JanineThrossel.com

A few of my friends have a habit of selecting a word each year that represents a theme for them or subject they want to ponder.  I don't usually participate.  However, I, too, have been thinking of one the last few weeks.  The "word of the year" that has been pinging around in my brain and soul is "pause." "PAUSE" before I say something that I shouldn't. "PAUSE" to appreciate the moments I am living. "PAUSE" the hectic day-to-day rush and make time for things that are really important. PAUSE. I am looking forward to a lot of wonderful things this year.  I have eager expectations about the life that God is giving to me in the days ahead.  About family, friends, work and faith.  I am choosing joy and trust over fear and worry.  I am thrilled to be reading the entire Bible this year.  I am excited about the book of stories that my husband and I are writing.  I am encouraged by the things that we see G...

Watching our male tortoise pace the yard, then stop at random points and turn a different direction with a serious look on his face. . . and then do it over again and again while I laugh and wonder what he is thinking inside that little tortoise head!  Also trying to feed our new female tortoise and NOT having her hiss at me. Making homemade raviolis for the first time--from scratch--with homemade potato-garlic-spinach-chicken filling.  Okay, so the pasta dough turned out less-than-fantastic. . .  The filling was awesome.  And I had fun. Hearing one of my children say thank you, he loves me and--with a hug--tell me that I'm awesome and no one has a better mom than he does. Walking outside to see a garden full of tall and leafy plants that aren't weeds. Talks out on the deck chairs with my handsome husband. A bright moon in a cloudy sky. Rain.  Thunder and lightning. Talks about video games and school and art with my eldest. Music l...