The Road Less Traveled

2011-12-14T05:40:00.000-08:00

Shelter

Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms.

~William J. Bennett

305/365

Day 3
Kim's 12 Days of Textures
'Cosmo

2011-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

Frosty

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

It has been a while since I played with textures.
I've forgotten how fun and addictive it can be.

This is Kim's Annabelle texture from the
12 days of Textures.

304/365

2011-12-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

En Route

I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless,
as it extends into the world around us,
it goes an equal distance into the world within.
~Lillian Smith

303/365

Got an early Christmas present...
a 55-300 mm lens to play with.
:)

2011-12-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

Flight

My soul is in the sky.

~William Shakespeare~
A Midsummer Night's Dream

302/365

Red-tailed Hawk~ Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge

2011-11-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

Keeping the Soul Serene

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.
~Author Unknown

301/365

2011-11-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

Cascading

You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.

~Mary Pickford

Mammoth Hot Springs ~ Yellowstone

300/365
{I finally made it to the 300s!}

Looks best when you click and enlarge.

2011-11-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

Shadows and Light

Badlands in Black and White

We are each gifted in a unique and important way.
It is our privilege and our adventure to discover
our own special light.
~Evelyn Dunbar

299/365

looks best when you click on the picture to enlarge

2011-11-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Indian Pond

A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense,
and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety. ~Ansel Adams

We are studying Ansel Adams in school right now.
I am inspired by his story of childhood ~
how he didn't quite fit the mold ....
but he found his niche in life because of the support and
encouragement of his parents.

I hope that I can help my own children discover their passions
and help nurture those so that they can do what they love.

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

298/365

2011-10-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

A Precious Fleeting Moment

The work will wait while you show the child a rainbow,
but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.

297/365

2011-09-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

One Big Family

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life -
to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.
~George Eliot

296/365

2011-09-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Ready for a Picnic

God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

~J.G. Holland

295/365

world bird wednesday

2011-09-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone
Mud Volcano Area

{sooc}

Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.
~Kak Sri

On this damp morning everything had a surreal glow to it.
The landscape looked like it was painted by an artist.

294/365

2011-09-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone
Upper and Lower Falls

At times, challenges hit with the force of a roaring, rushing waterfall.
The true test, however, is whether you can put your arms up and enjoy the feel of the water.
~Aviva Kaufman

292/365
293/365

2011-09-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

Settling In

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
~Jane Austen

291/365
camera critters

2011-09-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone

Norris Geyser Basin

The past can't see you. But the future is listening.
Terri Guillemets

290/365

2011-09-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs

We never know the worth of water until the well is dry.
~Thomas Fuller

289/365

2011-09-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Devils Tower

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

~Edward Abbey

288/365

2011-09-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Badlands 2

I often think the the night is more alive and more richly colored
than the day.
~Vincent VanGogh

285/365
286/365
287/365

2011-09-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Badlands

We just got back from our first real family vacation.
I am going to share some of my favorite moments.

282/365
283/365
284/365

skywatch friday

2011-09-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

Focused

Keep your eyes always on the SON
and it will lead you in the right direction.

281/365

2011-09-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

Round and Round

Who's to say

What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
~Jack Johnson
Upside Down

280/375

My Spark

2011-08-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your continued support and kindness.

I've been gone a long time.

I'm just fighting to get my own spark back.

Love

Chasity

2011-08-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

Sparks

Sometimes just looking up and seeing the light is enough.
~Terri Guillemets

279/365

2011-07-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Orange Crush

I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors.

I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.
~Winston Churchill

278/365

Lisa's MacroMondayLink

2011-07-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Finding Happiness

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.

May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.
~Irish Blessing

277/365

2011-06-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

In Memory

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,

and you shall see that in truth
you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
~Kahlil Gibran

276/365

2011-06-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

Birthday Series #4

Sugar Bouquet

sugar...and spice...and everything nice.

275/365

2011-06-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Birthday Series #3

....With A Cherry On Top

Let them eat cake.
~Not Marie-Antoinette?
who knew.

