Did I Lay That?

In order to encourage broodment, I bought the most appropriate Easter eggs I could find.  Yellow ones with chick faces and feet on them.   Paprika (seen here) too a look.

Chicken Shoot

“When God makes His presence felt through us, we are like the burning bush: Moses never took any heed what sort of bush it was—he only saw the brightness of the Lord.”
― George Eliot, Adam Bede

Like shootin fish in a big hole.

The over wintering pond on the left and the new hatchery in the processes of being dug on the right. And some fine ass sod in the middle.

The plans are to have two symmetrical "ponds," side by side by spring.  This means the the one on the left will be deconstructed (and not in the Top Chef deconstruct a hot dog into some weird tasting foam sort of way) but in the complete dismantle and reconstruct.  We do have some fish in there - some small koi, and will be getting more pretty soon.  Ponds plants as well.

Go with what we knows babies.

Might be a neat little place for some ducks to swim at hmm?

The pressure.

This is for the new Moms who feel a bit under the inspectors light. Everyone watching waiting for you to "mess up," so they can come in and "tell you how to do it."



Being a new Mom means there are alot of pressures to deal with.


There was alot of pressure to deal with when you are pregnant but that's different.
That's mostly on the bladder.


But as a new Mom I'm learning everyday.

And the one thing I've learned is that the pressure "to be, what others think you ""should,"" be," is way too heavy.

As I sit and type my daughter plays with her brand new saxophone toy.  She JUST got done figuring out how to eat a grilled cheese sandwich that I took a good fifteen minutes on to make "just perfect, " for her. She laughs at certain commercials on tv and because I chuckle at her enthusiasm- she laughs harder.

The chickens are out back. The birds are flying to all the birdfeeders in the yard.  Millions of squirrels doing squirrel things.  The pond is losing its ice.  Hay needs to be spread. Vegetable gardens need to be planned. Laundry needs to be done. Floors need to be washed for our crawling curious girl.


There is no where else I'd rather be.


A few weeks ago "we got out," for a night.  It was our anniversary.  We had a good time together and kept it simple. Got some burgers and saw a friend play at his show.  We kept it simple.

That's our life now.
simple.
And I tell you even though that's what we choose. And tahts what we love. There are still some people that feel the need to encourage us to get out more, have a good time, be social, find a babysitter, get away from your daughter and take a break.

You know what-
No.

There is no where else we'd rather be.

 "Don't you need to get out? We do!?" They ask?  "Don't you miss hanging out with alllll your friends?" "What do you mean you couldn't make it to said event, last week because your child was up all night cutting four teeth?"  "You mean to say you haven't been to church in awhile?" "You must not be spiritually well."

All of these questions and heavy laden suggestions to do what they feel is right- for you- is something to shake off.

Shake it off.

There is an order.
God
husband or wife
then children.

if theres room for more than so be it.
But once again what is "more," looks different for each couple.

I appreciate the need friends might feel they have to share of the importance of having time together as husband and wife.  And friends mean well- I know that. I very much know that.
But that looks different for each couple. And very different for new parents.
After going thru the bedtime routine each night together as a family, and then sitting on the couch to crash and watch a movie- just me and David, while our daughter is full and content sleeping  in her crib. I am happy. My heart is full.  I can't find room for going out in a barroom crawl. I don't have room for social events consisting of twentyfive million other people. Dance clubs just don't suit us.  Wearing heels so high I can't have a good time isn't me anymore.  We like Tractor Supply Sundays. Not Friday night booze fest.

Days end we are tired from work. Excited about spring plans. Content with spending the last half hour catching up with family on the phone. In love with our NEW life, and not missing the past one.


As a Christian re-birth, is not something I take lightly.  With the birth of Reveille we have awakened in a new way, and feel so blessed to be where we are.

So to the new Moms out there- whether your brand new, or old new.... You just do you.

Don't give into the pressures to be "your old self," if thats not you anymore.  Times will come in the future where you will look back and miss those days of sleepless nights, but knowing EXCATLY where your child is.  Whats important is not all the things you can add to your daily routine, but all the memories you make with this new life you have been entrusted to care for.  Being social to me means something totally different than it did a year ago. And I love this new "social."

God

God spelled backwards is dog.


I'm sure you've heard this before, or perhaps said it outloud, in one of those profound outloud musings. And then, its usually followed up by someones "me monster," "out smarting you," by saying. "yah well, Racecar spelled backwards is still racecar."

But have you actually ever really thought deep about it?


I have.

But I'm weird (much established by now)

Its one of those curious musings.

Think about it.

What IS God?

God is:
love
forgiveness
truth
acceptance
He is open arms
There when you need Him
To mop up your tears
To make you smile
To love, love, love you (yes you) no matter what wrong you have done, or how bad of a day you had, how ugly you might feel, or whatever you have failed at.

No matter what.

God loves you.
Always.


So think about it.
How are dogs much different?


They say dogs are a mans best friend. (Man used as a broad term, broad used in the correct sense- don't none of you unshaven, fems come at me for saying that)

Here its stated on Wikipedia:
"Dogs' value to early human hunter-gatherers led to them quickly becoming ubiquitous across world cultures. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. This impact on human society has given them the nickname "Man's Best Friend"

Dogs were put here on earth to love and hang out with you. Be your buddy. Go on adventures. Cuddle on the couch. Lick your face when you least expect it.  And make you laugh just being themselves.

Dogs are really awesome creatures.

If you own a dog, you just get so used to them being there. Your house seems warmer. There is someone always waiting for you to come home. They are happy no matter what to see you.  They follow you were ever you go.  They don't want you out of their sight.  They bark at danger, and jump in excitement when friends stop by. They yearn for YOUR attention. They love you, and in their eyes you can do no wrong. As I type this my two buddies are sitting and waiting for my husband to get home. They know that since I put wood on the fire to get the house warm for him, that he will be home soon. So they sit. Wait. Eagerly anticipating when their master will get back.  They've waited all day just to see him.

So lets get back to how God is like mans best friend.

In the so many ways that your dog loves JUST you- even at your absolute possible worst. SO does God.

Have you ever sat and cried only to have your dog sit on your lap, whimper in what seems an understanding, and lick your face to cheer you up?

Have you ever sat and cried- prayed- and had relief fill your heart? Opened the Bible to see a passage you swear was written just for you?  Ever possibly thought that Jesus went thru what I'm going thru?

If you don't own a dog, they are a good investment.
And if you've never read a Bible thats a pretty good investment too.



I believe God is so wonderfully creative that He put dogs on this earth to gives us just a taste of His representation. Love, forgiveness, and open pawed acceptance.













side note:
What sparked this muse?

The past couple days I have been watching my dog Indie (who is in love with my daughter) dote and dote over her. ....She races up the stairs to see her. Greets her in the mornings with warm kisses, and knows how to jump around just before her bedtime to cause Reveille to laugh to the point of getting tuckered out.  There is a bond there that I had nothing to do with.  This bond is all them.  Its theirs personally. And it got me thinking about that kind of love.  There will be no back talking.  No judgements.  No bad days for Indie.  They won't backstab each other like friends have done in the past.  There will be no gossip.  No slander on each others part.  Reveille can be herself and Indie will be there to love her.  Reveilles secrets will stay safe with Indie.  Where dogs succeed, people fail.  It made me think about our God.   How loving He is.  How He forgave me.  How He changed my life.  And how blessed I truly am to have Him to be my guide.