Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Christmas countdown...

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Advent-

and the calendar waiting to help us count down the days

to Christmas!

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for sick days.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Christmas shopping

nearly done!

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for these two cuties-

who at first let me hold them,

but then wanted me to hold them.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for homemade bread-

the aroma, the warmth, and the taste

are all delicious.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for our apartment-

more than just a place to eat or sleep,

but a base for ministry.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

“Every time you feel in God’s creatures something pleasing and attractive, do not let your attention be arrested by them alone, but, passing them by, transfer your thought to God and say: O my God, if Thy creations are so full of beauty, delight and joy, how infinitely more full of beauty, delight and joy are Thou Thyself, Creator of all!” Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for cookies-

one of my favorite treats!

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for homeschooling-

because it serves our family well

(and for Thanksgiving break!).

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for my pillow-

because I love to sleep.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for a drawer

full of love notes.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for pumpkins-

the key ingredient to most

delicious autumn desserts.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for dirty dishes-

proof that He meets

our most basic needs.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for very warm slippers-

because my feet get very cold.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for lost things-

found.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for music.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Calvary Baptist Church of Joliet-

the body

and bride

in action.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for morning coffee-

bring

it

on!

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for happy memories-
big and small events
etched in my mind.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for the Scriptures-

breathed out by God,

profitable for teaching,

reproof,

correction,

training in righteousness;

that I may be

competent,

equipped

for every good work.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for the storytellers-
they lovingly cared for the child
who became my husband,
and now lovingly care for my children.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for a stranger-

who became a sister.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Kallie, Yvonne and Cassandra-

there were never such

devoted sisters.

October Reading...

I didn't do it.

I didn't read a book in October.

I checked one out of the library and hated it. After about a quarter of the way through I returned it because it was stupid.

Then I ordered a book online that I am in the middle of now...

Technically, I failed at reading a book a month.

But I'm going to pretend that the months I read MORE than one book will cover October.

Just making up the rules as I go...

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for a big brother, Ryan-

my generous

and loving

dance partner.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for my mom-

giving,

and giving,

and giving

for others.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for my daddy-

strong and brave,

gentle and humble.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for special visitors-

who stay in our home

for a short while,

but in our hearts

forever.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Bryan Paul and Gwyn-

words cannot express

my gratitude

for these gifts.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for Bryan-

my best friend,

my love.

Thirty Days of Thanks...

for grace-

unmerited,

undeserved,

unearned

favor.

Monday music...

This girl is uber awesome with talent to spare...and I'm not just saying that because she's my sister...

Thursday thanksgiving...

Mr. D can be very sweet. He loves to be kissed and tickled. He is usually quick to obey, which is good because he gets into everything! We applaud his handstands and laugh when he is silly.

We love him.

But Mr. D can be very naughty. He sometimes he runs away from us. He will scream in defiance until he is exhausted. We correct him and are grieved at his rebellion.
But we love him.

And in him I see myself.

Sometimes I hear the voice of the Lord and quickly obey. Sometimes I scream in defiance until I'm exhausted. And although the Lord grieves over my rebellion, he is unfaltering in His merciful love for me.

I'm so thankful for this reminder.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love
Prone to hear you and not heed it
Prone to scorn you in your love

Oh to grace, how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let your goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to thee
Jesus sought me while a stranger
Wandering from the heart of God
He to rescue me from danger
Used his own precious blood

Come Thou Fount as performed by Sara Groves

Thursday thanksgiving...

So thankful for

the MVP of the day-

VIV!

August & September reading...

What is this pretty page with the cute little birds?

OH! My blog! That's right...forgot I had one of those...
Thought it looked familiar...

Okay, I HAVE been reading.

Not as much as normal, but it seems things around here have picked up quite a bit-

School starting.

Trying to buy a house.

Hosting special little visitors.

So here is my short list...

August: Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Castleman



Technically this is a re-read. I picked up this book when my kids were still in diapers and it was the resource that sparked my husband and I to begin to think about what we wanted for our children in the worship service. It is a super easy read, with lots of interesting/funny stories, and I recommend it to every Christian parent. I'm glad I grabbed it to read again - it was a really great reminder and refresher as to why we keep our kids with us in church...curious? Read it!

September: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Excellent.
Most are probably familiar with it becasue of the movie recently released based on this book. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's, it tells the stories of African-America maids and the white women they work for. I had a really hard time putting this book down until I was finished...and then I didn't want it to end. I wanted to keep reading about Minny, Skeeter, Aibileen...they all were so real and interesting. Stockett did such an amazing job...I had to research her a little bit! She was very hesitant at first about the book - being a white Southern woman - and then was rejected by 60 literary agents! But she was persistent and it paid off.

Now, I've got to run and take care of some precious little people, but I hope to have another great book in my hands soon!

Hoarders...

Not sure how I managed it to put it off for so long, but I just saw my first episode of Hoarders about a month ago. It really grosses me out, but at the same time makes me feel really good about the way my house looks.

This is not a good thing.

My thinking goes something like this... "Today is dusting day. That lady on Hoarders doesn't dust. No way. There were like, 70 cats living in her house...not only did she forget to dust, she doesn't pick up the "nasty" they leave all over, or their dead bodies. That is so gross, rotting dead animals in her house! And all that rotten food, too? Oh man. And the piles and piles of junk? I can't imagine! There were goats eating her walls! How do you let that happen?! I wonder what it smells like (not that I really want to smell it...)? Wait, what day was this again? I can't remember...but it looks really great in here compared to that Hoarders house, so maybe I already did what I was supposed to do. Yeah, that must be it. Guess I'll get another cup of coffee and do some reading..." So then, a couple days later, when my kids are drawing pictures in the 2 inches of dust on the piano, I remember, "Oh! I was supposed to DUST! That was it!" But there are no dead animals under the piano, so I go back to reading...

HOWEVER...I do have some minor heart palpitations when I walk into my daughter's room and see THIS...(insert the "Jaws" theme music here)

Is this a sign of a future hoarder?! Please, someone tell me their bedroom looked like this when they were eight years old and now they value some sort of cleanliness and order!

Really, I'm begging for some testimonials!

Monday music...

Gwyn loves this song right now!
Again, the video is odd...just close your eyes...

Monday music...

If you like the song, download it for free here!

Monday music...

My day with the Doctor...

Apparently, the people in our apartment before us had cats.

This is causing quite a problem with my husbands allergies, so we decided to go to the doctor for help...

Today I'm spending quality time with the Rug Doctor. Hopefully he can help my husband feel better.

The gnome is just along for the ride...

Thursday thanksgiving...

I did not edit this photo.

Veggie Straws always have a glowing, angelic like appearance...

because they are heavenly.

I give this giant bag (1.25 lbs) about 3 days in our house.

"Sensible portions" - HA!

Just being thankful

for the little things.

Visitors in the fridge...