274/365

2011-06-19T05:17:00.000-07:00

Birthday Series #2

Charming

A lollipop in hand instantly makes the heart feel young.

:)

273/365

2011-06-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Birthday Series #1

HoneyComb Sun

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip. ~Author Unknown

My two girls and I all have birthdays this month.
It is a whirlwind swirling of cake...candles....candy.... and colorful tissue.

272/365

2011-05-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #6

Where Moths are Drawn

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in and steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
~Matthew 6:19-21

This plant is Nicotiana~
which draws the moths in at night by its
enticing smell.

271/365

2011-05-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #5

Purity

...whatever is true
whatever is honorable
whatever is just
whatever is pure
whatever is lovely
whatever is commendable
if there is any excellence
if there is anything worthy of praise
think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
esv

270/365

i heart flowers photo challenge

2011-05-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #4

Fresh

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.
~Author Unknown

269/365

2011-05-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #3

Ready and Waiting

The best thing about the future is that it comes
only one day at a time.
~Abraham Lincoln

268/365

i heart flowers photo challenge

2011-05-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #2

Shine

Turn your face to the sun
and the shadows fall behind you.
~Maori proverb

267/365

i heart flowers photo challenge

2011-05-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Series #1

A Dewy Morn

In the right light,
at the right time,
everything is extraordinary.
~Aaron Rose

I woke up to a most beautiful morning~
my soul was singing in the sunshine
and beauty of the day.
after several days of cold rain.

So begins my Sunrise Series of photos that I
happily captured today.

266/365

2011-05-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Time

You can't write poetry on the computer.
~Quentin Tarantino

{and I never thought a day would come that I would be quoting Quentin Tarantino~
Don't hold it against me. I like the quote. }
:)

265/365

kim klassen's texture tuesday

2011-04-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Breathe Deeply

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives the flower.

264/365

{my delicious lilacs}

2011-04-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Little Secrets

Adopt the pace of nature~
her secret is patience.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

263/365

{my flowering almond}

2011-04-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

262/365

2011-04-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Gentleness Inside

Sweet is the memory of distant friends~
Like the mellow rays of the departing sun,
it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
~Washington Irving

261/365

2011-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Looking for the Bright Side

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world.
~Robert Browning

260/365

2011-04-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

A Heavenward View

So often... I want to bow my head in sorrow and sadness.
But I try to remember to hold my head up and gaze toward Heaven~
where my sweet sister now lives.
Every look Heavenward holds so much meaning now.

259/365

Remembering

2011-03-22T15:38:00.001-07:00

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you
I could walk forever in my garden.
~Claudia Ghandi

The reason it hurts so much to separate is because
our souls are connected.

Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream
And I seek thee in vain by the meadow and stream.
~George Linley

Perhaps they are not the stars,

but rather openings in Heaven
where the love of our lost ones pours through
and shines down upon us
to let us know they are happy.
~Author Unknown

I love you Shauna.

Heaven's Prettiest Angel

2011-03-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sadly for us....we had to say goodbye to our sweet dear Shauna today.

But for her~ she must be filled with happiness...
for she was able to meet our Wonderful Creator and our Loving Savior.

I can't even imagine the pure joy of getting an embrace in the loving arms of Jesus.

What a sweet moment that must be.

Shauna fought this terrible cancer for nearly 2 years now.

It has been a difficult and painful journey....physically and emotionally.

But she fought it with more bravery than could ever be imagined.

She never let it shape who she was.

She never complained.

Doctor after doctor and nurse after nurse always told us how special that she was.
one of kind.

But of course...they didn't need to tell us.
We already knew.

We have shed so many tears today.
And we will continue to cry for years to come.

There won't be a day when we won't think of her and miss her.

Because she is special.

She was fun.

She was full of energy.

She was sunshine.

She was good.

She was pure.

She was faithful.

She was a mom.

She was a daughter.

She was a sister.

