Highlights from Summer Trip Aug 2021

Ben was invited to a family reunion in Arkansas, he asked me to go with him.  I was happy and excited that I could go with him.  I haven't been on a vacation/road trip in years.  

I love the views that you can see and enjoy as you drive down the road. This is the second day, in the early morning leaving NM to head to Oklahoma and Arkansas.

We discovered that I could travel more comfortable in the back seat.  My fibromyalgia it makes it difficult to sit in limited positions in the front passenger seat for long periods of time. In the back seat I was able to move around more and not get so tired.  It was fun actually, I felt like a kid again.  I was happy with my to do bag just like a kid, I had my coloring book and markers.

The first thing I noticed was how green Oklahoma was.

This a pic from the back seat driving down the road before we got to Oklahoma

Our room in Van Bruen Arkansas.  It was a really nice one, much better than the one we stayed in Santa Rosa NM the first night of our travels. 

A beautiful view that I had to capture as soon as I got out of the car when we pulled up to where Ben's sister is staying during the visit.  So pretty!

The outside of the very pretty place that Ben's sister's family was staying.

An awesome view from Mountainburg AK

Ben and his sister Rhonda looking through old family pictures. 

Long and Muldrow OK.  Ben drove around showing me areas of where he lived when he was 12 years old.  The one thing I noticed right off were how narrow the roads were and how green everything was around. 

Still in OK

This is also in Oklahoma, I say that because there were times when we were driving around that I got confused on which state we were in.  You can easily go from Oklahoma into Arkansas.  Ben thought it was funny at how confused I was getting.

Fort Smith Arkansas

Back in Mountainberg OK where Rhonda was staying, in one of the trees there had a chandelier in it!  I thought it was cool and would have been really neat to see all lite up.

The Catfish Hole in Oklahoma.  The night before the reunion several members of Ben's family met up for dinner.  I think we were a group of 20.  It was a neat place, and the catfish was very yummy.

This is a gorgeous backyard of where the reunion was at.

The reunion was huge.  I was surprised at how warm and welcoming everyone made me feel.  I really didn't feel out of place.  So many nice people gathered enjoying each other's company and good food.

Ben and his sister Rhonda and her daughters (Ben's nieces)

Ben and a very special man to him, Willie Dean (Willie D)

The Fort Smith Arkansas Cemetery, where is dad is buried. He was in the army.

A quite moment with his dad.

Of course I found a wall with a butterfly on it. (Fort Smith AK)

A road side pic from the car on our way to Groom TX on our way back home.

A beautiful fountain in Groom TX

Groom TX

You will find a 19 story cross!

So powerful!

All around the cross you will find Jesus on his journey to the crucifixion. 

Ben walking up the path from viewing a different area after the cross.

The whole trip was great!  We had so much fun making memories.  We look forward to our next trip!

 

August 21 2021

 

Abby is like another daughter to me.

Me and my oldest! Lots of love!!!

Laying out in a hammock is so relaxing.  I love it!

Karlee and Louie (her weighted friend) She walked around and treated it like a baby.

Time with my kids and their friends are always a time to cherish and then you add sitting outside on the back porch to it and its perfect!  Karlee and Nat came home for the weekend.  Abby and Payson joined us for dinner and porch sitting and it was so much fun.

My Buddy Kevin

 

Kevin came last month from Colorado with his son Ben to get him settled into his dorm at NAU. I enjoyed his visit.  I always enjoy hanging out with Kevy (I called him that in high school heheheehe).  He makes me laugh and he is just a really good guy. My Ben enjoys talking with him as well so its perfect.

I'm not sure when he is coming for a visit again but I look forward to it.

4 weeks and 1st week of school

 I have finished 4 weeks at my new job but it was the first week of school with teacher and students.  It went well.  It started off a little rocky but by the end of the week is had greatly improved.  I enjoy working with the young lady that is only part time and has been there almost a year.  She is a college student and around my oldest's age.  I find her easy to be around and talk to and we work well together.  We make a good team, but she will be leaving in December.  I'm not looking forward to that day.

I'm not sure what is going on with me or this job but its been a struggle to really settle in and feel like this is where I should be.  The moment I question it is the moment that something catches my attention to show me that God had this planned for me and that God says this is the job for me and that this is where I need to be right now!  I'm not sure about it but God knows best I just keep asking him to help me along the way.  I wake up each day with a smile on a face and a happy cheerful attitude ready to learn and help and work and go with the day.

I think the job itself will be just fine and I will manage and become quite well at it. There just seems to be a disconnect and miscommunication at times and it makes it a little hard to follow along and know which end is up.  Learning new people and the way they talk, and think can be a challenge too, and its hard to navigate around strong personalities.  I've had that challenge at my last job but I managed to be alright for the most part of working there at the time.

I found that I felt like these last couple of weeks I have had to pull myself up and drag myself a little and say come on keep going its going to be fine, it takes time to adjust, don't give up.  Don't get me wrong has improved and I know it will continue....I pray it will.  God has made it clear to me that this is a good fit and this is where he has me so I will make it work and trust in him and wait to understand as he chooses to let me understand or at the very least shares blessings and joys along the way.

I bought a book of poems a while back, I told myself that I would try to read one poem a day.  Sometimes I manage to do that and others I don't.  Lately I found a few that I really enjoy and I've read them daily to help me start my day.  The one below has been my go to recently.

THE LITTLE CARES

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The little cares that fretted me,

I lost them yesterday

Among the fields above the sea,

Among the winds at play;

Among the lowing of the herds,

The rustling of the trees,

Among the singing of the birds,

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may happen,

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass,

Among the new-mown hay;

Among the husking of the corn,

Where drowsy poppies nod,

Where ill thoughts die and good are born

Out in the fields with God.

 

 

 

Rain Rain and more Rain

This year we have gotten a ton of rain! Last year we didn't get very much.  I guess from all the moisture it allowed some new friends to move into the flower beds with my plants.  Each set of mushrooms are different, its so strange and cool.  I hope they don't hurt the plants, so far they seem just to be in there with the plants just fine.

Its great we have gotten all this rain, we needed it so badly.  I wonder if this is a lead in to what this winter might be with a ton of snow.....I guess we will find out when the time comes.  For now enjoying the rain.

My oldest and her new place

A couple of weeks ago Ben and I went to Phoenix to see my oldest and her new apartment. It was a fun weekend.  When you are with my oldest you can't help but have lots of fun laughing and having silly moments to think about later.

This coffee was so yummy! I asked her to surprise me and she did a great job! Yum yum

The children are happy hahaha......they have a comfy spot, T.V. on and their phones.

Do you see her head and her knees.....

She asked me not to take pictures of the mess.  But I said it was fine, its lived in.

Her place is so cute and cozy!  Its perfect for her and Natalie.

 

Gratefulness

 I am grateful

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

I enjoy taking time out to sit and be still and look around where I am at.  Its relaxing and soothing to my soul and brings a feeling of peace.  When I sit still and take in what is around me I can't  help but reflect on thankfulness.  Everyday there is always something to be thankful for, some days its hard to think of something because it might be a little hidden but there is always something there.

I'm thankful for my family, my home with Ben and Susan, a new job, waking up each new day.  Its really never ending.....

Taking time out to reflect is just part of me and it helps keep balanced and connected to God, myself and relationships with others.