It Is So Fall...

so why is it still warm?! I am not in Texas anymore!! My daughters are still wearing shorts to school and I haven't worn my fun little red trenchcoat even once. Tags are still in it because I am still wearing capri's!!

But from my bedroom window I see the trees are turning, vines around the trunks are truly crimson, and the wild grasses are rusting and yellowing.

I guess it doesn't need to be that cold during the day for nature to begin its process of winter rest!

I have been thinking on the concept of real rest in my life lately and its lack thereof. More Sabbath rest, less sleep rest, more do-nothing-but-play- with-the-kids rest, less brain rest, more soul rest. These are all things I need to get better at this Fall.

I shouldn't let things in my life grow cold before I start the process!

Pictures?

Today was a day I easily could have betrayed my decision to only write on my blog. I would have used the technology of pictures if I had the capablity (intellectual) to do so. It has been a while since I posted. I am in a weak spot, feeling a little dry and non-creative. Just plug in a picture with some commentary!

It isn't that I dislike pictures on other people's blogs so don't get all offended and send me hate-comments. It is just that, well, blogging was my chance to write. Basically, I am rethinking my resolve.

I will be sure to let you know what I decide.

Fall Hike

Yesterday on my "day off" with my husband, we took a little hike. There is something timeless when you exit manmade road and hit nature. Not only do you trade pavement for dirt, but you also leave behind the worries and stresses of daily life.

For that span of time, there were no school issues with the kids. Various challenges disappeared. Scheduling and housework and laundry didn't even exist.

We were surrounded by color. There were deer tracks. Leaves waved and rustled high above us. We were together.

Thank you, Lord, for sharing Your Creation!!!

Wife of a Hunter

At a certain time each year, I become the wife of a hunter. The phenomena actually begins to take shape before hunting season begins. As the weather begins to change, so does my husband. He spends more time looking through various outdoor catalogues and begins to stretch his shoulder out. His binoculars are found in various parts of the house, but always near windows and doors. The bow case can be found open in the basement next to the target block.

Though it can sometimes be an annoying pastime, I mostly like that my husband hunts. It means my husband and my kids will be creating some more great memories together. Past trips have provided fun campfire style stories that involve not just my boys but also my girls. From killing a deer while my littlest was wearing hot pink "camo" to great "sleepyhead" video footage of my middle boy, these memories will last all our lives! I like my husband having a hobby. He is a better man with something fun to plan ahead for, to dream about, to hone a skill for, and all outside in the crisp fresh air of God's creation. I appreciate that we eat what he kills. It is good stewardship, healthy, and I get a full freezer! And best of all, the season begins and the season ends. It isn't forever!

As hunting season fast approaches and I am tempted to notice the annoying side of his hobby (early mornings, random chamo articles strewn about, time away from me, etc.) I intentionally choose to acknowledge the positive side of being the wife of a hunter.

Big Truck

I have a big black Labrador named Truck. He was part of the Three Ring Circus I blogged about not too long ago. He is quite big...oh wait, I already said that. But he is NOT fat, and I am not just saying that to make him feel better about himself. He is big boned. Seriously! Just ask my vet!

Anyways, Truck loves food! He loves cheap dog food, he loves expensive dog food, he loves cat food which he steals from Hidey, and he loves rawhide bones which he devours in about 30 minutes. He would love human food but we do not give him any table scraps at all. We are very strict about it!

Monday morning Truck was let out and fed by my son at his normal time of 6:00 AM. At around 6:30 I am jerked from sleep by frantic barking in the front yard. Deer, I think wearily to myself. He will get over it. Sure enough, the barking ceased but 5 minutes later I hear a pounding on the front door. Neighbors, I think in horror to myself. They are coming over to complain about Truck barking at the deer! It is my birthday and I can't even sleep in!! I leap from bed ready to calmly but coolly annihilate whatever person happens to be at my front door only to find nothing but a basket full of bagels and pastries and fruit.

About now I am feeling, well, stupid! So I grab the basket and bring it in all the while wondering where on earth Truck is and thinking how fortunate that he wasn't around or the basket would be empty. Last year for my birthday, my sister mailed me a package which he had chewed up but fortunately (for him) the earrings were inside a metal box and were ok.

I got the scoop yesterday from my friend who left the basket for me. The barking was initiated by her and her daughter taunting Truck just out of reach of his radio collar in an effort to get us to let him in the house. They are both very nervous around big dogs. When that didn't work, she had to turn to bribery. When I opened the door she was actually hiding behind my car in the driveway, shoeless, hanging onto Truck's collar while he gobbled down goodies from the basket! Apparently, she had knocked on our door, grabbed pastries from the basket, grabbed his collar and had drug him through the flower bed, losing her shoes on the way just in time before I opened the door.

So Truck is feeling like a very fortunate dog, having had breakfast from Panera for once in his life. I personally am feeling fortunate my friend is still talking to me.

Disapointment and Discovery

Have you ever really looked forward to something only to find that when you get there it isn't as good as you imagined?

Yep! The shoes just weren't that great in person. They were darling on the model in the catalog online. But not so special hanging on a plastic hanger (!) on the wall. And so, the price tag just wasn't worth it.

Have you ever been really disapointed about something only to discover that just around the corner something special was waiting for you?

