Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Life

Thank You For the Prayers

Earlier this week I went WAY out of my comfort zone and took a Beginner Motorcycle Riders Class. It was terrifying and hard and crazy fun too. Each section ended with a test – a written and a riding test. If we passed both tests, we walked away with what we needed to get a motorcycle riding permit. I was so nervous! I had one notch above zero experience when I started the class. Maybe more like half a notch. Actually more like one quarter. Before I said goodbye to my family on test day, I let them know they could send a few prayers up towards heaven for me for the day… In the end it all worked out and I passed both tests. I know it was in a big part from all the prayers they said for me and it made me even more grateful for all the times people are kind enough to say prayers for little old me. How blessed we really are by the kind thoughts and prayers of others.❤

Thank you for the prayers you said,
Even the ones just in your head.
Thank you for the time you spent
Requesting help, from Heaven sent.
Thank you for your thoughts of me
And the kindness that you did forsee.
Each and every one of these –
Your kind and simple heartfelt pleas,
Helped me make it through my day
Without the fear, without dismay
And helped me do the things I need.
Helped me more than just succeed.
And so again I thank you for
All the prayers you said and more.

A Daughter’s Hope

I know Mother’s Day was so last week, but it’s one of those days I have a love/hate relationship with and I have to proceed with caution. The love because as a mom, it’s such a fun day! The hate because as a daughter who’s lost her own mom, it’s often a painful day and I can’t help hating all you people who still have your moms. Sorry/Not Sorry. For those of us left behind, the best we can do is live our lives as best we can and hope someday when we’re all reunited, our mamas (or other loved ones), will be so proud of all we did and who we became.

I hope my life makes you proud
Despite the fact I ignore the crowd.
I hope the value that I bring
Makes your heart jump up and sing.
I hope my smile still warms your heart
Even though we are apart.
I hope my children make you laugh
Even though they only know your photograph.
I hope your free from all your pain
And love is now your main domain.
I hope someday we’ll meet again
And you’ll be happy with where I’ve been.
I hope your love for me still shines
And occasionally you send me signs.
For I miss and love you still
And always will till my life’s fulfilled.
I miss your hugs and courage too.
I miss your guidance in what to do.
I miss the time we used to share
And always knowing that you cared.
I miss the warmth your smile brought
And each life lesson that you taught.
I miss the meals you used to cook.
I miss you sharing your favorite books.
I miss the secret jokes we had
And the care you gave when I felt bad.
So many things – I can’t even say
I miss about you every day.
And so until I see you again,
And we catch up on where we’ve been,
I hope my life makes you so proud
From your place of rest up in the clouds.

We Claimed an Adventure

Summer Adventure Season are almost here! We became one of those cool families with a camp trailer a while back. It makes our Adventures all the more fun because it feels like we always have Home with us. So much less stress than worrying about my kids in a motel or Airbnb! Or if they’ll destroy someone’s house. Whether you have to travel far for your adventures or you find them in your own backyard, be sure and enjoy each and everyone that comes your way because Family Time is priceless.

We claimed an adventure
Then we started along.
We drove and we drove
And we sang with the songs.
We let the dog drink up
Every last drop
When we stopped for a bit
At a friendly Rest Stop.
Mom took a picture
Of the Kids all asleep
While Dad made good time
And passed by a jeep.
We marveled at sunsets
And mountains all blue.
We played in the sand
And the wave water too.
Grandma and Grandpa
Gave us each an embrace.
So very excited
To again see our face.
They took us on bike rides
And hikes with the dogs.
We played in the river
And climbed on old logs.
We watched some old movies
And stayed up too late.
Grandpa made cookies
That each tasted great.
We listened to stories.
Played games by the fire.
And each tried to hide
The fact we were tired.
Too quickly time stole
Our adventure away.
Even though we preferred
To stay and to play.
So we packed up the car
And the trailer we towed.
Then said our Goodbyes
And grabbed snacks for the road.
We happily talked
Of the memories we made
As we drove down the road
Each wearing our shades.
But our promised adventure
Was not quite at its end.
For our favorite lunch spot
Was around the next bend.
There we all shared
Our favorite lunch treats –
Burgers and fries
And milk shakes so sweet.
Then back on the road
We embarked once again.
Onwards towards Home
And each of our friends.
Never ashamed
By the adventure we claimed.
But grateful we went
And for who we became.

