Day 31 - Project 365/2013

The daffodils are crazy tall already - hope they're ready for the cold snap that's coming tonight!

Day 30 - Project 365/2013

Good to be home with the sweetest husband in the world who gives me the freedom to spread my wings and welcomes me back to our cozy nest!  I made him his favorite meal of pot roast with carrots, celery and onion soup, simmered all day in the crock pot.  Still processing all the layers of gratitude from the time in Guatemala - so very very thankful!!

Day 29 - Project 365/2013

One last mother/daughter shot before heading to the airport!  Lots of fun memories made!!

Day 28 - Project 365/2013

The days flew by and before we knew it it was time to say our goodbyes before heading to Guatemala City for an overnight at a hotel before flying out.  I love this picture of my beautiful sister and one of the girls from the home - it's easy to see now why Nancy has adopted five children from Eagle's Nest over the past several years - if adoptions weren't currently closed I believe even more of the kids would come to live on Byks Lane:-)  Spending time with Nancy and Renee - sister time - what a blessing!  What memories we've made!

Day 27 - Project 365/2013

On our way to Chichi on Sunday morning we passed several flower/vegetable vendors alongside the road and we stopped at one to get a bouquet for our hosts, the Gardners.  These kids were so cute and were proud to show off their one month old baby brother (for a price:-)  The vegetation is amazing in Guatemala and this huge bouquet that Felis is holding was only a few dollars.

Day 26 - Project 365/2013

For years Nancy has mentioned different folks who are involved with Eagle's Nest and one of the great parts of this trip is meeting some of them! To put a name with a face!  This is the Patlan family and they work at the children's home and the school - they wear many different hats! Felis is the daughter of the founders of the orphanage and we had a chance to hear her life's story one morning early in the week - a story of God's grace, healing, and redemption!  They were great tour guides the entire week and answered my many questions:-)

Day 25 - Project 365/2013

We had so much fun watching Kinsey & Carly help with the little kid's P.E. classes! I love this picture of Kins doing body parts with this little guy and all of the other kids in the background doing the same.  The girls are so good with the kids - I am so proud of them!

Day 24 - Project 365/2013

Our days are filled with a variety of activity which makes our time so interesting!  Every day we try to go in Eagle's Nest and play with the kids.  This little girl is enjoying her orange jello:-)  She is a new arrival and is wearing a scarf because she had lice when she came.  The kids are just cute beyond words!  In the afternoon we painted iron railing and in the evening we went to a bridal shower for one of the girls on staff here.  Another wonderful wonderful day!

Day 23 - Project 365/2013

We down to Panajachel for some shopping - some opted to ride down in the back of this pickup.  Carly and I took the Chicken Bus down!  I was really looking forward to riding in one of these colorful busses.  Carly had just finished telling me about some of the crazy maneuvers the drivers make and then I got to experience it myself.  There's construction happening on the 2 lane road down to Pana and you're supposed to wait in line but our driver got a little impatient and was passing peopl in line, including the rest of our group in the truck.  He'd honk and pass and merge in front of someone.  When we finally got the green light to go he hauled down that mountain!  At one point we were in the passing lane next to a van and there was a motorcycle coming right at us - I'm still not sure of the fate of the motorcyclist but we beat the pickup truck by a good five minutes!  So Fun!  Carly and I had some great one on one in the chicken bus - I'll never forget this experience!  Some of us rode one back  up the mountain too - that one was so crowded, I was cheek to cheek with the woman beside me.  I think Kinsey and I laughed the entire trip up the mountain:-)  Having such a great time - so many layers of gratitude to be experienced!

Day 22 - Project 365/2013

It's so hard to choose just one picture of the day but I love love love this one of Kinsey and Lizzie! 

Day 21 - Project 365/2013

Great day!  While the younger girls were at school we rearranged the apartment a bit to make it more user friendly for 7 females to live in for a week:-)  When they came back we gave the girl's the presents Nancy brought for them.  Then we went grocery shopping in Pana - driving down the mountain to get there is a bit of a hair raising experience and driving in town is even scarier but our driver was one of the staff from the school - we were in good hands!  I do want to ride a chicken bus once while we're here!  I don't think my Guatemalan experience will be complete without that adventure!

