126. A phone call
127. A hug
128. A snuggle
129. Quiet moments
130. A cup of tea
131. A warm, cozy blanket
Can you tell the kind of mood I am in?
Lord, thank you that your peace begins and ends my day. Open my eyes to see your peace in the busyness of the day too!
Zac came home and into our family forever over a year and a half ago. He plays and fights with his brother and sister, he gets tucked into bed with stories from mom and dad, he receives love and discipline from his mom and dad just like Hallie and Jacob. In other words, he is our son, plain and simple. So, I was caught off guard this week by some comments he made...
When he was mad about a time-out he said, "I am not your son!"
The next morning while snuggling in bed, "Mommy, do you want to keep me forever?"
On our bike ride last night, "Mommy do you always love me, even when I am bad?"
I figured he knew I loved him and that he will always be my son. His comments made me realize that he still has spent more of his life away from us than with us and that he needs to be reminded more often about my love for him as a mommy despite his actions and attitude.
It made me think about the times I have failed as a child of God and wanted to slink away from Him, wondering if He really still loved me. I am reminded that His love NEVER fails. He ALWAYS loves me. He will NEVER leave me. He is mine and I am His!
116. Honoring and celebrating my very best friend, Ryan. Today he celebrates 35 years of life. Today I celebrate and give thanks for his life intertwined with mine.
117. Willing hearts. My parents give and give and give again...thank you...thank you, Lord.
118. Inspiring creativity from kindred mother's hearts. Thank you Jennie and Jenn for your ideas. (Jenn-I didn't take pictures of the pumpkins we made from apples, but we had fun!)
119. Listening to worship and praise from the lips of someone who has been so far away. He's walking home.
120. Honesty in a safe relationship.
121. Celebrating 96 years of a beautiful, quiet, generous, faith-filled life. Happy Birthday Auntie Lois!
122. A smile that speaks a thousand words of happiness.
123. Her hand reaching out to mine as we walk out of school together.
124. Stopping to see and touch and experience life. We saw a slug on our walk the other day!
125. Working to serve, side by side with my mom. What an inspiration.
The autumn colors are alive in Nebraska right now. The tree in my backyard is bursting with brillant red leaves. This change, this dying only lasts a short time. As I was staring at this lone maple in my backyard I began to see a tree inside the tree.
A tree that held my Lord as He died. The red leaves slowly falling to the ground like His blood.
The blood pooled at the bottom of the cross like the leaves we pile to jump into. The blood I am bathed in and makes me clean.
The dying, His dying didn't last long though. This beautiful tree will, in a short time look lifeless and dead, but there is life waiting for Spring to show itself.
I am so thankful that He has opened my eyes to see Him in nature, in my backyard. Thank you Jesus. I love you.
We were so blessed to celebrate Zac's birthday with our wonderful family! He chose a zoo party and could not have had more fun being the man of the hour! We are forever grateful for Zac's life, being able to celebrate his life and sharing his life with a generous, loving extended family!
106. warm blankets, a dark room and kids sleeping in so I can too!
107. children learning and practicing responsibility and independence.
108. A spontaneous kiss and "I love you."
109. "Mama, watch me." His words are like sweet honey to my heart.
110. Tears, talking and victory over spelling words.
111. The kids noticing the brillant colors of autumn.
112. Slowing down, stopping to discover bugs and beads on the ground.
113. Baking with my boy. His eagerness to help.
114. Playing race cars with my boy.
115. Watching his fingers point out letters and pictures of the pages of our book.
Four years ago today you were a hope in my heart. I did not know who you would be and had not yet made a commitment to adopt you, but God knew. He watched as you were born in a small Russian town and watched over you as you began to grow. He knew that we would be celebrating your life today, four years later. What a blessing you have been to us! You are full of energy and fun. You are full of love and one of the best laughs I have ever heard. We love you so much Zachary Pavel! Happy Birthday!
