Juicy Dreaming Diva

Too Many Fish in the Bowl

Mid-summer and like many of you...I am lost in piles of extra laundry...kids scurring beneath my feet.   Longer days...shorter nights and the constant noise level on high.    What I crave now is the sound of pure silence.   I want to hear my own heartbeat and my own breathing.   

I am a stay at home mother.   And I love my job.   Not always but usually.   Does this make sense?   I know that I could be a working mother.   I could leave for a job in the morning and return home in the evenings to my family.  And there is a huge part of myself that believes I would love that.   But then I picture my little ones.   And the idea of leaving them to another person to raise...tosses me rapidly back into reality.  I will stay home and be a mother to my babies.  For my family, that is the best choice.

I can not be alone in this idea.   There must be other mother's at home right now, feeling much the same.   

I am fairly certain that summers with the children are supposed to be intense and somehow confined.   Much like cramming 20 goldfish into a rather small glass bowl and saying to them..."Swim, just as you normally do!"   With that said,  I am not shocked that I am craving the silence.   But you see, Mr. G has also been home due to being injured on duty...for nearly 2 months now.   (I hear the collective sighs of deeper understanding ...you get it...thank you sistas.).

I truly wish I could understand why it is that with Mr. G home, I can not seem to accomplish as much.   You would think that it wouldn't change my life all that drastically.    But it does.   It has.   And the laundry piles are bigger.   The grocery shopping is needed faster.   The every day duties are never ending.   And the feeling of accomplishment seems strangely just out of my grasp.   Every day.

So I here I am Juicy friends.   Wishing for the silence.   Hoping for relief from the summer heatwave.   And wondering out loud....if there is any sense to be made of this summer life of mine.  Would you...could you...enlighten me?

You still Melt Me Mr. G!

I stare at you in this photograph and I see my zany, wild-man!  I still remember that you did the Mexican dance with the Mariachi band - for me.   You had them come to our table in the middle of a crowded restaurant and sing as loud as possible...to make me blush.  All because you knew I wanted them near our table.  (Thank you!)  It was so incredibly full of life!   Just like you. I belly laughed the entire time.  My heart beats faster just remember this moment. 

I wanted to stay, right there, in the moment...

Mr. G and I spent last night at a luscious Sweet 16 party for a darling friend of ours.   Somewhere between my pink martini and the amazing array of Italian food, the D.J.  put on a song that slid my hips into a motion that resembled rhythm...and inevitably that tends to lead me to the dance floor.   You'd think that I swung onto the floor with my hunky hubby in hand, but at the time, he was clear across the room.  So I grabbed the arm of a few girlfriends and we drifted onto the dance floor together.   

As I moved to the thumping beat of the music...I looked around me.  Within a few feet of me was at least 5 delicious girlfriends.  They were grinning, laughing and all were dancing.   It was juicy and so completely full of life and threads that make up the fabric of girlfriend relationships.   I could have stayed, right there ~ in that moment ~ for a long time.   

But then Mr. G, showed up on the floor.   And I tell you, he was there in his dark suit with this fantastic lavender shirt and complementary tie...smelling utterly amazing and looking so tall, Italian and handsome with those hazel eyes of his.   Darlings, I nearly melted into the floor boards.   He whisked me into his grasp and suddenly I was dancing with my adorable husband and feeling the full force of romance in all of its potency.  I could have stayed, right there, in that moment ~ for a long time.


 

He's still your Knight in Shining Armor

You've seen them.   They barely look at each other.  There is a rare cause for touching each other.  And most of the time, they look lonely even when together.   Sometimes they look lonely, because they are together.    They are broken, exhausted and complacent about  the life they have built.   Often times they sit together over dinner and look away from each other...no laughter, no conversation...nothing but silence.   

They are the couple, who's fire just  - died.   

