{this moment}

:: trying to convince Toby that this is the perfect tree ::

our Thanksgiving

What a wonderful week this has been ..... in spite of some sickness in our home. 

I had decided that for my sanity, we were all going to take a much needed 

homeschool break. How thankful I am that we did, as Monday morning Ellie woke

up with a terrible cold. She was able to lay low, reading and painting,

while I was able to "nest" a bit, rearrange the schoolroom, and get things back in order.
I was also able to recover two chairs, and exert a bit of my "crafting energy"....
which had been waaay on the back burner for a very long time.
It did my heart good to focus on the house and be creative.

We had some really hard rainfall this past week, so it made laying low
even more enjoyable. We all read, watched movies, and occasionally went
stir crazy :) ... But for the most part all was good.

Ellie was feeling well enough by Wednesday to make 3 pies:
an apple, a peach, and a pumpkin.
I made Mama Jo's sweet potatoes (a family favorite!)
and also her Thanksgiving cole slaw. I love thinking of her
when I pull out her cookbook and see her handwriting,
guiding me through each recipe. She was such a WONDERFUL cook,
and she always made the holidays so beautiful and special.
How I miss her!

We woke up and headed to Lynden Thursday morning.
Unfortunately, Drew had the cold by then, and Thanksgiving day
was the worse. He was pretty miserable the whole day. Poor guy.
Num Num had things decorated so beautifully when we arrived.
The house was smelling lovely, and the table was all set.....

Here is a taste of our day: 

Before we all started eating, we each read a verse about being thankful

and then shared what we were thankful for. 

It was so sweet hearing all the children voice their thankfulness. 

I wrote, "I am thankful for the sufficiency of His grace, 

and that His power is made perfect in my weakness."

That's been my mantra as of late. 

I need His grace so badly, and need to be reminded that I have it. 

I so often feel like such a lame wife and mom,

and need to be reminded that He uses my weakness

to make His power perfect. 

I am so very thankful for that. 

The afternoon was spent coloring, watching movies, napping, 

playing games, dressing-up, and eating pie.... 

Num Num had a friend come by to take our family picture,

which was so nice to document our day. 

Another highlight that afternoon was talking to Papa's mother,

and this kids' great-grandmother. It was actually the first time she

had met some of them! 

We ended up leaving that night at 8. We had planned to sleep over,
but by then Abby was feeling poorly.
We had a rough car ride home, but thankfully we made it,
got the kids showered, and then into their own beds.

Friday was another low-keyed day .... I spent the whole day on the computer
working on a project. The kids pulled out a puzzle which
consumed much of their time throughout the weekend.
We also web-chatted with my family in Georgia,
and the kids got to talk to Pop, their Great-grandad.
Technology is simply amazing.

I had book club Saturday night and we discussed my favorite book this year,
by Jen Hatmaker, called 7.
A perfect discussion in light of all the upcoming holiday buying.
If you haven't read it, read it!!
It will greatly challenge you, not to mention
the author is hilarious.

Worshiping with the Covenant body this morning was a highlight.
The pastor is preaching through Ruth, which I do believe
is one of my very favorite books of the Bible.

"God never leaves His people to chance .... even in the details."
(My favorite "sound-bite" of the morning:)

I am indeed so very thankful for that.
He knows I am weak.
He knows I get overwhelmed.
He knows I have 5 children.
Who constantly need me.
And that I am so often not patient.
And want to quit.

His grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in my weakness. 

Praise the Lord. 

This week I want to purpose to be in the Word....
which feeds my soul and gives me strength.
I want to enjoy the moments I have with my kids.
Though the days are loooong, the years are fast.
They will be gone before I know it,
and I don't want to have regrets!!
I want to love my husband well, and be the help-mate
that he needs.

Lord Jesus, 
YOU are all I need. Thank you for relentlessly pursuing me. 
Thank you for graciously forgiving me. 
Give me your joy. 
Make my ear inclined to your Word this week, that I may overcome my sin, 
and that You may work through me. 
Thank you for my dear family. For the joy they bring, and even the struggles they bring. 
How they sanctify me. 
Use me in the lives of my children, to shepherd their hearts. 
May I encourage them. May my sin not be a stumbling block for them. 
Use me in my dear husband's life to be the encouragement and help
that he needs. 

In Jesus name, Amen

{this moment}

:: Happy Thanksgiving ::

Gratitude List via Instagram {#909 - # 928}

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever! "

that the little metal ball Whitney swallowed came out .....

and that she was ok.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,

whom he has redeemed from trouble....."

afternoon art!

beautiful blue skies 

her feet little feet

"Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of men!"

a beautiful, lazy Saturday morning 

the shadows the day's sun brought

the memories of sunny days .... 

and the hope that they will come again

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

and burst their bonds apart!"

happy quilts and getting organized

fine silverware (that she insisted on) to brighten up her table

a husband who hangs Christmas lights mid November

Ellie's talent

the way these two play

"For he shatters the doors of bronze

and cuts in two the bars of iron."

partners in crime

hair parlors 

time alone with my Heavenly Father

"For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things."

bits of lovely in our home

a sweet afternoon with friends

"to Mom. love, Whitney"

"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and tell of his deeds in songs of joy"

ANOTHER gorgeous, November day...

and the shadows that day brought.

"He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven."
(excerpts taken from Psalm 107)

I thank you Lord. 

{this moment}

:: these three monkeys dressed up yesterday for "back to the past" day at co-op ::

Can you guess who they are?? 

(BTW ..... Toby is wearing the pastor's childhood chaps,
and Whitney is wearing a childhood dress of mine.
Pretty cool, if you ask me!! :)

out and about

Last week I got to the park with the three little guys for a lovely afternoon. 

The sky was blue and the air was crisp. A perfect time to play in the last of the fall leaves. 

I'm so thankful I got out. 

So many days I just don't want to make the effort....

but I've realized when I do, it makes such a difference in my spirit 

as well as the kids'. 

I had such fun playing with my camera and getting individual shots of the kids. 

I know I will cherish these. 

And of course the leaves all over the ground were just calling for them to come play....

We happened upon a beautiful public garden,

one that we will certainly visit again. 

The fall leaves were at their peak. 

I heart fall. 

And of course we had to find sweet treasures ..... 

And everyone had to have a turn at the camera .....

taking shots of all our silliness. 

O what a wonderful day.