I really should be sleeping, but I can't. I've just had the freshest breath of fall this evening and my mind is lingering on it.
The weather this season has screamed nothing but autumn and I could not be happier. We straight up deserve it for the crappy summer we had! Was it spring? Was it fall? Was it April all over again with the downpour of rain? No one will really ever know, but my heart is surely glad that's all over. I love summer, but that was ridiculous.
Levi had a blast tonight at Al's Honor System. Carrie and I made that name up (minus the Al part) - you see, a man by the name of Al sells seasonal items at a house on the corner of a lovely street in Warrenton (right near my sister's place). I got a basket of gourds, 3 pumpkins, a single bigger gourd, and a basket of apples for $20. I think that's good, right? Well, it doesn't really matter because the smell of the apples resonating with fumes of "Nanny's porch" all over them had me in heaven. Thanks Carrie for the throwback!
Nanny always had apples on her porch. Apples upon apples upon apples in those white little bags with handles on them. Where did she get them? I'm guessing they were probably from "the valley." The aromas bring me back to that porch where her comfortable arm chairs rested in front of her old timey TV (the kind with those old knobs you actually had to get up and TURN). Now we push a button from the couch. And soon I hear we'll be able to wave our hand and pause a channel (Samsung?)?
Anyway, I am loving fall this year. And as with every year, we've got mounds of birthdays followed by a handful of holidays that I just adore. This also means baking, pumpkin patches, hoodies, and TV shows that make me happy!
And also this fall is the Bible Study with the moms from church. More to come on that later, and another post with some fall pictures with an update on our adventures this week.
Talk to you soon!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Here we go again.
It's 11:53 p.m. on Sunday night and I am not ready for work tomorrow. Is anyone else out there feeling my pain?
You know how it is.
Isaac is asleep and I'm lounging in the sunroom with "You, Me, and Dupree" on the tube. I will probably hit the sack here shortly.
Last night we watched "World War Z." I wish we had saved it for October. Although we don't really celebrate Halloween, I still like haunted houses and spooky, chilling things. Is that weird? It would have made me feel more seasonal watching it next month. Still, we had the window open and I was curled up in a blanket anyway. It felt cozy.
I'm getting more and more excited for fall and the weeks that ensue in the midst of autumn. Leaves have already started gathering around our porch and non-garden, garden bed. I bought a new wreath and a couple of mums for the front of the house. I enjoy decorating the outside but the problem is the $$. It is expensive!
I'm looking at two baskets of laundry across from me, folded, and wondering if they will get put away tomorrow. I'm also wondering if the bed will get made.
Isaac works all week. The early shift, to be exact. Which means longer hours for Mimi. more sleep for him, and a full week of solo mommy duty every night for me.
Levi and I are going to make an effort to get up to the "Honor System" this week after work. The Honor System is a little house on a street corner in Warrenton that sells produce and seasonal things. The reason it's called such is that the owner (Al?) is never there. You pick your items and leave the money in the door slot. I love the country! Who knows if we'll make it though. I've been soooo tired since my coworker went on maternity leave and I've been covering a large portion of her work.
We may be looking at a few chic-fil-a nights this week, too.
I went to church by myself this morning. Isaac stayed home with Levi. He wanted to relax and take it easy - we do go all the time. I had nursery duty so I really couldn't miss. I am thankful for nursery duty. It reminds me of how precious children are and how dearly I love them. They are treasured jewels.
And I'm just gonna point out...I often complain about my busy schedule with working full-time and raising a child too, but I give props to those mamas raising 5 kids and homeschooling. The Lord bless them - whew! The mothers picking them up always have smiles on their faces and lights in their eyes for their babies.
I'd better go to bed. It's 12:06 and I have to get up early to study. At least Peet's coffee awaits me!!
Ciao.
You know how it is.
Isaac is asleep and I'm lounging in the sunroom with "You, Me, and Dupree" on the tube. I will probably hit the sack here shortly.
Last night we watched "World War Z." I wish we had saved it for October. Although we don't really celebrate Halloween, I still like haunted houses and spooky, chilling things. Is that weird? It would have made me feel more seasonal watching it next month. Still, we had the window open and I was curled up in a blanket anyway. It felt cozy.