This same couple was once a perfectly scrumptious duo.   Remember?  They embarked on a lifetime together because they LOVED the way it felt to be in each others company.   Every single look made a heart beat wildly.   And there were never enough moments in the day for kissing and touching.  If given a corner table in the local restaurant, they barely notice the waiter upon his arrival, because they were simply smitten with one another. 

And then they married.   And for maybe a blissful year...they are the very epitome of joy-full closeness! 

So what happened??!

Mr. G (hunky hubby) and I have been together for nearly 5 years now.   In that time, our talks about relationship have always centered on what it takes to make it.   We are statistically challenged like many of you...as this is a second marriage for both of us and by all counts we have a mere 40% chance of making it stay together for the long haul.  Doesn't that shock you?  It sure surprised me.   40%?   

Seriously? 30 Day Sex Challenge!

Ohhhh, now here we go!  I am pretty sure that somewhere, somehow...if you haven't seen this already, you will!  So why not talk about it now!

A pastor named, Pastor Paul Wirth, from a church in Florida called, "Relevant Church" has offered a Fabulous New challenge to married people and single people.  Oh its a challenge and a half babycakes!  And I am LOVING it!  Oh my word. For 30 days, married people get to work hard on their relationship..and have sex.  Um, ok, where do I sign up?  And for the singles...30 days without sex. 

Here's an excerpt from the My Fox News Tampa article.

Fox News Tampa - A pastor has a new challenge for his parishioners. It involves sex - a subject that may be taboo in many congregations.

The Relevant Church in Tampa's Ybor City has issued a 30-day sex challenge.

"It's going to be tempting and awkward at the same time for sure," said parishioner Brent Cayson.

Single men and women can't have sex for 30 days, and married couples are urged to have it every day.

"If you look at studies, studies say in 30 days you can develop a habit," said Pastor Paul Wirth.

It definitely caught wives in the church by surprise.

"Our married people are far more fearful than our single people," said Wirth.

"Sex is about more than intercourse and that's what we're trying to tell people," said church member Jarret Haas.

Wirth has found biblical references that he says suggest Jesus disapproved of pre-marital sex and promoted sex in marriage. So, he believes people connect to God through life-long commitment.

That's why he tells his single followers to abstain, and his married followers to indulge.

Wirth is a former Baptist. He founded his non-denominational ministry three years ago. And he markets his church by tackling unusual or controversial topics. 

He's got blogs, worksheets, and videos on this entire 30 day challenge and he's all about the fun back into a marriage!  Ooooh la la!  Now that's what I call a good idea darling.   Can't wait to talk with my hunky hubby about this one later tonight.   

So let's hear your thoughts on this one.  Come on, be daring and enter your thoughts by pushing the comment button below and giving your 3 cents worth! Cause you KNOW you have an opinion!

(feeling a bit juicy over the idea of 30 days of working on a relationship and having fabulous sex for 30 days with my hunky hubby! oh my...is that so taboo?)

How he completely melts me...

I adore this man! I AM without a doubt, completely head over heels, sold out for this sexy...charming...living out loud husband of mine!

Last night, we had to meet up at our church, where we are in the midst of practice for an easter production.   I bounced into the building with enthusiasm and sat down beside him.  I was happy to see him but quickly began to put my focus on what I was preparing to do.   In a breath, he caught my attention and made a hand gesture that said, lean toward me...as if he was about to tell me a delicious secret.   I should have noticed the happy twinkle in his eyes...but I didn't.  And instead of a sweet whisper in my ear...he put his hand inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a little bitty Starbuck's gift card and placed it in the palm of my hand.

Surprised and grinning, I inquired, "What is this?"  And though the lights in the room were dim...I made out a simple sentence, written by his hand, that reads, "Your blog inspired me! Love you.."  And before I could even get out my words, he leaned in and simply said..."I don't really think once every three weeks is enough."  (a reference to THIS prior posting).

Now I ask you, how could I not ADORE my husband who shows his unyielding supports for my passion to write, to share life out loud and to live an adventure?  This is, a man who truly gets me.  And in the process, he makes my head spin, my heart feel like it may pound out of my chest...and my body melt into the ground beneath my feet.

