Do you ever

feel like your dreams are ALWAYS put on hold? 

The dream I have always had was shattered back in August 2004.  That is the day that my divorce became final from the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. The love of my life and father to my children.  I  was a young bride of 17 back in 1982, and only dreamed of our future together.  I felt we had a good life together ahead of us. The military wasn’t part of that dream.  But I went along and made a home at every “base” along the way. After traveling the globe with him as he served in the US Navy, we finally retired in 2002 I thought our dreams would finally happen, sooner than later.  Our dream had always been to get back closer to family and I would finally be able to get that HOME, I so longed for after years and years of waiting and military housing, filling it with grandchildren and lots of memories.
But something changed.  My world as I knew it was over that day.

Fast forwarding a bit, through many hurdles and heartbreak I found myself struggling and confused.  I was a grown woman with no skills unless you count motherhood, I was a SAHM.  Which I had proudly been for all those years.  Raising three beautiful children. But my concern was how will I take care of myself.  I felt unloved and rejected.   I had many bitter and angry feelings towards myself and played the blame game.  Blaming myself.  Wondering why I wasn’t enough, and why didn’t I matter enough to try?  How he could throw everything we were together and been through together away?  Why she got his best years and I had the struggling ones?   I wanted my life back.  But he didn’t want me, did he ever love or want  me, really? (I really don’t think I could stand to hear the answer to that question even today)

Then on New Years Eve of 2005 my now husband asked me to marry him(I was in no hurry to rush into anything)  and through all that time I still questioned and wondered if I would ever be able to build my dreams with someone else. Memories, grandchildren and a home.  In 2008 we married.  In April we will have been married 5 years, and still waiting on some of those dreams.
In the last year, we finally moved closer to family a dream fulfilled(although all six of our children-his three, my three) are all over the map as well as our now 4 grandchildren (his three and my one).  Another dream fulfilled, whom God blessed us with,  we are still working on the home part of “our” dream.
In the last several years, since selling my home that I occupied with my first husband, I have been in limbo for a place to call “mine” again.  Sometimes my heart aches for a home of my own.  And I find myself “waiting” yet again….but I have seen how God has fulfilled many of my dreams in the last year and I am sure he is picking out the perfect house for me to make this dream worth waiting for.  God has blessed me in so many ways.  Today I am grateful for all he has done for me and given to me.  How do you “wait” on God when it seems to be moving so slow?   How do you deal with this? Please feel free to share your experience and your help tip.
Blessings,
     Cindy

2 Timothy 1:7“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

ooey gooey chocolate

I finally broke down yesterday and made this cake.  I have been craving chocolate and thought this would hit the spot with some Double Chocolate Ice Cream.  I originally found this recipe a few weeks back and kept forgetting to pick up cocoa at the grocery, (it’s called sometimers….. sometimes I remember things and sometimes I don’t).  Anyway, since I had everything I needed I decided to give a whirl.
Brandie@ A Country Cook posted a wonderful tutorial on how to make this cake here. It was/is sinfully delicious.  It was quite easy and something that I will be making again.  This recipe will go in the recipe file, can’t wait to make it for my kids when they come to visit.
Speaking of kids, my hubby gave me a airline ticket to go to Maryland to visit with them for Valentine’s Day.  Trying to make some final decisions on a date.  But I am so eager to go.  I love visiting and spending time with them, but can’t wait to get my hands on my precious grandson.

This picture was made when he was here Christmas.  My daughter and I Skype at least one a week so I  get to watch him grow via the computer.  On Monday while we were visiting he actually rolled over.  I keep reminding myself how much I am missing.  He turned 3 months earlier this month and he is growing like a weed.
Well today is a rainy, gloomy day, but I really need to get myself ready for the day.  I have several errands I need to do.  So wishing you a very blessed day.
 Blessings,
       Cindy

1 John 3:18“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Who is ready

For spring?  I have gotten the spring fever so bad and I’m not really sure why, we have had a very mild but COLD winter.  At church Sunday I saw all the flowers starting to bloom. 

I saw crocus up through the ground.

And I saw daffodils already in full bloom.

One of the first reminders that SPRING really is on it’s way.  Which got me to thinking about how I can ready my home for spring.  What are some of the things you do to ready your home for the Spring season?  One of things that I have noticed for spring this year is all the bold colors.  (Have you noticed that when you have been out shopping.  Seeing all the greens, pinks, deep purples, and orange (tangerine) they are calling it. From jeweled accessories to shoes and blouses.  I think they look like HAPPY colors.  How could you ever feel “down” or “blue” wearing those colors. ) I distress, but the same is true for you home.  Now my question is this…….How can you add spring touches to your home on a budget, when you are in a rental?  or your own home.

A few things you can do, refresh a room with blooms.

Arranging white flowers in weathered watering cans (look at thrift stores and flea markets.) Tulips are a great choice, as they’re affordable and evoke a casual-yet-elegant feeling.

Arrange ferns or other greenery inside milk buckets.  The contrast between the green and white is spectacular. Simple and doable.

Use bright colored table linens that shout Spring!

 

Using a touch of nature, like a birds nest with robins eggs tucked inside, atop a pedestal or under a cloche.

A wonderful colorful arrangement to greet your visitors.

Pretty blue mason jars full of spring flowers.  Pansies are always a hit!

Create some moss balls to put around in bowls.  

 

These are just a handful of little ideas you can do.  Feel free to share any ideas or links to ideas so that we can all make our homes more inviting to welcome Spring.

Blessings,

  Cindy

1 John 4:9“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Another go around

Good Morning Ladies, I know it has been a long while since I have been here.  It’s been like over a year since I have been around on the blog with any consistency.  In the last 18 months or so my life has taken many turns and twist.  That’s not a bad thing but it has been a change.  Just some of the major highlights in my life in the last 18 months have been:

Moving 800 miles from my children (grown)

Coming back home to Kentucky after being away for 30 years.

Job searching for hubby and I both

Becoming a first time grandmother to the most beautiful grandson evah….. Kyle Easton!

Being close to family after all this time

Enjoying church with my small town country church family

These are some of the things I have been occupying my time.  In the mist of all this,  God is teaching me many things about myself and who HE is.  It has been such a exciting time for me. And I am enjoying spending time learning, reading and soaking up His word.  My cup overflows with gratitude.

But I’ve not changed some things":

I still love home, family and crafts, I love being creative and changing things up a bit, even though I have also grown more in my love with my Jesus! (I didn’t think that was possible)

Planning to take it slow, in getting back into blogging but I am happy to be here. If you would love to follow me and see what I am up too follow me on one of my FB pages.

Old Fashioned Farmhouse

Country Christmas

Simply Country Cooking

Country Holidays

You can also follow me on Pinterest.  Click provided in the sidebar.

Blessings,

    Cindy

Matthew 22:37-39“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.