She was a friend.

~~~

Shauna never let her Faith waver.

To the end she was thinking of others and whose soul she could still reach out to.

Her final evening~ Friday night~ she hosted a girls' party for some of her close friends and family members.

She was still at home...where she wanted to be.

Of course we didn't know this would be our last night with her.

But what a blessing for all of us.

And it was exactly how she would have wanted it~ being surrounded by a house full of loved ones.

If by some force of magic I could get one wish~

I would wish for a day to spend with my sister.

With her healthy and walking. With no cancer.

We could have such fun talking, singing, and being in the garden.

Oh how my heart aches for a day like that again.

The beauty is....

one day that wish will be fulfilled through a promise.

And it won't be just one meager day.

It will be an eternity together.

Laughing. Singing. Being in the perfect Garden of Heaven.

Thank you to all my friends that have been here during these hard times.

Thank you for letting me share my burdens with you.
Thank you for carrying them with me.

Your friendship and prayers and tender words have meant more to me than words can ever say.

Thank you for letting me share the life of my beautiful sister with you.

All my love~

Chasity

I miss you already my sweet baby sister.
I look longingly for the day we will meet again.
Your big sis~
Chas

2011-03-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

First Bloom

No matter how long the winter
Spring is sure to follow.
~Proverb

my first bloom in the garden....
a blessed sight for a sore heart.

258/365

2011-03-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

Being Green

It's not that easy being green;

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.

~Kermit the Frog

Have a great green day!

257/365

2011-03-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

Sugar Coated

Treat everyone with politeness,
even those who are rude to you~
not because they are nice,
but because you are.
~Author Unknown

256/365

2011-03-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

Soft Mornings

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toes slippers of snow
And we,
we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan Jr.

To my dear Northern friends....
I felt a little bad talking about our springlike weather
while you still have many feet of snow in your yards.
and here is what I awoke to this morning~

There was a good five inches of snow on the ground.

It was quiet and still and magical.

And yes...it seemed much like Narnia.

255/365

2011-03-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Glisten

Criticizing another's garden doesn't keep the weeds out of your own.
~Author Unknown

254/365

2011-03-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

Magical

Hello friends.

I didn't intend on being gone so long.

I'm not quite sure what happened there.

I guess it's hard for me to share when times are dreary.

But today is beautiful....

the weather is lovely~
and
I worked out in my gardens today.

I got six little beds cleared out.

I am trying to get a head start this spring~
last year my gardens were neglected pitifully.
I'm sure I will be paying for that in weeds.

To show you how neglected they were~
I found six hidden Easter eggs today.
{from LAST year's egg hunt}

The candy was not edible.
In case you were wondering.
:)

Looking forward to catching up with you.

Hope your weather is warming as well.

I couldn't help it....had to post another photo of buds.
They hold such promise.
Love them.

253/365

2011-02-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Like the lovely petals
is our love~
Soft
Rich
Fragile
Unfolding

So many layers

Some still hidden and undiscovered.

~Chasity

~~~~

This is another one of the flowers from the beautiful bouquet my husband
gave to me on Valentine's day.
I love that guy.
:)

252/365

2011-02-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

Preparing

The flowers of late winter and early spring
occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion
to their size.
~Gertrude Wister

This is what I am going to call a happy accident~
it is sooc~
no editing
no textures

I am not savvy enough to know how it happened
but I was very pleased when I came in and viewed what was captured.
Where did those ghostly diamonds come from?

Photography just amazes me.
Pure and simple.
{well....maybe not so simple}

I'm going to pretend that it happened by magic.
Don't try to convince me otherwise because today
it feels like magic could be possible.

These buds are from my beautiful dogwood out in the front lawn.

It was 76 degrees yesterday.

Probably a record breaker.

And it definitely stirred my spring fever to an all time high.

251/365

2011-02-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Dreamy

Let your love be like the misty rains~
coming softly
but flooding the river.

250/365

2011-02-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

Celebration

Loving is not just looking at each other~
it's looking in the same direction.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Happy Valentine's Day!

249/365

2011-02-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Bitter and Cold

Remember this.
When people choose to withdraw far from a fire,
the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold.
When people choose to withdraw far from light,
the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness.
This is also the case when people withdraw from God. ~Augustine

248/365

2011-02-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

Longing

One kind word can warm three winter months.
~Japanese Proverb

Winter is definitely taking it's toll.

