Here is my Joy!!!

Funny I went to a "Release and Renew Retreat" with Kate Bares-Johnson at The Center for Well Being in Austin, Texas. I went with a girlfriend and we really released and renewed some long over due emotional baggage in our lives.

There were about 15 of us trying to become more whole emotionally, spiritually and mentally (physically). Kate has a wonderful program that helped us dig deep to uncover the aspects of ourselves that were not our authentic selves.

Aspects of ourselves that no longer serve us. I faced some fears and the pain that was attached to that.

It was amazing doing this in a community of others who we're willing to dig deep. I felt very supported and loved.

When I left one of the participants handed me a $2.00 bill and said he wanted to buy my "W". I went into the weekend with the mantra of "Where is my Joy"?

I left with the lesson "Here is my Joy". The participant I shared the weekend with bought my "W" in "where" so now I have "here".

I'm continuing on my journey to wholeness and healing. It's with humility that I stand in awe of this process.

"Here is my Joy"
Tracey Huguley

Our knitting and other Spring projects....

Texas History and Spring LapBooks....

We we're all getting a little bored with reading and summarizing so....my friend and fellow homeschool mom Michelle turned me on to lapbooks. I won't say they've saved the day completely. (Brandon my 10 year old is in a space of not liking anything we do) However, doing the lapbooks has brought us all a nice change of pace. Brandon is working on Texas history and Brooke and Britney are working on Spring and Easter themed lapbooks. We've all been a little blah recentely so I'm hoping doing the lapbooks will help shake things up and move us along. I keep telling my kids if they want the summer off we need to get everything done by June. (my secret motivator wink, wink)

Now what's going on in my life? I'm still thinking and meditating on my new business. Mentoring women (including deaf women) on their soul's journey. Recentely I've been asking myself what is JOY? What is true JOY? The kind someone has at the depth of their being that nothing can take it away. After going through a difficult few years this is a question that is asking to be answered in my life.

What is JOY?

I'm sensing this it going to be vital in my mentoring business. What is JOY?

I want to be able to point the way towards JOY for people on their life's path and use art to facilitate this. Stay tuned the baby has been born but hasn't been given a name yet. Thinking out loud. That is how things come into being for me. Thinking, talking and writing about them.

The pictures are of Britney with her homemade straw flowers. The lapbooks are Brooke's and Brandon's.

Sluggish time of year....

Right before Spring arrives it seems that everything moves at a snails pace. Spring can't come fast enough. Winter still drops some of her nasty storms. And so does life. After death we wait for re-birth. Sometimes birth is a slow process itself. I can remember being in my ninth month of pregnancy and thinking the birth of my child would never come and then one day....

Something starts to move and then here it comes. Spring is like this to me. Winter is so dark and dreary. And you wait and wait and then here it comes. On the way to work yesterday I saw some beautiful wild flowers blooming on the side of the road. Texas is famous for its wildflowers so stay tuned for some great pictures.

Stay strong and know Spring always follows Winter.

Blessings,
Tracey

From death come new life....

We went to a local cemetary today to observe nature. This cemetary is very small and quaint with tons of old oak trees. It is quite amazing.

You can see Britney below ringing some chimes and singing a song to me.

We looked at headstones, talked about the people who had died, and talked about how precious life is. While we we're observing nature we saw a baby lady bug, butterflies, a hawk, a squirrel and a lot of trees with no leaves. Some of the trees were beginning to grow small green buds. I can't wait to see if these will be flowers or leaves.

Have a wonderful day and get out to enjoy some of nature.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley

Nature walks and journals....

Spring is coming....

I love spring...I'm so glad it's coming.

The kid's and I will be keeping nature journals that we will share. I've been hearing the birds chirping, squirrels scurrying, etc...

This last two years has been a difficult and miraculous time for me. I'm feeling more settled and relaxed now.

I've traveled a long path and I feel like I'm on the other side of the dark tunnel that I entered two years ago....

I've also just birthed (written) my first short story. Hmmm... a coincidence...probably not. I'll post the story soon.

I've also come up with something I want to do to impact my community and the world at large. More news to follow on this.

So spring is here and the challenges, miracles, hardships, beautiful things, etc... are all coming together to make my life...my beautiful and messy life.

Blessings,
Tracey Huguley