I Choose Joy, Peace, and Life

I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions.

However, there are a few resolves that I have this year.

This year I resolve to:

1.  Lean into JOY

God has been speaking to me about joy.

Joy is not the same as happiness.

Happiness is dependent on circumstances.

Joy is a state of the heart, regardless of the circumstances.

I am determined to REJOICE in all circumstances this year. 

2.  I resolve to know, experience, and walk in PEACE.
"He will keep in perfect peace, he whose mind in stayed on HIM."

Get a little closer and you can see PEACE under the tree.

I'm gonna take that gift from under the tree and choose PEACE!

I am resolved this year that no one will steal my joy or my peace.

"The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that you may have life,

and that you may have it more abundantly."  -- Jesus (John 10:10)

3.  I resolve to live LIFE abundantly.

This year I resolve to intentionally CHOOSE JOY, PEACE, LIFE!

Here's to a NEW YEAR, 

Bonnie:)

A Few Things About Myself and Other Ponderings

I found this neat idea from the blog My Cup Runneth Over.

Only it was yesterday, and today is today.

A Little About Myself

Outside my window it is very dark and my yard looks like a dried up pond.  It's been raining off and on for a week.

I am thinking that I'm a little sad tonight.  No reason.  Just the after-Christmas blues, I guess. 

I am thankful for the miracle that God has given us this year, the birth of a baby who has been prayed for and prayed over for many years.  God has granted us the desires of our hearts. 

I am wearing jogging pants and a T-shirt.  I have belly-bulge so I'm letting it all hang out:)

I am creating absolutely nothing right now.  I'm still enjoying my Christmas creations until the grandloves are home.

I am going back to Nashville when my new baby comes home.

I am wondering if my family will ever be whole again.

I am reading The Escape by David Baldocci.  I am going to pick up where I left off in my Bible study of Genesis and read the Bible through this year.  With the baby being born, I've been rather careless.

I am hoping praying for reconciliation in my family.

I am learning that it is not in my power to make everyone happy. Some things I've had to leave in God's hands and let Him fight for me. 

Around the house is a mess.  I've got floors to mop, dusting to do, beds to change and stuff to put away before the kids get here. 

In the kitchen, I have a leaking sink and the dishwasher isn't working.  This was quite a combination during Christmas.

I am pondering that I need to return to my first love.  I've become distracted by many things. I need to return to what is truly needed.

Today's Scripture

"I know your works and your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who do evil.  And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars, and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name's sake, and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repend and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand, unless you repent."  Revelation 2:2-5

One of my favorite things is junkin', pickin', browsing and not buying a thing.

A few plans for the week:  Clean the house, declutter, wrap my son's present.

A peek into my day:  I plan to pause for a few minutes, with a cup of coffee from my new coffeemaker,

grab my Bible and reflect on where I've been, where I want to be, and what it is going to take to get there. 

Will you join me?

Happy New Year, 

Bonnie:)

Hurry Home Soon

I've enjoyed all the moments of Christmas

with everyone else's little ones. 

Now, I'm ready for mine.

They will be here in a few days,

and we will open the presents under the tree.

Santa left a bundle.

I intend to head back to Nashville with them 

to enjoy our newest bundle of joy.

She is growing and progressing everyday.

Each step is a step closer to home. 

Mommy and Daddy time is important 

for many reasons. 

Studies show that the more a child is touched 

the more rapid the recovery.

It's also important for bonding. 

Before this photo, there was skin-to-skin

bonding with both parents.

She was put in her own clothes and in a different kind of crib.

The covered crib along with swaddling helps her to hold her own temperature. 

She was prayed for and loved by so many

long before she was conceived.

These two she will call, "Uncle Chad" and "Aunt Tina."

The NICU has been wonderful.

Christy and Troy have received hands-on coaching.

Taking a bottle was one of the steps.

She is no longer getting fed through a tube.

She is now completely bottle-fed milk from mommy.

Today Christy will try to breast-feed for the first time. 

Yesterday Harper got her first bath.

Mommy and Daddy did a good job!

I am so proud of them!

Believe it or not,

sticking out her tongue is another good sign.

The doctor said that if everything continues to go well, 

she may make it home by New Year's Day.

Yippee!

Uncle Chad, Connor Man and Cora Bug say, 

"Please hurry home soon."

"We're ready to play."

(Linda from Simply Linda made this for me.

I am just now figuring out how to download it.

Anyway, it's still Christmas here.

Thanks, Linda, my friend.)

Sentimental Treasures

My daughter and son-in-law were anxious for me to open 

one of my Christmas gifts while I was there. 

Can you hear me jumping for joy?

A perfect, pink chenille bedspread.

