIE, God says I’m in charge!

So far she has been a delight. She is quick, smart, loves her big brothers and the grand babies! I’d say she’s a keeper. Who knows, I might even become one of those “dog purse” carrying women.

Oh my goodness, Save Me!

Just waiting for the day I can put a bow in Gracie’s hair, you knew it was inevitable!

Not so Joyfully walking around with paper towel in hand, b

Friday, January 21, 2011

White Wagon Wondering....????

I’ve noticed that many of you sweet followers/blogcheckers/bored but loving friends, check on my White Wagon Progress post occasionally and you’re all probably thinking...
 Wagons are slow, but this one is off in the ditch!!

Well you’re right about the off in the ditch part, except it’s not my little white wagon, it is little ol’me….and I use that term loosely for sure! It is my well known nature or tendency to get off track, off task, off in a direction all together different. But occasionally, where I go brings loads more Joy than if I had kept my wheels in line as intended.

By way of the ditch and better late than never, here is the finished product….
 The room was actually finished in time for our 7thJoyTrunk Show in December.
But due to the fact that I have way too much STUFF,
it remains my tiny little 7thJoy Design Showroom
(my larger workroom yet a dream!)

And More Stuff!
 
And it occasionally plays guest bedroom to friends/sisters who bless our home ever so often and need a comfy place to sleep that isn’t otherwise occupied by stinky teenage boys! 

  The color-Straw Harvest, the floor-60yearold Painted/Now Polished Cement, the dust ruffle & window treatments-made from yardage I purchased some 15 years ago…trust me, I knew I’d find a use for it someday! And the rest…just things or stuff collected for another time when I find just the right need!
 So stop by, enjoy and come visit me anytime!
Joyfully keeping the light on!!! b

Thursday, January 6, 2011

*Freezing Time*

If only we could just figure out a way to slow it down a bit!



It feels to me the last 18 years have passed in what seems like no more than 8…flying, flying by. Just yesterday I said yes to St. Philip on the pier in Astin Park and just yesterday I found out I was to be blessed with two more boys, of course not at the same time, thank His goodness!




And then the day after that my young man Tyler married his sweet Michelle…and the day after that, Jackson in full “character”, burst on to the scene!!


Not to mention, all the stuff in between then and now; it is all of the sudden time to celebrate our precious Quinn’s 1st birthday!


In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the last three months of 2010 and thinking of the season just past, I have spent the morning pondering how we all get so caught up in “life” that we forget to live it!

In this new year I am promising myself that I will live it, resting in each moment, hearing each musical note played, cheering each new step taken and brushing off each fall, celebrating each triumph while accepting not fretting over each failing; but most of all, making note of each entry in the daily book of life…
Now if I’m only promising myself, it's OK if I occasionally start running…as long as I gather up and carry the rushed moments to the next breath stop! Just had to say that for the record.


So what does God say about living life in the moment?


“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord...” Psalm 37:23

….I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance
(to the full, till it overflows!)
John 10:10 AB

So if we slow down and try to take His ordered steps, we will live in abundance, to the full, till Joy overflows!!
Seems simple enough and we all know that His grace is enough for any missed step!

A beautiful borrowed tidbit…
“A grace-filled life is living between the steps. It understands the remarkable gift of today.”
My new motto for 2011!

Joyfully attempting to live life during and between the steps, b