Desktop Calendar: May 2015

To make up for posting April's calendar a week late, I'm posting the May calendars a day early. Scroll down for links...

Spring is finally coming to Indiana (albeit a tad chillier than I would hope), and the trees, flowers, branches and bushes are beginning to bloom all around us. I love this time of year when everything bursts into a pale pink and green haze, the skies are blue again and the sun shining makes every day feel so fresh and new.

This May marks a special milestone for us: we have officially been living in Indiana for a whole year! We closed on our house in early May of 2014, and moved in just in time to enjoy the summertime. It was a frenzied time, transitioning from city to country, starting new jobs, moving to a new location with a dog and a baby -- and, a year later, I couldn't be happier with the move. We have been truly blessed by family and friends in our new home. We are settled into our house, our jobs and our church. The new routine is certainly different from what it was two years ago when we were still two DINKs (double-income-no-kids) living in the city. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

I remember struggling for years after I moved to Chicago, trying to settle in and feel comfortable in that new environment. As a newlywed with my first post-grab job (which took at least 2 months to find!), there were plenty of things to keep me busy. But it still felt so lonely and disorienting. I never realized I was a country girl until I moved to the city! And then, about 3 years in, I finally hit my stride. We had found a church and I was attending a small group Bible study of amazing women, my 9-to-5 kept me busy during the day and most evenings we found time to enjoy the many activities Chicago has to offer. But it still felt a little off -- like I was just keeping pace with an identity that suited the moment. I constantly had to remind myself that God had placed me there for a reason. Even now, looking back, those reasons are so clear to me and I am very grateful for the time we spent living in the city. It is a good reminder to me that God is teaching us and growing us even when we feel like we're just barely keeping pace.

So, May's calendar is in keeping with that theme. A reminder to "grow where you're planted" can sometimes be very timely. The verse from Jeremiah is a message that was given to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. I bet they felt pretty uncomfortable there... but God told them to settle down and make the best of it. No matter the situation, God calls us to make the best of it. Exceed expectations and thrive, in any circumstance. I hope your May is filled with plenty of growing and thriving!

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iPhone "Bloom"

iPhone "Flowers"

(Floral Illustration / Font)

April 2015 Desktop Calendar

Well, it's a week late... but better late than never! That's the way Spring is around here, too. While the crocuses and daffodils are blooming away in my home state of Georgia, we are entering the rainy season here in Indiana. Gray days like today are hard to bear... but, as the saying goes: April shows bring May flowers!

Thanks to some sunny inspiration from musical favorites, this month's calendar goes with the theme of rainy days and features quotes from the musical Funny Girl and the song Blue Skies. So, come on April, don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!

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March Madness

At least once a week I have a great idea for a blog post that is crafty/informative/thought-provoking/hilarious/insert-positive-descriptor-here. Rarely do those blog posts come to life. There are just too many other things to do! So far, 2015 has really been a year of living in the moment. These moments go by so quickly! And if that means I don't write as many blog posts, I suppose it's ok. Although I do really enjoy looking back at these posts after some time has passed, and that's why I keep trying. Cataloging these little pieces of life will be important to someone someday... even if it's still just me.

March was a month filled with work travel for both me and hubby, a bout of illness (from which we are now recovering) and Cormac's first weeks of preschool! Just a couple mornings a week right now, but it sure does make a difference in our schedule. It feels like he is growing up faster each day, and I miss him even when he's at school for just 3 hours. But it is good for both of us: for him to learn new things and meet other children, and for me to accomplish my task list and finish freelance projects. March also brought us what was hopefully winter's last attempt at ruining my day: a 3" snowfall that lasted less than 24 hours, but was still pretty disappointing. For me, anyway. Cormac loved it. Since he wasn't walking this time last year, and we were still in Chicago at that time, the outdoor world in snow is a whole new experience for him. Discovery in the eyes of a child is such a beautiful thing!

 Don't you just love that hat? ;)

The snow was gone by the next day, so I'm glad we finally made use of the cute boots and snow suit he got for Christmas. Of course, now that he has discovered the outside world, he wants to be out there all the time! I'll be very glad when the weather warms up to stay -- we'll be taking plenty of walks to the park to soak up the sunshine.

The first week of April is Spring Break for many, so I'm hoping it will be quiet here and a chance to catch up on projects... and watch the grass turn green. :)