The girls play soccer with a bunch of guys a couple of times a week - too fun to watch!

Day 20 - Project 365/2013

What an incredibly beautiful place!  So good to reunite with Kinsey & Carly!  And so excited about what lies ahead for this week!  As you can imagine the Nikon is smokin' busy:-)  

Day 19 - Project 365/2013

Had so much fun at McKays choosing kid's books in Spanish for Eagle's Nest!  I did have to call and text Brea to make sure I was choosing kid's books in Spanish:-)  Great day of prayer, preparation, and packing for the adventure ahead!  

Day 18 - Project 365/2013

 

Sweet Laura scraped my icy windshield this frosty morning with the It's N-ice to Serve You Rogers Dept. store srcaper!  It's nice to be served!  All of Chatt is rejoicing today because the sun made a return appearance after having cloudy skies and mucho rain since Sunday!  Went for a walk around the block downtown tonight ending with dinner at Sweet Peppers - felt so good to be outside and getting some exercise!!

Day 17 - Project 365/2013

Such a fun day!  Hung out with Laura all day - after working awhile we went out for lunch, ran some errands and went to see "Les Miz" - loved that movie sooooo much and can't wait to see it again soon!  In the evening we met the rest of her family for a yum, fun dinner at the Station House restaurant.  Great day start to finish!!  Anticipation continues to build for the Guat trip!!

Day 16 - Project 365/2013

Dusting off the passport for the adventure ahead!  Flying out on Sunday for nine days in Guatemala to visit Carly & Kinsey!  So many different aspects of the trip to think about and plan for and leaving myself wide open to the serendipities and surprises! I know I need to be careful and cautious and wise and keep my wits about me and all that other practical, true stuff but bottom line I am ready and excited for this gift!!  When I asked the girls what they wanted from Walmart Kinsey said "candy" and Carly said "chocolate chips" :-)

  

Day 15 - Project 365/2013

 A long while back I went to a meeting about the possibility of  mobile food markets in Chattanooga and it was fun to stop and see one that parks near our church.  Great selection of produce and staples!  Love this idea of bringing  fresh, healthy food to neighborhoods that don't have close access to grocery stores!

Day 14 - Proect 365/2013

I went into work on Monday morning feeling pretty wounded.  The enemy had badgered me without ceasing for the past 24 hours with lies and accusations and he had me where he wanted me, full of hope and despair.  The first thing I saw when I went by my desk was this sticky note on my computer screen.  I have no idea who wrote it but it felt like a direct message from my Abba's heart to mine and I wept with gratitude over His grace and love.  "Relax, you are Loved." 

Day 13 - Project 365/2013

Enjoyed the service at Highpoint and excited for Joe and Ingrid's involvement and growth there!  They just installed this great sculpture outside the building.  Great weekend with the kids and and Ingrid's family!  Long drive home in the rain but D.A. did an amazing job of keeping us beteween the ditches - traveling mercies once again and we are grateful!

Day 12 - Project 365/2013

The ladies went wedding dress shopping and the boys and Zoe went to Bass Pro Shop.  The ladies came home with a wedding dress and Zoe came home with her first pair of Carhartts plus camo slippers with deer heads on them:-) That's what happens when Joe babysits!

Day 11 - Project 365/2013

Spent the weekend in MS at dear Granny's house with housing in her sweet suite. She loves T. Kinkade and this is one of his drawings that hangs in that room.  I think this quote sums up D.A.'s way of living life.  He makes life's decisions out of a calm, Godly mind and lives with little regret over past mistakes. He is in the moment, not living in the past or future, content with who he's with and what he has. I love all that about him!

Day 10 - Project 365/2013

For several years it was a tradition to go out to a Chinese restaurant with my friend Danielle on her birthday and she would devour crab legs!  She's all grown up and in college now but can still do serious damage to those crab legs meanwhile keeping up a running dialogue, a very interesting dialogue:-)  Abby set this dinner date up and we sure had a great time catching up! So thankful for God's care and provision in both of their lives!  Amazing young women!!

