Beach

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Still beaching :)

Away

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Beach Day with hubby and in-laws :) We brought puzzles and books and games.

Happy Easter weekend

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Happy Easter weekend! I'm thankful for some time with my family. Tonight Colonial Baptist is having a Service of Shadows. What a weekend it will be for reflection and humbleness and gratitude. 

Unrelated, a lady at work likes to get a children's book that personifies a coworker who is leaving, and has everyone sign it. For a coworker that just left, she got this cool book One. She was telling me the other two in my group would be Charlotte's Web and The Giving Tree. She wasn't sure what I would be, and it's left me thinking. What would yours be?

Flux

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Through our last series of sermons on the fruits of the spirit (Above Ground), one thing that has really stood out to me is how much we want to be able to shift blame. We want the responsibility to be in someone else's hands. "I got so emotional because of what they did" or "I never would have said that if she didn't make me so angry", etc. We want to believe that our feelings are results of others. Turns out, we're responsible. It's up to us. We have to give others the benefit of the doubt. We have to be aware and control what's going on inside of us. I know I'm definitely more volatile than my husband, especially during a special week of the month, and even last night, after Dash broke his second lamp, in that moment I literally wanted to keep him in his crate forever. I had already started planning how we can change out his towels or feed him through the slates. (J reminded me that he's just a dog, he doesn't know what he's doing - which is what I try to remind him of when Dash destroys hats and toilet paper). The point is, I can't blame Dash. Or a long work day, or circumstances not going my way. It's my responsibility. I so appreciate the lessons we learn and look forward to growing up with God's help :) So amazing.

Side note, I have a friend going through a hard time. It's hard to know how what the right thing to say or do is, or how to make sure I'm there for her. But I know I can pray for her.If you have a moment, please say a little one for her.

Proverbs15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up.

Getting through hump day

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via  Getting close to a beach trip!

Graceful Tuesday

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Recently we made Eggplant Pizzas (with herb salad) - and was surprised how easy and how good it was! Last night we had chicken with black bean and mango salad. I have a weird little fear of raw chicken and slightly seared the chicken longer than needed, but it was good. A summery meal. Tonight I get to see a friend who moved to DC :) I'm excited for a visit.

April showers

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Happy April! I had a great weekend - book sale and long visit with my sister, mom and sister in law :) Long walk with a good friend, sermon on Self Control, and opportunities to get errands, cooking, and other things done.