First Week of Fall

Our first week of fall kicked off with Drake traveling. There's a different pace to our home when he's gone, one that we've gotten familiar with but don't prefer. Nonetheless, this week brought a host of activities and distractions to make the time pass by more quickly. 

Monday we ran some errands with Grandma, and little sister busted out her red boots.

Enough said.

Later that day I had a minor collision and busted the passenger side mirror on the good ole" Sequoia.

Bummer, especially when you have someone else's child in the car with you...thankfully no one was injured or even phased for that matter.

{i love their sweet friendship}

Tuesday morning brought a nice respite for Mama. All three were at school and I was able to do something I haven't done in awhile. SIT at a coffee shop and do my Bible study.

{bonus: ordering in a "for here" mug}

Tuesday night we were invited to Grammy and Grandpa's for dinner. Uncle Garret has been visiting from Norway and it was his last night. We ate outside and let me tell you their view never gets old.

Occasionally they will mention moving and selfishly I hope they never do.

Wednesday morning I was positive each of the kids received a memo in the night that instructed them upon waking to bug each other as much as possible. Fortunately after a Starbucks and an hour of watching Sammy prance around at dance class things were feeling a little better. The icing of the day was my sweet mom watching the little two so that I could not only run to Trader Joe's by myself, but also stock up on all the pumpkin goodies that have hit the shelves.  Pumpkin coffee, tea, bars, scones, butter, my heart is happy. 

Drake has landed in California, after a day in the office he will be home. We will tag team dance and soccer and our family will feel whole again. Right now I'm loving the fall breeze coming through my window, the smell of crock pot goodness coming from the kitchen and the scattering of crayons and toys that represent life in my house. 

God is good.

Happy Heart

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly momentum can shift. For instance one day you can think your spouse is the dreamiest person to ever walk the planet and the next day you seriously question your sanity at the altar. Or how about when you wake up in the morning feeling like hot stuff and go to bed feeling bloated and the beginning of a break out on your chin...? Catch my drift?

Anyhow, maybe it is the onset of fall or perhaps just an afternoon in the fresh air, but I had a major momentum shift yesterday. After the Chargers lost and I had done at least 4 loads of laundry we hauled bikes, chalk and cocktails out to the sidewalk and spent the remaining hours of daylight in the front yard.

Trent finally gained full confidence on a two-wheeler and must have circled the cul-de-sac at least a hundred times.

Sassy britches and her slight snotty nose ruled the ruse as usual. Pacing the neighborhood in her snow boots and doing her best to boss everyone around.

Neighbors slowly congregated in the middle of the street, sipping beverages and talking about the days worth of football and the crispness in the air.  It. Was. Perfect.

A few things that have been missed on the ole' blog here due to my lack of posting....

Juliana started 2nd grade.

And soccer.

So did Trent.

Sammy girl started dance.

And the three middle cousins started pre-school (hip hip hooray!!!)

Happy heart indeed!! And happy Monday.

A Day of Rest

Well hello there old friend. We haven't spoken in awhile. Fortunately like good friends do we can pick up where we left off, like no time has passed at all.

I am tired friend. Not physically so much, but mentally and spiritually. Today is Sunday. Traditionally thought to be a day of rest. What does that mean? I believe the Lord wants me to rest, but as a mom of three young children how can you devote an entire day to rest...?

I awoke this morning after a good night's sleep. I got in the shower to get ready for church. Half way through Samantha comes in, she is awake now and she is coughing that cough. The one I'm familiar with now, the one that tells me I won't be going to church and that I might not be sleeping very well the next couple of nights.

I pull her into the shower with me to let the steam soothe, praying that this is just a morning tightness that will pass. Already I feel somewhat defeated and it is 7:30 am. "Trust me," His voice says, "I love her more than you do."

"I know Lord, I know, but I'm so tired." These children, my husband, this home is my ministry, but I get so tired of caring for everyone all the time. "I love you too," He says, "I want your faith to be strengthened, I want it to be refined purer than gold." Physically a mother's work is never done, but mentally and spiritually He will take my yoke. He will take the burden and concern of constantly caring for others and He will let me rest. He does want me to rest.

Drake takes the older one's to church and I stay here with Sammy. I turn on Tinkerbell for her while I set to work cleaning and scrubbing, vacuuming and dusting, all the while I'm singing to myself that old song I learned in youth group so many years ago, derived from the Psalms, it goes like this.

Create in me a clean heart O' God

O' Lord

And renew a right spirit within in me

Restore unto me, the joy of my salvation

And renew a right Spirit within me.

"Restore unto me the JOY of my salvation Lord," I plead as I scrub my shower, "You alone are joy, regardless of life circumstance, YOU ARE JOY."

I haven't heard her cough since. Perhaps things will pick up at night, but perhaps the Lord just wanted me home, scrubbing my shower and reestablishing His presence in my life. Reestablishing that I can trust Him, He is who He says He is. 

And that day of rest? I can have it whenever I choose because I've chosen Him.