Together

I’m a big time introvert. As a homeschool mom of four and wife of a Work-From-Homer, I super appreciate my alone time when I get it. But… I humbly admit, I love my family like crazy and doing things together usually makes them all the better. ❤

Oh, life is so much better
When we do things all together.
Do our part to love and share.
Show each other that we care.
Take time to share a family meal.
Take time to share just how we feel.
Take time to play a family game.
Leave behind the shame and blame.
Serve together those in need.
Snuggle together and quietly read.
Explore this world that God has made.
Have a picnic in the shade.
Match our pajamas on Friday night.
Enjoy the stars and their beautiful light.
Scripture study as a team –
Learn together just what they mean.
Enjoy a treat that was homemade
During a weekend movie crusade.
Find the names of those before
And help them through the temple door.
Enjoy the sun upon our face.
Then in the sand, have a race.
Laugh at all the jokes Dad tells.
Cheer others on since they excelled.
Work together to complete our chores –
Dishes and laundry and so much more.
Feel warmth and love in a big embrace.
Cherish the smiles on each other’s face.
Teach each other, how better to be.
Show each other the beauty to see.
There’s so much in this life to do.
But all the better with our favorite few.
Because this life is so much better
When we do things all together.

Can I Walk a Day With You

Like a lot of people out there, I have my fair share of anxiety. For many, many years it was very severe. It fully developed when I was a teenager during some very stressful years of my life. I didn’t have support or anyone to talk to about it and I just mostly lived in a constant state of panic. (Even now thinking about it and just typing this makes me want to cry.) I didn’t even know what it was until I took a psychology class in college. In the course of our study, I also realized that I had all of the types of anxiety we talked about at some point! During some of the worst of my struggles, I often felt worse because it seemed people thought I was “weird” and avoided me or make passive aggressive hurtful comments. I have come along way but still struggle at times. Mostly though, I have more compassion and empathy for others because I know first hand: Life is Not Easy. What a difference it would have made to me if someone would have reached out with love instead of judgement. So in your own lives, be curious and be kind, and you never know who’s world you may change.

Can I walk a day with you?
Get to know and wear your shoes?
See what it is that you see
When you walk around with me.
Feel the pain the fills your heart.
Know the things that set you apart.
Learn your strengths and talents too.
See the beauty that you do.
Learn the things that make you mad.
Learn the things that make you glad.
Laugh at things that make you smile.
View the lens from your lifestyle.
Meet the people that show you love.
Meet the people that you think of.
Appreciate what’s on your plate.
Understand the things that makes you great.
Begin to fully comprehend
The special value of you, my friend.
Get a glimpse of what God sees
Because you are His expertise.
So if you’ll let me walk with you –
Get to know and wear your shoes.
See what it is that you see
When you walk around with me,
My love for you will fill my heart
Knowing the things that set you apart.
Knowing your strengths and talents too.
For this world is better because of you.


Hope Is Waiting

Hope is a fascinating thing. Sometimes it is the perfect key to motivate us to keep pushing on when things are hard. When things are not what we want. It’s so simple, yet so powerful! It’s something we all have access to, no matter our situation in life. We simply need to seek it out and embrace it. So, wherever you are in life, let Hope lead you too. You won’t regret where it can take you.

I thought this road was dark and bare
But Hope was waiting, hiding there.
Like a friend I couldn’t spare
Hope was waiting there with care.
Like a friend I couldn’t see
Waiting around the bend for me.
Waiting there to cheer me on
Like the first rays of the dawn.
With each drop of Hope I found,
As I wound around each hill and mound,
My heart began to take delight
As the road emerged from dark to light.
At first disguised as many things –
A child’s smile, butterfly wings.
It then transformed to so much more
And invited me to faith’s front door.
Always there reminding me
That life is not so dark you see.
As the road, I soon did see
Hope lifted up and strengthened me.
Gave me courage, my pain to shed
As it filled the cracks and slowly spread.
Spread throughout my broken heart.
Filled it up, each wounded part.
Gave me courage to push ahead.
Gave me courage to go where lead.
Gave me courage to see the good
The way that only it ever could.
Reminded me life’s still okay,
Even faced with deep dismay.
Even though fear may make it flee
The battle’s already been won for me.
And so, I keep right, pressing on
Knowing Hope is in the dawn.
Waiting there to spread its light.
Waiting there to spread delight.
Waiting there to grow and bloom
If I’ll simply give it room.
If your road too, is deep despair
Take heart – Hope is waiting, hiding there.