My Week

Last week was one of those weeks that I look back on and breath a sigh of relief that it is over. I am thankful that nothing serious happened however it was a rough one to walk through. Saturday Mady slipped off the counter and split her lip, lots of blood and crying, then after church the next day she started throwing up on me, the floor, turns out it was just the beginnings of a bad cold. Next day she opened the TV cabinet on Aslan's face and chipped his front tooth. He looks like a little redneck now. That same night as Mady was geting undressed for the bath I was wiping up popcicle off the floor and bending down right abover her. When she stood up she smashed into my eye with the back of her head. Lots of blood, lots of crying from myself, Aslan, and Mady just shell shocked saying, "I'm sorry mommy, i'm sorry mommy" over and over again. When the smoke cleared I had sustained a significant gash over my right eye, and had to go to Urgent Care and get a few stiches.

So Thursday I took Aslan to the dentist to make sure there wasn't any damage to the nerve. Oh boy, picture just for a moment a high energy 18 month in a confined space. Oh my goodness was that fun, he was pulling out toothbrushes, floride packets and floss from all of the drawers. Spraying himself with water from the metal tools that are connected to that silver tray that slides over you in the chair. Running up and down the aisle that all the chairs were in, pulling down everything within in reach along the way. I loved how when the dentist finally came in to give my the prognosis he just causually sits there with his legs crossed trying to show the xray. I am trying my best to listen to what he is saying as my 1 and half year old is vandolizing his office, smiling and all the while, I'm thinking will you please get to the point before he does permanent damage to himself. I love how naive most people are to an energetic toddler. The good news is he is fine just going to have a slightly crooked smile for the next 5 years or so.

Our weekend was much quieter, I got my hair done, and Sunday we had a bunch of people over after church who hung out all afternoon and evening. It was great!~ So that's why I haven't posted in a little bit, life has been full of constant surprises and reminders of God's sense of humor.

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.

Mady's First Day of PreSchool

A little late on this post, she started right when we got back from Georgia and Virginia. She loves her new class and new teacher Miss Cullison.

Lifehouse's Everything Skit

Amazing

Aunt Jackie's House

1st - Mady helping to make Noah's birthday cake with Aunt Jackie

2nd - Mady splashing Aunt Jackie with cake batter, very funny!

3rd- Aslan and Big Daddy

4th- I just love his face in this picture

Surprise

Two weeks ago I went on a surprise trip visit to see my sister in Georgia. I just couldn't let the season of fresh zeal, grace and newfound joy in our Savior go by without being there to drink deeply of his love. She had no idea I was coming, I took a shuttle from the Atlanta airport to the town she lives in. When I arrived she wasn't there, she was actually at a dinner at the church. Mady came out from the bushes to say "surprise" when she got home, she was SO EXCITED to see us. From the moment I arrived I could sense the Lord's spirit in her home. Her usual reactions to things were markable different, with her children, her husband, and with life's interuptions to " our plans" for the day. The Lord's peace had come and rested her soul. She was joyous and excited, and so grateful for the books that I had brought with me to give to her. One of which was the Jesus Storybook Bible that I gave to her two sons. She was so gleeful in exclaiming to her oldest son, " Look Christian now Mommy can read to you and teach you about Jesus."

The best moment came though when we went to church together on Sunday. I watched my sister take communion as a believer and follower of Christ. Tears of joy and thankfulness streamed down both of our faces. To partake together in the Lord's supper... to hug her and hold her hand, and look into her eyes, what a blessing beyond measure. Worshiping beside her, and knowing deep in my heart that this is how we would spend eternity, worshiping our God together. God is so good, he is so faithful.

I didn't get a picture with her on my camera but I know she took one on her's so hopefully I will get to post it if she sends it to me. But I do have some others of the kids playing together and making Noah's birthday cake. Oh yes it was my newphew's 2nd birthday while we were there, as if we needed more reasons to celebrate! So I will post some pictures tomorrow. Thanks to all who prayed for me and my sister's time together, it was so very sweet.

New Swing Set

So most of you know how much I love garage sales and finding bargains. This past weekend we were on our way to a birthday party and I just had to stop at this church rummage sale near our house. As we got out of the car, Mady said mommy this isn't the party is it? I said no mommy just wants to stop here for just a second. ( I think this is going to be one of those things that my kids remember as they get older, mommy dragging them to her sales). Anyhow I have been looking for months on craigslist and sailing around and finally I spotted it outside all taken apart. A BRAND NEW SWING SET! It was all taken apart, I had the man working the sale show me how it went together. Then lady who decides the prices came out to tell me that everything was drastically reduced prices. Apparently the sale had been going for two days and they were about to close in thirty minutes. So I got this brand new swing set with slide and playhouse underneath it for $ 20.00 plus she threw the picnic table and matching sand box with lid that matched the set I had just bought. It's so cute the little table even has an umbrella that goes through the table for shade. The kids love it, they played with it in the dark the other night. Mady is telling everyone that she has a park at her house. Thank you Lord for providing such a wonderful gift for my kids, my children's friends, and all the neighborhood kids. And for making our home a place where laughter and the joys of childhood can be expressed to their fullest.