I'm getting more and more excited for fall and the weeks that ensue in the midst of autumn. Leaves have already started gathering around our porch and non-garden, garden bed. I bought a new wreath and a couple of mums for the front of the house. I enjoy decorating the outside but the problem is the $$. It is expensive!
I'm looking at two baskets of laundry across from me, folded, and wondering if they will get put away tomorrow. I'm also wondering if the bed will get made.
Isaac works all week. The early shift, to be exact. Which means longer hours for Mimi. more sleep for him, and a full week of solo mommy duty every night for me.
Levi and I are going to make an effort to get up to the "Honor System" this week after work. The Honor System is a little house on a street corner in Warrenton that sells produce and seasonal things. The reason it's called such is that the owner (Al?) is never there. You pick your items and leave the money in the door slot. I love the country! Who knows if we'll make it though. I've been soooo tired since my coworker went on maternity leave and I've been covering a large portion of her work.
We may be looking at a few chic-fil-a nights this week, too.
I went to church by myself this morning. Isaac stayed home with Levi. He wanted to relax and take it easy - we do go all the time. I had nursery duty so I really couldn't miss. I am thankful for nursery duty. It reminds me of how precious children are and how dearly I love them. They are treasured jewels.
And I'm just gonna point out...I often complain about my busy schedule with working full-time and raising a child too, but I give props to those mamas raising 5 kids and homeschooling. The Lord bless them - whew! The mothers picking them up always have smiles on their faces and lights in their eyes for their babies.
I'd better go to bed. It's 12:06 and I have to get up early to study. At least Peet's coffee awaits me!!
Ciao.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
A clean slate.
Good morning all you blog lovers out there. Today is a new day and I am so happy about it.
I am so grateful that the sun rises every morning with a fresh start from our Father.
This morning as I write, I have just finished up the first chapter in "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl," by Lysa TurKeurst. I am already blessed.
Maybe it is the sun that is shining ever so brightly this morning into my sunroom, or the trees blowing in the wind and the sounds and feel of it coming in through my open-screened window, or my time alone in the quiet. I am not sure. But I am feeling of a renewed spirit today as I look at all that God has done for me - and how little I acknowledge it!
In all honesty, I haven't been too excited to read this book because "I don't have time." I'm a full-time working mom with a toddler studying for another certification and I "can't fit it into my schedule."
The book accompanies a Bible Study my pastor's wife is hosting for mothers of young children and it's every other Wednesday night this fall - again, where will I find time to fit this in?
The truth is, time is limited. My time is limited. I don't have a lot of it, and what I do have, I cherish.
But I am so glad I picked up this book, signed on for the Bible Study, and will be making a valiant effort to go on the nights that Isaac is home. I need it. And I think I just discovered through the first chapter that my soul needs it.
I am only one chapter in, but it already has reminded me of what is lacking in my walk with the Father, and that is devotion.
I usually read a chapter from the Bible every morning, a Psalm per day, for example. Or right now, I am on Job...more thoughts lingered: how will I fit this book reading in with having to keep up with bible time and studying early in the morning before I go to work?
Then it hit me: replace the chapter a day with reading your book. I don't like doing this because "they say" you need devotion time in the Word every day, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!
Hopefully I can keep this pattern up and still stay on track, but I'm liking the idea of using that as my time to get the reading in, so far. I don't spend as much devotion time with my Father as I should, if I'm being truthful, and I am looking forward to what this book will bring.
Back to the clean slate and fresh start: I forgot about this.
This week at work has been a little tough. I've had some encounters I wished I hadn't, thought some things I shouldn't, and done some things I've regretted. This pattern repeats every week! I am a sinner by day, failure by afternoon, and repenter by night! Each-and-every-day.
But I am so thankful that he restores me each-and-every-day.
God is so good.
It has recently occurred to me that in my "old age" (LOL) I am able to stomach things better and learn to live with others' hurtful words too. Through the years my confidence in myself and in Christ has become stronger and the need to impress others around me or try to be someone I am not has diminished.
This week, I received a couple doses of challenging situations where I had the opportunity to lash out in hate and anger, seeking apology for my wounds, or to turn the other cheek.