It was flawless, perfect even on the under side.

The sentiment behind it is even more special.

Troy's mom and her sister slept on it growing up.

When his grandparents downsized, they were going to sell it. 

My children know how much I love PINK and vintage at that!
His family agreed that I should have it. 

The bed belonged to my husband's parents when they first got married.

Sentimental treasures can never be replaced.

I'm more in love with The Pink Room than ever!

Smiles and Hugs,

Bonnie:)

Promise and Possiblity

In 2007, my daughter's husband was diagnosed with cancer.

The cancer was contained and removed, 

but another rather invasive surgery was necessary 

to prevent the spread of cancer to his lymphatic system.

During this time, my son and his wife were getting married.

What was the most joyous time for my son 

was one of the most difficult for my daughter. 

While celebrating with one child, 

I was grieving with another. 

To say I was conflicted is an understatement.

I don't have time to take you through every emotion, 

because there were too many to count, 

Marriage...cancer

Pregnancy...miscarriage

New birth...failed IUI

For every moment of joy

there was a moment of pain.

Nevertheless, we celebrated and grieved,
that is life.

We celebrated NEW Life.

Our Connor Man in 2010

 Our Cora bug in 2014

Another promise-fulfilled,
Harper in 2014.


We grieved our losses.

 And believed that one day,
Roses Will Bloom Again.

We look forward to a new year of PROMISE
and Possibility.

 Happy New Year
from my heart to yours,

Bonnie:)

I am a promise, 
I am a possibility.
I am a promise, 
With a Capital "P"
I can be anything, 
Anything God wants me to be.

Yes, I believe in Promise and Possibility.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

I believe truly Jesus is the Reason for the Season, 

but I think He believes in Santa Claus too.

Santa Claus is the spirit of giving 

and Jesus was all about giving. 

Don't you agree?

I started collecting Santa mugs this year. 

In just a short time, I had collected 12.  

Only a few are alike. 

Most of them are very different, 

unique.

I've had fun just moving them all around.

They've held candy canes and trees 

and kisses.

This winking Santa is the most unique. 

The wink opens and closes when the mug is tilted.

Most of the mugs are marked.

This face of Santa was not painted,

which makes it somewhat different.

Some Santas have eyes wide open.

This is the only painted sleeping Santa that I have. 

Oh you better watch out, 

you better not cry, 

you better not pout, 

I'm telling you why,

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Yes, I Still Believe, 

Bonnie:)

A Pink Christmas...again

Christmas is almost here, and 

I've yet to show you all the rooms in my house.

I finally got around to doing the PINK room.

I used mostly pink and silver balls this year. 

I hung my Shiney Brites from the mirror

and added white lights. 

This is the first year that I've used the milk glass

that I love so much.  I've enjoyed cleaning each piece.

Does anyone else like washing their pretty glass?

The Dollar Tree fake silver tray

was perfect for making it all shine.

I didn't make the ornament with pearls, 

but I like the idea.  That's something I think I can do. 

The mercury glass votices were 1/2 price.

I bought three of these trays. 

They proved quite useful.

I bought this at the end of Christmas sale last year.

It's glass and I don't do glass very well:(, 

It's a pretty for sure. 

Callie Anne thinks she's just as pretty in pink

as the rest of the room.

I agree. 

Merry Christmas From My Heart to Yours, 

Bonnie:)

Wrapped in Love

Today feels like the day after Christmas,

you know those feelings you get when it's all over,

the mully-grubs as my mama would call it,

you know,

the house is empty and in complete dissaray, 

dishes need washing, 

wrapping paper litters the floor, 

the kids are gone 

and you're missing those babies.

Yet, I am filled with a deep sense of peace

and satisfaction that God is Emmanuel,

He indeed has come very near. 

So, until I can get the house in order, 

wrap the presents, and get ready for the next few days, 

I'll share some of the wrappings from Nashville. 

Sometimes all you need is a simple bowl of ornaments
and the lights on the tree to stir the emotions of Christmas.

Vintage ornaments take me back to a much
simpler day when trees were filled with
bulbs lights, Shiney brites, and icicles.

There was always something special about
sitting beside a lighted tree at bedtime.

Glass ornaments reflecting the lights adds more twinkle
to an already glistening ornament.

Both of my girls enjoy the vintage-like bulbs.

It's amazing how the tree changes when little ones are added.

I think we would all agree that
the sweetest wrappings come not in paper packages
but are wrapped in love from above.

These are our joy and delight.

I thank the Lord above,
for sending these loves to us.

Even sick with fever,
these little munchkins were full of joy.

Thanks for sharing our joy!

Merry Christmas,
Bonnie:)