thursday

tonight is good for...
driving with all the windows down and an open sunroof and turning the music loud

listening to new music that i already love (because it reminds me of the music to a show whose love runs deep)

watching a show, snuggled up with my man and the baby

spending an inordinate amount of time trying to make a tiny boy smile and being rewarded with the drooliest grins and world's cutest dimples

reading a chapter or two in a book by a favorite author

dreaming of our ten year anniversary trip and being thankful that we booked our tickets today

believing that God is not surprised by any news that comes our way

sleeping with the windows open and breezes blowing

remembering what He has done in us, for us and through us

feeding him one last bottle before sleep

kissing my loves goodnight

More gifts

Let's end the week where we began, with a thankful heart ready to receive His gifts.

The love and joy this boy fills my heart with daily.

Fifteen years of growing in understanding of God as my Father and trusting Him accordingly.

That He can and will redeem anything from the darkest of days.

The sun rises and His mercies are new today.

Memories that bring a smile to my face.

Brilliant orange leaves, slowly making their way to the ground.

Friends who see all the junk in my heart and love me still.

Kindness being exhibited in my kids, however fleeting.

Evidence of his love for Jesus and servant heart that I still see even today.

Hayrides, pumpkins and apple cider- good stuff fall days are made of.

Knowing deep in my heart that I was (and am) loved and cherished.

Hope of heaven.


All these things and a thousand more besides.  What are the gifts you're enjoying today?

Gifts

Hair blowing in my eyes as the wind whips through open windows and sunroof.

Blazing blue skies and a backdrop of beautiful changing leaves.

Apple picking and the sweet tart goodness of a freshly picked apple.

Her eyes lighting up in recognition at my arrival.

The papery thin skin as I bend to kiss her cheek and tell her I love her.

His hand that gently wipes away the tears of overwhelming that flow.

A sweet sleeping boy and a sweet reading girl in the backseat.

Plan B leading us a different way today.

Savoring every word of a favorite book being reread.

Taking the back roads toward home.

A picnic in the sunshine.

All of it a gift; grace undeserved.

Choosing today to be thankful for every moment. 

To let myself be caught up in the current of grace that is my life.

happiness on a friday...

happiness on a friday...

-sleeping 9.5 hours last night!  i haven't slept that long in quite some time and it was wonderful!

-waking up with my man who has been gone all week.  we're so happy to have him home!

-nights that are cold enough for footy pajamas! and the two cuties wearing them!

-the smell of pumpkin angel food cake baking in the oven.  and good friends to share it with!

-a fruitful trip to goodwill finding just what i needed.  and a patient husband who took me there!

-time spent working on my Bible study and with a good book.

-cool days that allow for finally wearing my new scarf. purchased with a groupon- my favorite!

-the fun of watching haven get her ears pierced.  more to come on that later.

-a full weekend ahead- a festival, hanging out with friends, church, football and the kids starting Awana!

it's all grace.

Thankful on a Thursday

Today I'm thankful for...

-Sunshine and warm temps.
-Good friends to spend the morning with.

-The park with happy kids.
-Watching Haven's enjoyment as she picked out just the right birthday gift for a friend.
-The fun of Resurrection Eggs with the kids.
-Laughing with my man.

-That the greatest show (evah) starts tomorrow.  

-A fun week of school time.
-My crock pot turning out delicious meals like this (leftovers were even better today).

-A cute, short hair cut for my girl.
-Mati's response every time I tell him something is, "Oh, yeah, yeah..."
-Good books to read.
-Decisions being made that will forever change us.
-Loads of fresh fruit filling my counter and fridge: mangoes, pineapple, blackberries, strawberries, cantaloupe.
-Surprising the kids with simple things that mean the world to them.
-Being appreciated by C-f-a for dinner.
-A happy day all around and more good things to look forward to tomorrow.

a rainy monday night

A rainy, cool evening; fall has finally arrived and it couldn't be more welcome. After a few days of sickness, this evening finds me better. So I've got a bowl of apple crumble, drizzling rain outside, a favorite show to watch and my best one snuggled next to me on the couch.

If that's not the makings of a perfect, rainy Monday night, then I don't know what is.

today...

today, I'm thankful...

-that i didn't have to go to jury duty again.

-that honey crisp apples are in season. deliciously wonderful.

-that no one has fallen down the stairs on their bike today. (happened on monday!)

-that today is not laundry day.

-for a clean kitchen floor.

-for a new book that is kicking my butt. and causing some deep thinking.

-that it's officially fall, despite what the temperature outside would have you believe.

-for the library and free books that my kids love to read.

-for the new curtain i finally made for my kitchen windows.

-for phone calls with friends about nothing and everything.

-that my kids are healthy and we can run around having pillow fights.

-for my favorite meal on the docket for tonight.

And I'm thankful that even though I haven't had the best attitude today, He keeps renewing my mind (Romans 12:12) and reminding me of His goodness. See the list above for proof of all the little ways He loves me.

Rough start

The first week of the new year hasn't been that great; it's actually kind of stunk. I had high hopes, but instead went to bed almost every night feeling discouraged, disheartened and defeated. Thankfully that's a place I don't have to stay and God used an amazing little book I got as a Christmas gift to encourage my weary heart. Here are a few snippets from Jesus Lives by Sarah Young that have hit me right where I'm at this week. I pray that you are encouraged, too!