My prince charming....  still surprises me...he still pursues me!   I am blessed.  I am loved.    And he...well...HE is adored. 

Thank you my love...thank you!

(feeling so grateful...so completely in love...so alive!)

Is it really "A Weekend to Remember?"

It all started with a snow storm.

Hurray!  It finally snowed in NY...we thought perhaps God's forgot why we liked winters here.  Maybe he had dumped out a bit to much of the white stuff in places like Arizona, who had a strange bout with the cotton like flakes.   But alas, God managed to drop a good 8 inches on our land and in house after house, children screamed "NO SCHOOL tomorrow!"  And parents felt the rush of endorphines as they realized that there would indeed be a day of no running any where...just staying in, snug as a bug...happy as a clam.

That was Wednesday.

Friday came rapidly forward.  And we planned our escape to the state of Pennsylvania.  You see, my gorgeous husband, planned an all out fantasy of sorts for his very 9 month pregnant wife.  He actually signed us up for a Marriage Conference titled..."A weekend to Remember".   (Yes...yes, he sure did ladies!)  He even went one step further.  He reserved a posh room at a wonderful Bed & Breakfast that came complete with all romantic options, that being a jacuzzi tub and a fireplace...big bed and gourmet breakfasts daily.   All within 3 miles from the conference center, so his prego wife wouldn't have to travel too much.  Could it be any more romantic??   I think not.  My sister and brother in law even agreed to take not just our two boys but the dog!   

Happily, though admittedly a tad later than we'd planned, (my fault) we started our trip with the children and dog in tow.  We traveled for nearly a hour on the Jersey turnpike and started to make note of stalled traffic in the far lanes.   Soon we were among the stalled travelers...wishing desperately for movement.

Thinking oh so wisely, we called my sister who rapidly detoured us to interstate alternatives for getting away from the jammed turnpike and into Pennsylvania.   It was solid reasoning I think.  And as we progressed, our blood pressure went from smooth to rocky to all out road rage worthy!  You see, no matter what the route, everyone was stopped.  Stopped.  Stopped.  Stopped.

What was a quick 2 hour journey became a full blown 8 hour drive.   We took every conceivable detour available.   Tried to keep the kids sane.  Tried to keep ourselves from purposefully colliding with other more annoying drivers.   And ultimately just sat still on parked pavement...waiting for hours.

Finally, we were a mere 5 miles from our kid and dog drop off...thrilled that we would escape all the madness of life and join other happy couples on a weekend long conference that promised to enhance our marriage...building it up and hopefully catapult us into the land of great communication with each other.  And suddenly, without warning, a van exiting the freeway, began sending no less than 6 huge sheets of ice off of the top of the vehicle, spinning into the air around us!   We watched in horror as these sheets sped rapidly toward us and managed one by one to graze past us... missing  us, until one just didn't.   

SMACK!!

Dead center of our windshield.

And everything shattered.   The windshield looked as if it had been hit with morter.  Shattered into the tiny pieces....yet still ....unbelievably together.   Not even one piece of the thick glass pierced into the cab of our SUV.  Not even one.   My husband had managed, beyond our comprehension, to remain straight in our lane.  He didn't turn the wheel at all.  When I tell you that angels were literally there...I mean it.   How else can you explain it?   Not one piece of glass in the car.   And we were still moving at nearly 65 to 70 mph.   People, let me tell you that God exists!  If you think its a coincidence, the way things happen...think again.   

My dog was shaking uncontrollably on my lap.  My boys were staring at the broken windshield in stunned silence in the back seats.  My husband was still completely in control of the vehicle and I was beside him...starting to laugh.

Yes, I was laughing!  Laughing because already, we were beyond late to our conference.  Laughing because we were all fed up with this trip, the traffic, the scenerios that had led us to take every available detour.  I was laughing because only minutes away from destination number one...we were nearly killed by a sheer of ice that flung from the top of an old junked up van leaving the freeway.   Laughing because frankly, sitting still a moment longer would have made this girl burst into a million tears!   

