Blooming Where We are Planted

Have you ever seen the sign "Bloom where you are planted"?  I have one stuck in my ficus tree in my guest bathroom and every time I visit that room and see that sign, the image that comes to mind is my Mom telling me that same sentence when I was in 7th grade and wanted to try out for cheer leading but we didn't have the money so I joined the choir instead.  I can still see the look on her face and hear the conviction in her voice; don't feel sorry for yourself because you can't do what you want.  Instead, find something else you like and get on with it.  End of discussion.

My Mom's wise words have returned to me often lately as we wait for our house in Little Rock to sell and then our subsequent move to Los Angeles.  Since returning to Little Rock at the end of May, I feel like Cole and I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop and, in doing so, have spent a lot of time just filling our days.  Last week on a particular frustrating day, I heard my Mom's voice saying, "What are you waiting for; get on with it."  What was I waiting for?  Huh, so many things.  So how long was I going to sit around and wait before I decided to do something.

It was on that day that Cole and I made the decision to look for part-time jobs and make the most of being at home.  We might as well be bringing in some income instead of sitting around twiddling our thumbs.

Cole is a part-time waiter's assistant at Izzy's restaurant, a quirky little place owned by a fabulous couple who are committed to fresh and healthy food at a reasonable price.   After his first shift, he came home and declared that he "loved his job" and that there is "nothing more humbling than serving other people".  For a young man that has had a pretty cushy job up until now, I am very pleased with his attitude.

Had to get a picture for his first day of work, even if he was literally on his way.

This week, I will begin working part time at Charming Charlie; the most amazing retail store that carries every type of accessory... jewelry, handbags, scarves and shoes in every color imaginable.  Their mission is:  Every Woman, Every Where, Every Time, Feeling Fabulous.  LOVE IT!  Now I just have to remember that I am trying to increase my income, not increase my own personal inventory of bling!

Spencer is back to volunteering at ACH on Thursday in the 3rd floor play room.  Last week was his first week back after the summer break and he had a great day.  I love, love, love that he is able to give back to the people and to the hospital that have literally saved his life.

Love this face to pieces.

Another area of my life that I had let go was exercising.  I was so overwhelmed with everything else, that it was just easier to not do it than to have to make a conscious effort to fit it into our crazy schedule.  Thankfully, I am married to a very smart man who knows that I am a MUCH better person when I have daily exercise so for the past two months, we have been getting up at 5:30am and walking three to four miles, five to six days a week.  We got so confident that Brad signed us up for a 5k this past Saturday!

We were both determined to run the entire way and we did it!  Our motivation?  Thinking of Spencer and how he has accomplished so much, even when he is in pain.  His motto of "Pain is temporary but winning is everything" kept looping through my head.

Our plans of moving are still the same but our attitudes have changed; we're not just waiting for something to happen, we are blooming where we are (temporarily) planted.

Another excerpt from my Jesus Calling devotional that was perfect for me:

"Wait with Me for a while.  I have much to tell you.  You are walking along the path I have chosen for you.  It is both a privileged and perilous way:  experiencing My glorious Presence and heralding that reality to others.  Sometimes you feel presumptuous to be carrying out such an assignment.

Do not worry about what other people think of you.  The work I am doing in you is hidden at first.  But eventually blossoms will burst forth, and abundant fruit will be borne.  Stay on the path of Life with me.  Trust me wholeheartedly, letting My spirit fill you will Joy and Peace."

Under One Roof

I will admit that while I like for my children to become independent, I love for them to be home at night under my roof.  But, as I am constantly reminded by our mailbox that is flooded with college information, that reality will be changing next year when Spencer goes off to college.  I'm just hoping this mama can handle it without a) having a nervous breakdown, b) driving Brad to have a nervous breakdown, or c) all of the above!  Poor Brad.

Instead of thinking of things that make me sad/crazy, I'll talk about happy things...

After two weeks in Los Angeles, Cole finally flew home last Saturday, which was also the day that The Rep had the SMTI show.  Cole was a part of this show for two years and he was already texting us from the plane to make sure it was ok he attended this year.  He literally came home from the airport, threw clothes in a backpack and left with Damon to go to the show.  The blinding truth is I was just like him at his age which makes me EXTREMELY nervous that he will be as rebellious head strong driven as I was.

Addison, Cole, Marina, Damon and Matthew.  A fabulous bunch of young adults.

The boys started school this past Monday but they are still finding time to have a little fun.  This past Saturday, Spencer and the Rock Creek Youth Group went to Timberline Fun Park and played paint ball for FOUR hours!  Seriously.  Four straight hours.  When he got in the car, he was exhausted but he had the biggest smile on his face and he can't wait to gather some friends and go back for more fun.  I think we will all go and see what it is like but someone will need to be on standby to come and rescue me because I don't think this almost-forty-eight-year-old-mama can make it for four hours.  I'm already planning on finding a foxhole to hide in until about 8 minutes before our four hours is up!  

This picture does not do the damage justice because he was filthy!

To add to my already growing number of grey hairs is the fact that Cole passed his driving test on Friday and is now officially a licensed driver!  Holy smokes, I just don't know where the time has gone. 

Our house is still on the market so I think that until it sells, Mr. Brad will continue to come up with yard improvement projects.  Honestly, I wonder sometimes if he is trying to kill me so he can take my life insurance policy and go hang out in the Carribean!  Truthfully, every project has needed to be done for years and it always looks so much better after it is done.

This picture is at this angle because I hauled a tree down the hill and didn't have the strength to climb back up!  A prairie girl I am not; thank goodness for air conditioning, hot showers and Aleve!  One more project marked off the list.

So, while we wait for the house to sell, I am enjoying my time in Arkansas with my family and friends.  We know that Cole will have to be back in LA by the end of September/first of October but we have no idea if we will be going back before then or not.  It's all a waiting game and I feel our lives right now could best be represented by a bunch of balls being juggled.  But, that's ok.  We wait.  We pray. And we keep doing what we're doing with the knowledge that God will provide the answers in HIS time, not mine.

In one of my devotionals I am currently reading, "Worship the King", I loved this statement that it gave about being true to God through faith...

"What has God spoken about your life?  The answer may be obvious to you, or it may be obscure.  You may have never considered that He has a specific plan and purpose for you, though you've probably sought His will on a number of issues.  What you need to remember, however much knowledge of His will you have, is that God's plan for you is to discover His purposes; to believe His promises, no matter how unlikely they seem; and to know Him as a result of the process.  Your heart is designed to connect with His and to experience His loving agenda for the rest of your days."