2012 again

I began this year with a post titled 2012 and as we are now at the end of the year I revisit the title again.
For our family the year began adjusting to life with a baby in the house once more, Mykhal's 16th bday, and Russ being home.  Changes are never easy, but growth is good.  Spring found us celebrating Lex's 19th bday, the 50th anniversary for Russ' folks, playing in the sand with great friends at Monahans, and buying our travel trailer.  Summer brought Scarborough Faire,  RETIREMENT! (still get excited about that one),  Kerrie's 13th bday, and Lex moving to Missouri.  In the fall we made the Birthday Bundle trip celebrating my mom's, Russ' grandma's, and his dad's birthdays.  Then another fun trip to the Texas Renaissance Faire which included more fun with great friends!  Thanksgiving was of course a blessed event with amazing fellowship.  And we have just returned from our annual Christmas trip!  Our trailer has seen many miles and many places and LOADS of fun!  It has been a richly blessed year without a doubt!
We look forward to 2013 with new plans and dreams, and new adventures.  Life is never dull, but it is always blessed.  May you also find the Blessings and the Joy that come from simply Living life.
Love and Peace to you all!

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Lex called us the other night with this information.  She was referring to her relationship with Jonathan.   When they had moved all seemed bright, full of hope and promise.  But things aren't always what they seem.  Their relationship was not/is not good.  They have spent many hours in discussion and have concluded that they just aren't compatible in a marriage relationship.  They will soon be filing for divorce.  Lex is going to be moving back to Texas though not back to San Angelo.  She wants to stand on her own two feet and not on our toes or those of Jonathan's family.  To support herself and Matrim she is training for Medical Transcription work.  Being home with her baby is of utmost importance to her.  Spring looks to be an eventful time for all of us as we go to help her move and take a little time to see family along the way.  Once again the future is bright, full of hope and promise.

Pay cut

As of October 1 we started receiving our retirement sized pay check which amounts to about 1/2 what we were getting on active duty.  But with minor adjustments we are living life even more fully than we did before!  Without the rush and hurry and trying to get things done on the weekends and on rare off days, life is more relaxed and we do things as we feel like it or as they need doing.  More time is spent in long conversations, often over nothing major, just for the pleasure of sitting down to chat.  Meals are not hurried.  Meals are often more nutritious too since the making is not hurried.  There's plenty of time for making breads, slow cooking meats, preparing fresh vegetables and fruits.  We spend time most mornings doing yoga together, at least Russ and I do, then we linger over cups of coffee asking what the plans are for the day.  Sometimes there isn't one.  There's time with friends, longer trips with time for family.  We pursue interests that have been put to the back burner for too many years.  Life has taken on a whole new pattern.  And though there may not be the amount of money coming in that there once was, life is richer.

Laugh...Love...Live...Blessed

It's not just a philosophy anymore, it is the way our lives are lived.