It is hard to turn the other cheek, I must say, when the scar from the battered cheek is deep, but I can only wonder what would have happened if I went with an impulsive nature and tried to justify the situation with rebuttle.
To this, I shout, thank you Father for healing me inside before acting on the desirous need for someone else to heal me on the outside!
So, clean slate, what are you?
In my opinion, a clean slate is the chance to every day begin anew the Life intended.
This means, putting behind the mistakes, failures, disappointments, and hurts, and moving forward in grace, forgiveness, and Truth on the path He desired for you.
I will be the first to tell you that forgiveness is fragile, but it is only a heart beat away if you let Him in. And not just forgiveness to others, but forgiveness from others.
I admit it's easier to write about a clean slate when the sun is shining and the world is at your shopping fingertips later this afternoon (woot!), but I'm being serious when I say that to each new day there is a new morning. Joy comes in the morning. And friends, each new day is yours.
I am so grateful that the sun rises every morning with a fresh start from our Father.
This morning as I write, I have just finished up the first chapter in "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl," by Lysa TurKeurst. I am already blessed.
Maybe it is the sun that is shining ever so brightly this morning into my sunroom, or the trees blowing in the wind and the sounds and feel of it coming in through my open-screened window, or my time alone in the quiet. I am not sure. But I am feeling of a renewed spirit today as I look at all that God has done for me - and how little I acknowledge it!
In all honesty, I haven't been too excited to read this book because "I don't have time." I'm a full-time working mom with a toddler studying for another certification and I "can't fit it into my schedule."
The book accompanies a Bible Study my pastor's wife is hosting for mothers of young children and it's every other Wednesday night this fall - again, where will I find time to fit this in?
The truth is, time is limited. My time is limited. I don't have a lot of it, and what I do have, I cherish.
But I am so glad I picked up this book, signed on for the Bible Study, and will be making a valiant effort to go on the nights that Isaac is home. I need it. And I think I just discovered through the first chapter that my soul needs it.
I am only one chapter in, but it already has reminded me of what is lacking in my walk with the Father, and that is devotion.
I usually read a chapter from the Bible every morning, a Psalm per day, for example. Or right now, I am on Job...more thoughts lingered: how will I fit this book reading in with having to keep up with bible time and studying early in the morning before I go to work?
Then it hit me: replace the chapter a day with reading your book. I don't like doing this because "they say" you need devotion time in the Word every day, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!
Hopefully I can keep this pattern up and still stay on track, but I'm liking the idea of using that as my time to get the reading in, so far. I don't spend as much devotion time with my Father as I should, if I'm being truthful, and I am looking forward to what this book will bring.
Back to the clean slate and fresh start: I forgot about this.
This week at work has been a little tough. I've had some encounters I wished I hadn't, thought some things I shouldn't, and done some things I've regretted. This pattern repeats every week! I am a sinner by day, failure by afternoon, and repenter by night! Each-and-every-day.
But I am so thankful that he restores me each-and-every-day.
God is so good.
It has recently occurred to me that in my "old age" (LOL) I am able to stomach things better and learn to live with others' hurtful words too. Through the years my confidence in myself and in Christ has become stronger and the need to impress others around me or try to be someone I am not has diminished.
This week, I received a couple doses of challenging situations where I had the opportunity to lash out in hate and anger, seeking apology for my wounds, or to turn the other cheek.
It is hard to turn the other cheek, I must say, when the scar from the battered cheek is deep, but I can only wonder what would have happened if I went with an impulsive nature and tried to justify the situation with rebuttle.
To this, I shout, thank you Father for healing me inside before acting on the desirous need for someone else to heal me on the outside!
So, clean slate, what are you?
In my opinion, a clean slate is the chance to every day begin anew the Life intended.
This means, putting behind the mistakes, failures, disappointments, and hurts, and moving forward in grace, forgiveness, and Truth on the path He desired for you.
I will be the first to tell you that forgiveness is fragile, but it is only a heart beat away if you let Him in. And not just forgiveness to others, but forgiveness from others.
I admit it's easier to write about a clean slate when the sun is shining and the world is at your shopping fingertips later this afternoon (woot!), but I'm being serious when I say that to each new day there is a new morning. Joy comes in the morning. And friends, each new day is yours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)