These days I'm loving...

:: this scrumptious fall weather and afternoons in the leaves

:: a sickness- free home. Ha. lle. lu. jah.

:: fresh apple cider, straight from the orchard

:: and a freezer now full of homemade applesauce for winter-- I'm feeling so very domestic these days :)

:: this baked oatmeal recipe... no more need for the prepare-the-night-before-and refrigerate-while-I-sleep variety (which rarely gets made anymore because, by the time I get the kitchen cleaned up after dinner and the littles tucked warmly in bed, I'm too tuckered out to go in and make another mess). This one is a lovely substitute!

:: the bittersweet my mom tucked into my front door wreath

:: a clean carpet in my family room & Chick-fil-a sweet tea (it's the little things, you know?!)

:: this book... I'm almost/only halfway through, but so far it's given me much, MUCH food for thought. I highly recommended it!

:: the work of Marcia Somerville and her team~ their writing and their finished product, Tapestry of Grace. Rich, full, abundant. Every thread pointing to God, every strand telling History. A blessing, for sure... a gift.

:: my husband's heart for our family... his provision, his dedication, his love

:: my little people's Thanksgiving anticipation... and the reminder that EVERY day is a day to give thanks

:: train tracks and teamwork

:: The Jesus Storybook Bible... now on our second (or is it our third?) trip through. Our very, very, very favorite children's version and a morning staple for all. And as an added bonus-- each week on their website, they share a different video... one of the 44 stories contained in the JSB. Once again, a blessing for both young and old(er :)

:: this time with my babes. Yes, the house is a mess. And yes, the pantry is bare. The laundry... let's not even go there. But oh, how I cherish these days of books and lessons and shared meals and laughter. Stories and hot chocolate and walks in the sun. And His hand through it all... weaving and sculpting and shaping our hearts... even through tears and struggles and misunderstandings galore. Yes, He's here. And with Him, all things are possible.

:: His grace, so marvelous and full.

"... My grace is sufficient for you,

for My power is made perfect in weakness..."

2 Corinthians 12:9

1000 Gifts: November Abundance

Blessed beyond belief, loved beyond measure, and reminded of both...

over and over and over again.

I give thanks for my family~

for time outdoors,

for time to play,

for time together.

For every single day... each one a beautiful, beautiful gift.

#831-841

:: my front porch cheerleader

:: sunny Sundays... to climb and laugh and climb again

:: success

:: these four

:: strong arms and the love a father shares with his son

:: daddies and their little girls... especially this, my favorite combo

For You are holy, great and mighty,

The moon and the stars declare who You are

I'm so unworthy, but still You love me

Forever my heart will sing of how great You are.

~Phil Wickham

and the list continues....

The caterpillar

Upon discovering a new silly band in the still-growing collection:

Lolli: Mommy, what dat?

Me: It's a caterpiller.

Lolli: Caa-er-pih-er?

Me: Yep, it's a green caterpiller.

Lolli: God. made. it?

Me: Smile.

Thank you, Lord... for sweet, sweet moments and the chance to share Your love.

If at first you don't succeed...

try, try again.

And if that still doesn't work... improvise!

How I love his determination... and his industrious thinking, too!

Thank you, Father, for precious, precious boys~

Hiding words

It's funny. One year ago I wrote this post after making a decision, a commitment, a choice... to do what's best for me and my house... to hide His Word in my heart, over and over and over again.

So now, after one whole year, I offer my progress report:

I failed.

Miserably.

I started strong, but then... well... deadlines, obligations, play dates, meal plans, swim lessons, exhaustion, exhaustion, exhaustion. I'm certain I could offer every excuse in the book. And not a single one of them would be a lie. But I won't. Because there really is no excuse.

If I had really made it a priority, it would have happened. I would have made the time. I would have made the time. I would have made the time. Period. Just like I do for all the other things that really must get done.

Like my co-op lessons. I would never show up for class unprepared; in fact, I shudder at the thought of it. So why on earth do I choose to show up each morning with the task at hand-- to raise my littles in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-- with a heart that could hold so. much. more. Why do I make time in my day for 20th century historians and presidents and economists... for their words... but not for those of the King of the kings. Are their words more important than His very own? Are accounts of sinful foibles and deceits and exploits more critical than Truth and Light and Bread?

May it never be.

So I think that now, on the almost one-year anniversary of my pledge, I'll try again. This time, however, I'm gonna recruit my little ones to join me. We'll start with a favorite,

"I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."

Psalm 119:11

And then I think we'll tack on verses 9 and 10:

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.

I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands."

And from there, I'll let the boys choose a selection or two as they wish, and then I'll fill in the rest. We'll surely add a few of Big Man's AWANA verses to the bunch, and together, we'll hide His Word in our hearts.

Together. Accountable. Responsible. Obedient.

And this time, by His grace, I'll (nay, we'll!) succeed.

Don't forget!

Yep. It'll be a late night... but I'll be up... with snacks and goodies and all...

just waiting to see how things turn out.

And in the meantime, I'll be praying here for His mighty hand...

for His divine intervention...

for His perfect will.

Please don't forget to play your part!

1000 Gifts: I Sing the Mighty Power of God

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at God's command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,

Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where'er I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known.

And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;

And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

~ Isaac Watts

Rejoicing today in the beauty of His creation... giving thanks for all He's made:

(numbers 818 - 830)

leaf-littered gardens, glistening in reds and oranges and yellows

crisp blue skies lined with feathery white clouds... the call of a brand new day

bird chatter out back, the door open wide

laughter & giggles & more

tiny tomatoes, still clinging to the vine

autumn's harvest... not quite ready to quit

dogs on leashes, babe in stroller, the big ones on bikes down the street

around and around and around we go-- the outdoors still calling for more

summer sheets put away, beds blanketed for warmth

mornings to snuggle and cuddle and rest

homemade soups and freshly baked bread

hot chocolate, applie pie, and more

the thousands of ways He says, I love you

around every corner, in every tree, just waiting.... waiting to be noticed

eyes to see and ears to hear

and a heart... desperate to receive it all

"God made the earth by His power."

Jeremiah 10:12-13

and the list continues...