Sisterly "Love"

I spent some time Saturday afternoon sorting through pictures and keepsakes, and found the following message, written to me by Cassidy when she was around 7 or 8:

Dear Mom,

I am very sorry for doing stuff to Cailin on accident. Now I know I need to be a little bitt carefuler around miss senstative one. And I really don't know what I did, I'm just writing this because you told me to write a letter to you.

Love,

Innacent Cassidy

(The mis-spellings are my favorite part. Seriously, does it get any cuter?)

Night Sounds

I love the sounds that tell me I am home. The football commentary from the family room. The stomp - clapping of Cassidy as she walks anywhere, unable to put one foot in front of the other without additional movement. Cailin singing or calling out for her little sister (or even more frequently - ME!). The gentle sound of classical music I leave on throughout the day until one of the girls has enough and shuts it off.

May I never forget the joyful sound of a normal evening... it is a gift I treasure.

Monday Thoughts, Except It Is Tuesday

• Why was I so convinced that September 21st was the 1st day of fall? I still think I am right:-) There's no way I could have been wrong all these years and have just now discovered the fact!
• I am so grateful for the automatic lift up gate of my minivan. How convenient to push a button on my key and have it open from a distance. Driving my other, older non-automatic gate minivan this weekend made me have a whole new appreciation for this feature. Oh how I wish I had it when the girls were little... and my arms were always full and I was afraid to put a child down lest they run straight into traffic or be abducted. (Yes, these were my thoughts every single time we went shopping. I think I need to relax!)
• I'm thinking the above statement says volumes about our household. We have two minivans. I swore I would never own a minivan. Two now reside in our garage, joined by Rusty's 16 year old Jeep wrangler. I don't think anyone covets our cars. That's ok. I wouldn't want to make anyone sin.
• So far in 7th grade Cailin has begun a fantasy book report, created an island with accurate topographical features, learned about castles and medieval times, and is tackling pre-algebra. She is also on the Praise Team and running for Student Government. 7th grade is fun!
• For the first time , 5th graders at our school have lockers and change classes. Cassidy loves it, praise the Lord! Except I just remembered that she told me Friday her lock broke and I need to buy her a new one. Ugh! Will I ever be caught up?
• I began Beth Moore's "Daniel" study last week and am so captivated that I raced through 3 days of homework in one. I am now trying to pace myself on the last two days to postpone being finished and wanting to skip ahead. Wow! This one is a good one, and clearly what God has been preparing me for all summer.
• I really hope to get caught up on my to do list this week. I have been carrying over the same things for so long I should have them permanently engraved as daily tasks.

I better tackle that list, maybe I can cross one thing off today. Happy Fall!

Time Is Of The Essence

Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you work!

Live purposefully and worthily and accurately,

not as the unwise and witless, but as wise.

This is one of those verses that resonates with me every single time I read it. Maybe because I am a classic procrastinator. Maybe because I frequently bemoan time with the girls slipping through my fingers like sand. Maybe because I complain too often about "having" to work.

Whatever the reason, this is clearly a Word God wants me to hear. So today I'm going to post this verse throughout my house as a reminder to be diligent and use every precious minute God has blessed me with. Time truly is a gift, and I can't keep putting off what needs to be done. The girls are only this age once, and instead of being sad at the passage of time, I need to embrace the days and celebrate them wisely. Not witlessly.

Gotta go. There's lots to be done today!

Friday Blessings

It's cool, in the 50's, and there is just enough breeze to flutter the leaves. The threat of rain is making the sky that magical shade of blue that makes me want to stay inside and listen for the first drops to fall. Cailin is finally recovering from the flu, and feels well enough to sit up and draw. I am snuggling into my comfy chair to enjoy a hot cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer and start my new Beth Moore study.

What a delicious Friday morning!

Happy 'Ber Day... or is it Brrrrr Day?

We began married life with Rusty still in college and working as a football coach and assistant athletic director, so our life followed the rhythm of his sport seasons. When September 1st rolled around, the chill in the air heralded the official beginning of football season, which for us meant cool Saturday afternoons in the stadium, followed by chili dinners at our tiny apartment. We realized that September also marked our favorite cool "ber" months, "September, October, November, December" and so we decided to commemorate September 1st as "'Ber / Brrr" Day, and celebrate with the first chili dinner of the year.
After 17 years, this has become one of the most anticipated celebrations of our family, whether enjoyed with a large gathering of friends by the fire pit, or just the two of us with toddlers, barely able to feed ourselves for the little mouths clamoring for their own bites. Each year is different, but special in the way it represents our family at that stage of life. So today when Rusty awakened me with a gentle "Happy 'Ber Day" this morning, I felt a little butterfly in my stomach, remembering the fond memories made and anticipating the fun the next few months hold for our family. Guess I better go get out the crock pot!