My October Blessings

A Month FULL of Blessings...

The month of October has been an absolute blur for me! So much going on in such a short span, but so many blessings to be counted!

#27...driving 5 hours to my inlaws and leaving the kids so I can get a date with my favorite man ♥
#28...wearing skirt on a rainy, windy day just so I can look (and feel) pretty for my husband...
#29...sipping hot coffee while people-watching downtown...

#30...finishing the last of our adoption classes! One step closer to expanding our family☺

#31...a field trip to the deepest lake in the United States. Nothing compares to the sapphire blue of Crater Lake!

#32...having a surprise me with an overwhelmingly kind & generous gift...and still having no idea who to say thank you!

.... So, thank you, Jesus!

#33...taking 10 minutes to lay in my hammock and enjoy the colorful canopy of the autumn leaves.

#34...a beautiful sunset shared with loved ones♥

#35...answered prayers!

#36...having family arrive, gradually over 3 days, as they gather to help us prepare for a big celebration!

#37...living out "many hands make light the work" and loving every minute of it!

#38...borrowing a daughter to help me, my son and my niece bake 50 cupcakes and a huge cake...

#39...having my sister, the cake expert, make my vision a reality!

#40...renewing our wedding vows before God, family and friends!♥

#41...totally overwhelmed by God's gifts of love, raining down on us, surrounded by friends and family, the amazing celebration our anniversary, so many hugs, smiles, tears, laughter...my heart is just bursting with joy!

#42...looking forward to when I will see my long-distance family again...instead of looking back. I will miss them, but I hold them close to my heart.

#43...preparing for some family time away from the daily hustle and bustle...

#44...spending time in the woods, loving God's closeness in creation, while my boys learn wilderness survival skills!

Thank you, LORD, for the great gifts that You give. Thank you for the blessing of friends who become family, and family who becomes friends. Thank you for the love that You pour out on your children who love you! May we always choose to follow You, all the days of our lives.

My Autumn Blessing #26

Autumn Blessings...

...having a friend pass me a "love note" in church today blessed me to the tip of my toes!

 Thank you, LORD, for your angels here on earth, to remind us of the love you have for us! Bless these sweet messengers for being Your Hands & Feet ♥

My Autumn Blessings #23, 24 & 25

Autumn Blessings...

...spending most of my day sorting, cropping & putting together photos in my wedding album. After 13 years of marriage, this is truly a gift to finally have! ♥

...having a helpful friend to inspire and encourage me to complete the project was a great excuse for productive fellowship and made to time go so much faster!

...having a church family that takes good care of us. Leading us, guiding us and always lovingly pointing us back to the Cross.

Thank you, LORD, that your plan for me included others to bless and be blessed by. Thank you for each perfect gift you give- each helping hand, each smile, each hug, each "knowing" look from those that reflect Your Light and your love in this world.

My Autumn Blessing #22

Blessed...


...a beautiful day for meeting friends in the park. I love the cool feel of the fall air on my skin, slowly warming up from the sun breaking through the clouds.

LORD, only you would have the perfect combination of cool air and warm sun to create such a beautiful autumn day. Thank you for the friends we got to visit with, bless them, and thank you for the easy-going day with my family.

My Autumn Blessing #21

My Autumn Blessing #21...


...movie date night with hubby...at home. My favorite!

Thank you, LORD, that even when we can't get away, we can still find time for each other at home:)

My Autumn Blessing #20

Autumn Blessings abound....

Yesterday, while sitting at my younger son's football game (in the rain!), my older son commented on how several of his brother's teammates were there without their families. "It's kind of sad because their parents are never here. They just drop off and pick up their kids."

Yes, Son...

"Why???"

I don't know...various reasons, I suppose.

"I'm glad our family is different."

Me too!

LORD, I am so thankful for moments like these, where my children understand that choosing to follow You, to honor and glorify You with our actions, DOES look different! Thank you, LORD, for the opportunity we have to be together as a family, supporting each other, cheering each other on. Thank you for little heart-to-heart conversations like this. May You be magnified in all we say and do!

My Autumn Blessing #19



From today's lesson

 More Autumn Blessings...

...a productive day of homeschooling my children is not about the number of pages we read, the projects we completed, or the amount of time we spent studying. It often has more to do with the depth of a lesson, a life skill taught, or observing the wonder of God's creation in us and around us.

O LORD, I do not deserve these precious children, yet you called me to be their mother. Thank you for the lessons that I have learned from them and through them. May each of these moments not be spent in vain, but to Your Glory!

My Autumn Blessing #16, 17 & 18

My Autumn Blessing #16, 17 & 18...

...waking up to the pitter-patter of rain.  *sigh*

...my son playing football in the rain, coming in the house soaking wet with a huge grin on his face.

...building new friendships, for me and my children, one smile at a time.

Thank you, LORD, for the changing of the seasons, the watering of the earth, the cooling of days. Thank you for the simple joy found in raindrops from heaven. Bless my family today and guide us through our week. May you be our focus each and every day that you give to us.

A Bushel of Autumn Blessings

My Autumn Blessings #11-15...
#11...a "solo" mini roadtrip means I can listen to my choice of music, uninterrupted, and sing praises to my King at the top of my lungs. Total abandonment!

#12...visiting with friends I haven't seen in a while, meeting their new baby, and staying up til 3am chatting is worth the sacrificed sleep.

#13...taking 2 teenage girls to a concert with my sister...priceless! I'm a firm believer that music can close the gap between the generations.

#14...full awareness of God's protection as I slept at a rest stop when I was too tired to continue driving.

#15...home sweet home!

Thank you, LORD, for the perfect gifts you give. I am blessed beyond measure that you would choose me, love me, provide for me, protect me, with gifts I couldn't even dream of asking!