Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday's Fave Five #123


Hello everyone!  Things are still on the topsy-turvy around here.  Last week my dear Mother-in-law had a massive stroke.  The week has been hectic, emotional, and exhausting.  And to boot, Hubby has started a new shift at work, so I feel like I haven't seen him in days.  But there are still good things in the week, glimpses of God's love, blessing that lift up.  I need to look for them.  So here we go:

1.  The fun of a new puppy.



Todd is bringing us some much needed lightness and smiles during this time.  We've discovered he love, love, loves the snow.  Running and jumping and burying his face into it.  He is so much fun to watch and to play with outside.  Gets those feel good endorphins going through all the laughter.  Here he's chasing the dayhome kids down our massive hill of snow in the backyard:




2.  Birds on a wire.   


You know how something is a total cliche and you've seen pictures of it, and maybe you've wished you could see it yourself never mind capture a picture of it right outside your backdoor.  Well that is exactly what happened to me this week.  It was early on Sunday morning and I was in my jammies, housecoat and slippers pouring myself a morning coffee when I let the dog out and saw it.  The pic I've always wanted.  I'm not sure why, it really isn't anything huge, but it's just something I've always thought would be neat to capture myself.  And there they were.  I couldn't even fit them all into my frame.


And what was even more awesome I got to take a closer shot of a few of them with bigger zoom lens.  Can you see a new Fave Five button in the making?


I'm glad my neighbors aren't early risers (that I know of).  I must have looked like the neighborhood crazy lady out on the deck taking a bunch of pics dressed as I was but I wasn't going to let that stop me from the opportunity.


3.  Snow picker upper thingy machines.  




It was a welcome sight to see these guys come and pick up all the snow piled in the middle of the road.  Even though the graders had come through days before the pile in the middle of the road was huge and allowed us to only back out in one direction and was a real pain to see over and get across to other side.  Now we have a nice clear street.

4.  Empathetic, encouraging comments and emails from blogging friends who have never ever met me "in real life".  Thank you for being there.

5.  The support of prayer of people around our family.  Just knowing that others are "holding up our arms" so to speak and lifting my Mom in law and our family up before the Lord right now is more precious than gold.

Join us in remembering our blessings from the week even if your having a rough one!  We'd love to have you. If you need details they are here.  Thanks to all of you who join me week in and week out!  You are a blessing and I love ending my week visiting you all!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad you are feeling God's comfort around you in the midst of the chaos. Plus -- a happy puppy to cheer you.

Willow said...

I'm so glad that things are getting a little less hectic for you! I'm sure that the puppy's snow antics are a perfect antidote for worry and stress.

I love looking at wire sitting birds too (have you noticed the photo on my blog header?). Aren't they fun?

Gattina said...

What a lot of snow you have ! it's so funny for a little dog to discover it. My cats are more reluctant even when they were kitties. That's a real cute picture, the birdmeeting on wires !

Karyn said...

The comfort of friends during times of crisis is precious.

Hope your MIL is doing better.

The photos of your puppy are fun - I can see how he would bring moments of joy into a stressful week.

I have snow removal as one of my favorites, too....guess it comes with the weather, eh?

Mama Mia said...

Your puppy is adorable! I'm sure her snuggles do a good bit to cheer you up in this tough time for your family. I remember the 5am (or 4am, or even 3am at times) wake-up calls from our puppy who just HAD to go out THIS SECOND. :o)

LivingforGod said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law. She, your husband, and you are in my prayers.

Your puppy is so cute! I love your puppy photos and bird photos.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh you are having a rough week too. We are also facing some major health issues. I will keep your mother in law in my prayers.

Melissa said...

What a sweet-looking puppy!

I have been praying for your mother-in-law, and the rest of your family, since I read your news. I'm glad to know that you are finding comfort through the prayers and words of friends.

April @ The 21st Century Housewife said...

I have just found your blog via Faith's Gold in the Clouds, so I have linked up a Friday's Fave Five post for the first time. I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law, and I do pray her condition will improve. Your new puppy is just gorgeous, what a sweetheart!