247/365

2011-01-30T05:55:00.000-08:00

As Shadows Shorten

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.
~Swedish Proverb

Thank you so much for the kindness and encouragement you have given me
over the past several days.
I feel like saying Thank you isn't nearly enough....
but it's what I have to offer.

Shauna is home now~
and it is a beautiful thing to see her in her own lovely home
instead of in that cold sterile hospital.

And though we were all fallen low the other day~
we are recovering and getting new focus.

Shauna is by no means sitting back and giving up.

The hospital did all they could and now she is continuing the
healing process at home.

But she is still very hopeful that once the swelling goes down...
she can once again aggressively fight this terrible disease.

Hope is a beautiful light.

246/365

2011-01-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Well Worn

Dancing with the feet is one thing;
but dancing with the heart is quite another.
~Author Unknown

245/365

Be sure to check out my sidebar...and go vote.
I'm trying to win a trip to Hawaii in a Shutterfly photo contest.
That would make my heart dance for sure.

2011-01-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

Simplicity

to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring;
these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~John Burroughs

244/365

2011-01-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

Warm Winter Glow

There are two kinds of light~
The glow that illuminates
and the glare that obscures.
~James Thurber

243/365

2011-01-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

Warmth in the Cold

A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle.
~Author unknown

242/365

2011-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

From The Bedroom Window

One of my sweet friends encouraged me to get my camera out
to capture the beautiful snow that we got last night.

She knows what is good for my soul.

Thanks friend.

241/365

2011-01-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

Faithful as the Setting Sun

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Shauna has been in the ICU this past week.
She has been moved from ICU...but remains in the hospital.

I haven't been motivated to work on my blog or visit other blogs
during this difficult time.

I will be back as "inspiration" comes to me.

For now~
thank you always for your warm thoughts and needed prayers.

Chasity

240/365

2011-01-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

If You Need Me....Call Me

Don't call me at the number on that phone though....
No telling who would answer there.

Remember the days of rotary dialing?
We had rotary phones when I was young~
and I'm not that old!

Ugh~
To get almost through with dialing and then spin the wrong one
and have to start over.

Don't miss that.

But we probably were more focused on the conversations then.

You actually had to sit down and talk...
or at least could only do something for as far as the cord would reach.

Now if we leave our phones at home....
we have to go around the block and return home to get it.

My how the world has changed.

239/365

2011-01-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Oil Can What?

I'd be tender I'd be gentle
And awful sentimental
regarding love and art

I'd be friends with the sparrows
and the boy who shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart

****
~~A few lines from the Wizard of Oz~~

Doesn't that movie take you back?

I can't think of oil cans and not think of the TinMan

238/365

2011-01-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

I resolve to....

Be Romantic

Leave but a kiss in the cup
and I'll not look for wine.
~Ben Jonson, To Celia

My final resolution is to be more romantic....

I didn't know how in the world I was going to photograph that.

so~
Last night we were eating an Italian meal and I like to serve
sparkling grape juice in our "fancy" glasses with a meal like this.

{We don't actually drink alcohol because of our religious beliefs}

anyway....

my daughter says

Look Mom...there's a heart on your cup.

It was left behind from the fizzy bubbles.

Now that is romantic.

Maybe it's a reach~
but we all saw it.

:)

It's so easy to get caught up in the everyday have-to-do jobs
and forget to show our spouse how much we love them in special ways....
a little love note hiding in a lunch box....
a surprising kiss in the pantry....

I resolve to work harder to remember.

237/365

2011-01-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

I resolve to

Get Fit

Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first.

~Author Unknown

236/365

2011-01-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

I resolve to be...

In The Word

Your life may be the only Bible some people read.
~Author Unknown

The girls and I start every school day in Bible study.
It's something I treasure....
I hope they continue this habit the rest of their lives.

However~
Family Bible study has always been hit and miss for us.

But this new year we have begun to read the Bible together
after dinner every night.

I found a great check-off list for getting through the Bible in a year
and there are questions that correspond to the readings to help
us delve into the meaning and not just skim over the surface.

That schedule can be found here.

We have also been watching videos for Christian Evidences.

