Blessings....

This medium man just turned 5. His Grandpa led a search and and rescue mission all over Western North Carolina to find Ethan a Bumblebee. That ugly yellow doll has been his constant companion for the past 3 days. Ethan is my easy going child. He is sweet natured and such a happy little boy. I am blessed to have him.
This is my youngest. Sam. Sam is a force of nature. He is named after the best men I know (My husband and my father). He is a classic deployment baby, conceived on our 2 week conjugal visit (R&R to some of you). I was taking birth control, still nursing Ethan and we used condoms. Well, we have Sam to show for our efforts. There he is grinning at us everyday. He has a purpose in life. A determined, driven soul. He is a blessing.
The Kangaroo....a being that is totally strange to look at, oddly graceful when hopping but surely a sign that God has a sense of humor. It is easy to sneak up on these big red guys in the bush because their red fur is the same color of the desert sand. You (or I) will be walking along minding your own business just enjoying the splendor that is the Outback, and all the sudden see movement and find yourself in the middle of a small clan of big red kangaroos. This guy was at the desert park.
These birdies are called Princess Parrots. Such beautiful parrots in the middle of the desert. An unexpected little surprise in the trees.
On the way home from the Desert Park I passed these guys grazing right across from my daughters' school. There were two of them and they had been pulling a modified Toyota van packed full of camping gear. At first I passed them and thought to myself....camels, odd, but OK. Then I passed them again. And the man who had been using them to pull his Toyota wagon/van, and once again was blessed. I am so happy with where I am in my life right now. We are not zillionaires, hell we don't even own our own home. But I don't live in a camel wagon. And that is a damn fine thing.


We had some very bad news Wednesday, devastating actually. But as tragic as it might be, life will continue. It might be different, but it will continue. I needed to get away from my ugly beige carpet and soak in God's glory. Nature can always help heal my spirit and let me refocus. Help me see things that have been there all along. Being out here in the desert that at first seems a barren and dead place has taught me to look for the promise God gives us everywhere. Life is beautiful and precious and a priceless gift.