Waiting...

i sit here in waiting for my little one to arrive. The doctor has had me on bed rest for the last five weeks so I have had plenty of time to think and wonder about a lot of things. What will she look like? What kind of person will she be? How will she blend and complement this family? Perfectly I have decided. Pretty soon there will come a time when i won't remember what our family looked like without her. There are many things we are working through as a family unit both individually and collectively. But I know with her arrival all the cares will all melt away as we look and gaze and wonder at the amazment of life. And dote upon her every noise and expression and take such pleasure in wiping her bottom and in every act in coming to know her. Daddy's heart will be taken once again by this new little girl who will hold on to his pinky and calm at the sound of his voice. And Mady will get to be the little mommy she has been desiring to be for so long. Ahh remembering the moment we told her that mommy had a baby in her tummy. To all the insightful questions that have followed...God truly will give her a desire of her heart with a baby sister. I have loved every minute of her anticipated arrival. I can't wait to meet and fall in love with our new little girl ( not that i already haven't) just in a new way. We shall see her soon i hope and pray for her safe arrival in our world.

Things I Love About Fall

* the leaves changing
* apple pickin
* biting into a freshly picked apple
* the smell of baking apples
* closing my eyes and listening to the leaves rustling in the trees
* the cool breeze on my face
* scarves
* making Fall Crafts with my sweet daughter and her friends
* apple cider
* the warmth of a HUG on a crisp day
* the radiant blue sky on a crisp day
* hiking to the top of a mountain and seeing the canvas of God rich with color
* planting bulbs
* playing in piles of leaves
* the sound of fallen leaves beneath my feet
* leaf angels
* thanksgiving
* going to a high school football game
* my fall table cloth I made in 2003
* berry bouquets on my table
* reflecting on change and how God creates such beauty through change, and welcoming it as I do this season... it is always a reminder of God's faithfulness.

May you enjoy this season.

Happy Father's Day

To our Daddy,

There are many moments that make up a lifetime but only a few that make up a childhood. Thank you Daddy for always being just as excited to see us as we are to see you at the end of the day. Thank you Daddy for being a man who's heart is for the Lord, who leads us to a knowledge of our Savior. Thank you Daddy that His spirit that was placed in you draws all of our hearts closer to him by your example. Thank you Daddy for working so hard for our family. Thank you daddy that our family comes first in your life. Thank you daddy for playing superman, pillow time, Ready Set Go, Chase around the patio, and for teaching me how to ride a bike. Thank you Daddy that you never grow tired of repeating the same answer to me even when I have asked you the same question before. Thank you for the way that you dance with me and pretend to be my prince. Thank you the way you wrestle with me and let me climb all over your back and front and every limb that you have. Thank you for believing in me and believing in the promises that God has for my life. Thank you for being there for all of my moments and not wanting to be anywhere else. We know this, we sense this, every time we look in your eyes, we know how much you adore us and we hope that today you know how much we adore you and how much we love our Daddy.

Summer is Here

Yesterday we went to the beach. It was such a beautiful day. I watched Mady running around splashing in the waves and shrilling with delight. Aslan also took his first turn in the water since he has been walking. Yes.. that's right he is walking now. He loved how the water would chase him up and down the beach. He reminded me of a little sandpiper scurring up away from the water only to run it down again. I love being with my children, they are so carefree. They remind me how to live a life of freedom one that is surrendered to the Lord.

Why I live in San Diego

My husband Jim is in Mexico this weekend surfing with his friends. Every year he takes an annual trip down for his birthday which is Sunday. So the kids and I are headed to the beach ourselves today to soak up the San Diego sun. We went for a walk this morning ( I was secrectly hunting for a garage sale) and one of our neighbors was opening his garage and as we passed by his driveway. As the door opened he raised his arms above his head and exclaimed, " Another beautiful day!" "This is what we pay for by living here, there is no other place like this" I smiled and concurred with him. And as I walked I began to thank God for letting me live in such a beautiful climate. Although the cost of living is very high, you are surrounded by such amazing beauty. As I look out my window I see a sage green mountain right behind my house and in the far distance are more mountains. And today as we get in the car to go to the beach we will only travel for about ten minutes before we reach the golden shores of the pacific. I love the fact that my kids get to be outside all year long. So thank you Lord for the sunshine, for the mountains and the beach, and for allowing me to be in this place where the beauty of your creation can be found just outside my door.