I Heart Faces

My I Heart Faces challenge for this week on "from a distance."

I get updates from the I Heart Faces blog for these little challenges.  I never think to enter.  At least not now.  I need to hone in on my skill a bit:).  However, when I was editing the images I took today while visiting the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (we went with Richard's sister shown above and her three children), I knew this one was perfect.  It is my favorite image of the day.  I just love it.  

http://www.iheartfaces.com/

That's It!

So I actually sat down tonight and flipped through the channels on the t.v.  I caught a bit of a hour long special on Annie Leibovitz.  I really like her eye.  If I could pick a style of photography that is my favorite, the journalistic kind would be it.

Annie is not conservative by any means, so to quote her is a bit of a stretch, but I really liked what she said about her images, "A lot can be told from what happens between the main moments."  

As much as Richard has been gone over the last 8 years, he's managed to make it to many of the "main moments." He likes to remind me of this.  "You know, Mary Katharine, it's been a blessing that I've been there for this or that ..."  And yes, it has.  No doubt.  But I live and breathe the moments between.  Therefore I know what he's really missing and yes, Annie, a lot can be told from those moments.

There was no way I could have missed hearing this quote tonight.  What happens between the main moments is my life and it is what Richard misses (and in all honesty, what we miss from his life, too).  It's the seeing how the little girl sitting next to you is growing up ... not just that she has.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

"So whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  

Colossians 3:23

Tonight was our final night of recitals.  As much as I had looked forward to tonight, I was sad to walk away knowing that that was it!  What a delight it was to watch our older four girls dance this week.  I could not have been more proud to sit in that audience!  They all worked so hard and it was easy for me to see the confidence they have acquired and the progress they have made.  And the joy on their faces ... as a parent it is the greatest thing to see complete and pure joy on your child's face.  It was hectic trying to manage this week solo, but totally worth it in the end.  I wish their Daddy could have seen them.  I know he wishes it too.  

The verse from Colossians comes to mind when I think of this week.  It is one I am constantly reminding the girls of, and it is one that I think comes pretty easily for Kate ... at least the "working with all your heart" part.  I've mentioned before that she's all over the "High Five for Jesus" but her heart is still growing and I don't think she's at the point of fully committing her life to Christ just yet.  But she's got a start and the verse is a good one to point her in the right direction.  

Enjoy the night in photos!

*and just a note ... the senior dancers all danced with each of the younger classes on stage.  They were the "real" princesses and just provided some extra encouragement for the little ones.  They were amazing and danced the whole show.  Such great talent!  And our dancer, Miss Tonya, is the middle child of a family of NINE children!  Kate adores her:) and I'm convinced her mother is one incredible mother!!* 

Whistle

So I'm in high gear mode tonight getting hair and makeup done for my older three girls (the first of three recitals was tonight) when I hear something.  I look over to the corner of the bathroom and Kate is standing there whistling.  Right then amidst all the chaos, Kate is in her happy little world realizing she knows how to whistle.  What a sweet moment at the craziest of times!

God knows my every need:).

And Life Goes On

So I woke up this morning and it was a new day.  Now that may not be all that newsworthy, but my point is this ... life goes on and what a blessing that is.

Four of my girls are in dance and this is recital week.  Therefore we had rehearsals for 6 dances today!!  Yes, not much time to dwell on yesterday, right?!  We have a show tomorrow and then rehearsals again Thursday and a show Thursday and then a final show on Friday.  I think I might sleep in until 6 Saturday morning!  :)

Okay, for those of you who might be thinking my life is completely miserable.  It's not.  It is hard to have Richard away.  I think if you ask any military wife, they'll each have different struggles to share with you.  Richard and I often talk about how the separation hits you when you truly least expect it.  I know that sounds cliche, but it's true.  And that said, for the most part life is good and very bearable.  I don't sit around and cry all day:).  For one, I'm too busy!  And also, I am very proud of Richard and find it easy to "stand behind him" and after all these years, I will say that I'm "used" to this.   That said  I have to tell you that probably the hardest thing for me to process is how much of life Richard and I have lived separately.  I think that when I'm around Richard after his being gone just seeing his face and recognizing that he recognizes that there we have one life and he has another ... that is really difficult for me to just shake off.  You spend your whole life waiting to meet that special someone and then you do and then you never get to see them.  Just sort of something I guess I never really planned on:).

I have a great life and am very blessed.
I miss Richard everyday.  That man is so crazy in love with Jesus it ain't funny.  He can make me furious:), but he can make me laugh like no one I've ever met.  He knows me to my core and other than hanging pictures, there's really nothing I don't enjoy doing with him.  So yes, I miss him when he's gone.  But once the goodbyes are over, I'm okay.  Really, I am.

I don't really have any girlfriends here in GA.  So this is where I bring my coffee and get things off my mind.  I go to the gym or for a run to de-stress.  I come here to get a grip I guess you could say.  This is my reality check.  This is where I want to scream and complain, but where I am held accountable.

Some days are hard and some just hard to come to terms with.  But God is always good and as one new friend recently reminded me, His grace is sufficient.

This is not my life to live for me, but for the glory of God.

As crazy as it may sound, this blog is a terrific reminder of me to do that.

Six Again

The photo above was the trunk of my van about three and a half hours ago.  I remember when Richard emailed me years ago from S.Korea and informed me of this new bag he had purchased and gotten all "suped up" to his liking.  Oh this bag!!  What I would do to still have it in my trunk right now.  What I would do to be able to sit on the couch tonight and watch one of the many old war movies Richard dvr'd for us even though he knew he'd not be here to watch them.

It is just the six of us here at 57 again.

I have no words.  Only lumps in my throat and tears in my eyes.  Yes, it's tough being a single momma to five girls, but honestly, I just miss sharing life with my best friend.  I'm me when Richard's gone, but I'm not the best me.  And I'm certainly not all me.

Tomorrow will be better, but tonight is going to be hard.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4.13

Girls of Summer

A new slip n slide, an old baby pool, water guns and five sweet girls ... yes, the girls of summer are back ... at least at 57.  

What a fun day just being a family!

Enjoy the photos ... I've got to go finish getting ready for a very rare hot date at Top Spice with my soldier:).