Joy Leanne

Today I am... Busy in the kitchen. Experimenting with favorite recipes. Enjoying the fog (now that I am done driving in it). Enjoying the chance to lighten someone else's load. Giving myself some grace. Taking time to tickle and rest and breath deeply.

In our house we celebrate Birthday Month. With the girls it's sort of inevitable by the time we do a family dinner, family from out of town visits, we do a party with friends, we do a special daddy daughter date, and a special mommy daughter date, it's been about a month. With Josh and I it's more about little things. Often times birthday month becomes our excuse for things we would do already. Like back rubs or Josh stopping to get me a candy bar on his way home.  Granted Josh is far better at coming up with "birthday month" surprises then I am. This year has been extra special though. Since my birthday is early in the month we started the month two weeks before so we are technically in birthday month already. :) It started with a visit from my sister-in-law whom is also one of my very best friends. She was in visisting her family and meeting her brand new niece. Her parents live two hours away from me so she drove down for the day and night last week. It happene

Tea. Cheese cake. Conversation. Being known. Home defined.

It has been an interesting few weeks. Lots of up and down weather, and yet we seem to have slipped into summer routines already. It's only April but already the days seem to be a little slower and less harried. I am perfectly O.K. with that. Some stuff has fallen through the cracks, but there is always time to go back and fold some laundry. Been doing some crafting some for MOPS and some for gifts. We made message boards from pictures frames at MOPS and feeling inspired I made a couple more at home to give as birthday gifts this weekend. Not sure how excited the 5 year old will be with a message board, but the mama who is trying to cut down on needless clutter in her home, should be pleased. 

 1) I didn't do a weekly five last week becuase the week before felt so blah it didn't really feel worth it. This week has been SO much better! Josh has had an amazing week at work. He had two days this week where he sold two cars. A total of 5 cars this week. Amazing! 2) My sister and a good family friend did an Easter Basket exchange this year. I also had a good friend surprise me with some Easter treats. So good to be known by others. 3) I was interviewed for a local magazine on Tuesday. They are doing an article about women who create and asked me some questions about my Goose Beary Shop.   4) I am enjoying writing more lately. Nothing big but it feels good to be doing something I enjoy again. 5) Went to the Good Friday Service, had friends over to watch The Passion of Christ on Saturday and went to Easter service at our church on Sunday. I enjoyed it all but it made me home sick for MD and Cedar Brook. I would love to hear y'alls weekly five. What do

After what feels like a very long time of waiting, doors seem to be opening again. Opportunities presenting themselves that before I never would have really even dreamed of. No big things. Just small chances. Maybe more windows then doors but I will take it. My creativity seems to be more willing to be tapped into lately. I am enjoying my Smash books immensely and manages to come up with a decent doll pattern though I still feel the urge to tweak it. I found a fun tutorial online and used it to make some fun Easter baskets for friends. Nothing big, but maybe, just maybe steps toward something bigger.