This is something that I love to ingest after being fed lies
for so many years while getting my degree in Biology.

A wonderful link I found for this is here.
There is some real faith building information to be found here.

Many blessings wished for those of you wanting to get deeper into your
Bibles this year....hope these bits of information can help.

Chasity

235/365

2011-01-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

I Resolve to...

Use Time Wisely

Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces,
and which most men throw away. ~Charles Caleb Colton

234/365

2011-01-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

Thankful

I spent New Year's Day sleeping and sick on the couch.

Boy does that beat last year.

If you have been a follower since my old blog~
you may remember that last year on New Year's Day
I spent several hours in the ER hopped up on morphine
after a bad sledding accident.

It may sound ridiculous

but it's true.

My little girl was on the back of the sled....I was steering.

We were gaining speed incredibly fast when I realized
that we were on a solid sheet of ice

I couldn't steer or stop

and we were heading straight for a tree.

I was afraid to bail and not get my girl off safely.

It all happened so fast.

But believe me~
I can remember nearly every single detail of the day

and that is saying a lot for me

I ended up with a broken tailbone and a broken arm...
which is probably going to give me trouble the rest of my life.

But I'm not trying to be negative.

Quite the opposite.

I'm so so thankful that nothing bad happened to my Spunky girl.

I'm so thankful that I didn't wind up with a serious head injury

or worse.

It still shakes me to my core to think of the what ifs.

I love my family so much~

they are my reason.

my reason for always wanting to be a better person~
more patient
more loving
more compassionate.

my reason for smiling every day.

my reason for treasuring life.

I'm very very thankful.

233/365

2010-12-30T05:35:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland Series
#4
Hydrangea in Frost

There are some things you learn best in calm,
and some in storm.
~Willa Cather

I've shown these hydrangeas in various stages....

perfection in the summer
rustling in the fall
and now....stilled by winter

They are magnificent flowers that can teach so much
about the changes we go through...{{often so quickly}}...
and how to keep our beauty and hope no matter what stage
we find ourselves.

I hope that you have a wonderful and blessed new year
and resolve to be better~
in whatever you are striving.

232/365

2010-12-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland Series
#3
Coneflower in Frost

The frost never paints my windows twice alike.
~Lydia Maria Child

**
I liked thinking about this quote....
there always seems to be an inward struggle to be unique and different
and to fit in and be accepted.

231/365

2010-12-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland Series
#2
Bud in Frost

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
~JRR Tolkien

230/365

2010-12-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland Series
#1
Berries in Frost

I woke up this morning to a magical world where everything seems to be covered in diamonds.

The sun isn't out today but when it does peek out~
it will be heavenly.

****
Thank you for all your lovely words and encouragement on the last post.
Shauna was able to come home for Christmas and we have had some
wonderful days together.

229/365

2010-12-22T02:01:00.000-08:00

The Best Gift

My sweet sister Shauna was admitted to the hospital Monday afternoon.
Most of you know that she has been fighting an aggressive cancer
that was discovered in May of 2009.

Her legs have grown weak and nearly useless because of the tumors
that have grown on her spine.
She has to spend most of her time laying on the couch or sitting in her wheelchair.

The swelling has been tremendous lately.
She has fluid dripping out of blisters on her legs and ankles.

It has been hard to endure.

It makes my heart ache down to the deepest depths seeing my vibrant...
enthusiastic...beautiful sister go through this.

But she still has that shining light in her eyes and her smile.

She is amazing.

This cancer is so rare~
1 out of a million people get it

and because of the rareness...
they aren't really sure how to treat it.

Radiation helps where they can get to it.
None of the chemo so far has really touched it.
Until now.

Shauna had a cat scan yesterday...

it showed that her tumors have been shrinking!

She is on a new oral chemo that hasn't been tested for this cancer.
Well~
it seems to be working.

This is the best present that any of our family could receive.

It's so uplifting to get good news.

Obviously,
this is far from the end of the journey with cancer.

But it seems like a new path has appeared.

A fork in the road that is filled with hope.

Praise be to HIM for being our comforter....
for hearing our every prayer....

for having compassion on our breaking hearts.

