kayaking

kayaking
getting started...
Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
-- Brad Henry

Sunday, August 23, 2009


Chris and I were able to experience a piece of "heaven on earth"- in Maui Hawaii. It was beautiful and super nice. We had a fantastic time and loved all of it -honestly I did not want to come back to the lawn mowing- I even asked Chris how he felt about flying the kids to us and staying for another week- we came home but I look forward to sharing that beauty with the kids. Life is carefree (we read one book together and a novel each, tanned/burned, snorkeled, sight-seeing, and swimming in that gorgeous ocean.) there hence the term 'beach bum' was coined. I know the pictures will not serve justice but hope you can share in some of our pleasure.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Today we had the opportunity to meet the newest Justice. Charles is his name and now we can see the joy of fatherhood in Mark. As I spent the evening with our family I thought of how blessed this little guy is to have so many people who love him and care about him. I remember thinking this every time I had a child, the love was bountiful.
Love is powerful, it is a healer, it is binding, it is patient, absent of jealousy, and labels. As I spent the evening surrounded by love I could not help but feel gratitude for all the experiences of love in my life. One such experience would be at my 15 year class reunion( yes I am feeling old), these can be very awkward and uncomfortable because of the labels and the stereotypes that come from those three short years. I wanted to help my dear friends Charity and Kelli so I had minor responsibilities. I have pondered on the need for love/friendships to be reason for the reunion not to boast or carry on stereotypes from the previous years (how petty). Nonetheless it was my observation that this was achieved- due to some kindness shown by others and wonderful supportive people.
I have also felt the healing power of love from a broken heart, by a note, kind words, a visit, the act of forgiveness (being given or as the recipient) these acts of love are a sort of balm.
You mothers could relate to the love when you hold that new baby late at night and the house is quite and all that fills the air is the soft sounds of the little one and the feeling of love. You do not have to be a romantic to enjoy love (though I am one) you simply just have to be human- we all experience it in some form and how grateful I am for LOVE!

I Love....
Chris
Tai, Dek, Seth, Bet, and Luke
my parents
Chris' parents
My grandparents
Mel and her family
the entire Justice Family-the are so good to me
all of my extended family
friends- all of you- really all of you
flowers
reading
piano music-music in general
kissing
sunny days
rain
Jesus Christ
.... I just love loving it feels good