Thankfulness...

My daughters were both very excited about Halloween. I was not so excited and feeling my usual angst over the chores that still were not finished and the day drawing to an end. While I was busy finding the whole interuption to my chores a nuisance, they were both waiting for the sun to go down so they could get on their costumes for a trek through the neighborhood. My secret hope was that the rain would start up again and I could have a better excuse to stay in and finish my laundry other than I just didn't want to go.
It was wet and cold, but soon our door bell started to ring and the parade of superheroes and princesses started. Reluctantly we set off into the icky night, but I only made it as far as across the street before I sent T-Bone off into the darkness with my girls. The only shot on my camera was this one that I took quickly before dashing back into the warmth of my dirty house.
Emily from Chatting at the Sky said in her post this morning at inCourage "It takes effort to be present on purpose and to see beyond the messy living room in order to appreciate the beauty of family and togetherness. For me, the simple act of noticing inevitably leads to thankfulness."
I've had a hard time lately stopping and appreciating what I have. What am I thankful for? A husband that loves Halloween and went out excited and happy with our girls. A sister-in-law that captured sweet shots of the girls in costume and bubbling with excitement on her camera. My girls for not letting a crabby mom dampen their excitement.
I'm thankfully unwrapping my Tuesday and linking to Chatting at the Sky.

Holding On To Summer

Summer has faded away. The heat is still here and the pool is still open, but for me school starts next week. I intentionally kept this week unscheduled. B is away at camp and T-Bone is very busy with work, so it's pretty much just me hanging out with The Bird. We made our last Monday afternoon to the library yesterday and today we have a tea party planned with real cookies and lemonade. I am not happy about returning to my current position, but at the same time feel God has kept me there for a reason. God knows how I'm always trying to see beyond what is right in front of me and how I wrestle with the future. It's a season of growth for me to trust him, to keep on keeping on, and to know great things are unfolding and that maybe I just don't see it yet. Instead of feeling anxious and sad, I'm going to enjoy every second of one of my last "stay at home" mommy days. I'm going to rejoice and be glad in this day the Lord made and gave to me. I'm going to trust in his master plan for me. I'm linking this post to Tuesdays Unwrapped over at Chatting at the Sky. What are you holding on to today?

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."

Miracles Everyday

God never ceases to amaze me. As I have stood before him asking that he hears my answers, he answers. The answers seem to come while I am not looking. They come when I relax and finally hand over the doubt and fear I had been wrestling with to him. He was going to give me my answers anyway. You have to wonder if he smiles as he watches us hold on to things that we need to hand over to him. I'm enjoying the miracle of a Father that listens, that loves, and that wants me to come to him. Visit Chatting at the Sky for more everyday miracles.

This picture is of Percy. She is my Bird's beloved baby and I never know where I'll find her. I though this was a bag that needed to be folded and stored, but turns out, it was a "sleeping bag". "Mommy, she is sleeping leave her alone."

Pslam 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!