Have a very merry Christmas...

Chasity

228/365

2010-12-20T02:57:00.000-08:00

Sweet Love

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us,

that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.
It may weave a spell of nostalgia.
Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer,
but always it will be a day of remembrance -
a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.
~Augusta E. Rundel

227/365

2010-12-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

Snow Princess

A mother's treasure is her daughter.

226/365

2010-12-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

A Warm Glow

Keep your flame lit and you will never feel darkness.
~J. Parker

225/365

2010-12-15T06:13:00.000-08:00

Unexpected

Live frugally on surprise.
~Alice Walker

We had such a warm delicious fall this year.
Last Friday it was 60 degrees.

Last Saturday it was 13 degrees.
I do believe winter has settled in.

224/365

2010-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

A Very Jolly Soul

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars
and open a jar of it every month.
~Harlan Miller

We had our first dusting of snow this past weekend.
My girls bundled up and scooped up little bits of it in their sand buckets.

This is one of the magical men that came out of one of the buckets.

Isn't he happy?
I keep expecting him to start dancing around.

I have so many good memories of making snow sculptures with my family
when I was young.

I never liked the cold~
in fact sometimes I would watch from the window....
even when I was a bitty girl
as my parents played in the snow.

But there were times that I got out there myself.

We had some of the most amazing snow creatures ever.
Frogs....Forts....Dragons....

Good Memories.

223/365

2010-12-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement last week.
I'm feeling much more at peace this week~
and Shauna has improved...so that helps so much!

I'm getting very excited for Christmas to come.
I ask my girls every day...
Is it Christmas yet?!

I think I'm more excited than they are
:)

I love the surprises...
the games....
the traditions...
that come with this holiday.
****

You may see several vintage ornament photos over the next couple weeks...
it's a small addiction of mine.

222/365

2010-12-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

I am paraphrasing here~
the actual verses are

As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place know it now more.
Psalm 103:15-16

~~~

In the big picture....
our lives here on earth are so very short.

We are here for one main reason~
to prepare for our eternal existence
either in Heaven or in Hell

We receive our reward when we show our obedience to HIM

If I can keep this as my focus then my heart has peace.

221/365

2010-12-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

This is a scripture that I have to remember often.
Bad things happen to good people every day.

There are times when I feel like I could fall to my knees
questioning "why"

or scream that it isn't fair~

but I am reminded through His Holy Word
that Christians do suffer while here on this earth.

We are never promised a perfect life here~

We are promised a perfect life in Heaven.

220/365

2010-12-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

A source of strength....
knowing that no matter what is happening in my life~
the Creator of this universe hears my problems
feels my sorrows
and loves my soul.

219/365

2010-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

It has been a tough weekend.
Anytime a new challenge occurs with Shauna~
it is like the wind has fallen from our sails.

Her legs have become so weak that she can no longer stand.
She feels sick all of the time.
Her beautiful body is swollen and bruised.

I'm going to spend this week in Scripture.
That is where our focus needs to be to get through this difficult journey.

Thank you so much for remembering us in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for your encouraging words.

Much love~
Chasity

218/365

2010-12-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

Kansas City Here I Come

All cities are mad: but the madness is gallant.
All cities are beautiful: but the beauty is grim.
~Christopher Morley

Whenever we are driving to the city and the big buildings become visible
in the sky line....
my favorite thing to say is

"There's the city kids"

It never gets old.

To me.
:)

This is a view of our city from the Liberty Memorial Tower.
It's a great view.

I love to imagine it when the Union Station was bustling with trains

and horses still clopped on brick streets.

217/365

2010-12-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

Driving Home

We were driving home from helping at Shauna's today....
there was the most beautiful dark cloudy sky.
The kind that only appears during this time of year.

The sun was peeking through from the west

illuminating the tree tops.

It was enchanting.

We passed this gorgeous field dotted with hay bales and horses

I turned around so that
I could snap some pictures of them in the lovely sunset.

As soon as I opened my door
they started walking my way.

No shots of lovely horses grazing in the distance tonight.

In fact....

I got several up close and personal~
as they rubbed their soft noses in our hair.

Sweet fellas.

Wish I had some apples to share.

216/365

2010-12-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Breathe Deeply

When life gets busy and hectic....
don't forget to stop and smell the

lavender.

mmm....

ahhhh.

Sorry I've been away so long.
It has been busy.

Tis the season
right?

It's good to be back.

215/365

2010-11-24T06:08:00.000-08:00

Giving Thanks

We give thanks for unknown blessings
already on their way.