Yep! Across the room was an adorable little red trench coat calling out to me! I tried it on without even looking at the price tag! And then I exercised my birthday prerogative of spending way too much on a trendy item just because I want to!

If you happen to see it at Anne Taylor Loft, picture me in it as I dash from picking the girls up, to soccer, to basketball, to the store, to coffee, to Bible study, etc. Because I am looking forward to wearing the coat out this Fall!!

Shoppin' for Shoes

I really, really like shoes!!

I have always been drawn to the click-clack of high heels on a hard floor. There is just something about open toe shoes that show off bright polish on toe nails. I appreciate the comfortable pleasure found in a good pair of tennies. I adore comfy, wooly slippers that cuddle my cold feet in the winter.

And I really, really like getting to purchase the little red ballet slippers that have caught my eye at Ann Taylor Loft!!

Thank you to my mom-in-law for helping me pick them out online!!

Embarrassment Meets Kindness

I picked up my daughter from school the other day and her expressive face told me immediately that something was up. When asked how her day went, she blurted out, "I have to tell you something when we get to the car".

In testimony to my misunderstood childhood, my first thought was she had a detention. Thankfully, she only resembles me in a limited way and so the answer to that question was a very indignant "no".

After an eternity, we reached the car. My mind had raced through several scary possibilities and I knew for sure that if it was anything to do with a boyfriend I would probably have a panic attack.

C. prefaced her story with a giggle and by commenting that she hoped she wasn't gossiping but something hilarious had happened that day. Apparently, she was in the girls room when a boy entered and too late realized he had made a very awkward mistake. I asked what she did and she said that since the boy was in her class she immediately looked away so that he could make his escape without knowing he had been seen.

As relief flowed through me that this was all that "was up", it occurred to me that my daughter had behaved herself very kindly! I wish the embarrassing moments of my childhood had been handled that well by my peers. For that matter, I still have embarrassing moments. And I am so, so proud of my kind daughter!

Shopaholics Beware

I am a recovering shopaholic! Flying on the plane today, I was struck anew at the incredible shopping possibilities to be found thousands of feet in the air. In one catalogue you can find anything from gaudy bathroom fixtures to feet massagers to 14 karat gold roses.

My favorite item today was the filtered water system for cats. Apparently, cats love fresh water. In fact, it is vital for their survival. For a small fortune, I can now insure kitty has the freshest water possible whenever kitty wants it.

For a brief moment, I am actually tempted. After all, I like filtered and fresh water myself. I even half way like my cat. And then it occurs to me, my cat lurks at night searching for rodents. When it finds a rodent, my cat slaps it around before killing it. My cat takes the deceased in its mouth and drops it on my front porch for all to see. If after all that, my cat still needs filtered water to survive, then kitty is up a creek.

Besides, there was a pretty awesome set of his and her ab loungers that caught my eye.

Favorite Psalm

The entirety of Psalm 63 ministers to my heart. It voices my prayer, especially in the hardest of times when I am weakest. Here are the first few verses:

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirst for you
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better then life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Three things that make me happy...

*seeing God's hand at work

I LOVE finding tidbits in Scripture that connect with some current event in my life (like getting to the book of Ruth in my reading just a few weeks ago). And even when God's hand at work is a disciplinary hand, I know it is wielded in love for me and it makes me so happy that He hasn't forgotten me, that He is active in my life, and He loves me tenderly enough to help me mature spiritually.

*my family

My best friend is still my husband. My kids aren't perfect but they are sure great, if I do say so myself. My parents and siblings are my prayer warriors and friends. My in-laws are brave and caring. It just makes me happy to think about them all!

*Dr. Pepper, steak, and chocolate cake

There is simple pleasure found in the tang of a lime squeezed into a Dr. Pepper; the salty, charcoaly taste of a great steak grilled to perfection; the smooth and creamy texture of rich chocolate! But I have also learned this past week that it can get even simpler! In the words of one of my mom-in-laws doctors, "there is nothing that makes you feel so human as the ability to eat and drink". As she drinks her very small cups of Propel and ice, or eats portions of Cream of Wheat, my mom-in-law is relishing it as if it is a feast prepared by the finest chef. She knows what it is like to go days without this simple comfort and she appreciates it thoroughly!

There are other things, obviously, that make me happy but these three are what I am thinking about today. Maybe tomorrow I will thank God for three more things. This exercise could last for quite awhile I am thinking!

Roadtrip Reminiscence

My family had to make a last minute rush trip south to see the family due to my mom-in-law's cancer and the fact that time is growing close for her. It wasn't an easy trip. Long hours on the road invite mournful thoughts. But there were a few funny happenings and so those I am going to share!

*It isn't a roadtrip without the typical "are we there yet/how much longer/what time is it" questions and all the variations the kids could think of

*To break the monotony, Big D asked the kids a question..."If you are a Norwegian, what country are you from?" C. 's answer was France, of course.

*We stopped at Wendy's, mainly because we had travelled too far north for a Sonic, and found a Wendy's girl who was having a worse day then we were. Big D didn't tell her we were "to go" until the end of the order. It was JUST AWFUL!! Can you BELIEVE how RUDE? (: Somehow in some sick way, it made us both giggle!

*Overheard as we unloaded, "I get the first shower 'cause I haven't showered in a week!"