I Choose Joy...

Today I choose joy, Everyday I choose joy. No matter how mundane some days seem to be or days where I'm just bored or tired. I still choose joy over letting it all get to me, or letting things bring me down. I am so thankful and grateful to God that He has given me this life, here & now. He knows where I should be. In that I am learning to be content. Yes, there is a little piece of me whom is impatient with questioning and worry with where He will move us to. We are waiting on the Lord right now as to where Mr. Darling will be used for work, where we will live, where he will shepherd a flock. The weeks have been passing by and we still have no clue as to where we are going. But God does. I pray he will reveal His good plan to us soon. For now though... I will wait and I will find joy in every day that has been gifted to me. I have no clue at this time where we will be sent to...It could very well be out of state somewhere.So, I have been trying to make efforts to spend time with those we love, for we may not be living just an hour away...I have spent a couple weekends with my sister, making some fun memories with her and her family, which I hope gave them joy...Because it sure did bring me joy. This next week I will spend some time with my parents and Gramma too. These little moments together before we go will be cherished ones. I will miss them very much if we had to move far away. Knowing that I spent some time with them will give my heart peace and joy.

 

This Summer has been filled with many joys. With family and friends. We graduated our son from High School, my hubby's graduation from seminary, family visits, We had a wonderful week in Lake Tahoe, dinner nights with friends, lot's of family time with our kids and good quality time has been spent with our daughter while our son is off on an adventure in the Sierra's. It has been a joy to just hang out with my little girl who is not so little anymore. We have been creating some great art work together, hanging out, thrift shopping, window shopping, listening to music, putting together some really cute outfits just for fun as the laughter that fills the house fills my heart full. yet, I must say the best times with her has been spent with God. Everyday, we read the Bible and pray together...That my friends gives me so much joy, just to know my children are walking in the truth, that they love God with all their hearts, with all their minds, with all their soul & strength. There is nothing more than that which would bring me meaningful joy. 
I love that I can find joy in the littlest things. God's little creatures, flowers on my table, a smile, hugs & kisses from my Dear Mr. Darling & Children, the sun shining through my window, fresh water to drink...Those may seem like little things really...but, then again...they are big things...At least they are to me. I guess you can say, this life we have though it is surrounded by some pretty dark stuff in the world...can be seen in a different light. You just need to open your eyes, look on the good side, the brighter side, with faith in God...Joy can be found everywhere you look, you just have to look at it with a good attitude. Yes, even through the hardest of times, the unhappiest of times, the saddest times, the mundane times...You can find joy...You can have joy. With Faith, prayer, and the right perspective Joy can be found in the simplest things...And in the simplest ways. Keep your eye's on Him.. A great place to find joy is start reading the book of Psalms...
See here: You will find Joy in the Bible.
Look up joy in the Bible...You'll find it everywhere.
 
And here are
12 practical tips on finding joy & staying joyful.
I hope you will find joy today and everyday.
SMILE.

Saturday Tid Bits...

  

Happy Saturday.

Just popping in to say a sweet hello to my readers...And had to share a few tid bits. Freckles and I made a sweet treat and just had to share these yummy dipped cherries. I picked up some juicy cherries, which were mighty good mind you...Perfectly plump and sweet...We dipped them in chocolate and red candy melts then dipped them in sprinkles. It was a small cheat on ye' ole' diet...But well worth it. I promised Freckles, next time we would do strawberries....Her favorite.

  

Another peek into our little bird friends nest...And they have changed again...They are getting in their feathers and coloring. Soon these little bundles will be flying away. Oh, and I spotted number four...which I thought didn't make it. So we have four baby birds. Affectionately named...Winnie, Ethel, Pip & Birdy.

   

I've also been working on some other projects which I have been meaning to do for quite some time...Here is a little sneak peek...I will share it all on Sunday as I will be joining in Sunny Simple Sunday again. So come on back to see what I have been working on.

Oh, and I forgot to mention this last week...I added more goodies to our

Frolicking Freckles Funk & Junk Shop

More will be added throughout the week...So keep your eyes peeled.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

See ya back here Sunday.

In The Nest....

 
We have been watching our little nest of friends for sometime now. Back in May Mama bird was preparing her nest in our plum tree. So sweet. Then just about 3 1/2 weeks ago there were four precious eggs inside the tiny nest. I thought it might be a hummingbird nest, but as we got a better look at the Mama, she was certainly not a hummingbird. She is small like one...Perhaps a Finch or a Sparrow? I am not sure.

Last week i peeked into the nest and there they were. Only three of the four eggs have hatched. Oh they are the cutest little things i have ever seen. Mama was close, I could hear her chirping. I made a quick visit, snapped a couple pictures and left so I wouldn't stress Mama out.