~~~~

On Thanksgiving Day
we acknowledge our dependence.
~William Jennings Bryan

~~~

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up
in a single day.
~Robert Caspar Lintner

I hope your day is filled with blessings, love, and happiness.

214/365

2010-11-23T06:40:00.000-08:00

Past's Silhouette

The past is our definition.
We may strive with good reason to escape it
or to escape what is bad in it
but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.
~Wendell Berry

213/365

2010-11-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

Joy

Jumping for joy is good exercise.

212/365

2010-11-20T05:17:00.000-08:00

Whispers

Hope whispers
"Try it one more time"

~~~~~~
blossom and bokeh in black and white

I adore black and white photos.....
the details that suddenly appear that get lost in color

I haven't used them near enough

211/365

black and white

2010-11-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hidden Blessings

Better to lose count while counting your blessings than
to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.
~Maltie Babcock

I have been sick with a cough and/or cold since September.

I kept putting off a doctor's visit because I thought it would go away.

After 2 months....I was finished.

I am now on a list of medicines
and hopefully will be turning the corner.

On the drive to the doctor's office yesterday~
this little building was waiting for me on a corner.

I jumped out of the van onto the gravel road and started clicking.

This is in the middle of NOWHERE.

and I looked up and there was a state trooper watching me.

I waved a friendly wave....

he waved back.

and that was that.

But he probably did think I was a bit insane.
Probably thought I should see a doctor.

Probably wondered....

Who would take a picture of this raggedy old thing?

I would.

I did.

I love it.

and I wouldn't have it if I weren't on my way to the doctor.

There is a silver lining after all.

210/365

2010-11-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

Little Ladybug

A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun
out of a fifty six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.
~Bill Vaughan

My Sweet Little Niece....
It's nearly impossible to get a photo of her
when she knows that you
are taking one.
What a little rascal.

A cute little rascal.

209/365

2010-11-15T21:06:00.000-08:00

Weathering

You have to leave the city of your comfort
and go into the wilderness of your intuition.
What you'll discover will be wonderful.
What you'll discover is yourself.
~Alan Alda

I have been feeling a new sense of self-realization.
Maybe because I've changed so much through trials
that I didn't recognize this new self.

It's a strange phenomena to watch....
becoming a different person in front of your own eyes.

208/365

barns

2010-11-13T14:20:00.000-08:00

Wheels and Cogs

She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen
and by watching her I began to think
there was some skill involved in being a girl.
~To Kill A Mockingbird
Such a marvelous book...that will get your mind's wheels and cogs turning.

207/365

2010-11-12T03:17:00.000-08:00

Sun Soaking

Let us dance in the sun,
wearing wildflowers in our hair.
~Susan Shutz

We have had the most amazing autumn....
Most days from September to now have been
sunny
and in the 70's or 80's.

This is practically unheard of.
I've never known a nicer fall in all my life.

Every day for 2 months I've been saying
"This may be our last nice day of the season"

and the next day has proven just as beautiful.

But today we have taken our turn.

It has been rainy and in the 50's.

But I'm thankful for all the glorious days we were blessed with.

This picture is of my little Wildflowers taking in the last nice day.

my first attempt using an action in photoshop~
that's fun stuff!

206/365

2010-11-11T04:04:00.000-08:00

Through the Vintage Lens

The past is not a package one can lay away.
~Emily Dickinson

Thinking today of our country's past and
all those who have given their lives for our freedom.

205/365

2010-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

3 little acorns

Our ordinary mind always tries to persuade us that we are nothing but acorns....
our faith gives us knowledge of something better~
that we can become oak trees.
~E.F. Schumacher

204/365