Happys in the Middle of it all

 These pictures are just a small handful of my favorites taken this past weekend with the new camera.  In the last two weeks, I have heard various (and often opposing) opinions from many, many people...Opinions on what I am doing wrong, what I am failing to do, discovering accusations/assumptions being discussed behind my back, being told that I was old-fashioned (okay, honestly that one was a compliment!), and being told I am too positive to understand the pain of life, etc, etc, etc.  But in the middle of all the drama, accusations, and assumptions, there have definitely been some happy moments!  And God has taught me to dwell on those and share those with others.
1.  I was struggling with the desire to buy the new camera, but not feeling able to spend that kind of money.  I had it budgeted for this semester, and after one crazy hurtful phone call suddenly felt the need for some retail therapy...and the dream camera became mine.  And make a fun recycled-denim quilted backpack for the camera.
2.  I finally joined the Golden Key International Honour Society, after getting my second invitation and qualifying as the top 15% of my college.  And ordered my cap and gown for graduation!  Big steps that helped to make it all seem a little more real!
3.  I was able to buy first day of school outfits (first two days?) for the girls and finish up school supplies with my parents help.
4.  My kiddos and one of my best friends indulged me on Saturday and we drove around the city taking pictures and learning settings on the new camera.
5.  I was able to catch two amazing action shots at the KCRW/Roller Runts bout on Saturday night, and my oldest daughter went with me, which was fun!
6.  I got to see my friend Naomi's daughter be baptized and capture a picture of her happiness/excitement upon coming back out of the water.  And then spend the afternoon just hanging out.
7.  I got H's medical bills paid for...my bills paid for...the sewing machine paid off!
8.  I was surrounded with trusted friends tonight, sharing food, laughter, and bowling on the Wii...and it was a night to enjoy and be thankful for!
Even in the midst of some crazy flying words, and hurtful assumptions, I have had some crazy fun big moments of happy!  And I refuse to let them get lost among the sads.
Life is NOT easy.  It is NOT pain free.  Mainly because of free-will and the fact that we live among hurting individuals that often have no clue how much their words hurt others.  But there are always things that we can find to be thankful for and happy about...joy in the midst of sorrow.  I have been saying for awhile now that we always have a choice how we are going to react.  We can choose to perpetuate the painful, or we can choose to adjust and redirect our thoughts/action/attention to the joy among the pain.  It's always there if we look hard enough.  I have so many more things then these to be thankful for.  We can sit in our misery, or we can get up and sidetrack ourselves and make some positive memories (while our heart grieves and overcomes the pain).  I make no apologies for seeking out positives!  God is good...even when life is hard!