“CRAZY”...HER life passed before my eyes!

Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift of the LORD

LOVE, DAUGHTER, FOREVER A DAUGHTER IS SPECIAL A DAUGHTER IS DEAR  A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM ABOVE A DAUGHTER IS A TREASURE  TO FOREVER HOLD NEAR AND LOVE  ~irene santiago

Who knew that it was possible to relive 13 years of your daughter’s life during her one hour graduation ceremony?  And who knew the gamut of emotions could be experienced in that very short period of time.  Joy, tears, sadness that she was no longer my ‘little’ girl, excitement for her future, pride in her accomplishments!

As Pomp And Circumstance filled the air of the auditorium, I held my breath, until I saw my daughter walk to her spot on the stage (thank goodness she was right at the front, or I would have passed out~ I was starting to feel light headed)!  She looked confident and strong.  I was taken back to the times, when as a toddler and a young child she would fall down, or have a ‘discouraging’ moment.  I ALWAYS told her to stand up, brush off, wipe the tears and keep moving.  I constantly reminded her of how truly strong she was.  This attitude of strength, was so obvious in her walk across the platform.

A I looked at Katie, I saw the beauty of a young woman who so comfortable and confident in her own skin.  I taken back to her teen years, when she felt  "less than”, in her skin~ a time when NONE of us feels great in our own skin!  I remember constantly telling her how beautiful she was on the outside, but more importantly how beautiful she was on the inside.  I have always reminded Katie of the quote that I I truly love about inner beauty: 

"People are like stained-glass windows.They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed

only if there is a light from within.:

- Elisabeth Kubler-Rossm 

I watched Katie, so poised, so radiant so filled with the inner beauty of a young women who is comfortable with who she is, and who has a strong desire is to make others comfortable in her presence.

I thought about getting pregnant with Katie and the joy of carrying her for nine months, and preparing for  her birth, and loving the fact that I had a precious little girl.  I remember the ringlets and dimples that captured many a heart!  The first day of school, Christmases and holidays, birthdays, lost teeth, tears and laughter, vacations, and NOW graduation.  I realized that I had come to a moment where I was going to move into a new chapter in this young ladies life ~ whether I was ready or not!  When I think of Katie, I am comforted in knowing her foundation is strong, her personal standards are firm, and her belief in God is real, and obvious.  She is in God’s hands, and He loves and desires what is best for her… even more than I do! SO hard to fathom, but so true.

 I was so filled with pride as she received her honors, and as she walked to get her diploma.  And as we took pictures afterward, I was humbled to watch a young woman filled with charisma and charm and it was very obvious she was loved by her friends and faculty members.

I would love to encourage those of you with young ones coming up, to cherish each and every moment with your children as time goes by ~ SO QUICKLY!  We are reminded of times passing constantly, and I don’t know that we fully grasp the concept until it is right in our faces, and in my case, it was watching my daughter walk into a new stage of her life.

 "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."

~James Taylor

I am so thankful to have such a rare and special individual in my life.  I am thankful for the joy Katie has brought me over the past 18 years, for the lessons I have learned from her, and for the years that we have ahead of us.  Katie is going to do great things.

'To every thing there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."  Ecclesiastes 3:18 

I embrace this new season with joy and anticipation of what God is going to do in Katie’s life!  I think tonight, after she has fallen asleep I may go place one more kiss on her cheek.  She’s never TOO OLD for her mom’s love!

Living, Laughing, and Loving the Changes,

Patti

A CRAZY FUN JOB!

A CRAZY FUN JOB!

On Saturday, I completed one of the Crazy Fun Jobs that I LOVE!  Yes I am crazy enough to work multiple jobs!  My primary job: I am an elementary music teacher at one of the best schools in Escambia County Florida.  Extra ‘fun’ jobs, I play as a wedding violinist at beach weddings along the Gulf Coast, I teach multiple private students, and I am also creating greeting cards with nature that I have photographed, I design jewelry, and I am starting to paint pictures for clients of their adorable pets.

The “Hat” I wore on Saturday, was my wedding violinist hat.  I LOVE working with the brides, but better yet, I love standing on the beach with bare feet, my violin tucked under my chin, playing melodies I love as I look over the ocean.  I so love the peace and serenity combined with the creative process of making music… it almost does not seem like work!

Saturday was a picture perfect day.  Not a cloud in the sky, beautifully colored waves of water washing up on the shore, a nice ocean breeze, and a crowd of happy wedding attendees.  I love watching the happy bridal party as they process down the sand! And as I play, I just look at the ocean, and thoughts of gratitude fly up to the heavens for such a wonderful way to use my talents.  Maybe one day if you are walking along the Gulf Coast Beach, you may see me playing for a wedding!  Make sure you throw some rice at me… gently of course! : )

 Now off to my next exciting job!

