My bright spots...

You know all the quotes about how life is like a painting or a weaving or some other form of artwork, and how life can be frustrating because we can't see the whole picture. God is weaving in the bright beautiful colors and also some darker ones for contrast. It is hard to understand sometimes why those deep dark colors are necessary. There must be contrast, or opposition in all things. The darker the darks, the brighter the brights. I've been trying to focus lately on the brights in my life now, and not always waiting for the brights to come some day in the future when my problems are solved. Because, really, will there ever be a time when life is trial-free? The end of our trials would probably also mark the end of our mortal lives. So, I look for the simple delights in each day that make me smile and bring me joy, and I didn't have to look very far. :)
These are just a few examples of my bright spots...

These two, of course... check out Allary's crazy face. :)


We love making cookies. I am not much into baking, but making sweet treats with this sweet girl can brighten any day.


Covered in blue sidewalk chalk. My little Smurfette.


One of my favorite times of the day is Allary's bed time. Not just because it marks the beginning of some much needed me time at the end of the day but because I love our bedtime rituals. Allary has a bath and always requests a funny hairdo as I help her shampoo her hair. She does the rest of the bath all by her little independent self, gets out, and wraps herself up in a towel. She then comes and finds me to brush out her hair and help her with her lotion. Then she scampers off to get her jammies on, brush her teeth, and pick out a story and a toy to sleep with. We say prayers knelt down together at her bed. Then we read a story in her bed and usually have a little chat about our day and the day ahead tomorrow. In an effort to stall a little longer, she always tries to drag out the conversation, and when she realizes it's no use, she asks me to sing her just one song. She's been feeling somewhat festive for some reason lately and requests Christmas songs. Which I actually don't mind, "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" make excellent bedtime lullabies. Then it's hugs and kisses and "I love you's" and lights out. I'm always overwhelmed with an unconditional amount of love for my sweet girl all safe and snug and giggly and pink and tucked in for the night.



And while I don't have any photos of it, another bright spot in my life I'd sort of forgotten about for some time is music. I love to sit and play the piano or the guitar. I have severely neglected this love and talent. One of my friends asked me to play a musical number at church and presented me with a beautiful piece of music that has actually required some practice. I'm too used to being able to sight-read everything and I am very grateful for the challenge. I've been going over to the church to practice on a real piano (and not just my electronic keyboard here at home) and I have loved the time that has given me to spend some real one-on-one time with another one of my loves in life.

Okay, this is one of my new all-time favorite pictures. Ha! Love that face. Love that silly girl.