Happy

 Within the first few moments on the beach during Spring Break  Shawn walked over to find Cae writing this....guess that says it all.

 Our little surfing family...

 We left Florida with them all wanting a surf boards!

And This Is Grace...

Over  Easter holiday weekend I was reminded that " I " will always fall short and that is the plan.  "I" will never  do or be all that "I" should as a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter and woman. My to-do list will never be completely be checked off . The laundry may never be completely caught up, one of the boys will always need a haircut and a new pair of shoes. Every room in my house will not be clean at the same time and there will always be an unfinished  painting in my closet. "I" will lose my temper , not read enough to the boys and not spend enough time showing my love to  my husband . " I" will feel and say  things I shouldn't everyday for the rest of my life. My life is filled with shortcomings. But He is the " I AM " so "I" don't have to be or do it all. And this is grace to me.

There are arguments ( or full out fist fights)  between the boys, as brothers. There are annoyances, frustrations and miscommunications. Our family is filled with shortcomings.
While many  celebrated the Cross and His Resurrection this weekend, I know our life is in the Cross and Resurrection everyday. And for this we have reason to celebrate always. It's this very Cross and Resurrection that fills in the gaps and shortcomings of our lives whether we realize it or not.

And in our family I pray this is the space we extend for grace always.

You & Me is Awesome

A few weeks before Colt's 4th  birthday he was cuddling with Daddy on the bed and looked up at him and said, " You & me is awesome Dad."

 Like so many of their childhood moments it wasn't captured on camera but I know forever imprinted on Daddy's heart.  And as I do with everything, I thought, " How I could make it a painting?"

 Could there be  5 words that better describe who Colt is and what a four year old life is all about- his Daddy?

Yes ... Colt celebrated his 4th Birthday over 2 months ago and I just got around to hanging his gift above his bed!

Jekyll Island

We left at 4am , drove 6 hours and arrived JUST on time to board  the ferry for Cumberland Island. Only to realize our family of five and all our packed gear for out 1st official camping trip was...not...even...going to  fit on that boat.  I watched them board the ferry with one backpack per person. No sleeping bags or pillows and coats in sight. Where were their coolers or even tents for that matter? Seriously my boys were not going to live off granola an entire weekend, hence the very large cooler with wheels that took up the entire back of our van. Did I mention there were 5 of us,including 4 BOYS camping for an entire weekend? They can do without running water, electricity or heat but will not miss a snack practically every hour.

Change of plans...  

While we ended up on a different island and different beach I have a feeling we created just as many great  memories for our 1st family camping trip either way.

Coming Soon

Welcome Fall

                                

Come visit me and check out The Garden market this Saturday November 10th 9-3:30 pm.                                                http://www.gardenmarket.blogspot.com

                                   

 

       

" What Do You Paint?"

 Artists have always been taught to paint by studying and repainting  the masterpieces of artists before them. So when I see a sky painted only by the hand of God , what greater masterpiece is there to attempt? Some  find landscapes, seascapes and skyscapes mundane, but they never lose my interest. Just watching a sunset is a series of a hundred paintings. Each minute of light change creates an entire new palette.  I will ever exhaust paintings  inspired by sky and sea.

"What do you paint?" I should have a prepared answer in mind that rolls off my tongue considering how many times over the past 15 years I've been asked this. Still I never seem to know exactly what to say. All I can go on is what I'm painting at the moment because my subject matter has varied so over the years. But my heart has always been the coast.

My feet hit the sand and I see the first reflection of light across the water.  Then there's the sounds without all the noise. You know when the crashing waves and wind are so loud you can't hear anything else except for the conversation right next to you in the moment. It's the stillness and calm, yet the mighty and awe invoking reverence of power and strength,  at the shore's edge.  Perspective alters, problems seem a lot smaller next to this  vast expanse. You are reminded how BIG this world is and how small you are. It's walking humbly with God- total dependence on Him.  How can I not place all my cares and concerns  into the same palm of  hand of who created and beholds ALL this glory. If  He can bring the tiniest of shells in perfection  to shore by the fiercest waves I know He can carry me. For a moment a  curtain is peeled open and I catch a sliver of eternity.

There are places all over this world I know  moments like these  happen I've yet to see. I'm sure you will be seeing a series of desert and mountains from Angie Reuter one day, even if I'm 60!