So what did we do?   We kept driving.  Occassionally, Stephen would reach forward to graze his hands over the bits of glass, held together by some unseen force.  Could he feel a breeze?  Was this ok to drive while looking through a glass that resembled church stained glass windows? 

When we reached my sisters house, we climbed out  with a sigh of relief.   It was good to feel the ground under our feet.   It was good to feel the warmth of her house...to see our baby nephew Wesley,  who grinned and flirted with his Auntie like a genuine little man.   The boys instantly forgot the days trials and we began to work on our insurance situation.   With calls back and forth...notes scribbled on paper found at the bottom of my purse...numbers jotted left and right...we soon realized that we had no way of getting a rental car that evening and to further complicate the matter, it would be no earlier than Monday before a new windshield would be put into place for our drive home.

With genuine thoughtfulness, my brother in law offered his car.   And we took it with gratitude.  We were off again.   Ready for a weekend of romance...and relationship building.   Together.   If we could face this exhausting evening together, imagine how wonderful the conference would be for people like us!

Arriving at the B&B after midnight, we gazed happily at the beautiful well lit house with all its splendor.  It was wonderful!  A two story building painted a crisp white and decked out with green shutters.   The porch led half way around the front and boasted beautifully large rocking chairs for comfortable evenings in the summer.   Everything was cozy and warm on the inside.  The innkeepers had even left out delicious yummies for the evening.  Chocolate brownies, hot tea, coconut and toffee covered bars...loads of Hershey's sweet chocolate and Stephen even found a bottle of succulent wine and poured himself a glass.   The days problems were gone.  We were going to be perfectly ok in our "Weekend to Remember".

We cuddled under the thick covers and fell asleep with the fireplace still blazing before us.  And when the alarm went off at 6:00am, it didn't feel horrible to think about getting up.  I was so excited that even in my huge pregnant state, I jumped out of bed and into the shower.  When I came out, my husband handed me one of those luxury robes that they leave for you in the room.  And I sank beneath its warmth, feeling the ahhhhhh of the moment. 

But as I did this, I noticed Stephen's face.   At first I thought it was a "I haven't had my coffee yet" face...which is usually all scrunchy and sour.   But then, I looked again.  Was he green?   

"Honey?" I asked, "Are you ok?"

He stared at me for a moment and then said quietly, "I don't feel so good.  I feel nausiated."

Oh darlings, I don't mind telling you that my heart literally sank into my stomach at that moment.  And then I promptly went into deep denial instantly.  No no, he's ok.  I thought.   But sweethearts, the flu bug will not be contained and is a force to be recogned with indeed.   It only took a half hour before my poor husband was leaning over a porcelean toilet...or sitting on it, take your pick.   He asked me to go to breakfast as scheduled.  And reluctantly I did.  Only because being pregnant means I am hungry!  And to think of missing the breakfast would be thinking of missing a meal and well this girl isn't entirely crazy.   

As I walked into the breakfast area, I saw the table looking even more delicious in the daylight.  Festooned with candles and fancy china...fresh linen napkins and cups of hot coffee.  There were two couples already at the table, chatting on and on.  They took a break to say a quick hello to me.  And then the hostess popped into the room.   

"Well you must be Jennifer!" she said with a confident grin

"Yes...yes.  I am."

"Oh I hope you're doing good this morning, you had a long trip in last night." she said

And every part of my heart just began to tear up.  "I wish I could say Im doing great this morning but Im not...."  And it all spilled out.   The long traffic lanes...which we found out later were because of ice accidents and snow filed freeways that the Pennsylvania snowplows had not been able to get to in time before the ice came.   I told her about the ice shattering our windshield and how right now, my husband was sicker than a dog, in our room and that the conference...was off for us.