This morning i went out to see if i could get a glimpse of the babies. Mama was out...Maybe finding food for her babes. So I climbed the latter to see them. One was peeking over. Oh my gosh. They are adorable. Freckles said they look like little old men with their bald little heads with just a touch of fuzz on each side. They are all wrinkly and pink. I think I am happier than a bird with a french fry just looking at these babies makes my heart swell.
  
Only a face a Mama could love.
 
Within just a few days they are changing so quickly. By next week I am sure they will have feathers...Soon to leave their Mama's nest. makes me think of how quickly our children grow...Fast...Before we know it they will fly away and leave our nest. Thank God we have more time with our children than a bird does. Can you imagine your child growing up and flying away in just a matter a weeks.

What a brave Mama bird.
I hope to capture more of their growth and will share.
 If anyone knows perhaps what kind of birds they are...
Please drop me a line. I would love to know.
 Happy Monday!!!

Summer Blessings....

 
We are having a laid back sort of Summer. We are really blessed we had a great getaway to Lake Tahoe with friends...Yet, so nice just to kick back and do a whole lotta nothin'. Simple Summers are good, I think. Oh look, I peeked into the nest that is in our plum tree to see if the babies hatched....Here they are. Mama was not too happy I was there...I made it quick, taking a few snap shots careful not to touch or disturb the hungry, sleeping chicks. I really do enjoy hearing the mama singing in the tree along with all the other feathered birds that gather around our yard. So sweet, so peaceful.
  
I also enjoy the beauty that is before me. God is so artistic....The clouds, the flowers, the birds and scenery are just so lovely to my eyes. I enjoy the sounds that surround me ...Like I said, the sweet bird songs, the guitar playing and singing from my daughter, the piano playing from my son...The crazy chirps of crickets and katydid's outside my window, the giggles from my family enjoying the moment. All these things bring me closer to the Lord. I ponder and praise Him and His wonderful creation,
 which He has left to us to enjoy. I give Him all the glory.
  
This weekend will be a restful one, since my dear Mr. Darling is getting over pneumonia. Slowly he is getting better, but just not 100% yet. My son will be going to a big swim party then heading off for a week long hike in the Sierra's. Freckles and I will be doing a bit of crafting...You know fun stuff like that.

Freckles is having me put together a hair tutorial for y'all...Isn't this a pretty do?
 I will put it up next week. It's simply sweet.

Oh and look what Freckles got....She has been wishing for a vintage typewriter for some time now. I have been searching high and low for an affordable one, but just could not afford some that were listed on Etsy and Ebay, with their high price tag and outrageous shipping cost. I thought it wouldn't happen in time for her birthday. So, I was out "Window Shopping" at a local Antique Shop...There she was...a sweet little vintage yellow typewriter...and at an affordable price. In perfect condition, it just needs a new ribbon which I ordered. I put the typewriter on hold, since I couldn't just make a purchase without consulting my better half about it. Sadly he thought, right now would not be a good time to buy such a thing...Later that night as I was talking to my MIL...I mentioned how I was trying to find a way to make some quick cash before it was taken off hold and sold...And surly it would sell fast...Right away she asked how much it was...I told her...She said she would wire the money and surprise Freckles with it and it would be an early birthday ( which is exactly one month away) gift from Gramma. Freckles was so excited to get it. We went to pick it up Friday morning. Now she has just what she wished for. Thank you Gramma, you really made her day.
Well, here's to a wonderful weekend. Have a good one.

Backyard Birdwatching...

     

Kicking Off The Summer With A Pre~Mini Vacay...

Summer time is here y'all. My kids and I took a pre~mini vacation to my sisters for the last few days. First, my son had to make a delivery clear past Los Angeles...So we had a whole afternoon of driving and seeing the sights out the car window. Then off to our destination to visit with the family.
 
To get to my sisters we had to exit what is the old Route 66 and took a quick pick of one of the last old 50's diner in Southern Cali...The Summit Cafe. We didn't stop to eat...
perhaps next time, it actually looks like a cute place.

We stayed up late visiting, swimming, jacuzzi soaking and watching movies for a couple days. It was a really good visit with my Sister, my Brother in law and my Nephews. We will really miss them when we have to move. My kids enjoyed the pool...Especially my little fish who LOVES to swim.
   
Now we get to look forward to a week of swimming and fun in the sun
 on vacation with our friends this Saturday.
 
We also enjoyed Happy Hour at Sonic... I love their Cherry Lime aids. YUM.
Then we went bowling for a couple hours.
  
The last game we bowled...Let's just say I kicked every one's butt.
 I won. Oh yes I did.
Good Times.
 
One last dip in the pool. Well, for my son it was more like
 one last jump into the pool to cool off before we headed back home.

And one last peek into a little birds nest from my sisters yard.
 So sweet isn't it?

It was a fun few days...Thanks to my family for letting us come over on a whim.
Another few more days and we'll be on the road.
Happy Summertime.