Thank you for hosting and I hope to see you again next week!

Hazel said...

I'm sorry about your MIL. Glad you now have a clear street. So that's his name - Todd :) He looks so adorable!

Kari said...

sorry to hear about your MIL. i'm glad that she is in regular hospital now and that things will be a little less hectic.

what a great list of 5 and that is so awesome that you're still able to see God in your very busy week.

That is one cute dog!

Anonymous said...

Oh my that puppy is SO cute!! :) Love that God gave you the birds on the wire to capture. :) And glad your neighbors weren't up.......LOL!!
Praying for a better week next week...hang in there girl!!

Cindy said...

The strength from prayer is a given. So hope things are less hectic for you soon.

Your puppy is so cute and he looks like he enjoys the snow.

Birds on a wire, thanks i'm going to watch that this weekend.
Have a great weekend.
p.s. your blog is the 4th this week I have been to that the word verification is a broken link, makes me wonder. I just put in anything and it returns me a new word-but don't know why.

Faith said...

Praise GOd for the encouragment and comfort He brings thru others.
So glad things are getting back to a bit more normal for ya....LOVE the bird pic!! your new pup is simply adorable....my youngest daughter thinks so too!

Barbara H. said...

So neat to have little blessings in the midst of a hard week. I hope and pray your mil continues to improve.

We don't have any of those snow-picker-upper thingies down here, nor graders -- which is why we're snowed in so easily -- but it must be really neat to have them!

Heather said...

Oh that dog is SO cute!!!! :) And the picture of the machine is gorgeous! Great lighting and scenery! Prayers for your MIL and family.

Carrie said...

Your new puppy is incredibly adorable. I love the first picture with just the furry face in the snow. How snuggly! =) Enjoy!

Karen said...

So thankful to you for FFF! Those are great shots of birds on a wire. I was driving my daughter to school this week and saw the same thing, wishing I had my camera. But, that would require stopping in the middle of the road for the shot. . . so you in your robe and slippers was not such a bad thing:)

Marg said...

You summed it up so well...the best part of the week...is that you know God's hands are there to comfort you and all the things that encompass you.
That will be another header...for spring!

ellen b said...

I can see where that pup would bring some fun and lightness to a heavy week. I'll continue to pray for your MIL. It is so good to have the support from prayer and friends in a crisis. Priceless...
Love the birds on the wire and the fact that you braved the elements in your finery to take the shot!!

Mom24 said...

A puppy is definitely a good distraction. I hope your MIL is doing better. Praying for you.

Kathie said...

Don't have the energy to pull together my fff this week but wanted to come over and see how you're doing. I'll keep your dear MIL in prayer and you too - may the Lord give you His strength and peace.

Your little pup is adorable. I'm sure he's a big hit with your little dayhome kids too.

Blessings
Kathie

Kathie said...

PS - way to score on the birds on the wire. My neighbours are used to seeing me out dressed like that :)

Linda said...

What a blessing, Susanne, to see your grateful heart in the midst of difficult circumstances. You are such an encouragement.
Your little puppy is just adorable. They really do bring so much love and joy into our lives.
Praying for all of you Susanne.

Brenda said...

Its so true, the blogging community is so supportive when we go through things.

I love pictures of birds on a wire too, I've taken a few myself.

Jennifer @ Our Family Forest said...

Thank you for hosting Friday's Fave Five, its a refreshing perspective! Will be thinking of you and keeping your MIL in prayer. I agree with the resounding theme, what an adorable puppy!

Our Family Forest said...

Working Link:
http://familyforest.blogspot.com/2011/01/fridays-fave-five.html

Donnetta said...

I'm a little late on getting to this, but getting to it nonetheless.

I am SO sorry to hear about your MIL. Trusting things are stabilizing and perhaps even getting better?!

Praying you are having a restful start to this new week experiencing God's presence and peace in abundance!

{HUGS}