Living, Laughing and Loving, my jobs,

Patti

“Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”
–Job 37:14

Come Visit My CRAZY BEAUTIFUL BEACH~ PENSACOLA BEACH!

A CRAZY BEAUTIFUL DAY at Pensacola Beach!

Yes, the sand TRULY is sugar white, and the water some of the most beautiful blues, aquas and greens you can imagine.  The surf is calming and the cry of the sea gulls beautiful.

Welcome to Pensacola Beach, known as the 
'Home of the Sugar White Beaches". A few blogs ago, I loved taking you on a tour of Downtown Historic Pensacola, but I am now loving taking you on a trip to our beautiful beaches, as I visit with my kids and their friends.

Here is a great link to Pensacola Beach ~ where to stay,
 the many eateries and attractions in the area!

http://www.beachguide.com/PensacolaBeach/Info

I am not a ‘get in the water and swim’ type of gal.  I enjoy sitting on a blanket, or taking pictures, or playing in the sand, or searching for driftwood and seashells, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, watching the kids play in the water.   After working up an appetite we head off to one of my favorite restaurants!

So grab your flipflops, your best sunscreen ~ no burning allowed ~ and a towel, and walk along the beach with me.

Pensacola Beach has many places on the Beach itself where you can stop and find some privacy and room to spread out.  I am going to just share what you will see as you visit our beach.  Here are some beautiful shots of the water and surf.   The colors of the water, never cease to take my breath away.  I love digging my toes in the cool sand, and then running to the water’s edge to be refreshed by a wave or two washing up my leg. 

I have to admit that I am a sucker for the seagulls.  There is NOTHING like watching them hang in the air, as if by a string, as they wait for a crumb of something to be thrown their way.  My kids get so irritated with me, but I always take something for my feathery friends, and then enjoy the ‘following' I have until we leave! : )

The kids  love to splashing and playing in the surf, running into the water, take silly pictures of each other.  There is nothing like spending a day at the beach with your friends.  Relaxing, listening to music, eating junk food  (that I feed to the gulls! Lol), and drinking cold sodas from the cooler.  Just being with my kids is one of those ‘play days’ I discussed several blogs ago.  I capture the essence of their youthful, carefree spirit, and it runs over me, and soothes me, and soon I am giggling with them as I enjoy the salt air, the sand and the sounds.

Before long, I am in pursuit of sea shells.  On this day, I found some small shells which are pictured here.  I love shells!  Like snowflakes, each is so individual and so beautiful.  I love the different shapes, sizes colors… and the driftwood… so pretty so uniquely shaped due to it’s time spent in the water and then on the sand.  I love to collect the smaller pieces. 

Pretty soon after soaking up the rays it is time to go eat, and one of my favorite beach eateries is “CRABS ~ We Got ‘EM”  Best seafood, for affordable prices, and the mini donuts with honey as a 'free appetizer; are the BOMB!  Great food, good prices, and a SPECTACULAR view of the water!

http://www.crabswegotem.com/

New to Pensacola Beach is Margaritavillle! 

Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, this is the perfect setting for guests who want to escape the everyday, engage their senses and make lasting memories. Anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical island and sipping a margarita will enjoy being immersed in the Margaritaville experience at this hotel. I will be heading there next weekend when school ends!!!

The Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach sits on over 800 feet of gulf-front property. An additional 800 feet overlooks the bay. The new beachfront hotel features ‘barefoot elegance’ with 162 newly appointed guest rooms, including 24 Corner King Executive rooms with wrap-around balconies.

http://www.margaritavillehotel.com/about.html

As you can see, I do live near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you have not read my blog about the Downtown Historic District, I invite you to go back and check it out. Such a wonderful trip back in time to one of the oldest settlements in Florida. And then after you have read that, and seen the beaches, you will have TWO CRAZY, MARVELOUS reasons to come and visit Pensacola! And believe me,there is so much more to see. I am thinking I may need to take you along for a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum. A truly wonderful place to visit! The museum houses the world’s largest aviation collection. Located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, this historic treasure boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits and more than 4,000 artifacts representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

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1. Until then I will be blogging about a new craft project or meal, or my next play day! I hope to see you again soon. If you come to Pensacola for a visit, I would love to dig my toes in the sand with you!

Living, Laughing, and Loving the beach life,

Patti

***FYI picnic is a great facebook app which allows you to photoshop your photos for free!

http://apps.facebook.com/picnik/?ref=bookmarks&count=0