Joy School Graduation

This may just be the cutest group of kids ever. At least the cutest 4ish year olds. I love how N is jumping with his cap. Hilarious.

Happy Mother's Day, 2013

The gift is not what I was given today, but what I hold dearly in my arms everyday.  So very blessed.

Just had to throw this one in...I love her wispy hair, her party dress and the over the top flower. Today we celebrate womanhood.  Oh, daughter, today I think of what this life and world holds for you.

Dreams...

So, for whatever reason, I'm in the mood for writing.

My husband, who I obviously adore, just sent me a link to this article.  Do you ever read an article and think....holy cow, did that person just read my mind?  Because, honestly, my husband knows me so, so well and knew I would very much agree with what the author had to say.

So dreams...I've perhaps spent too much time thinking about what people have to say about dreams.  It's just that the world's view on dreams I find very distorting, and not very eternal. This, of course, is my opinion, but this is after all my blog-- so I'm not asking you to agree or even read this. It just feels good to write about it.

I realize that many "worldly" dreams require hard work, determination and skill.  They also deserve a good bit of admiration.  And, pursing those dreams can be a righteous choice.  Equally, I believe eternal dreams deserve admiration as well. In fact, I think these types of dreams should be celebrated, talked about and encouraged.

 *I have many gifted, talented friends who realized that their dreams of pursuing education and their dreams of having a large family did not always go hand in hand. So, they chose the latter. They chose to be home with their children.
*Likewise, I have friends who work full time and juggle a family, knowing that this is an important balance for them and their family. And I know single moms who do it all. Impressive.
*I have friends that get terribly sick when they are pregnant, but still, have a dream of large family...so they go through months of sickness-- terrible, agonizing sickness-- to fulfill a dream of a large family.
* I have a friend who has a dream of helping others and giving of her time, talents and  money....which means that she doesn't live in the biggest house, drive a fancy car and buy designer clothes.  She fulfills this amazing dream every single day of her life.  And, I want to be like her...not going to lie.  She is amazing.
* I have a another friend who is extremely wealthy and could have a big home and nice things...but, she instead shares her wealth and every single last talent she possesses to helping her church community and those people she associates with.  Now, this is something to celebrate.
* I know a father who is one of the most talented, smart people I know and could have pursued any career, worked long hours and made $$$$$$, but instead chooses to be very present in his children's life, realizing that money and "success" do not equal happiness.

I notice that I'm very quick to tell someone that I like their outfit, or what a nice car they drive, or what a beautiful house they have.  But, honestly, those things just do not matter.  Not at all.  I truly believe that when we pass from this life, and we have the opportunity to look back on what we have done with our time, money and talents....boy, oh boy, what will we think?  What will I think?  What will I think about the dreams I pursued, and the kinds of people and actions I celebrated?

I just hope I'm always chasing the RIGHT DREAM!