Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Six

There were six candles on his cinnamon rolls this morning.  One for every year of a life that has completely changed mine.


For this little boy is not just any boy.

He is light in dark spaces.  A generous distributor of joy.  He possesses wisdom, insight, and the absolute best way with words.

This boy has no idea how many times his presence has brought life to a dry, empty soul that was about to crack right open in despair, but instead was ripped wide with laughter and forgotten delight.

Or how a room is energized when he walks in.

This boy walks confidently, knowing and overflowing with love.

This boy walks justly, aware of right and wrong and considerate of choices.

Aware and considerate of others.

A kind and gentle soul.

So simple in his approach to life, yet incredibly profound.

This boy came into our lives on a cold October morning in a brick street town where the autumn leaves were resplendent with color.

And on this cold October morning in a house of love where the palm trees grow, he was the center of our celebration.

His grin lit the dark early morning.

As usual, his spirit was contagious.

And in a blink, the celebratory cinnamon rolls were eaten and a brand new six year old went off to school and his mom found a few old pictures and cried because time is unrelenting and smiled because of what that little baby did to her heart.

She found herself humming Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

Perhaps because the faithfulness of the Father has been clearly revealed through the light in the brown eyes of a son who has taught her boundlessly of God and His love.


Happy birthday, precious Trevor.  You are an indescribable gift.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.


Saturday, October 27, 2012

I (Heart) You Too

Late Thursday evening when the dust had settled from piano lessons, praise band practice, and a quick trip to Publix, we were getting the kids ready for bed and I finally had a chance to make my daily agenda and backpack check.  In Trevor's backpack I found a piece of paper folded like a card.  On the front were two words...

her book

On the left inside page it read...

I (HEART) YOU TOO


The right inside page simply stated...

For Mommy

He would later add the words From..Trevor.



Of course, my heart melted at this paper discovery and when I asked my tenderhearted son about it, he said he made it in center time because he loves me.

After giving him extra snuggles and tucking him in tight, I kept reflecting on that little handmade book.  What caught me most about it was the word too.  He didn't just say I (HEART) YOU.  He said I (HEART) YOU TOO. That three letter word communicates a profound implication.

He knows he is loved.

He is confident in Mommy's love, even while sitting at his little table at school.

He knows I loved him first.

He simply loves me back.

My heart found comfort in his knowing.

And I couldn't help but think of this verse in another Book I hold most dear.

I John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Am I confident in the knowing?

Because I am loved also.

I am loved deeply and sacrificially by the God of the universe.

And so are you.

The work is done.  He loved us first.

We simply need to love Him too.

What delight would the Father take if we took a moment to tell Him that we do?

How differently would we live if we lived with confidence in the knowing?



Trevor, you teach me something new every day.

You are my son, and my heart is pleased with you.

Your joy is contagious, your way with words unique, your insights profound.

P.S. I (heart) you too...




Friday, October 26, 2012

High Five For Friday!

1) Been shopping my closet for "Florida Fall Fashion"...more autumn-in-a-warm-climate inspired outfit ideas to come soon!


2) Totally challenged by this book.  Continuing on in the study.


3) Enjoyed a corn maze field trip with my little buddy and his class!  It was a nice breezy day on the farm, we had a sweet time together, and he came home with the cutest little pumpkin.  Not to mention he won a free snow cone because he hit a target with a high powered contraption that blasted tennis balls out at full force.  It was a good day to be five!



4) Received this fun little surprise (and a matching waist apron) from my mom!


5) Baked these by request.  Still need to frost them. We are feeding the cheerleading team at the church this afternoon and a few of the girls begged me to bake Funfetti Cookies again.  Have you ever made these?  They are the easiest treat to make and are soft and delicious!


Mix 3 boxes Funfetti Cake Mix (now 15.25 oz), 3/4 cup oil, and 5 eggs.  
Roll dough into balls and put on cookie sheet.  Press flat with a glass. 
 Bake 6-10 minutes in 375 degree oven.  
Will make good sized batch.  Frost lightly if desired.

Linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Small Changes and Autumn Beauty

Small changes can make a big difference.


Take these plain battery operated candles, for instance.  They were given to me years ago and I am always putting them in new places or adding festive touches.


This season a scrap of burlap and some stickers gave them a harvest makeover...



Such an easy, low-cost, but lovely change!


I am also enjoying the simple beauty of this stained glass I got for $2 at a yard sale....


As well as some other little touches, old and new, that have turned our house into a harvest home.



























I am not an artist, but when painting with the kids one day I painted this canvas as an act of worship.  The strokes are simplistic but the meaning significant to me as it reflects the journey of grace God has been taking me on.


The ladies of the church surprised my mom and me with these gift baskets last Sunday.  Their act of thoughtfulness was so touching.  I have been enjoying these treats and my new Creamy Pumpkin candle...


Autumn beauty lights my green chair corner and reminds me that I am loved, which is a huge gift.


Change.  Create.  Notice.  Delight.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Apples Of Harvest

Our family has been enjoying apples this fall.  Apples are such beautiful, bountiful, nutritious gift of harvest time.  We have been enjoying them red, golden, and green...






We have enjoyed them at tea time...



We have enjoyed their fragrance as it has wafted through our cozy home...


We have even been reminded by them.  Like last year, I put out my Apples of Gold in a Silver Bowl as a reminder of how vital it is to speak kind, wise words.  I have recently seen again the destructive power of unkind, unwise words in lives around me and it breaks my heart.  Does anyone else sense an incredibly combative spirit in many people these days?  I do, even in people who claim the name of Christ.  We all need to settle down and think before we speak, choosing our words carefully so the harvest of our words will bring glory to God and build up others.


The other night when I was making a harvest style breakfast for dinner, I cooked some apples to go along with our meal.  Not only did the house smell amazing in a matter of minutes as the apples cooked, they tasted hot and delicious and made the perfect pairing with our pumpkin pancakes.


Cooked Cinnamon Apples

5 peeled and thinly sliced apples
3 TBSP water
1 TBSP brown sugar
1 TBSP white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla

Put all ingredients in saucepan and simmer until apples are tender.


Live well, choose your words carefully, and enjoy nature's harvest during this
 most lovely of seasons!