ten on ten {december 2011 edition}

1. getting set to put up to decorate the living room
2. block play
3. morning bath
4. dressed as Mary of Nazareth
5. making snowball garlands with cotton balls
6. daddy & babe have been doing some dirt playing
7. stockings set up, minus Kendall's because it is not made yet...
8. waiting while daddy builds a fire.
9. Christmas picnicking with cream puffs.
10. story time.

It is December 1, but today is fall

Yesterday was SO windy here.  
We were out driving & we drove past a neighbor's gingko tree.  
Yellow leaves were blowing furiously around our car.  
"What is going on?!"  the kids exclaimed.
It's windy day.
"Oh, it must be fall!
As we drove past more  & more falling leaves, 
"it is!  it is!  today IS fall!"


We got home & Gillian asked if we could make kites.
I was busy with something & told her I didn't know how to make kites.
She said that's fine, she meant she would make it, cuz she knows how.
A piece of white paper drawn on with colored pencils, 
just got a piece of yarn taped to it.  
ta-da!  Done.
It is still flying today. 
My creative, resourceful girl!

Moira quickly followed & made a kite of her own.  
Mo style is a bit more streamline.  No fancy decor.
Just paper & yarn & tape.  
Still just as fun.

no worries - no injuries.  loads of drama.

Peyton eventually joined in, after much persuasion, 
but I had put the camera away.
I'll have to try to get him during a kite run this afternoon.


Another idea the kiddos had for a windy fall day 
was fireplace marshmallow roasting.
I said yes.  It is fall, after all.


Last night the wind picked up from super strong to super-duper strong.
As we were in bed, we saw 3 explosive flashes of lights out the window.
then the power went out.
I was glad it happened once we were all in bed.
At that moment I remembered how unprepared I am.
We have no working flashlights in our house.
Oops.
I know where the candles & matches are, though.
Power was back on by the time kids & I were waking. 
(Daddy had already been long gone, 
getting ready for work in the complete darkness.
It's a good thing he is not much for primping & such.)


Wind is still going strong today, this first day of December.
(Don't forget it is still fall until Dec. 21.  Yes.  I still have fall decor up.  
I can never put it away straight after thanksgiving.)


December 1 & we are starting a 25 days until Christmas project.
We are gathering ideas from this RACK'd project, 
and this one over here.
We aren't organized about it.
We are flying by the seats of our pants a bit.
But as a way of learning the blessing of giving to others, 
we are going to give to someone everyday.
A lot will be to strangers & be rather "random acts of kindness" 
as some like to call it.
Some will be to not so strangers, like the mailman, 
or the librarians, or the coffee shop baristas.
Some will be to people we know well.


today we gave the grocery store clerk & gift card for Starbucks.
Gillian was thrilled to the moon to give it to him.
He was shocked & super thankful.  It was cute!
then when we pulled out of our parking spot to go home for lunch, 
I crashed into the truck next to me.
Yippee.  Way to go mom.


We are still brainstorming for our ideas for this project.
Do you have any?
Here are some we have planned - 


flowers to the nursing home.
kid's books & balloons to the children's ward at the hospital.
tape money to vending machines. - (here's the one we go to, to get eggs!)
bring cookies to the librarians.
leave a treat for the mailman.
make lunch bags for homeless people.
bring treats to the post office.


and, either think of a lot more ideas or repeat some of these!

counting blessings {all together now}

the kids just made these little hand-print turkeys

I asked them what they are thankful for - 

Gillian - 

"I am thankful that God loves us & for how beautiful leaves are in winter. (love Gillian)"

Peyton - 

"I am thankful for the trees & everything & I love God."

Moira - 

"I am thankful for God for He made animals."

Have a happy thanksgiving!

************I must update with Peyton's thankful list today - 

"I'm thankful for the sun, bees, girls & elephants."************

counting blessings {around the world}

41. Our dossier being in country, authenticated & translated.
We have been "officially" waiting for a referral for a month.