Day 9 - Project 365/2013

Friends and family continue to delight with reminders of my hobby!  This may look like an ordinary Canon camera lens but in reality it's a travel mug:-)  Cute gift from my Melissa friend and I love it!  D.A. didn't know I had received it and was a little upset to see it drying in the dish rack!!!  One of life's little smiles that makes drinking my favorite beverage even more fun!  

Day 8 - Project 365/2013

I put most of the Christmas decorations away today with great reluctancy since I'm finally having time to enjoy them but life moves on, houseguests are moving in, I'm traveling to Guatemala.......but I did decide to leave this cheerful little guy out for a little while longer....and a snowman or two on the kitchen windowsill, and maybe one in the GTCA:-)  Happy Winter!

Day 7 - Project 365/2013

This arrived in the mail today! So pleased with the quality!  And it came within 6 days of ordering! Such a fun record of last year!

Day 6 - Project 365/2013

Yay!!! The lost has been found! That sneaky little memory card fell behind the cabinet and I found it this morning so we are back on track - WHEW!!  Sunday found us saying goodbye to our very fun houseguests early in the morning and then celebrating at a surprise engagement party at night for two of our YL leader friends!  

Day 5 - Project 365/2013

D.A. is sportin' his new monogrammed apron from Ingrid and Granny as he prepares to grill burgers for Josh and Company:-)  Such a fun weekend we've had!

Day 4 - Project 365/2013

Fun fun night as Josh is back in town after the Passion Conference!  Went up to the Opry along with his friends, the Gemmens, who are passing through Chatt on their way back to MI. Missing Susan and the kids a bunch - wish they were here!  One of the last songs sung at the Opry was "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" - such an appropriate song on the anniversary of Mom's passing. A day of remembering and tears and laughter and family.....God is Good!

Day 3 - Project 365/2013

Pretty sure this is a repeat picture from some other year but I just love this little statue in memory of Florence Ann - age 3, and I felt led to drive up the hill to the cemetery near our house. It was such a pretty blue sky day today after a few dreary ones! 

Day 2 - Project 365/2013

Poring over pictures left in a box labeled with your handwriting ~ I always find myself tracing the letters with my finger as if touching what you wrote will bring you closer. I think you told me how much you cherished your mama's handwriting after she was gone but  I was too young to grasp that truth. I get it now. Well, these precious pieces of photo history need to be preserved for posterity. The old album paper leaves black traces all over my bedroom floor but thanks to technology these pictures of your past, our past, will be saved and for that I'm grateful. I think it's pretty fitting that Mike gave these to me right now when the memory of your home going is close and dear.  You'd be so proud of Mike - he's just been amazing! You sure picked the right person to handle the details! And do you know that ever since you've been gone he and Renee have had us over  every year for their Christmas morning celebration?! Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?  It's helped with the lonely feeling I get when I go north for Christmas and you and dad aren't there. And you sure would love how much love and laughter is shared at the Cnossen party at Nancy's - oh, how you would love all those cute little great grandbabies that continue to multiply every year!  But I digress......I'm just writing to say thanks for taking pictures even when we wiggled and protested and I can imagine you might have said like I often say, "Some day you'll thank me!"  Thanking you, my dear mom, for this and so much more ~ love you forever!

Day 1 - Project 365/2013

We are in no hurry to put Christmas away this year. The decorations came out in a rush and then we left for a week.  We came home from a wonderful people- filled visit with head colds and have spent every day since resting and recovering.  We've watched so much football that even D.A. admits he is almost footballed out.  We welcomed Josh into our cozy cave for an overnight on his way to the Passion Conference and we said goodbye to him in our jammies this morning and never got around to changing into real clothes.  We are two tired bears who love to hibernate together and this makes me smile big because I'm pretty sure retirement is going to be a very sweet time.  Tomorrow we'll go out the door and help run the world, at least our little part of it, but for now we are all about Christmas tree glow and candlelight, David Nevue piano, quiet meals for two in the breakfast nook with snowmen smiling down on us.  There may not be Peace on Earth but there is Peace on the Court and we are grateful for this mellow start of 2013.