I so much wanted to express myself on this blog but the fullness of life has put a nix on that one. So, I will have to lay aside those expectations of doing 52 pictures and Way back When-sday. And I'll plan on blogging when I blog.
This has been an amazing week for weather! It has been in the 60's here and sunshiney. We spent some time in the yard blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, and playing in the sandbox. We went to the park and I pushed the littlest Baum for a long time as I soaked in the sun, admired the blue sky and noted that there are buds on the trees! Hope. That is so refreshing after winter. After the gray and colorless days. I'm good with winter until the end of January. And this year was even worse because in February the littlest Baum got sick and passed it on to all of us. It's now Spring and we're in the last half of March. The littlest Baum has brought yet another cold home with her and passed it on to me. And Papa Baum continues to not feel well from the first sickness. One day at a time. It sure reminds me to lean into my LORD. He holds our breath. He created each of us. He is the Great Physician and I depend on him.
My favorite magazine is Better Homes & Gardens. A few weeks ago I was shopping at Value World (they have used clothing and everything else). I found a BH & G from March of last year. It cost me 25 cents. They had an idea to buy a bulb for my windowsill and some herbs along with an outdoorsy sculpture. I found small daffodils at the grocery store with happy yellow wrapping around the pot. Then I went to the dollar store and found a robin and put her on my windowsill next to the daffodils. I asked Papa Baum to look for some herbs at the Depot (as the littles Baum calls it) and he came home with a kit to pot 4 different herbs. You should see them! I do believe I planted way more than should have been planted. so now there are a billion chives, cilantro, oregano and parsley plants popping up and I don't know what to do with them. I am concerned if I remove 1/2 of them or 3/4 of them, that I will be considered a plant murderer. I wish this didn't bother me so much. Just thin them out and be done with it! Right now they are sitting in a darker spot on the counter. Once the leaves are bigger, I'll put them on the windowsill and in June will put them outside...maybe. Well, that is, if they make it that long.
And what I'm most excited about these days is another retreat. I went on a personal retreat last May and it was so nice. It was at a Catholic Retreat Center. This time I'm trying a new place. I will be making my own meals this time around. Last year I wrote my life mission statement.
This year I plan to pray and look at the next year. What goals do I want to accomplish in the next year in 7 areas of my life: Individual, Wife, Mother, Homemaker, Administrative, Family & Friends, and Ministry.
I love the Franklin Covey material. I've got an awesome planner that I bought for my 40th birthday. Then I read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and was so inspired to re-evaluate my life. I long for my life to matter and these habits are tools to help me live my life to the fullest. The author, Stephen Covey, is a Mormom, which I don't endorse but his principles are astounding. I am able to take them and apply them directly into my life. It took about 2 years to read the book because my goal was to implement what he taught in there. So much to learn and I'm just beginning. Thus the mission statement and the 7 areas of my life. Life makes so much more sense. We are all uniquely made and I believe I have strong Administrative gifts which is why Covey's stuff impacts me so much. We all need to find the best way to become who God intends us to be. It's not the same for all of us. God is our guide and I'm so grateful.
Well, this reminds me I'm going to go check out the retreat center on-line to see what the grounds are like. How many acres? I love walking and exploring.
Have a blessed day...
