Sunny Side Up

I put a little reminder in my kitchen to keep my sunny side up.

Life is grand, life is full of blessings, but life is admittedly difficult much of the time.  Often circumstances or people in our life will try to take us down and rob us of our joy.  Those are the times when we have to intentionally find it and choose it.

That is not to say we don't ache.  Or deal with confusion and hurt.  Or cry.  The Bible is clear in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time to laugh, but also a time to weep.  I absolutely love the end of Psalm 30 verse 5 where it says, "Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning."  We have all cried ourselves to sleep, and in the darkness of the night come face to face with our deepest hurts and fears.  But there is something about that morning sunlight and the start of a fresh, new day that mercifully streams in a balm of joy amidst the tears.

I think that is one reason that the older I get, the more of a morning person I am becoming.  In the quietness of morning when the rest of my house is sleeping and the only sounds are dripping coffee and birdsong, I find delight in watching the early sun come through the windows and cast lines and shadows around my home.  I can talk to God, spend time in His Word, and start fresh with joy, no matter what the day before held and what this new day may hold.  Life guarantees stress, but in those first sunbeams there is serenity.  I often find my heart going this verse...

Lamentation 3:22-23

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, 

for His compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness.

The thing about possessing joy and keeping our sunny side up is that is has to come from within.  There is a definite difference between happiness and joy.  The difficult circumstances or people in life may bring unhappiness.  But the great paradox is that even through times of sadness or major challenges, we can still possess joy because of those daily, faithful mercies, and through spending time with God.  One of my very favorite passages is Psalm 16:11....

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasure forevermore.

There is nothing that will bring abiding joy like spending time in the presence of God!  There is nothing like the fullness you will experience there, or the peace and rest you will find as He reveals His faithfulness, both in the best and worst of times.  I have always loved His Word, but I become ever more passionate about it the further into life I get, because it is my anchor as I face life's sunshine and storms. God's Word is powerful, constant, true.  It changes lives.  It has changed mine.

So each morning as the sunlight streams through your windows, rest in the truth that no matter what you are facing you can still find peace, mercy, joy.  Even in those seasons of life where you cry so much you think it is impossible to cry more but the tears keep coming, you can find joy.  It comes in the morning.  It comes with His daily mercies.  It comes in His presence.  It is full there.  There is nothing like His joy.

It's a new day, friends!  Hold on to Him.  And keep your sunny side up.

Lovingly,

Jennifer

Psalm 100:1-2

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before Him with joyful songs.

On Saturday Morning...

A fierce pirate invaded our home.

And scooter wheels raced down the hot pavement.

Grammie's house smelled of maple syrup and bacon.

And bathing suits and flip flops were the wardrobe of choice.

This was the story of our Saturday morning.

Sunday Letters

Dear Madi,

I think one of the cutest things about you these days is how you are so into accessorizing.  When we are going somewhere and you are getting yourself ready, you will come out of your room wearing several bracelets, a necklace, maybe some plastic rings, perhaps some fancy gloves, and always a purse.  You are definitely into the purse thing, and change them constantly!  It's adorable.

You are so excited about going to "day camp" this week with two of your best little girlfriends, and I can't wait to see all the little crafty things you come home with.  You have been counting down the days and it is almost here.  I have a feeling this is going to be a fun week for you and that makes me excited!

Momma


Dear Trev,

One of the cutest things about you these days continues to be your expressions.  Your face tells a million stories, and each expression so vividly conveys what is going through your mind, emotions, or imagination.  And speaking of your imagination, it seems to grow every day.  I don't know where you come up with everything, but you get funnier and more creative by the minute!

I am so, so, so glad we got to take your Star Wars infatuated self to meet C3PO and see the Star Wars character parade this weekend.  Your expression during that was one of absolute beaming, and seeing everything make your day made mine.  I think being four should be just plain fun, and I'm so glad it is for you.

Momma


Dear Jimmy,


You're cute!  Let's go on a date soon!

Jennifer

Summer Break Is Here!

Today is both a happy and sad day.  It was Madi's last day of kindergarten.