42. Orphan Sunday at our church was a blessing.  
I got to share during the worship service &  Scott & I got to host Orphan Sunday Coffeehouse
People where glad to learn about & support Gobena & Lifesong for Orphans


43. 31 Bits party
So fun!  Ladies were all excited about the business & the gorgeous product.  
It was so easy to host a house party.  You can do it, too!
You get sent a box of amazing necklaces & bracelets & get together with your friends.  
Just put it all out & let the girls fight over their favorites.  

44.  more fair trade shopping ideas
I'm thankful for all the businesses working hard to improve lives around the world.


45.  getting our ABBA application finally sent in.  
I'm thankful for all the adoption financial aid ministries out there.


46.  people buying Just Love coffee to benefit our adoption.  thank you!
I'm thankful for everyone supporting us in adoption.

every.single.word

Source: redletterwords.com via Terri on Pinterest

I was thinking on Micah 6:8 just recently.
It's perfect.  there is not an extra word in there.  
Every single word is key.


Every single word is inspiring & convicting to my heart.
How can a person do justly & love mercy & walk humbly?!  


Isn't this what everyone is crying out for.  
Justice.  Mercy!  For goodness sake, show some humility!


It seems impossible.
Only with our God.  
that is the only way.

hearts grow {in 5 minutes}

I'm playing in Gypsy Mama's five minute friday today.

Here's the rules -

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? 

5 minutes

Source: pinterest.com via Omnia Vanitas on Pinterest

*go*

it is amazing how a heart can grow.
we sat there on the white sand, was it the island Virgin Gorda?
I wanted a chance to talk to you & you swam to a little spot on the shore with just me.
I could feel it.  My heart was growing.  It was growing with love for you.


You started emailing me.  We had great conversations.
You called me while we were both supposed to be working.
You came to my house to drink tea & play the card game of hearts.
My heart was growing.
in love with you.


We got married & our hearts seemed so fat with love.
But, it never stopped, my heart kept growing.


We went through great pain our first year. 
Our love grew through it. strong.  tight.  
Our hearts were growing together & filling with love for our new son.


Grow.


And it keeps on.  year after year.
child after child.
our hearts grow.
and there is room for each new heart.


*stop*

Counting Blessings {home life}

26.  mopped floors


27.  shampood carpets


28.  dancing with the kids

29.  Avengers playtime  

Gillian is Black Panther, waiting on her mountain for the other superheros

30.  Gillian's current fondness for doing chores


31.  a freezer packed with a locally raised & butchered pig


32.  spaghetti with sausage from said pig


33.  candlelight

34.  finally being unpacked from our Macdoel trip


35.  Bath time for everyone.

36.  Kendall (usually) sleeping better at night


37.  coffee


38.  bedtime singing for the kids


39.  evening prayer with Scott


40.  Pumpkin cookies with Brown Butter icing

Counting Blessings {happy hollow}

Probably most of you all know about 
Ann Voskamp's journal challenge to folks to keep track of all the gifts they are grateful for.
Well, I started that a long time ago & totally failed to keep it up.


I am not ready to re-commit to doing this for an extended time period.  
I will, however, attempt to count my gifts through November.


(Can you believe we are well into November?!  
I planned to write this post a week ago.  See?  So far, not so good.)


I got to 13 last summer.  So, here we start at 


14.  last minute family holiday at Happy Hollow

15.  Hummingbirds, returning to our backyard.

16.  Having Scott who is happy to share & do life with me. 

17.  Peyton's sense of humor.

 18. Moira's joy.

19.  Gillian's imagination.

20.  Gorgeous November weather. 

21.  Picnics


22.  Kendall's teeth coming through.


23.  Being able to watch Kendall explore & discover.

24.  Brave kids who love a good thrill.


25.  Coconut Curry in the freezer for dinner after a long day.