Smile....

Saturday, March 20th, first official day of spring in Chicago and we woke up to snow. I supposed I could let myself get all twisted up about it, or, I can choose to be positive and say to myself...it won't last, it's almost the end of March and there are worse things then a little snow on the ground. Honestly, while it is sort of depressing to have more snow, especially after a week of gorgeous sunshine and mild temps, this doesn't send me into a tizzy...I'm making progress!

This week was amazing! Like I said, we certainly had a taste of what is coming our way weather wise. I was able to not wear a coat, have windows open, listen and watch birds flutter and play in my Evergreen tree and I had a great sense of newness, a fresh feeling that seems to come every year as spring approaches. I didn't do a ton, just enjoyed God's blessings of nice weather and sun. I did take myself over to Borders and I purchased myself a "One Year Bible" and another Bible that has Jesus' words in red. I have been doing a morning devotional for over a year now, but the readings that I have, while I enjoy them, just didn't seem like enough to satisfy my appetite. I am searching for a church group and hope that I can find a Bible study soon, but in the meantime I found this "One Year Bible" and what it does is provide me with 4 selected readings each day, one from the Old Testament, one from The New Testament, one from Psalms and one from Proverbs, as well as a highlighted passage one which I can pray or have thought for that day. In the end, I will have read the entire Bible in one years time...how cool is that!? I also want to read the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I saw on the blog "Grateful for Grace" the challenge to read "just Jesus" and while I missed it (having become aware of her blog long after the challenge took place), I knew it was something I wanted to do, but I didn't have a bible with Jesus' words in red, something that would help in this challenge, so I bought one for that as well...heck, I collect Bibles...have stacks of them, old, new, etc..sitting on coffee tables and such and NONE of them had the words of Jesus highlighted..well, now I do! LOL! I'm really enjoying these readings on a daily basis...such "feel good" stuff!

More big stuff happened this week, and if you follow me on FB, you have seen my girl and her new, fresh, all grown-up and looking like a teenager for sure, new look! Mandi has been wanting to cut her hair and color it for quite some time now. Being the "resistant to change in big ways" person that I am...(I'm really comfortable with keeping things the same..LOL), I finally said to myself that she is old enough to be making these decisions for herself, that it's not my body or my hair and that she has every right to do what she wants to with it. I try to think of times when I feel like I'm being held back by other peoples wishes or desires, and it feels bad. I don't want Mandi to feel that way. I made the appointment and off we went to see our fabulous hairdresser Keri!

In the end, it was a huge change for my girl but she LOVES it! I have to admit, I mourned the loss of her long, blonde locks, and that familiar look that I was so comfortable with, but I do think that this length and color look adorable on her...makes her eyes just pop and it certainly took her from a little girl to an almost 17-year-old young lady! Please excuse the photo, I am not a great photographer...(I added in a cool frame and definition element from "House of 3")...



Ozzi is still recouping and his bum leg seems to be getting better, but it's slow. He is such a little goober and it just stinks to see him struggle right now...keep sending up some prayers if ya can....thanks!

Alright, that's about it for today...Mandi and I went and bought "New Moon" and we are ordering pizza for dinner and having a movie night..can't wait!!

Until next time,
Blessings!

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."
-Psalm 91:2