Know what I wanted her to do at that moment?  I wanted her to hug me like a mama hugs her baby.  Isn't that crazy?  I wanted a hug from an innkeeper I just met only a minute earlier.   And no she didn't hug me.   I didn't reach to hug her either.  But she did bring me coffee, she brought me fruit and yogurt in a cup and a baking pan full of sweet french toast.   I had fresh orange juice and I talked briefly with the other couples, who were..by the way, going to the lucscious marriage conference and who raved about the missed Friday evening sessions.   And I wanted to go with them, badly.   But not alone, with my husband...who I did not forget, had set it all up for us.   

As the two couples finshed their breakfast and left the room, I sat there working on my food, staring out the window at the snow covered property.  It was gorgeous.  God had covered everthing in white.  And I loved what I saw.  But Stephen's condition wouldn't leave my mind.  And as quick as I could, I left the table and returned to our room.   

I was actually hopeful.  One of the women at breakfast had given me something for upset stomachs to give to him.  Maybe he could chew on the tablet and away the nausia would go!  It was worth a try.   And try he did.  But the tablets had no affect on his condition.   He rushed into the bathroom every few minutes.  And I began the process of caring for a very sick man.   I made him baths in the oversized jacuzzi tub.  And washed his hair.  Brought him toothbrush and toothpaste to make the ichy taste go away.   I fluffed his pillows, brought him fresh clothing and cola to settle his stomach, and tucked him beneath the sheets.  And by this description you'd probably think, "Isn't she a great wife?!"

But I am not a good wife.   I was just as miserable as could be.  I held a pitty party for myself mid morning, crying in the lounge area where no one could be found.   And I called my friend Joelle and admitted that I needed a total attitude adjustment because at that moment I was feeling so mad at him for being sick!  I mean really!  I wanted to pounce on him because he had the gall to get the flu bug and barf through our special weekend.   I wanted to stomp my feet and protest this run of events.   And at some point, at the end of the day...as I lay still next to him on the bed, I realized that I was absolutely sick of the four walls I was in with him and that I thought I was in some kind of strange marriage hell.

But I didn't tell him.  Not yet.

It was sometime very early on Sunday morning when I woke up and stared impatiently at the clock.  How much more of this could I take?  I was stranded in a B&B, with a sick husband, no real lunch or dinner to speak of...I'd had more sleep than even hibernating bears could handle...and I wanted to be loved on by the cute husband next to me...and I knew perfectly well that would not be happening for days, due to this untimely illness.

Ever felt yourself build with anger?  Have you ever felt the pulse begin to race, your head turns warm, and even the mere idea of someone smiling at you, somehow makes you want to punch them, right then and there.

So I let it out!  I turned to Stephen, who was shifting lightly, eyes half opened and I said, way too loudly, "How much damn sleep can we handle here?!!"  Im sure he was more awake now.  But he, unlike me, was trying to keep his calm.   "What?"  he replied.   And it started.   I told him how angry I was and how frustrated I felt and how I wanted to pack up and go home.  I was miserable.   The weekend was a total bust for me.  And I was weeks away from having a baby with no last special trip to speak of with Stephen.   Blah blah blah....and more blah blah.

Darlings, I can be such a big baby.  He didn't just take it.  Eventually, he walked into the bathroom, shut the door and didn't come out for a while.   I stayed put feeling every bit the part of the bitter wife.  When he did come out, he apologized.   For the crappy weekend.  And I didn't want to hear it.  I know...I was feeling so sorry for myself.   It was pathetic.

We managed to eat breakfast together.  He still felt nausiated but managed to get some of the egg bake down and the fresh fruit.   The innkeepers talked our ears off...and Stephen seemed to enjoy it. I imagine that the retired school teacher/innkeeper, was feeling uncharacteristically interesting at the moment, because Stephen appeared to take in every single word the man said to us.  No small thing I can assure you.  But I knew he was trying hard to distract his thoughts from his disgruntled wife, could I blame him?  

