A Monday Message from the Big Guy Upstairs

Below are the words the big guy upstairs is speaking to my Mama heart these days.  Adapted from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling," they've been a much needed rock for me, so hopefully you'll find them to be the spark you need this week.  Or next week.  Or the week after. Just never know when life will hit you.

Organized and always in control Mama Bear,
You need me every moment.  Especially the moments when you think you're all good.  Your awareness of your constant need for me will be your greatest strength so please work on it.  You can depend on me or go into despair.  Despair is easy to fall into.  Pick up your big girl pants and start climbing out of the trench that's been placed in front of you.  The heaviness you feel within will be filled either with knowledge of evil or my presence.  Make me central in your consciousness by praying continually; short and simple prayers flowing out of the present moment. You're not so good at that girl but you can get there with effort.  Use my name liberally, to remind you of my presence.  Look up and breathe. You'll see me.    

There is no force in the universe as powerful as my love.  Believe that.  NO FORCE.  You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others.  But there is no limit to my love.  Now you see through a glass darkly, but someday you'll see me face to face.  For now, the knowledge of my loving presence is sufficient to carry you through the black.

Signed,
The only one who knows you through and through. And through.

Have a good week ya'll.

My Random Venture

A couple months back I threw a few of the antique window frame photo pieces I've been creating into the back of the Pilot and brought them to a kind and creative lady who owns a delectable antique shop near our house.  I've been selling these little gems from home for a couple months and wanted to test the waters with the antique market.  She came out to my car, looked at 3 of the finished products and said, "Girl, these are gallery pieces, not antique shop pieces."  She recommended I take them to gallery row in Denver, a stretch of road that houses 68 galleries, and test those pricier waters instead.  I found three ads on Craigslist from galleries, looking for new artists, emailed them photos and they all asked me to come in for "interviews."

Long story short, I chose a brand new gallery to partner with.  The two young women who own Tree of Life Gallery are full of energy, drive, heart, artistic ambition and passion for giving back to their community.  All the art they're featuring focuses on nature.  Many of their artists have suffered traumatic brain injury, which is the cause they're supporting.  The gallery is done beautifully and I'm so proud to be a part of it.  We had our friends and family opening night 2 weeks ago and experienced our first "First Friday," when about 1,200 people roam the streets for this Denver tradition.  It's surreal to see my photos up on the walls, but I'm holding back on too much excitement until they actually start selling.  I'm told art is subjective and not to "expect" anything. Whatever. I still need these suckers to sell.  So we'll see.

 The book on the shelf is where I feature all the photographs people can do custom orders with. 

 Megan and Terrie, the proud owners.

 My favorite of the bunch - the beezneeze.

In addition to the gallery, the lovely ladies who own The Little Black Chair, my very favorite chic, housewares, antiquy, furniture restoration boutique are also featuring my frames.  The first one is hanging for all the world to see!  That makes me happy.  You just never know what direction your life will go when you up and quit your job.  It's been rather fun to see my creative juices unfold in directions I wouldn't have suspected 5 months ago.        

He Arose - A Month Ago

Life has been dishing out more than I can keep up with these days.  On May 10, I'm sitting down to present our Easter recap. The neighborhood egg hunt was a weather bust.  The rain came as a unwelcome guest right as we were "hiding" (placing the eggs in the grass in haphazard patters).  No park play this year, but the kids still went home with boat loads of candy.  Just what Easter is all about right?    

 Enzo was a darling addition to this year's hunt.  He garnered more attention than the eggs did.  

 Squirt walked by about 30 eggs before Tim had a chance to run over and explain that the object of the occasion was to pick UP the eggs.

 Dude missed the start of his leg.  Mmmmmm, can't imagine why.

 He ran SO speedy fast and with such intention that he didn't realize all his eggs were falling out as he went.  A kind mom (unlike his own) was sweet enough to stop him and point out this tragedy.  

Easter day.  This was the year to start new traditions, so we hosted our Glassman friends for lunch, an egg hunt and a ton of lazy parent time.  Us adults might have all fallen asleep in the comfy patio furniture at one point.

 All this girl's life, we were convinced she did NOT know her colors.  It's been a bit frustrating for us as we try over and over and over to drive home the difference between orange and green.  Turns out, the egg hunt was proof that she does indeed know her colors.  Every color I called out, she was the first one back with THAT color in her hand.  Little punk.  

 Picture perfect Easter darling.

 Mama slacked on the Easter baskets this year.  Banana Republic always pulls through in a clutch.

Hope you and yours enjoyed a wonderful Easter.  Thank God for the gift of his son.  Some days I wonder how we'd make it through the valleys without the promise of his grace and his all-knowing hand over our lives.  Thank you Jesus.  

All Things Enzo

This little creature has become an instant celebrity over here.  He's adored by his entire Mile Hile Vogel clan. When I say "adored," I mean that to it's fullest extent.  We can't get enough of his sweet nature and cuddly, teddy care self.  Enzo was meant for us, without a doubt.  Given the fact neither Tim or I have ever had a dog, we've been ridiculously blessed with this ball of fur.  He's easy going, calm, potty trained, gentle, sweet, cuddly, non barking, non jumpy, playful and entertaining.  His down sides?  He about gasses us out of the room most nights, refuses to lick crumbs off the floor and craps about 5-6 times per day.  That's a lot of poop to keep up on friends.  And we've learned the hard way with two incidents of tracked poop on kiddo shoes in my clean house.  Gross.  So gross.  We'll take the negatives given the joy he has brought to our children (and us adults if I'm being honest).    

When he first came home, Cara brought over Miss Lucy for a puppy play date.  It was the first time Enzo really came out of his shell.  They were quite hysterical.  

 Mornings have become a favorite play time for the littles and their pup.  So much so that Enzo needs to be crated in order to successfully get our booties out the door.  

 

Yesterday brought our first family water fun day.  The 80 degrees temps made this sprinkler a main attraction - not so much fort he dog.  They kids tried relentlessly to get him in the mix, but he didn't succumb.

 

Our snaggletooth and his pup.  A match made in heaven.

One last attempt to get Enzo in the water.  Failed.