More Progress

Things are slowly but steadily moving along. As of this week we have stairs and I can now look around the second story of our home. I went up the ladder once a few weeks back and had a terrible time getting myself back down again, so I've not ventured up there anymore until today! There are a few things that don't make sense to us and we're wondering how it's going work, but I'm sure the builder knows what he's doing...even if we don't understand it. That's a familiar place for me to be in!

It's Official

The much anticipated day has finally arrived. Tuition has been paid, student ID card has been activated, books have been bought, and a few new clothes as well. My Autumn Rain donned her new brown jacket, slung her very heavily laden laptop bag over her shoulder, and paused for brief goodbye as she headed out our doorway. WAIT! I need to take a picture of your first day. Which I promptly did, only it didn't turn out well and she would not appreciate my posting it. Too bad.

Now she's away and the house feels empty, even while the other 5 are busily doing their work around me. But I'll see her tonight and I'll repeat again how grateful I am that she's still living at home. I look forward to the stories we'll hear 'round the dinner table tonight, the very first of their kind told there!

Autumn Reflections

The vibrant hews of autumn surround me-
the red and golden leaves, brilliant orange pumpkins,
and shiny apples.

My skin tingles with the cool crispness
of the morning. I hear the crunch and crackle
of leaves underfoot as I revel in the afternoon
of leisure at Bishop's Farm.

The sweet scent of cinnamon, cloves,
and allspice mingle with that of pumpkin and apples
in mouth watering treats. I taste the bounty of
autumn goodness in the countryside surrounding me.
by Lori 10/19/2005

Autumn has arrived in all her splendor this morning. Sunlight is flooding our front room and the day promises to be a golden one.
This is my favorite time of year. I love the crispness in the air and the colors around me as I walk through the park. I believe a leaf collecting excursion may be in order for this day!

Happy Birthday, Ladybird!

11 years ago God filled our arms with a delightful bundle of energetic joy. Your enthusiasm for life is contagious and we can't imagine our lives without you! Have a wonderful birthday, Ladybird.

Changes

More than the weather and leaves are changing around my home.

This is new student week and my Autumn Rain is off to the University campus to get herself acclimated to the new surroundings, new people, and new routine of being a college girl. Have I shed a few tears? YES!!!! Having skipped the first day of kindergarten I managed to put off this parting for 13 years, but now the time has come......and well, I feel sad. I'm grateful for the extra minutes we've had the past few days as I've driven her back and forth to school. It's been a good opportunity to share in her grand adventure.

But that's not all the change in the air....tomorrow Ladybird will be 11. Happy Birthday to you!!!! You continue to shed an abundance of JOY upon our family. You may be a tiny one yet, but you are big inside and will never be overlooked in the crowd. May you grow closer to Jesus through this coming year of your life.

So while we enjoy the scent of refreshing rain in the air and feel the crispness of the approaching autumn, we also embrace these changes and wonder what the future has in store.

Come, Little Leaves

"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day.
"Come over the meadows with me and play;
Put on your dresses of red and gold,
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call,
Down they came fluttering, one and all;
Over the brown fields they danced and flew,
Singing the sweet little song they knew.

"Cricket, good-by, we've been friends so long,
Little brook, sing us your farewell song;
Say you are sorry to see us go;
Ah, you will miss us, right well we know.

"Dear little lambs in your fleecy fold,
Mother will keep you from harm and cold;
Fondly we watched you in vale and glade,
Say, will you dream of ou loving shade?"

Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went.
Winter had called them, and they were content;
Soon, fast asleep in their earthy beds,
The snow laid a coverlid over their heads.

by George Cooper

Bathing in a Sea of Music

All week I've been waiting for a little brown box to grace my mailbox. But not just any little brown box will do, it must bear the Amazon name proudly in the return address! This box is the result of my two sons' generous gift certificate on my birthday. Add these treasures to a lovely gift from my daughter and you get the following wondrous new sounds filling our home:

Birthday Bouquet

Thank you, my treasured family, for making me Queen for a day!

Happy Birthday To My Soul Sister

"May the Lord, mighty God,
Bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace,
Courage in every endeavor.
Lift up you eyes and see His face,
And His grace forever.
May the Lord, mighty God,
Bless and keep you forever."

Dear Sister, what a blessing you are to me. God gave me a beautiful gift when He brought you into my life. Enjoy this day! Celebrate life!!!!!

A Newport Day

Newport Bay Marina

Newport Bay Bridge

Sand Dune Windbreak

Living Life One Day at a Time

It's been the sort of week that has threatened to sink my ship. Situations that build up and hem me in until I feel there is no way I can possibly handle another wrench in my plan. I start looking at my calendar and thinking "I can't". Sometimes I look to far. I need to take things day by day, resting in the knowledge that "I don't have to"!

When things didn't go as planned or when my husband walked in the door with a broken arm, I wasn't alone and I only needed to manage a moment in my day....not the next 364 days.

I'm clinging to a promise this week. 2 Cor. 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." I know I'm weak, but He is strong! He is greater than this moment, greater than all I need to do this week, greater than any plan I have for the future. He is sufficient to meet any need.

Shaping Up

After a disappointing show of no progress last week, it was very exciting to go to the building site last night and see that the trusses had been set in place Wednesday! I may have to quit going for these progress checks as I get so excited that I can hardly get to sleep when I come home. I can hardly wait to be settled...January is still so far away.