Seizing the Moments

I responded to an “SOS” call from my son on Tuesday about their youngest, 11-year old Bryson, who was very sick and because they were going out of town the next day, they needed Nana. There are very few things, if any at all, that would keep me from putting anything else more important than to SEIZE THE MOMENT and go. Within 45-minutes, I was on my way and while my son offered to fly me down, the drive is much less hassle than the rigors of a commercial flight. When I arrived, little man was quiet, curled up in a ball, and it was Nana time with that sweet little man.

Next morning, his mom and dad were on their way and it was time for a lot of TLC love and cuddling – I take it ALL in with pleasure and delight. I know how quickly time flies and to be able to embrace these moments, is such a gift to me. I knew I would be there just that day and head back home to my routines, when my Bryson started begging “Nana, can I go home with you?” He knew that the family would be driving up this weekend for Brennan’s baseball tournament in McKinney (about 30 minutes from my home). I didn't take him seriously because he's quite the “mama” boy and I thought he’d change his mind, but I found out he had texted his hom nine times begging to go back to Frisco with me. They made it back home late Wednesday night and when Bryson woke up Thursday morning, he ran to his mom, still begging to go home with me. Bryson is home-schooled and she told him to ask Nana if she could wait until after his classes, he could. I was still in shock at this new-found freedom of unlatching from his mom. I was delighted.

Suddenly that quiet, sickly little boy that I saw the day before, was excited beyond words and quite amenable to any and everything that was asked of him. He had a plan and the plan came together. First stop of his plan: Buc-ee’s for a root beer and vanilla float. Then it was non-stop conversation all the way back to Frisco. I was in a state of shock. Never has Bryson been in the car with me alone before for any real length of time without his brother – who is the master of conversation. Bryson would always give way to his big brother’s verbocity. But, this trip, he was a chatterbox, telling stories and expressing ideas and thoughts like I had NEVER heard out of him before. He was definitely a travel companion that kept his driver wide awake. He didn’t even want to play games on his phone.

We made it back to Frisco and he wanted to see his cousins and their pets first, and then it was to Dollar Tree. It’s hilarious. I give him $5 to spend and it’s an adventure for him. Cousin Alexia just got her driver's license and was excited to be our driver. We tucked into bed and then it was one of our favorite times – to watch one of Nana’s Hallmark movies. What can I say? He’s a man after my own heart!

I love this season of my life. In fact this morning, for the first time ever I changed “work” on my FB profile to “retired”. I never wanted to say that word because it seemed to identify those who are sitting in a rocking chair and getting nowhere. I had new thoughts about “retired” over the last couple of days. My new definition of retired is “freedom to be ‘on-call’” anytime and in any place for God and WHOEVER He sends me to. It’s freedom to seize the moments like never before, and most of all, to live with no regrets. I’ll be seizing more moments when my Austin family make their way here for Brennan’s baseball tournament this weekend. SWEET!!!

I keep my phone in hand as my camera to "capture that moment" so that I "have no regrets" about that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. Rarely do I miss the opportunity to take up a friend's invitation to go somewhere or do something with them. I do my best to listen for God's voice telling me to call or email or text someone, or even go see someone to give a word of good news and cheer. Seizing the moments. Life is just too short not to be that breath of fresh air that someone needs so much. Often, it's easy to say “I’m too tired or too busy to go there or to do that.” But, then we realize the fun we missed, or the opportunity we missed to make a difference in our life and someone else's life.

Are you seizing those moments, minutes, days of YOUR life? We are here at this place, and this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gave for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow.....and let's live ALL IN! Let's look for those moments in this day.....that are over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments, so that tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I lived with NO REGRETS!"

Thinking Back and Looking Forward

It's the 365th day of 2017. I made it!!! 365 days of posting a positive word for my FB friends and family. After all, there's enough negativity in social media with politics (Phew – what a year that’s been!), the weather, the economy, the relationships or disappointments many vent about. Once upon a time, I didn't want to be on social media because of those reasons, but I sensed God was calling me to bring some sunshine to a world that can be quite dark, and then my thoughts and words would, hopefully, bring inspiration to others. I can't begin to adequately explain how rewarded I feel for staying true to my commitment. Purposefully, I've had to make sure to stay "in the zone" by seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, recognizing that God is always speaking. I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His illustrated messages to me through nature, His Word, His kids and His embrace. The fact is, I showed up for my daily appointment with God, and He was faithful and true to His promises. .He ALWAYS showed up for me.

