Picture time again!

A beautiful day to take some
beautiful pictures
of our beautiful family.

And we even had
FUN
taking the pictures!!!

I'm so happy that my family

goes along with my

yearly need to update our family photo.

It has turned in to a very fun and memorable

outing each year.

Special thanks to my dear Dad. 

You are the best photographer!!

non-events

Today, I am enjoying "non-events".  Sights, sounds, smells, feelings that I don't take picures of, but make up the majority of my life.  Event's that wouldn't make it into any scrapbook, but are imprinted on this particular season of my life.   On this night, I am enjoying:

* my first grader reading a funny book to me
* daddy and daughter having a paper/rubberband war
* a full dishwasher, signifying every member of the family is HOME
* a yoga class that did postures to Michael W. Smith, Enya  and Cool and the Gang all in the same hour
* time with a BFF
* encouragement through prayer and conversation from same BFF
* the perfect duet of the theme song to Gilmore Girls and the clacking of my knitting needles
* seeing my kiddos faces after school, hearing about the essence of their days
* a hot cup of coffee, perfected with french vanilla syrup
* piano lessons
* the smell of my favorite, fragant, fall candle
* the sounds of little people getting ready for bed
* the cozy covers on my bed, awaiting my arrival
* gorgeous yarn to knit with
* the laughter on "Friends" - my comfort tv
* the noisy chatter coming from all of the other 5 members of my family, a wonderful night to be together

on faith

Today, I ran smack-dab into my heavenly Father, caring for me and loving me through His Word. 
Psalm 27 was the passage that I read,  thankful for these words written by a kindred heart so long ago.   Today was a day that I needed reassured.  Reminded.   Coddled.  The child-like ease of faith not so readily available.  A season of doubting has crept into my head, and I'm fighting like heck to keep my heart out of the battle.  I know Who I believe in, but sometimes knowledge and reality colide in the perfect storm of  treacherous questions and suffocating fear.  I'm so glad that God understands these fears and anxieties, tolerates my inability to accept His grace as readily as I did in yesteryear.  And so,  I pursue truth. I am chasing it down as one running towards the finish line, gaining ground with each pound of the shoe.  I am running with purpose and desire, ignoring my fatigue and half-filled glass attitudes.  I am plugging my ears to voices that intend to harm and maim, disable and accuse.  Linking up with fellow runners desperate to be encourged and cheered forward.  My journey has found me here.  Right here - good coupled with bad, happy conquering sad, stepping slowly in places where I used to sprint.  Just a season along my travels.  I don't intend to stay for long here.  My itinerary points towards more joyful surroundings.  Until then,  like the psalmist David, I say by faith...

"I am still confident of ths:

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."