Joy

"Then I will worship at your altar because you make me joyful. You are my God, and I will praise you. Yes, I will praise you as I play my harp."  Psalm 43:4

I'm experiencing a tremendous amount of joy lately. For a while now I've noticed I just feel happy. Not just happy because happiness is fleeting and not a constant.
 
Joy. Satisfaction.

I'm enjoying life. I'm enjoying myself.

I haven't felt this way in a long, long time.

I can even say I like myself right now.  (Not sure I've ever been able to say that and feel real about it.)

God is so good.

I'm truly amazed at this place I'm in. I've never been so overwhelmed by joy. Mentioning it are a few days of this seemed silly, so I've waited until it didn't just go away to blog about it. And mainly because I want to shout it from the rooftops! I can't hold it in. The amazing part? It's not because of any person, or any success, or any tasks completed....So it's completely just God. I trust Him and whatever He is doing in my life!

God is good.

"Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope." Acts 2:26

"Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do." 1 Thess 5:16-18

My baby turned 9....

Drea is nine years old. 

It dawned on me she may very well be a "tween" now. So I, of course, Googled it.... some sites say that is 10-12 year olds and some sites say that is 9-12 year olds. All I know is that is a scary thought that may baby has hit an age that seems old to me.

She is becoming such a lovely, beautiful, young lady. I can't believe she is nine!

I babysat for a lot of years when I was younger and I remember always thinking that 9 years old were big kids. They were just beginning that age between child and teen when kids start changing into teenagers, when kids start thinking they are too old to have babysitters but are definitely too young to be left alone, when kids start thinking more grown up but still child-like enough to enjoy life to the fullest! 
 

That's my wish for her this year....that she will enjoy this year to the fullest and that many of her dreams come true....

Stay tuned for my annual look at where my girls are this year and birthday letter from Momma. Check out some of the pictures below from Drea's Art Party for her 9th birthday: