every day of life teaches you something else, right?

but really it does.

I don't know if I just have an overly analytical mind or what, but it seems like the last few weeks have just given me too much to grasp... the historical election, time spent with my family, catching up with old friends, spending time with treasured friends... I sometimes just get so overwhelmed by the enormity of the little things.

I can't help but treasure the pedicures on a saturday afternoon with friends, finding friends who once were part of your everday- and seeing how life has shaped them, shopping with a friend whose friendship knows no time, and laughing with family who means more than I could describe... and the election- to even attempt to begin to describe the huge wall that was torn down on tuesday when obama was declared the next president of the united states... no matter where you stand on the political spectrum- it stands for hope for millions of people... to know that someone who has overcome so many obstacles has been chosen by his peers to lead this country gives hope to those under the burdens of life that they too can get out from under the heaviness that overwhelms them. they just have to keep working ...

it just one of those times to sit back and see all the pieces that comprise your life. amazing how the daily frustrations and drudgery can be wiped away when you take the time to appreciate the blessings.... and all of a sudden, life's not so bad.

happy start of the week....

I often wonder "how did I get here?"

Not physically here... cause that would be scary, and I think I might need to some professional help with that one. but different times in life when you sit back and look at life wondering how it all came to be YOUR life. you know what I mean?

it's not necessarily bad or good. just the acceptance and realization of how you fit into the whole. how your piece fits into the whole puzzle. (dirty minds, get out of the gutter)...

does anyone ever reflect and think "Hmmm, this is exactly how I pictured myself!"? I honestly doubt it. And realistically there are things you love and things you don't love about the reality of your current life vs. your past perception of your future (which is currently your present). HAHA, you follow?! :-)

But all in all- we are who we are. We have to be who we are with all we have, cause that's all we are good at being.... so why do people get so tripped up? It's not so hard right?

1. Be yourself
2. Appreciate your lot (no matter whether it's what you expected or not)... like the lyrics from the old hymn, It Is Well With My Soul... "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, It is well, with my soul."

Ah. I just wish we could all be there. It would make our interactions with each other much easier. No confusion, or muddling through weird emotions.

But we are not. and so it is not. and so we must continue to handle life as it is dealt to us.

And so.... I do my part as best I can, and I have to just day "such is life". We cannot make life more and we cannot make life less. It IS what it IS. (in the wise words of my friend Ricky) ;-)

It IS what it IS.

AGH! my first shot at this deal...

alright, so i am gonna give this thing a shot. don't so much know how all this works, but this is my attempt to keep you guys up on the days of stacey craft :-)

well, maybe i'll fill you in on a few summer highlights... eh?!

• a visit from Gramma Craft (oh, and she made some angel delight at my request!!!!)
• weekends to the pool with berkeley and waverly
• a great weekend reunion with my high school girlsfriends!
  
• a fun (and my first) visit to Chicago
• a new DOG!!!!
• berkeley's flip flop bday (4 years old)
  
• waver's ice cream sundae bday (1 year old)
  
• a girls day at the spa (mims, mom, sarah and me)
• finally getting my hands on the yard! (new chainsaw, ripping out bushes, and cleaning it up!)
  
• a summer visit from my aunt and uncle in atlanta
• a bedroom redo with some help from amy sue
• DMB w/ eri, joshua and adam
• Colplay w/ eri, claire and mere
• TWO DAYS IN DC!!!! :-) with eri, claire and mere

well, that's just a bit of my summer fun... and there's still a hint of warm weather left. we'll see if I can make the most of it.