When we returned to our room, we discussed everything.  All the sadness we both felt.  The frustrations.  The blame game I'd been playing with him.  His flu.  My dispair.  It all was there.   I'd love to say we came to some major conclusion...like a big lightbulb moment or a clap of thunder.   But we didn't.   We discovered only this.   We were still so much in love. 

Yeah, crazy right?

But we were and we are!   I adore him.  He adores me.   And the thing is, even with this hellish weekend, I'd still rather be with him, then anywhere else.  We love greatly.   We still believe in the other.  And in the hell, hey....he is still with me and I am still with him.   We are in it together, as the vows said...in good times and in bad.

This blog isn't about the pretty things in life.  Its about reality.   Its about how we manage.  Babycakes, it was the worst weekend of our marriage.   It all out stunk.  And yet, we are counting blessings.  The ice didn't injure us.   The illness didn't do any perminent damage.   The strain didn't force us to opposite sides of the room.  I still wanted to hug him.   He still wanted to make me laugh.   I was rude...he was gentle.   He was sick...I was a caretaker.   Its reality.   Its life.   It happens.

The kids were happy to see us on Sunday.  We celebrated my sisters birthday that evening. And the windshield didn't get fixed until Tuesday.  We still don't have a clue how a weekend could go so horrible in a matter of days.   We've asked God no less than a half a dozen times.   Maybe we won't have answers ever.   But if you can last with your partner through major disappointments like this...there's gotta be a blessing in it for you both.  Perhaps for us its about learning how tough we really will be as this new baby enters our lives.  Maybe God's working on our teamsmanship.   Who knows.   But I love this life, even with its ick.  And for all that I have I am grateful.

To that end....here's to better weekends, with more hope, happiness and a wealth of joy!  Oh and PEOPLE, please clean off the top of your vehicles after the snowstorm.  You could save a life!

What is it about a man who is truly Adored?

To say that I am living my dreams, is something I wanted to be able to say for so many of my lost years behind me.  But I am here now.  I'm living the life I have always wanted.  It is so hard to believe its mine.  Its hard to believe that I am doing the things I used to spend time dreaming about in the silence of my room.

If you read my blog even a little, then you must know that part of my dream come true, is that I am with a man that truly fulfills my hearts desires.  And for this I am full of gratitude.

Sometimes I sit in awe of him.  This gentleman in my life.  He has a chiseled jawline, the most expressive eyes I've ever had the joy of watching, a haircut that makes any military recruit stand at attention and shoulders the width of which...would make any woman feel safe to be near him. 

Yes I do adore him.  I can not help it...he gives me so many reasons to have faith in him.  He has my heart and every other part of me.   Perhaps you may read this and think, "oh Jennifer, it will wear off, you'll stop feeling so wonderful about him."  Or maybe you'll feel cynical about my adoration over a man.  Perhaps you've been burnt by love in the past.  I know I have been.  Maybe you've felt great pain or disappointment in a man...your father, brother, boyfriend, husband, friend or child.   And you may have every right to feel protected and angry.  I have felt all of that too.

But I have this passion.  I'm not talking about my husband when I say that.  I'm talking about the amazing things that I've discovered about men and women.  I have learned something so very valuable in the years recently gone by.  I've learned that it IS possible to have a man's love in a way that makes you feel like a princess.  And it is possible to look at a man with pride, not through squinted eyes.

I've learned that a man that is adored, truly appreciated and loved deeply, will be for his lady...a man who stands taller, a man with a mission to take care of his family, a man with pride and a great deal of purpose and a man who without reservation, will treat you as if you're a bit of royalty.  It will be his pleasure to give to you...repeatedly.   

And I can't contain my joy in this discovery.  I can't be alone in this.  I know some of you must know this too.  And if you don't...there must be a way to give you the same beautiful vision of a man.

Three days ago...I viewed something I always dreamed of watching but never had the pure pleasure of seeing.  And it was this.  My husband, who sat beside me in the doctors office.  His hand rested on my arm and his eyes were wide with anticipation as the technician turned the screen toward us so that we could see our 9 week old fetus on the screen.  (Yes, I am indeed pregnant again!  Isn't God amazing?)

