A Little Saturday Honesty

Today, we're packing.

More out of a need for continued hope and faith than anything else.

I keep thinking of those 10 days after my due date with Josiah. Shouldn't he have already been here by now? Is today the day? What am I supposed to do with my life if it isn't today? Can I actually make any plans for tomorrow? What if he decides to come tomorrow? What if he doesn't ? Am I really even ready yet for him to come?

And the daily questions from sweet, thoughtful, well-meaning people remind me also of those terribly uncertain days before birth. Nobody likes to say, "I don't know." Everybody likes to have all the answers to all the questions.

Well, I don't have all the answers. And that's perfectly okay. Right?

And what answers I do have are so much more complicated and lengthy than what most people truly care to hear.

I've really had to let The Lord temper my attitude lately. I've really had to surrender my "right" to whine and complain and feel sorry for myself. And sadly, I do still whine and complain and feel oh, so sorry for myself way too often. Lord, help me.

If I remember correctly, those long, terribly uncertain 10 days before birth ended in some of the most joyous beauty I've ever experienced in my entire life. I won't lie. It was tough. It was even sometimes painful...kinda like now. But boy, did we celebrate.

And we will celebrate again. We'll celebrate the goodness and the faithfulness and the trustworthiness of God in our lives. And we'll thank Him for teaching us more about peace and patience and rest in Him. And we'll thank Him for, yet again, loving us enough to refine our character.

Just a little honesty from my heart today.

Fall Fun 2012

I LOVE, love, love the Fall!!! With the cooler weather, yummy treats, sweaters and scarves and the numerous opportunities for cute photo ops!

And Josiah is at such a fun age that he's really enjoying the season as well.

This last weekend, we began our Halloween celebrations (no, we do NOT celebrate evil, but we do celebrate cuteness and fun and costumes and memories) with our annual Chili Cook-Off and Costume Party with our Chi Alpha group on Friday night. This is always one of my very favorite events of the entire year and a super fun way for our friends to invite their friends to something fun and casual and not intimidating. Plus, who doesn't love to have an excuse to dress up in a creative costume and eat some yummy chili?

Here is our family costume:

2012

I always try to have a theme, if I can help it. Last year's costume kinda stunk because Josiah was sick and I had JUST started work that day. For comparison's sake, last year's "costume":

2011

But the year before that (2010) was, by far, the best costume year!

On Saturday, we just kind-of lazed around the house most of the day (because we all really, really needed to do just that.) But the weather was gorgeous and I knew the season of pumpkins was almost over, so we decided sorta last-minute to take Josiah out to Dewberry Farm. We (my parents, sister and I...Matt was gone somewhere) took Josiah last year and we all had fun, but it was significantly more fun for him this year. Still a little overwhelming with all the people and all the different things to do. But he had a blast! And I was even able to get a few really decent pictures out of it.

 

 

 

And again, pictures from last year at Dewberry Farm for comparison's sake: 

 I hope to be able to take him back there every year. I know he'll have more and more fun as the years go by.

Happy Fall to Y'all!