Life is beautiful.

I shared on my instagram last week that I am re-reading 'Shepherding a Child's Heart' by Tedd Tripp. A friend of mine recommended this book a few years ago. It has been such a great resource for me- not just as a mom but in my own personal walk with the Lord.
One of the verses that the book focuses on is Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
I struggle with fear and anxiety. I always have. I don't want those things to flow from my heart. I want the 'good stuff': truth, mercy, grace and beauty to flow through.
What I have learned most in this recent year of uncertainty is that "God prunes us when He is about to take us into a new season of growth and expansion"- Christine Cain. I've also learned that when I hand those worries and fears over to Him I'm blessed beyond measure and there's room for the 'good stuff'.
When I surrender those fears and anxieties completely, my heart is broken for the things that matter.
My heart is broken not in fear and anxiety but for the things that break the heart of the one who died for me.
Suddenly, those fears turn into hope and the anxiety gives way to a new perspective; It turns into serving my loved one's and those around me with compassion, love and understanding.
Suddenly, life doesn't seem overwhelming...
Life looks beautiful.

Chuck-E-Cheese, Trains, and Bop Bop.

I had the privilege of picking my Dad up from the Amtrak station late Saturday night and dropping him off at the Airport early Sunday morning. I'm always thankful for time with my Dad no matter when, where or for how long. 

He had to make a trip up to Chicago for work. 

Since his division of the railroad is based out of Florence (plus we are here) it made sense for him to fly out of and back in to Florence. 

He sent me this picture which kind of made me wish I was there!

Of course, the kids were more than ecstatic waiting on his return yesterday. 

He got back yesterday afternoon and suggested we all go to Chuck-E-Cheese. It took all of two seconds to get the kids out of the door and loaded up into the car!

They had a blast and we miss Bop Bop already!

Happy Weekend, everyone!

October

I think I've mentioned more than a few times how much I love Fall. 

The kids and I have hit the ground running this year with fall crafts, pumpkin flavored this and caramel apple flavored that while brainstorming who they'll portray for Halloween this year. We are having so much fun!

We made these (which I found on Pinterest) a couple of nights ago. They were so easy. All we needed were: 

Popsicle sticks 

Brown and yellow paint

Paint brush

Computer paper

Orange construction paper

Hot glue 

Colored pencil

And a few random items from the craft drawer

We had Ryan and his daughter Hayden over Monday night and thought it would be fun to end the night with these store bought pumpkin cookies. The kids got a little creative and decided to place them on the sheet so that they made their initials. 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of green gables. 

Happy October!