I'm going to level with you - this is not a real-time post. I'm a big fan of writing in real-ish time. When I fail to do so, life keeps on moving and I lose track of things. More important things happen, I lose my zest for those things swept away like yesterday's bread crumbs.
Stale bread - that's how I feel about old news.

Unless it involves the three cutest kids on the planet, the perfect late-Summer evening, and a hike.

(Speaking of hike, could someone hike up this kid's britches?)

The way I felt on this hike is the way I feel right now - I am heart-achingly in love with my life.

It is hectic and frazzly and on nights like tonight, the troops get fed a mere three hours late.
(You'd almost think that three hours late is a big deal to small children, the way things were getting, up in the hood.)

But my son tells me things like, "I love our family", and it melts me.

And I have a church family whose heart beats in a rhythm that I really understand.

I have had fair food twice in one week. It just feels right.

I've spent the past several days with friends comfier than my blue blanket.
And much,
much more attractive.

I'm near the bursting point, I fear.
Is it bad, when one bursts on account of happiness?
I could see that going either way...

All I know is this: Thank you, God. Thank you, God. Thank you, God.

Thank you for making my world so vivid and full.

Thank you for slowing me down enough to notice.
Thank you for slowing me down enough to overlook the laundry piles and the smudgy floor. Thank you for giving me better things to focus on.

Thank you for bringing me babies and heart-friends and a husband who loves me right back.

Thank you for your love, stacked so tall that I strain my neck trying to see all the way to the top.