-Rejoice in Me always. This is a moment-by-moment choice.

-In My Presence you have infinite approval...You are indeed a slave when you try to measure yourself through any perspective but Mine.

-Your problems feel so heavy because you have given them too much power. Every time you focus on them and forget about Me, you empower them a bit more.

Hoping for a weekend of resting in Him and realigning my mind!

The ordinary so extraordinary

Sat down for a few moments of quiet on this, a busy day. Came upon this poem by a favorite, Madeleine L'Engle, and it was just what I needed to focus my thoughts on.

The ordinary so extraordinary

He came, quietly impossible,

Out of a young girl's womb,

A love as amazingly marvelous

As his bursting from the tomb.

This child was fully human,

This child was wholly God.

The hands of All Love fashioned him

Of mortal flesh and bone and blood,

The ordinary so extraordinary

The stars shook in the sky

As the Lord of all the universe

Was born to live, to love, to die.

He came, quietly impossible:

Nothing will ever be the same:

Jesus, the Light of every heart-

The God we know by Name.

For today

Driving over the streets of the city where we first met today. Our conversation isn't all that different then it was in those days. If you close your eyes and pretend there aren't two car seats, with two small children in the back, you might think nothing has changed. And in some ways it hasn't. But in the most important ways it has. There are marriages and children, scars and disappointments, joys and new experiences that mark both our lives. We never were carefree single girls in our early twenties. There's always been a bit more to us then that, and thus the deep friendship that began many summers ago.


Flashes of scenes and situations we found ourselves in. Jokes that only we think are funny. Road trips that never lacked for excitement. Cruising through bookstores looking for cheap reads to add to our shelves. The nights spent laughing and praying and trying to figure it all out.


But now the miles separate and daily emails keep us involved in the details. We can go months without actually talking on the phone, but I know her better then just about anybody. Sometimes it's only a few lines sent out about how there's no time to email that day. Other days it's novel length tomes that are cathartic for both the reader and writer. No matter, it's always connection. It's always -I'm thinking of you today and I just need you to know that.-


Almost everything in our lives has changed since we first befriended one another. But thankfully, all those changes have made us appreciate each other more. We've grown up together in many ways and I have a feeling there's more of that to come.


But today I'm thankful that the miles don't separate. I'm happy to be sitting next to her. To see her laugh and love on my children. To just sit and be together, remebering our younger selves with a smile. To speak of the mundane and the deep across the table.


I'm thankful to just be.

thirteen years later...

i still miss him.

the longing for his presence in my life is still fierce. the sharpness of it takes me by surprise at times.

my life, our life, is just so good...i want to share it with him. i want him to be here, to be part of what started with him in the first place. i want him to see the fruit that has been born out of the seeds he sowed deeply.

but he's not. he's not here.

so i'll just keep missing him. and thanking God that he was mine to call dad.

easier said then done.

especially today, thirteen years later.

Happiness...

...on a Monday afternoon is found in:

-baskets of fresh, clean laundry ready to be put away.
-sitting on the back porch to work on my Bible study.
-trying something new for dinner.
-crossing things off my spring to-do list.
-our garden freshly planted.
-reading books to Haven that I loved as a child.

Simple things often bring me the most happiness.

Unplugged

I'm sitting on a big white rocker on the porch of our inn looking out to the ocean. Rough life, huh? We have been travelling for the last several days and our hotel room has not had internet access. Can I tell you how nice, although unexpected, the lack of internet has been? It has been a welcome change to be mostly unplugged for the last few days.

We are currently in North Carolina and our little inn has wifi so I'm taking a break from my internet break to check in here. I'm still alive. Today I'm sandy, a tiny bit sun burnt on my shoulders and enjoying the slow pace of beach life. It all ends tomorrow, so I'm going to soak it up while I can.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Feeling inspired to write something here, but scattered in thought, I came across this today and thought it was a great idea.

Outside my window...the leaves are blowing around under an overcast sky.

I am thinking...that I really love Mondays.

I am thankful for... my husband, who not only sent me off with Amber for the day on Saturday, but also painted Haven's new room while I was gone.

From the kitchen...a new recipe- Creamy Chicken Apple Chili with some fresh bread for dinner.

I am wearing... khakis and my first sweater of the season. Have I grown since last winter because the sleeves seem kind of short!

I am reading...my latest issue of World magazine.

I am creating...four loads of fresh laundry ready to be put away. And a fuchsia tutu for a certain little girl's Christmas present.

I am going...to make scarecrow cookies for Haven's Harvest Party at school tomorrow.

I am hoping...for snow! There's a possibility of it and I'm probably the only person who gets excited about snow in October. Especially where we live!

I am hearing...the dryer working away in the basement. The clock ticking reminding me that Haven will only be asleep for a little while longer.

Around the house...the kitchen needs swept and the carpet needs vacuumed. I am resolved to clean a few cupboards this week as well.

One of my favorite things...going to bed on a Sunday night with a thankful heart for a fun, but productive weekend.

Plans for the week...learning about the letter "I" with Haven while making homemade ice cream, Indian vests, and instruments. Taking lots of pictures of our little ladybug for Trick or Treat. Enjoying a meal with good friends on Friday night. Beating Cale at Boggle a few more times.