Sold!!

I mentioned recently that we may be moving.

We have always dreamt of living closer to the water 

but the time was never right.

We have decided to make the jump.

We met with a realtor and she made her recommendations.

I then met with a stager who I just love.

I've never went that route before but I love having her insight.

She points out the paint that needs to be updated.

She makes a list a mile long and once it's completed,

we call her back and she comes and stages it.

That day is finally arrived.

Mark, Josh, Daniel and I have painted, caulked, packed, 

& pressure washed!

Staging our home is a new thing for me.

I like having a house that is completely ready.

The windows are cleaned.

The closets are thinned out.

Almost makes me wanna stay.

Almost but no.

I wish I had taken before & after pictures.

I am not a good blogger.

Alert! Alert!
We interrupt this message....
The day before we were to have it staged,
we received a call from a potential buyer.
If all goes as planned,
I will soon be homeless.

I'm trying not to be too concerned,
not having much success.

As with every detail in my life,
things always fall in place 
exactly how they should.

My head knows who is in control
but my nervous system apparently isn't listening.

I know I am to be trusting and content and not anxious.
Someone teach me how to stay calm 
during these changes in our lives.
Is it really possible?
Maybe its a DNA issue?
Male/female issue?
Mark seems pretty calm.

I told him to go pick something out 
and let me know what he decides.
I know that wouldn't work out but it is overwhelming.
We have spent 2 weeks searching.

I find much enjoyment
looking at all the beautiful properties in Jacksonville.
We have a beautiful river that weaves its way all through the city.
The river feeds right into the Atlantic.
The possibilities are endless.

Who cares what the house looks like 

when you have a backyard with these views?

The realtor send this home which was over the top.
As I researched it,
I found it came with a builder 
who would build it on your property.

As it turns out,

that may be the route we will take.

I will keep you posted.

I plan to sit back

and enjoy the ride.

Ha!

I hope you are having a great day!

Life In Florida

(found this photo on Facebook,not sure who took it)

Does it concern you that runners 

need to be told to move to the side of the road 

when a vehicle approaches?

Fun With Grandkids

Elijah has recently begun taking piano lessons.

He is so smart and a quick learner.

He says he is more of a dancer than a music maker.

Cracks me up.

If you saw his dancing, you would know what I mean.

He does have some moves.

He plays basketball with a program at the church and

while he is playing,

the girls are cheerleading on the sidelines.

This stage of the kids lives is so enjoyable.

I am so blessed to keep Abi this year.

She begins VPK next Fall.

(sniffle, sniffle)

Mark's job has been taking us to Miami every other week.

Abi and I have enjoyed playing by the pool this winter.

We've stayed in some nice hotels on Miami Beach.

I had forgotten how beautiful the ocean is in Miami.

On our last visit,

we stayed in a charming hotel

in which Billy Joel was also staying.

He was so nice.

Abi loved playing with him in the pool.

I've been singing Piano Man for a week.

I leave you with a video 

showing how fun hotel rooms can be.

Hope you are having a great week.

Bring on the Spring!

Oh The Possibilities

I sit here

in the comfort of my cozy heated home

while it is stinking cold outside here in North Florida.

My husband, 

playing the piano in the background.

Oh how I love those old hymns he grew up with.

Don't get too excited but there is an outside chance 

that we have found a home to buy.

It's a "fixer-upper."

I think Joanna and Chip make it look so enticing and doable.

We are in the praying and planning and dreaming 

stage right now.

We both discussed it and decided not to tell anyone.

I'm not sure if y'all count. Ha!

I'm mostly thinking of all the blogging possibilities 

if we remodel a home.

Surely, 

Better Homes & Gardens will want to do a piece on me.

I will keep you posted.

No offers have been made (yet).

Not in my wildest dreams

would I think we would leave this home.

It was truly a fixer-upper.

We love this home.

You never know what the Lord has in store for you.

I am so amazed how He has truly 

blessed every aspect of my life.

Thank you Lord

for another day

of Your amazing love!

I am so blessed!

Miami In January

Hello all my beautiful friends!

I hope you are doing well.

The weather looks a bit precarious through most of the U.S.

I must admit,

I miss the beautiful snow.

I will always have warm fuzzies when I remember

 the winters I lived in Kansas & New Mexico.

In the meantime...

Mark has been given a detail which allows 

us to enjoy some glorious beach time

in Miami, Florida.

My current view.

I spend my day walking or lying by the pool.

Isn't the water beautiful?!

On a previous trip,

Dani & Abi accompanied us.

The Fontainebleau had a gorgeous glass Christmas tree.

Abi is my party.

She wanted to reenact Buddy from The Elf

by running around the revolving doors.

Never a dull moment!

Hope you are having a great week.

I plan to get down to the beach and get some rays.

XXOOXXOOXXX

Love to all!

Playing Catch-Up

I haven't blogged in awhile so I'm going 

to have to do a little "catch-up."

Mark finally moved home.

All is right with the world.

He just makes everything better.

He is my calm.

We had a wonderful Christmas.

I hope you did too.

I'm so ready for the new year.

I love new beginnings.

A fresh start.

While emptying my camera

I found some pictures that speak to my heart.

Dani Mae in my front yard.

She is the sweetest.

The 2nd Grade Christmas program at school was so special.

Elijah is pictured in the center with the plaid red and black.

I was encouraged with how it remembered 

the true meaning of Christmas 

throughout the program.

Abi gets staticky everytime she gets on the trampoline.

It only happens to her.

Totally matches her fun personality.

Party all the time!

We spent a few precious days in North Carolina in the Fall.

It was the highlight to find snow and ice on the side of the mountains.

Family time by the fire.

My sweet Kacey.

Eli

Danielle & Daniel getting ready to go on a much needed date.

Kristen flew home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Oh how I love my girl!

We enjoyed record highs this year.

85 on Christmas Day!

Happy New Year to all of you.

I pray peace and joy to you and your families.

Crisis

Three weeks, no computer. 

Might not be a legitimate crisis but it's close.

Mark took it back to Kansas.

I have this pitiful iPad which must have been born in the 1900's.

It's like texting.

I long to abbreviate every word. 

I'm thankful it does offer spell check.

Who knows if I will actually feel like I can touch the sacred word and "publish" my thoughts.

It's strange that I enjoy blogging. 

I must have some inner need to share my thoughts 
and my life with you.

It's cheaper than therapy.

I'm really a private person.

I would never consider therapy.

Hope that confession doesn't come back to bite me.

Pride comes before the fall.

It has rained all day,
which resembles my melancholy mood.
Maybe it's bringing cooler weather.
Think positive.

My chickens have enjoyed finding bugs on this rainy day.

My tomatoes perk up every time it rains.

My broccoli is coming right along.

I'm not sure what kind of trade is in my 
ancestral background since I really don't know.
Surely,  farming runs deep in my blood.
I come alive when I can get my hands in the dirt.
I love my chickens.
No really,
I love them.

I'm sure you have truly been moved 
by this riveting blog.
jk

Hope you are having a great day!
ly
cya
lol