*smiles* I love happy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being here..in this little blog world...so I can learn from your graces. I thought I was the only one who relished in slowing down enough to focus on the things that matter. My floors may have smudges...but my son's smiles seem to fade every flaw in this world...and lately..I have come to notice the differences between bumps in the road & major construction.
ReplyDeleteCheers~
e
Wonderful you,
ReplyDeleteWe thank you for your wisdom, grace and the fun that you share.
Felicity x
You are such an inspiration and a comfort. How wonderful to be so content.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bursting could be argued the best bursting of all.
ReplyDeleteand thank you God for shannon! you are a blessing friend!
ReplyDeleteyou help me see the light, friend.
ReplyDeletethanking God for you.
xo
gorgeous post
ReplyDeletelovely!!
ReplyDeleteSuch beeeeuuutiful photos! What a magic place for a bushwalk together. Beautiful words too. I love you're praising of God.
ReplyDeleteCan I just add....YAY!!! It's Monday, which means we get more of your story tomorrow! Can't wait!
Simply beautiful...Patty
ReplyDeleteSee, I told you we missed you! So glad you posted tonight friend. You bring joy and happiness to my life! I love this post, I love how much you love your family, and I am so thankful you share with us. You always have a way of helping me reflect on my own life, and how much I have been blessed. Thank you again for being you! Happy week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Wow. I love your insight and how you praise our glorious God! I needed that tonight. There is so much to praise Him for no matter where we are in life. :) I think it is so wonderful how you and your husband adopted those precious children. I hope someday to adopt my own too.
ReplyDeleteShannan,
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Beautiful!
xoxox
Maria
I love when I feel like this! I just Kelly the other night...."Without children do you realize how clean our home would be...and how miserable we would be?" On my hard days Kelly and I try to remind each other how we would feel if they weren't here and that perspective changes how I respond to everything. Thank you for your grateful heart and showering all of us with your love of the Lord.
ReplyDeleteyours is a life made lovely, friend. very lovely.
ReplyDeleteBursting is messy, please avoid it! Gorgeous post. I'm thanking God for your family and church family - so glad you're full to the brim! X
ReplyDelete"love stacked so tall that I strain my neck", FPG, what a terrific description.
ReplyDeleteAmen Sister! I know exactly what you mean and realize how special it is to value it in the moment. You are loved for sure.
ReplyDeleteI second this post. This may not be a "real" post in your eyes but it speaks to me. Slowing down has become my 2010 motto. I am hoping to carry it over to the next.
ReplyDeleteTo me nothing on this earth is as good as these moments - its life at its best - and how wonderful to gratefully savour it, roll it around in your heart some, and record it forever! Its been a lovely read to start my week. xx
ReplyDeletelove this post and these pictures are just lovely....we went on a little walk the other day...and I haven't posted those pics yet...but yours are just beautiful and those moments are priceless:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteDitto... amen and amen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and so happy to know that you have a beyond full heart.
ReplyDeleteYour children are tremendously adorable.
I love your words. Isn't it odd that when we are so happy, as you say bursting with happiness, sometimes we worry is it ok? Like its a bad omen or something. I am finding peace is staying happy and loving every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteLaw girl - I'm so glad to see you gettin' this. So glad. I've so often feel that my skin would split right up and off my body I've felt so deeply happy. Not the 'oh, Anthropologie is having a sale' but the deep kind of joy that makes you realize that if you never had another ounce of love, you'd be ok, that you've got enough stored for the winter.
ReplyDeleteI love happiness. I love gratitude. And I love gratitude given where it truly belongs... to Him. This reminded me of a quote my students and I were talking about just last week... Emerson's "I am glad to the brink of fear." I love things that bring me that much joy. And I'm with ya, looking beyond the laundry piles and dusty shelves.... I love my life and family!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great to get to the absolute right place? The path there is usually not easy, the climb can be downright exhausting, but once you reach that spot, wow- it was all worth it. God is great. Thanks for spreading the joy.
ReplyDeleteI love that your lad said, ' I love our family..'
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for sharing it all with us. Just perfect;)
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing...i love this! I have been thinking a lot about the same things in my life...i am enjoying slowing down and just loving my family, instead of focusing too much on my "to do" lists...i love hearing of other mothers who find fulfillment in our callings.
ReplyDeleteAwhhh. It's 7:35 on a Monday morning. I needed to read this.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are still sleeping and usually I would be frantically rushing around making breakfast and lunch and yelling "we gotta get movin or you'll miss the bus". Reading your post this morning is like a breath of fresh air. I so need to slow down. Thanks for the reminder.
Looks like I'll be taking the babes to school today!
Megan
ditto. and xoxo.
ReplyDeletethank you again for sharing your heart. you are a great encourager and often remind me to stop and take a breath.
ReplyDeleteblessings!
How do you do it? You are so insightful! I always leave your blog feeling blessed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your son, I love your family, too!! Tee
ReplyDeletebeautifully said....
ReplyDeletexo,
annie
I too needed this post, Thanks Sha. I had a needle point on my wall many moons ago,"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up we learn to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep." Treasure each moment and know today will only happen once. God is good, ALL the time!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. what an inspiration. I feel this way too- and it is funny that sometimes I feel guilty to have 3 sweet children and a wonderful husband. I feel like it is not fair to others who do not have this- but after reading your post- I am inspired to be more thankful for what I have.
ReplyDelete"Thank you for your love, stacked so tall that I strain my neck trying to see all the way to the top."
ReplyDeleteOkay I love that line! I had an afternoon on Friday that felt like that! Now I'm back in reality on Monday morning but it's okay!
Blessings!
Olivia
It is amazing when you get that burst of overwhelming thankfulness! When it's hard to breathe because one second you're embarassed for complaining about not having half n half in the fridge for your coffee because the husband used it all and never told you to pick some up to replace it and then the next moment you're slapped in the face with the recognization that THAT was ridiculous and really your cup is running over SO Abundantly OVER infact that you don't even know where to start - to thank Him... and really all the blessings have been there the whole time - but you had forgot or you let life fog over them - it's moments like these that I have to try and bottle up and pull out that bottle and take a whiff before I freak out on the husband or be ridiculous. ::sigh:: Easier said, than done.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday hon ~ TLofT
Perfect post-you couldn't have put it any better. God is good!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Beautiful words! So, um, if you ever need a break...your cutie patooties could just come live with us... Seriously! They may like Georgia...:0) Thanks for sharing your beautiful family with us!
ReplyDelete~Holly
i love that you are bursting with happiness. It makes me feel happy.
ReplyDeletemust be contagious
What a beautiful post! You are indeed blessed.
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to burst of anything, I hope it would be happiness. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love this post and those cute little camo britches with the diaper peeking out the top. You challenged me with your thankfulness as today was a hard one... but it ended with a soul to soul talk with my daughter and for that, I am thankful. :)
ReplyDeleteI can just see that first photo, in black and white. Framed and matted. On your wall, where ever life takes you, forever.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT. Love the post.
Chris
Thanks for sharing your heart!
ReplyDeleteTracey
thank you for this today..
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous reminder to soak in the joy that God surrounds us with daily!
ReplyDeletePictures are so very sweet! Dinner Time should always take a back seat to Great Family Time
ReplyDeleteI'm just breakin' up the five three. Mmmhmmm.
ReplyDeleteAhh what a lovely break in my day just basking in your pictures and your very peaceful post
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
Bursting because of happiness.... is there anything better?
ReplyDeleteThis didn't feel stale! :) It was full of life and wonderfulness...and some really cute kids. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYou're a woman after my own heart :D Hiking is awesome!!! I just love it. You're pictures tell the most awesome story and I feel like I'm hiking with you seeing all the scenery, being close to God, exploring and discovering.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless.
Thank you God for steering me everyday to new blogs like this one that strengthen me, make me realize how important family is and meet new friends! I loved this post, it touched my heart...your family is beautiful! Come over for a visit to Granny Mountain...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, happy thankful list. And the photos are pretty wonderful, too. Thanks for stopping by my blog today to say "hello!"
ReplyDelete