They Can't Steal My JOY!

They can steal my STUFF......but not my JOY! And that's all I'm going to say about THAT!

Today -  in the True Tuesday Tradition - I went to the movies and did art! First time to open up the turpentine in a long time!

I started the day with an unpleasant task and after I got that over with - the day was as good as I had hoped it would be.

Brenda - whom I have known for YEARS - and then worked with for a couple of years - treated me to lunch at our favorite BBQ place. We generally keep up with each other by having lunch every month to six weeks. We were WAY behind!

After lunch I met up with another buddy ( the mother of a blogging friend right here in town!) and we took in a movie. I needed some light hearted fare so we opted for the Alvin and the Chipmunks 'Chipwrecked!'

Next on my to do list - the grocery store. I can't tell you the last time I shopped for groceries. Other than a Sam's run or a quick trip to Braums's for dairy, we have been eating what we have. Or what LD has picked up. I had some special things I was wanting to get today. Tomorrow I am taking lunch to my friend who has new triplets! AND I get to hold them and feed them and LOOK at them!! I can't tell you how excited I am about meeting them in PERSON!

While I was shopping I received a call from Amber so I wheeled my cart over and parked it so we could talk! She had an anatomy scan this afternoon and it was a GOOD one! I don't have pics yet but she said the babies are adorable and Harrison looks like Mike!! Harrison and Kailey switched places recently so now he is sandwiched between two sisters with a third across from him - in the place he WAS occupying! The babies have all grown and were looking good. Amber was happy. I aim to be there for the NEXT scan which will be in 3 weeks. That will make her going on her 28th week! All babies have gained weight - each roughly 1 1/2 pounds with Harrison being the heaviest! My heart was singing as I hung up!

To quote Amber from her Facebook post:

"Another successful scan for the quad squad!! Harrison used to occupy my left side to himself, with the three girls stacked horizontally on my right. But he & Kailey have switched so now he's sandwiched by the girls! Bet he's rethinking that move. At 24w3d, Trystan is 1lb9oz, Kailey is 1lb8oz, Harrison is 1lb12oz & Logan is 1lb6oz. Both myself & the babies are doing great!"

When I got home LD helped me unload the trunk then he went back to his projects so I put the groceries away and started on MY projects!

I promised a painting to an A&M graduate LONG ago!

The painting is from a photo he took out in California.

I did make some progress on it today!

Then I went to work on a NEW painting.

This is my youngest grand daughter and I am using an Easter photograph to go by.

I was pretty proud of myself for getting it all based in. It took me 45 minutes!

Still much to do on it.....shadows and high lights and details.

I was just so happy to be painting again!!

I keep 'works in progress' on my easel so I can study them between painting sessions.

The 'art table' has been restored to a dining room.

Louis Dean has finished for the day and now so have I.

Except for that chicken salad. I am having a string of good days!

It helps to hear Amber's sweet voice and she sounding so happy!

It also helps to remember I must needs CULTIVATE joy in my life.

I'm not sure joy simply happens - at least to me. I have to watch and treasure all that brings joy. And I have had a truck load of it lately!!

If I forget - I tend to get bogged down in life and lose my zest.

I continue to thank you for the prayers on behalf of Amber and her babies.

Just as I prepared to close this post I read on Facebook that she is having quite a few contractions.

"Thanks everyone. Things change so quickly....I've been having a lot of contractions this evening so hoping they can put a stop to them soon."

I admit to sometimes being as scared as I am excited!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!!