“I want to grow old the way a hydrangea blossom grows old – ever-changing but always the same, vibrantly softening and even when faded and dried out – there’s still a place at the table where family gathers!” ~ July 13, 2016

Muddy is my grandma name. t’s a shabby-chic grandma name from a great-grandma who chased after the Lord. I thought it a perfect fit when the first grand came. Through the years, some of the younger boys’ friends started calling me Muddy instead of Mrs. Bucher. My husband told me someone at church the other night asked, “Where’s Muddy?” Sometimes, I think it’s a name that captures more of who I am that Maryleigh, but that is neither here nor there. It’s been a Muddy Living kind-of-Summer – a rambling one at that, more unorganized than usual, time treating the threads of my time like a run-away horse’s bridle.

Since June – yes, I am still processing June in the middle of July – there have been grands at the kitchen counter, baby showers for my sons and their wives’ friends. I count it blessing that these girls my sons brought home come decorate, bake, and celebrate life at our home. There have been puppies, grandboys, birthdays, holidays at the beach and at home, and a parade of puppies through my porch door.

The three youngest have bought puppies this year – two golden retrieve puppies and one husky mix. After a day of puppy sitting the husky pup and all the wrestling all day long, I sent my son home with a copy of White Fang. His pup is definitely a different kind of wrestler. Goldens fighting looks ferocious but it’s really like two girls fighting just slapping each others hands. LOL. Three of our boys have bring their new puppies by often to play with Georgie. No – we’re not a dog-fighting ring. It’s goldens. They couldn’t be mean if they tried. They’re no saints, though. They’re sock thieves, coin thieves, t.v. control thieves with paper addictions. They’d fit into Fagan’s gang perfectly. With a golden, fur flies – and lots of fur came and was left behind.

We had a holiday at the beach with some of the family and two of our grands. It was joy watching them be brave and learning new water skills – and falling asleep watching a movie.

My husband earned The Best Beach Photo award, though!

I don’t know how life moves faster with an emptier nest – maybe it’s all the puppy and boy visits, the grands at the house during the summer, but I’ve not pulled together my usual holiday fixin’s or birthday celebrations – but I did manage 4 G.I. Joe tank cakes for all the June Birthdays (four), scones, blueberry crunch, and homemade ice cream for July 4th.

I’m behind on much but from what I’m learning in Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman, maybe I’m just where I’m supposed to be in God’s plan. Those two sweet grandboys spent last week with us while their mom and dad went on their first trip away since they were born. They were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. I dropped a lot of threads last week, allowing myself to live interrupted – on scavenger quests finding Waldo, Water Fountain Play Dates, Swimming, castle building – glorious naps and quiet time, little feet tucked into bed for night-sleeps. They’ll be back today because it’s Monday and back-to-work-day for their parents, but it’s on a schedule where the threads I typically hold during the week in tandem with them can be picked up – it feels like an ungainly holding of the threads – or knotty, tangly kind-of working managing all the threads during the week – but God somehow managers to turn it into grace.

“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good,”
~ Romans 8:28a

Here I am in July, thinking I’ll be able to pick up the threads dropped last week and gain control of time, the schedule, and, well, everyday ordinary Muddy living. Who am I fooling! I think I just need to relax, settle in for the ride, and trust God to handle that run-away horse called Time.

“Some mornings need an extra cup of grace, a tighter hug from a loving, compassionate Father, deep breaths and light laughter in relief.” ~ June 13, 2020

Remember Me Monday: #139 Link-up

“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings,
    all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God,
    his great goodness to the family of Israel—
Compassion lavished,
.    love extravagant.”
~ Isaiah 63:7, The Message

In the Old Testament, God repeatedly, quietly and loudly, tells his children, “You have forgotten me!”  (Jeremiah 3:32, Ezekiel 22:12, to name a few). It’s a heart cry from a father to a child who has forgotten all the love, all the saving, helping, little and big blessings – and it leaves me stunned when I realize our Father, the creator of the universe, who knows things I cannot begin to fathom, who authors storylines that leave me amazed, delights in all of us so much, He cries out, “Remember Me.”

While every day is a Remember God Day, I am inviting you to join me on Monday mornings to come by and remember what God has done for you, for your family. Maybe God sent a cardinal darting out in front of you, as if to tell you, “I’m here,” or broke a child’s fever after you laid it all down at His feet in a 2 a.m. bedside vigil. Maybe He stood with you in the wait of a prayer sent out, or brought someone you loved to Christ. Maybe He healed your broken heart, gave your courage, or you gave Him your dreams as a love offering only to have Him give them back in an unimaginable way. Maybe God helped you survive to bedtime after a crazy Monday, or forgive yourself for missing it with your kiddos –– Whatever it is, let’s Remember Him. . . in a “Remember Me Monday” love letter.

“My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
Of your salvation all the day long,
Though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord”
~ Psalm 71:15-16.

Let us delight in Him by telling the  stories of what He’s done!  If you wrote a blog post remembering what He’s done for you, join the linky. If you didn’t but still want to praise Him for what He’s done – write it in the comment section. Then visit a comment before or after yours! One of the beautiful things about the blogging community is the relationships it builds!

Rules?  Write long or short, a list or a story, include photos or not. Just Remember Him and what He has done, and let the gratitude of your heart guide you. Let’s make Monday so Rejoice, that the goodness of God spills into the rest of the week! (Link opens Mondays at 6 a.m.)

Places I’m Linking at This Week:
  Instaencouragements, Legacy Link-Up, 
Let’s Have Coffee Wednesday 
Recharge Wednesday, Scripture & a Snapshot
Grace&Truth, Sweet Tea & Friends