Stephen's response was like watching fireworks explode in front of a child.  His smile was larger than I'd ever seen...his voice shook a little and he laughed and teared up all at once.  "There's the baby's arms...and there are the little legs..." she said, "and that right there...is your baby's very strong heartbeat!"   We sat there, staring at the screen.  Looking at the miracle of life on a screen with grainy black and white images of something so small it would never survive outside of my womb. 

I looked over at my husband again and noticed every detail.  How he looked alive in a new way.  His eyes, cheeks, smile and posture could not say more.  He saw his child.  He felt the astounding joy.  It was more than beautiful, it was elevating.

I was so enchanted by him that in the instant that our baby arched his or her back and gestured in a large movement...I missed it.    But I didn't miss Stephen's face when it happened.  I saw it all. 

And in that moment, all the morning sickness...that truly lasts all day, every day like constant waves on the ocean beaches...all the days of exhaustion...every tiny ounce of water weight..pudge...or puffiness...

In that moment...

It became clear that it would be worth it.   For Stephen, I would do this all...gladly.  For the joy of seeing him...fill with pride, emotion, pleasure and even more purpose...I'd do it with joy. 

With all my heart, I hope this adoration of my husband NEVER wears off.  Never.

(feeling remarkable passion for life...and the preservation of love between men and women)

Molly and Henry have BABIES!

This is Molly & Henry's digs on the front porch...

They have quite the view from their swingin' condo...

Meet the love-birds, well you really only get to see Molly's tail in the air...but Henry did pose a tad for the photo op...

Three chicks have hatched, two to go.  And my oh my, they're in their half-naked-fuzziness stage...

We are indeed blessed...  Thank you Lord for the babies!

(feelin like sharing on such a lovely start of summer day...)

Henry & Molly moved in!

I hung a potted plant on the front porch of our new house.  I thought it would bring me joy because of the colors...you know, the way the delicate flowers would cascade out of the basket that contains them.   But hold up!

Nearly a week ago now...something happened that sent me screaming into the house.

"Boys!  Joe!  Matthew!  Stephen!!  Come quickly!!" 

And as if I had produced it myself...I proudly announced that there was a tiny little nest lodged into the basket of flowers.  One little pale speckled egg!  We all stared at the perfectly round nest and the one bit of cargo we never expected.   

To think that birds chose our porch and my flower basket to host their family was such a tremendous bit of good news all I could say was, "What a blessing!"

Ever since the discovery of our little family..I've been watching the birds flit away every time we walk out the door.   I've hushed the kids...I've tip-toed around the stairway...and I've nearly found myself giddy at the sight of the mother and father birds!

So I named them.  Yes, I sure did!   Molly and Henry!  I couldn't help myself.  Henry is the perfect little guardian father...he perches himself on the basket and puffs up his feathers so much that it appears he is easily twice his weight.   He chirps at other birds that dare to come close to Molly and the egg she rests upon....and boldly flys in circles to convey that THIS is not an area you'd like to be in, if you know what's good for you!  I love Henry!  And little mother Molly, for hours she sits in that basket...but for only one egg?  I thought so until, a day ago.

Yesterday, I went carefully to the nest again...you see, I can't figure out how to water it exactly...and I don't want to disturb our little birds.  As I pulled down the basket from the hook...carefully avoiding touching even a leaf or flower for fear they wouldn't come back to their new lodging.  And whoa nelly, I got another surprise!  For you see, dear little Henry and Molly have produced FIVE eggs!!   Oh my!!   

Again I ran inside the house and pulled the family outside to exclaim over the eggs.   We didn't touch anything.  We just stared.  FIVE beautiful little eggs!

So you see, it seems that we are expecting babies after all.  Isn't God amazing?!!   

(Feeling Grateful. Content. And so happy to have Henry & Molly to share our porch with!)