Sam - "Can you give me a dream?"

I love and dread putting Sam to sleep. He is such an energetic little boy, whose mind goes a mile a minute. But once I give him a back rub and a dream he slows down and melts into sleep. Singing the words... "The world loves little Samuel, and you mean the world to me" I'm reminded that all difficult behavior (like today painting a PlayStation controller gold, and "tricking" me into buying candy at the store) are the very things that make me love him. He is an amazing kid who makes me proud, ensures I laugh, and keeps me guessing! Someday he won't want a back rub and a dream, and I will long for the words.. "But why?" "How?" "Please just a little longer."

Sam Art

Tonight Sam made the cutest drawing before bed. He wanted to stay up and keep drawing, but I had the idea of letting him complete his artwork in bed with me on the computer. He had so much fun playing with the art software on my computer.

I'm up, I'm up!

I'm exhausted, and it's Monday! 

Not my puzzle - God's

 Psalms 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

I need to let go of my ideas of how God will deliver me and just trust Him. When I put my trust in God, that means to understand that trying to figure out things that are too great for my mind to comprehend is futile and can lead me astray. I will TRUST in the same God that proved it may look like there is no other direction to go, but GOD is the way! He too will part waters for me if needed.

I acknowledge this is very hard for me. I'm always looking at the many pieces around me crossing my path. I am constantly testing pieces in my mind to see how they fit, and what the picture would look like.

At first, it looks something like this...

But eventually a picture comes into focus...

So many pictures I've seen, but thus far I have yet to see a complete picture with smooth edges all fit in their rightful beautiful place. That picture only God sees! Who am I to shake the X-mas presents under the tree before the big day!

I can't change the fact I may miss small details and am constantly looking to my intuition to show a bigger picture. But I can sit back and admire God's amazing creation! Even in the darkest of times, I know God's masterpiece in the end will be more than you or I could ever fathom!

Grandpa L*

During my trip to Salt Lake for my Grandpa's 90th birthday, I learned so much about this accomplished man. Listening to stories, scouring scrapbooks, but best of all was his 90th birthday memory book! Family and friends contributed with photos and favorite memories. Stories about fishing, camping, traveling, friendship, teaching, etc. My favorite stories were all the many tall tales of how Grandpa lost his pinkie finger. On the night of his birthday, he finally came clean with the truth!!!

19 years flying experience!