So much to be full of thanks for...clean water, hot showers, shoes without holes, a warm house, cozy beds with pillows, a full tummy, freedom, wonderful friends and loving family, and a God who is full of love and grace, with mercy that is new every morning. Great is His Faithfulness!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
So much to be full of thanks for...clean water, hot showers, shoes without holes, a warm house, cozy beds with pillows, a full tummy, freedom, wonderful friends and loving family, and a God who is full of love and grace, with mercy that is new every morning. Great is His Faithfulness!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Profound thoughts from Old Yeller
One afternoon this week the children and I were snuggled on the couch under a cozy blanket, reading the children's classic, Old Yeller. It's a sweet story about a loyal dog and his master, a little boy named Travis. In the end, they had to shoot Old Yeller because he was sick (I hope I didn't just spoil it for you if you were going to read it! :), and Travis was having a hard time with it.
When I read what his dad told him, it struck me, like he was speaking it to me. His dad said, "It's not a thing you can forget. I don't guess it's a thing that you ought to forget. What I mean is, things like that happen. They may seem mighty cruel and unfair, but that's how life is a part of the time. But that isn't the only way life is. A part of the time, it's mighty good. And a man can't afford to waste all the good part, worrying about the bad parts. That makes it all bad..."
We've had some things in life lately that I tend to get distracted by...paying bills, taxes, a silly notice from a tollway violation, insurance, paperwork, waiting in lines, being put on hold for a long period of time while trying to speak with the right person and explain my case, etc. When I read what Travis' dad told him, it was a great reminder to me. Adrienne, don't let the little things of life weigh you down. Trust them to Jesus and let Him carry the burden. Focus on the other parts of life that are "mighty good."
And may we not waste all the good part, worrying about the bad part. Life is way too short for that.
When I read what his dad told him, it struck me, like he was speaking it to me. His dad said, "It's not a thing you can forget. I don't guess it's a thing that you ought to forget. What I mean is, things like that happen. They may seem mighty cruel and unfair, but that's how life is a part of the time. But that isn't the only way life is. A part of the time, it's mighty good. And a man can't afford to waste all the good part, worrying about the bad parts. That makes it all bad..."
We've had some things in life lately that I tend to get distracted by...paying bills, taxes, a silly notice from a tollway violation, insurance, paperwork, waiting in lines, being put on hold for a long period of time while trying to speak with the right person and explain my case, etc. When I read what Travis' dad told him, it was a great reminder to me. Adrienne, don't let the little things of life weigh you down. Trust them to Jesus and let Him carry the burden. Focus on the other parts of life that are "mighty good."
And may we not waste all the good part, worrying about the bad part. Life is way too short for that.
Nashville, IN
Last Saturday I got to spend the day with Jeff's mom and sister, Melissa, in magical Brown County. It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun going to the quaint little shops. This store was nearly covered from floor to ceiling with pretty things. 
Everything was decorated for Christmas. 
I thought this ribbon display looked pretty. 
And this little guy was our shopping buddy. He did pretty well and seemed to enjoy all the lights and things to look at.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Missing child...
Yesterday Clay went outside to play.
He does this often and usually I just peek out to check on him every few minutes or so. When I looked out the windows and didn't see him anywhere, I poked my head out the door and gave a quick scan over the yard.
No Clay.
Backpack hanging on the tree, but no Clay.
Then before I could even start to worry, I heard a little voice say, "Helllllooooo down there!" I looked up, squinted into the sunlight, and this is what I saw:
Our 7 year old child was up in this tree that has some some branches barely strong enough to hold him! I later asked Clay about what gave him that idea, and he said with a smile, "I was like Jack and the Beanstalk!" I wonder what the neighbors would have thought if they had seen him climb and climb and keep going higher...
Call me crazy, but when Daddy got home we made a limit of how high he can climb on that tree.
He does this often and usually I just peek out to check on him every few minutes or so. When I looked out the windows and didn't see him anywhere, I poked my head out the door and gave a quick scan over the yard.
No Clay.
Backpack hanging on the tree, but no Clay.
Then before I could even start to worry, I heard a little voice say, "Helllllooooo down there!" I looked up, squinted into the sunlight, and this is what I saw:
Our 7 year old child was up in this tree that has some some branches barely strong enough to hold him! I later asked Clay about what gave him that idea, and he said with a smile, "I was like Jack and the Beanstalk!" I wonder what the neighbors would have thought if they had seen him climb and climb and keep going higher...
Call me crazy, but when Daddy got home we made a limit of how high he can climb on that tree.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Jeff's Latest
Jeff is on to the next house project fixer-upper and this is the state it was in last week:
The house actually started like this,
but since Jeff likes to restore these old homes, he decided to have the vinyl siding removed since there was the original wood underneath. He has said to me a few times, "Ade, I'm in over my head." I smile and say, "You're gonna do great. It's going to be beautiful!"
This home is only three blocks away from ours, and there's a great sense of satisfaction in beautifying the neighborhood and restoring these 100 year old homes. Several neighbors have stopped by to thank Jeff. I am so proud of him, and his perseverance and hard work.
This week the painters are busy working, next week Jeff will install landscape, and hopefully the house will be transformed soon... I can't wait for the "after pictures!"
The house actually started like this,
but since Jeff likes to restore these old homes, he decided to have the vinyl siding removed since there was the original wood underneath. He has said to me a few times, "Ade, I'm in over my head." I smile and say, "You're gonna do great. It's going to be beautiful!"This home is only three blocks away from ours, and there's a great sense of satisfaction in beautifying the neighborhood and restoring these 100 year old homes. Several neighbors have stopped by to thank Jeff. I am so proud of him, and his perseverance and hard work.
This week the painters are busy working, next week Jeff will install landscape, and hopefully the house will be transformed soon... I can't wait for the "after pictures!"
Trick or Treat
We had such a fun time trick-or-treating with our neighbors. Clayton probably said five times that evening as he ran in between the houses to get more candy, "Mom, this is awesome!" 
We weren't super creative with our costumes this year. Clay had a soccer game earlier in the day and just decided to stay in his soccer uniform and be a "Brazilian soccer player." Emma wore the flower girl dress from a wedding she was in last month and she was a princess. And little Hud Bud was a pumpkin.
We finished the night with a visit from the cutest little pea pod ever, cousin Brayden. We love that little guy, and we love being able to see him lots!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