It is happy because I am thrilled that I will be able to spend more time with my girl again.  Because I love having her home.  Because we all need to get into a more laid back summer pace.  Because I won't have to wake up Miss Grumpy Gills in the morning and can let her sleep in if she wants (hallelujah)!  Because we have some fun things planned to learn and grow and enjoy.  Because she had a beautiful first year of school with exceptional behavior, great academics, lots of "firsts" and new experiences, a teacher she really connected with, and friends she loved.

It is sad because it's hard to see good things come to an end.  Because it's emotional see a chapter come to a close.  Because she will never be a kindergartner again and that was a short season.  Because my little girl is growing up.

Trev and I were walking through the school grounds to pick her up when the bell rang.  As soon as it did, we heard thunderous cheering, clapping, and screaming coming from all the many classrooms.  It was so funny!  Evidently there some kids excited for summer break!  We picked up our girl, and my sunglasses hid the unexpected tears that welled up in my eyes.  We hugged her and told her how proud we were of her fantastic first year of school.

Then we went home to have a "Summer Break Is Here" snack!

We had Homemade Blueberry Muffins, Banana/Pineapple/Orange Smoothies, Whole Grain Goldfish, and Swedish Fish.  I had the table decorated for summertime with a summer surprise for both - a mask and snorkel for Madi and a Star Wars bathing suit for Trev.  They were delighted!  And Trevor had picked out an Alice In Wonderland coloring book for Madi at the dollar store earlier and was proud to give his big sister his gift.  My mom had found a sweet summer dress for Madi, so I had that hanging by her place.  Then a package came in the mail with a fun wooden stamp set from her grandma, and her Grammie and Paw Paw came by to congratulate her. She had quite a celebration!

We don't have any vacation plans, but we know we are spending a family day tomorrow to celebrate and kick off summer together.  We are all grateful for such a beautiful first year of school, and proud of our girl Madi for shining brightly.

Here's to summer break!

Yum For Kids Magazine

My mom brought by this magazine for me the other day...

I'm pretty sure this comes out seasonally, and she gave me the spring edition a few months ago.  I love looking at inspirational magazines or blogs to spark ideas and creativity, as well as get new recipes.  Madi and I already made smoothies from a recipe in this edition.

I think the next recipe I want to try is an Overnight Banana-Cinnamon Oatmeal that is prepared in the crockpot.  There were some other great ideas in the magazine, including a spread about a Coney Island themed party that was adorable!  Those of you readers who have kids at home would probably enjoy checking this magazine out - just wanted to pass along the inspiration!

Someone Needs To Hear This

Each day in the Paul Bible study by Beth Moore that I've been working through, there is a "Praying God's Word Today" section.  In one of the days last week was a passage that struck a chord in my heart, and under it I wrote the words, "Thank You, God.  I needed this this morning."

Ever since, I've been thinking that someone out there probably needs to hear it too.  So I thought I would simply share with you that passage from God's Word.  As you read it, look for the key words, instructions, and exhortations.  Let it soak in.

And if you are that someone, be encouraged and lift up your head.  He is with you as you commit your way to Him.

Psalm 37:5-9

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.  Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated - it can only bring harm.  For evil-doers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land."

Patriotic Pops

After our  Memorial Day magic on Main Street, we headed home where Jimmy got to work helping a friend do some recording for a project and the kids and I set out to go to a beautiful back porch cookout.

Having been gone all day I didn't have anything to bring, and I don't like to go anywhere like that empty handed!  In my pantry I found a bag of marshmallows, some cookie pop sticks from the craft store, and some vanilla almond bark, as well as some patriotic sprinkles.  I stuck the marshmallows on the sticks, used a fork to cover them in melted almond bark, and then decorated them with sprinkles.  After cooling in the refrigerator for a few minutes, I had one of the quickest desserts I've ever come up with, and these patriotic pops were actually pretty cute!

If I had known ahead of time and had some styrofoam on hand, it would have been fun to make an arrangement using these and a small American flag.  Maybe for the 4th of July, which will be here in a blink!