Veteran's Day Weekend

While the term veteran is used almost exclusively for military personnel, it also attributes the meaning of experience and serving for a long time.  We will observe Veteran's Day this week. 

I have recently been working on various writing projects and in response to having this blog over-cautiously blocked on social media during the recent presidential election season ( I didn't post anything political, revenue based or fake- it was bizarre) I started publishing my bloggety-thoughts in a new 'journal' 

I may come back to this blog some time later, if only to create a main directory of where to find me on various platforms, and I will leave my posts in tact as an archive, and to link back to as my writing leads,  but it seems fitting for fresh chapters to be written on blank pages. 

So, without further adieu (and though I still have some formatting to do)... I invite you to join me on 

TumbleDown Mountain. 

The Decade Challenge: December 2010 -

 I'm writing (and posting this) in November. And to let you in on a little secret, some of these posts have been sitting as drafts for months. 

What started out as a fun way to prompt posts turned into an in-depth and sometimes heart-wrenching journey into the lands of Before. 

I've cried. I don't do that a lot and I admit it even less... but I am human and will not rust... it is best to tell other humans about occasional leakage so they do not feel defective should they leak, too.

I've wanted to vomit - the after-taste of Supposed To Be overpowering me,  until with a deep breath I remember and admit that even these sweet memories hid pits onlookers cannot see.

Oh, but I have smiled a whole lot, too. Thankful - so thankful-  for all -every last drop- of it.

Life is busy and there are still new ropes I'm learning to climb. I've been writing new chapters and keeping my thoughts in a fresh new journal of a blog, too. So, here's to December and a decade gone by. 

My,  how the time did fly ... 

~k

 Brew Crew Virtual Christmas Card  2010   
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from the page: 

It's that time of year again...

 ...time for warm wishes , fond memories & sharing the joy in our 

lives with those we care about. Time for Merry Christmas, 

Happy New Year & stopping to tell folks we 

LOVE & hold them dear- 

(not only this holiday season but all throughout the year!) 

which brings us to...

YOU!

from our family to you & yours- 

may your days be Merry & Bright & may you know the 

PEACE that only comes from God's gift to us in Christ. 

The Decade Challenge: November 2010 - Little Boy Blue & Baby Bird

 On November 1, my little boy bluegrass, Fisher,  turned eight.     

                                

On November 2, baby bird Riley Wren was born. 

That was another time entirely. 

Pretty soon, the technology that fuels her birth announcement will fade with the memories they share... until then, you can view it here: 

Riley Wren 

..our lives are made

In these small hours

These little wonders

These twists and turns of fate

Time falls away

But these small hours

These small hours still remain

All of my regret

Will wash away some how

But I cannot forget

The way I feel right now...

…

 

(from the page) 

It is no secret to many of you that for the past few years our family has been 'Under Construction'. We have been blessed to watch God repair and heal what we broke. Many of you watched as we climbed the mountain to WinShape Retreat, beginning our best adventure yet. Some of you know it was truly just the beginning of a long journey and have watched as we fought through the mending that must be done. We know that the journey never ends and thank God for His faithfulness to finish the good work He started in us. It is His hand that guides and upholds us and from His hand we have receieved undeserved blessings, too many to count. 

Riley Wren  is one of those many blessings. 

With her arrival comes the celebration of stepping from dark valleys into sunshine, the victory of reaching deep into scarred places and withdrawing handfuls of forgiveness, mercy and love.  It is with great joy that we welcome this Little Bird into our nest. Our hearts spilling over with gratitude, we thank God for the grace He has poured over our lives.