Pumpkin Carving Time

Twenty something years ago my daddy had his three little girls gathered around the table with their pumpkins. This year I got to watch my two little boys gathered around their daddy with their pumpkins. I love coming full circle.

I love sharing and witnessing their joy and excitement. I cherish our continuing of family traditions and the beauty of making new ones with our boys.

head nestled close to his daddy and curious boy peering in a pumpkin. these moments make me happy.

the pumpkin guts. scoop and dig.

the happy pumpkin carving dance.

 my heart, right there.

 

 his little hand, resting on daddy's shoulder. my heart.

totally blurry, but that dimpled smile....

 joy is...basking in the glow of an October sunset with my family....carving pumpkins :)

Perspective

A New Perspective for Moms  (Grab a tissue. This short video clip really hit close to home for me)

Perspective.

Lately, I have been struggling with this. I have often gone to bed at the end of the day feeling defeated and frustrated with myself over situations. I could have had a great day with the boys and one thing will linger in my mind instead. I linger over these thoughts...was I patient enough? What could I have done differently? Did they hear my deep breath and know that I was taking it because I was feeling frustrated in the moment with their whining and fighting? Did my voice get louder and sound mad? Instead of focusing on the positive I linger on the negative. Instead of remembering all the good moments I had with the boys my thoughts stray to the one bad moment. The moment I raised my voice or the moment I felt completely defeated, frustrated, angry, mad, sad, etc. over one thing or another. While I think evaluating the day is good and helpful in who I am as a mother, I too often find myself caught up in the negative. Reflecting on the day and praying about it helps me in this journey as a mother. Starting my day in prayer and in the Bible gives me the focus I need each day. Listening to Klove encourages me through the day. Having quiet time to run or walk while listening to some good for the soul music keeps me grounded. My prayer is that the boys will always, feel our love. That they hear it. That they feel it. That they know it. For those moments when I'm so frustrated, I pray God gives me the whispered reminder to hug my hurting 4 year old instead. For the times when they are fighting I hope I can remind them how blessed they are to have each other. I hope when they are all grown up, they will remember all the love in our home and that I will remember the love more too.

 

 

I wanted to end with a song that has been on my heart for about a week now....Your Grace Finds Me


It's there in the newborn cry
It's there in the light of every sunrise
It's there in the shadows of this light
Your great grace

It's there on the mountaintop
It's there in the everyday and the mundane
There in the sorrow and the dancing
Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross
Then from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

It's there on a wedding day
There in the weeping by the graveside
There in the very breath we breathe
Your great grace

Same for the rich and poor
Same for the saint and for the sinner
Enough for this whole wide world
Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross
Then from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

There in the darkest night of the soul
There in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

Your great grace
Oh, such grace
Your great grace
Oh, such grace

So I'm breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
I'm breathing in Your grace
Forever I'll be
Breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
I'm breathing in Your grace
Forever I'll be
Breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
Breathing in Your grace
For our God, for our God

Yes, Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me


And one more thing to share...
I am always so inspired by this mom, over at peace it all together . She shares openly and honestly her story. I am always so encouraged by her faith and her courage in sharing struggles and triumphs. This post really hit close to home for me. battles and balance . (her O has spd like our C. I have found so much strength and encouragement in her blog!!)

 and that is all :)

Grandma and her boys

Pictures from last week with Grandma!! So special to witness the bond between a grandma and her grandsons :)

 Prepare for picture overload :) Pictures are from a visit to casa de fruta, the pumpkin patch, and hanging around the house. The boys had so much fun and it was nice to have an extra pair of hands around. It was also nice being able to go on some walks with Dave in the evening time after the boys were in bed. Now we are counting down until Thanksgiving when we get to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, great uncles, and great grandparents!!

casa de fruta

 that face! this boy seriously makes the funniest expressions.

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Patch

 

 

 

Hanging around the house

(caleb started up his therapeutic listening from OT again and it has been helping a lot!) I just love how his legs are crossed at the ankles here as he listens to the story :) Sweet boy.

 beading rosaries

 play dough fun

 

pumpkin painting  

 

Thanks for such a special visit Grandma! Love, your boys.