Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Live Abundantly

There is no denying that life hands 
us a lot of these...
flat tires (my car last week), illnesses, financial troubles
death and loss, 
broken AC (our AC two weeks ago), broken dryers (yup)
bills that stack higher than the empire state building
insurance battles
endless messes to clean up
dying laptops (I know right!)
ridiculous allergy trouble
sick children
and....blah blah blah
well, I think you get the idea right. 
I'm sure each of you has a list of your own!
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But it is important to remember 
that in the overall scheme of things
There is still so much to partake of!
So much joy to be found 
in the little
everyday moments!
Laughter, hugs and kisses
to be shared.
Adventures to be taken
Songs to be sung.
Dances to be danced
Love to be received 
and Love to be given
Creativity to be explored
Rainbows and stars to gaze at
Air to breath in and 
passion to breath out
Nature to captivate our souls
And a God to stand in awe of.
(Surprisingly, this graffiti gave both me and my husband a chuckle on our walk!)
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I may not look happy but, I promise I am!
This is what I LOVE to do
after Daisy goes to sleep.
I sit outside on our patio (not usually at her picnic table...this was for humor)
bring a good book out to read, 
my laptop to blog hop or facebook
and listen to the sounds of my baby's 
music on the monitor next to me.
This is how I recharge.
I thrive in this quiet time of creativity and connection.
Where do you recharge?
Do you make sure to find the time to do so?
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Something about becoming a mother
Something about caring so fully for another
Has shown me the importance 
of living my life more abundantly.
I don't want to waste time on selfish things
I don't want to waste time on worry 
or silly household messes
I don't want to stress over things
that will ultimately pass in time
I want to be here
Be present
And trust in the Lord to do 
all the worrying and sorting out for me!
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30 comments:

  1. Oh, I loved this! Seems like when it rains it pours and everything "bad" goes wrong at one time. But I love your outlook on life. That's how it's supposed to be. These worldly things, the materialistic stuff, will pass. :) And I use nap time to recharge, too. I write and blog, or catch up on my DVR, or read a book. Definitely makes all of the difference in my day when I get to relax for a bit. Hope you have a fantastic day!!

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  2. Wonderful post! No matter what life throws at us, all we can do is take it in stride and know that the Lord has a plan.

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  3. This is a fantastic post. You're so right, too. We have to make sure to find our space to recharge and make time for ourselves...and to be thankful for the good when we feel like everything is bad.

    I love that last picture & quote - we should all have that printed & hanging out our walls as a reminder.

    I hope your day is going wonderfully today!!

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  4. I LOVE this post! Every word is so true! We need to stay focused on all the blessings in our lives, because there are so many! We all have challenges, but it is by learning from them and growing that we can be better and more appreciative. Great pictures my friend and super post! I hope you are doing great! have a good day!

    Mama Hen

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  5. This was so wonderful. I love how you relax outside. I just sit on my bed during naptime haha.

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  6. Thank you for this post! It's so easy to get caught-up in the little stuff. But that's not how I want to spend my days. I want to enjoy the little, everyday moments. Not sweeping the floor for the bazillionth time. Funny, that's what I do at the end of the day - catch-up on blogs, edit photos and read (and watch tv.) LOL
    Love the stop sign. :-)

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  7. Thank you, Casey! Really, thank you.

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  8. You are so beautiful! I have lived abundantly today....an entire box of oyster crackers gone! =))) Have a great day!

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  9. Oh Casey...i thought i am the only one. So this were my last two weeks....broken car 200 bucks...broken tv not repairable so 555 bucks for a new one...my one year old wasching maschine made some weird noises and they took 30 bucks to get this fixed...insurence 180 bucks...gosh my bank account is empty.
    I was so angry, exhausted and lived the last weeks. But what really cheered me up was cooking with my love...watching some vlogs of samantha schuerman on youtube (she is so funny)..having the kids around me at work...and buying useless stuff on ebay ( like a six pack of maybelline lip glosses )!!!
    Now i am back to normal and hoping those times won't come back too fast.

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  10. What a beautiful post - we should all strive to live more abundantly. And that picture of you sitting at Daisy's table cracks me up!

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  11. Beautiful post Casey! What a great reminder to keep what's important in life in perspective. This was a pleasure to read!

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  12. You are a precious Daughter of the Lord! What a genuinely sweet post.

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  13. YOU ARE RIGHT!!! You know Casey, it took me a couple of kids down the road to understand and strive for that what you are doing with your first. You are wise beyond your years....to even take the time when baby is knapping and do what it is that recharges you instead of doing what needs to be done (cuz there is always that right?) is wisdom all in it's self. You are a smart girl in Him....way to go!

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  14. Oh no! I hate those kind of days/weeks/months/cycles. Love the last photo - if we only lived with more zeal. Good food for thought!

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  15. i have been thinking about you so much & praying for you & your sweet family! thanks for being so real, its encouraging to know that there are other mamas who are not living a 'perfect' life. :) so thankful that the LORD allowed our paths to cross!
    xo,
    a

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  16. Oh Casey, those weeks suck. Keep looking for the glimpses of sunshine and hope. Praying God brings a peaceful next week!

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  17. MY FAVORITE POST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

    SO very TURE girlfriend!

    xoxoxo

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  18. Well said....you have spoken some very wise and true words. It is so easy for me to loose focus on what "really" matters/what's "really" important. Your post is filled with the very things I've been struggling with since the day I got married. It's funny the little things like dirty dishes in the sink, cloths on the floor, tiny marks on the wall..didn't bother me so much when I lived with my parents. It's all about priorities and mine need tweaking. :) That stop sign is just awesome!!

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  19. Check out the song "This is the Stuff" by Francesa Badistelli (I can't spell her last name at all) It's my anthem right now and in those solace moments of alone time in the car (rare, but beautiful) I blare it and sing at the top of my lungs :)

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  20. such an awesome post! everything is so true. life throws so many curveballs at us you just have to learn to live each day like its your last! And remember not to worry about the stupid things like laundry and dishes!

    [sweet life of a southern wife]

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  21. thank you for this post!! i can't agree with you more. i guess i am not alone in my boat!

    my charging station: waking up really early and enjoying the silence of the morning in our office

    i want to share my fave verse right now:
    1 thessalonians 5: 16-18
    be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all cicumstances, fo this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ!

    and thank you my husband for just letting me be.

    lots of love,
    ayan

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  22. I love this Casey, thank you!!!

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  23. This post inspired me so much today - especially the reminder, "I don't want to stress over things
    that will ultimately pass in time
    I want to be here
    Be present
    And trust in the Lord to do
    all the worrying and sorting out for me!" As I read that, I felt a lifting of cares in remembering God will sort things out for me :) What an insightful post, thanks Casey!

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  24. THAT WAS GREAT!! (mom)

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  25. You brought tears to my eyes! You always write with such honesty and beauty!! I want to live life abundantly, too...never wasting a moment!!

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  26. Oh, Casey. I love you so much!

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  27. Love this, I needed it today thanks!

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  28. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful post.

    I love your heart and the desire to live in abundance. And love the pic on the kids table. It's perfect. :)

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  29. I'm having one of "those days", this has helped me feel SO much better! Thankyou!
    xxx

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