Pumpkin Fun Family Night

Tonight was the night to carve our pumpkin and make some yummy cookies. Here are the pictures of our time together.

Emma played a mean game of Carcassonne

Taste test after helping mix cookies

Ready for the oven

PUMPKIN GUTS!!!!!!

Intently drawing the eyes

Lydia adding the rest of the facial features

Scary Harry in all his pumpkin glow

Two beautiful girls!

Fall Fun Day

Last Monday our family headed south to Blackwater Falls. We had a lovely fall day and enjoyed our time together. Here are some pictures of our trip.

We love our Wild and Wonderful West Virginia!

Surviving on smiles, laughs and a whole lot of grace

I must admit, laughter doesn't come naturally to me. I love to laugh and take opportunities everyday to do so, but my natural disposition is not particularly carefree and comical.  Due to current life circumstances I know just how important it is to laugh and smile everyday.  I'm stressed, overwhelmed and a whole lot of other things right now so I am taking a moment to document how I'm surviving on smiles, laughs and a whole lot of grace right now.

Lydia lost her 9th tooth last week. She left this endearing note for the "tooth fairy". It made me smile. I was also dog tired and needed to go to bed early. In order not to forget my tooth fairy duties (as I have before) I went in early only to find out she had just turned off the light and was still awake.  Ah well, I'm glad the note assured me I didn't ruin her fun as she already knows I play the role of tooth fairy.

Lot's of love with a side of extortion!

The girls and I went on a nature walk and had fun throwing rocks, counting landmarks to retrace our steps and using super human strength to break rocks.

I am also grateful that my friends make me smile! My journey to understanding friendship in adulthood has been such a learning and growing experience but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have women in my life who I can really count on and depend on for the things that really matter. Two beautiful orange mums (my favorite) greeted me at the door this week, a gift from a friend. Her kindness and compassion for me during a very difficult season were a reminder of just how much I am loved.

Most importantly I am experiencing the grace of God in the "daily" of life. The kind notes from friends who care, the encouragements from my children that they love me, the support of a faithful and Godly husband. God is teaching me, molding me and shaping me into who He wants me to be. And though I am in a season of pain and confusion right now I have never had as strong a hope. Hope that is secure because it does not depend on my circumstances or the people in my life but it stands secure in the person of Jesus Christ. I am known, loved and recieved just as I am by the Savior of the world, that truly is a whole lot of grace.

Blessings!