I'm not sure what this new year will look like, not only in my commitment to daily posts and blogs, but in life overall. One thing I do know for sure. .I know WHO knows and I'm excited for the journey that awaits me. There will be many opportunities for FB posts and writing my daily blogs because I'm very aware that God has many more exciting adventures and trails for me to blaze in this new year. So, I'll continue to be on daily assignment.

This New Year's Eve is entirely different for me as Ryan and Shawntel switched up their annual after-Christmas day to New Year’s day “honeymoon” trip. They’ll be going next weekend instead. So my two little men (my annual New Year’s Eve dates) won’t be with me and we won’t be shooting off little fireworks or watching the giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square and won’t be up to our usual New Year’s Eve antics together like the 16 years previously. I’m okay with the switch-up as it gives me the opportunity to be in church tonight with my Frisco Family. I love the thought that I’ll be praising and praying the new year in with other believers. What a great way to kick off the new year!

A new year -- new hope for our future. There is something inherit within us that craves a new fresh start -- a chance to make wrongs right, and good things even greater. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling. I've already begun to think about new horizons, new seasons, and new adventures. My personal motto will continue to be "I'm still here....so I'm not done." I know that God will give me courage to face each new day and the best part, His mercies will be new each morning.

The great news is that God is the author of 2018! He knows each and every twist and turn that is up ahead, both for you and for me. He has planned 2018 down to the minutest detail—all with the goal for our good. Look out, 2018 -- HERE WE COME! Let the GREAT ADVENTURES begin!!!

Thinking Back and Looking Forward

Day 365 of Photo Inspirations -- Thinking Back and Looking Forward
It's the 365th day of the year -- and my last day of photo inspirations that I committed to when I sensed that God was calling me to take my daily blogs and FB posts to a whole new level -- one that included photos that inspired me with special thoughts and words to share that would, hopefully, bring inspiration to others.  I can't begin to adequately explain how rewarded I feel for staying true to my commitment.  Purposefully, I made sure to stay "in the zone", seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, recognizing that God is always speaking.  I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His illustrated messages to me through nature, His Word, His kids and His embrace.  Fact is.....I showed up for my daily appointment with God.....and He was faithful and true to His promises.....He ALWAYS showed up for me.

I'm not exactly sure what this next year will look like, not only in my commitment to daily photos and blogs, but in life overall.  But one thing I do know for sure......I know WHO knows and I'm excited for the journey that awaits me.   There will be many opportunities for making FB posts and writing my daily blogs because I'm very aware that God has many more exciting adventures and trails for me to blaze in this new year.  So, I'll continue to be on daily assignment.

#TBT -- The second photo inspiration is from this day a year ago with my two little men -- my annual New Year's Eve dates!   Once again, tonight, these two and I will make toasts with our sparkling grape juice, we'll wear our hats, blow our horns, we'll even shoot some little fireworks, and we'll watch the giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square three hours ahead of Pacific time as 2015 makes its exit and 2016 begins.  We'll be silly and dance and give each other hugs and kisses.  Eat your heart out, single women everywhere!  LOL!  

A new year -- new hope for our future.  There is something inherit within us that craves a new fresh start -- a chance to make wrongs right, and good things even greater. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling and stirs up a part of our soul.  We pin so many hopes and dreams on the start of a new year. We set resolutions, create goals, hope to start new habits and break old ones.  I've already begun to think about new horizons, new seasons, and new adventures.   My personal motto will continue to be "I'm still here....so I'm not done."   I'm grabbing hold of this new year by its tail and I'm going to fly by the seat of my pants.  No rocking chair thoughts in this girl's mind!

But, even better than any resolution or goals or new habits that I could set for myself, the knowing that my Father God has my year planned out in detail, gives me great excitement and blessed assurance.    He'll give me courage to face each new day and the best part, His mercies will be new each morning, so I'm guaranteed success if I do my part in staying tight with Him.

The great news is that God is the author of 2016!   He knows each and every twist and turn that lay ahead, both for you and for me. He has planned 2016 down to the minutest detail—all with the goal of His glory, and our good.   Look out, 2016 -- HERE WE COME!  It'll be a GREAT ADVENTURE!