Counting Sweet Blessings

81. This morning's rainbow at sunrise. Breathtaking!

82. A friend offering to bring Big Brother home from school.

83. My husband's financial foresight.

84. Sweet family time over the weekend.

85. Dimpled baby elbows.

86. My mother's birthday, celebrated with health this year.

87. God's covenant faithfulness to generations.

88. Hard rain.

89. A morning power-stroll.

90. Restful sleep.

He freely and faithfully gives

More blessings than we can conceive...

from the hymn Poor Sinner Dejected With Fear

by William Gadsby

First Day, Hooray!

If ever there was a little man who was ready for half-day preschool it is most certainly our Little Brother on this very day! Over the past few years he's been content to watch Big Brother head out for school adventures. Now that it's his turn he's nothing but eager.

He obliged me with the customary "first day" photo this morning, as long as we did it without the backpack. After 2.8 seconds of shutter bursts it was full speed ahead with no looking back.

He proudly marched himself right into his colorful classroom, dropped his backpack on the floor like he owned the place, settled down to the business of serious play, and that was that.

It's going to be a great year!

El Yeshuati, The God of My Salvation

Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

For the Lord God is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:1

A Quiet Week

Yesterday afternoon the humidity lifted; today there is a nice breeze. The afternoon forecast is 95 degrees but it's actually comfortable to be outdoors if one is in the shade. This morning Baby and I happily sat on the bench under our big oak tree while Little Brother and Miss Brown Eyes dug for gold in the backyard. It was calm and quiet... it was nice.

Little Brother begins his preschool adventures next week. He is excited and ready! I am excited for him, but this week I'm savoring some extra special time with him.

Hence, a quiet blogging week for me.

In addition to doing four-year-old boy things this week I'm praying about what our autumn season should include regarding activities. Also weighing heavily on my heart and mind is the importance and significance of completely entrusting my children to God. How very timely that these thoughts are top of mind as we are preparing to have Baby baptized this Sunday. It will be a special time as we:

"Unreservedly dedicate our child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, to endeavor to set before her a godly example, pray with and for her, teach her the doctrines of our holy faith, and strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." from The Book of Church Order, for the Presbyterian Church in America

Unreservedly... I'm taking time to prepare my heart. As I contemplate these things how very timely it was for God to lead me to this little passage yesterday...

"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands... When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me." from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Amen and amen!

Be sure to check out the fresh batch of inspiring links on my sidebar for some creative and challenging reading material. I'll plan to see you all next week with a little more regularity.

El malei Rachamim, All Merciful God

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him...

Daniel 9:9

20 Weeks Old

Little Brother: "Mommy, is Sister still being born?"

Mommy: "Ummm.... no, and Mommy is very happy about that."

Big Brother: "I don't have a pet dog just a pet sister. She's little so she's a pet."

Little Brother to Big Brother, who was distraught over a toy part gone missing:

"Don't worry [Brother] we've still got Sister and she's a pretty good toy."

You were screaming in the carpool line one day this week.

I reached back to stroke the top of your head.

Your tiny hand grabbed my finger and you were comforted.

That was a precious moment for me.

Don't worry, we'll figure out this hairy business of baby naps and carpool lines.

You are 20 weeks old today... you melt my heart more than ever.

The Hearth of My Home

Our days begin and end here.

During the in between moments we...

eat here,

play here,

create here,

work here,

read here,

learn here,

pray here,

laugh here,

celebrate here,

cry here,

comfort here,

serve here,

question here,

answer here,

discover here,

think here,

train here,

love here,

talk here,

live here.

This is where we share life and love.

This table is the hearth of our home.

I'm curious...

Where or what is the hearth in your home?

Aging Gracefully

Coins on the Counter

71. Coins on the counter mean that the professor is home. After five weeks of out-of-state consulting work {thankfully he was home on the weekends} I'm so thankful that he's home for good.

72. Coins on the counter can't buy the help that my in-laws provided while the professor was away. Every single evening after dinner one of them was here to help oversee the boy's bedtime routine while I fed Baby Sister. I am so thankful for their selflessness.

73. Coins on the counter mean that all of our needs are met and we have extra to share.

74. Coins on the counter can't purchase time. I'm thankful for the alone time that Big Brother and I shared over oatmeal this morning while the little ones slept. We designed the cupcakes that he'll take to school later this week.

75. Coins on the counter mean that I will tuck milk money into my school boy's lunch bag tomorrow.

76. Coins on the counter can't buy a napping baby so I'm thankful that I already have one, and that our busy morning didn't deter her from getting the rest she needs.

77. Coins on the counter remind me of newlywed laundromat days and how thankful I am to have a washer and dryer in my own home.

78. Coins on the counter can't purchase good friends like the one who offered to watch my children while I went to the eye doctor this morning and the one who likes to organize play dates. I'm thankful to share relationships with other mothers who understand...

79. Coins on the counter remind me that we're getting so close as we save up for new floors.

80. Coins on the counter are nothing compared to the riches of God's mercy and grace that I have in Christ. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

Still counting His blessings...

Second Grade

Last night I asked him if he wanted me to take him to school this morning and, perhaps, walk in with him. {Doesn't every mother-heart want to do that on the first day?} He gave me a confident, all-knowing look that spoke of experience and replied, "Daddy can take me and drop me off. I already know where my class is." And so it was.... we've commenced with second grade.

El Rachum, The God of Compassion

The Lord is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

Psalm 116:5

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

Dual Function

During our master bathroom renovation we chose this sink because we liked it.

We also really wanted to find a way to fit a double vanity into a small space.

This one has been a great solution.

But, it seems we got more dual function than we were anticipating...

Baby has been quite happy to bathe here for the past four months.

Perfection. I couldn't have designed it better myself.

Today she is {19 weeks old}.

This week she weighed in at 12 pounds and 14 ounces.

And, because I didn't post this last week, here is her {18 weeks old} photo.

Happy in the arms of Bunny, I call this one "Bunny Love/Baby Love".

Have a wonderful weekend my friends.

I expect there will be one among us who will do some splashing in the bathroom sink!

"The bright day is done..."

Sparkle and Shine

Counting more waves of mercy...

61. Looking at photos from camp with Big Brother and watching him grin {and shine} over his happy memories. Let me tell you, that boy rocked the water slide and the zip line... he loves rides and speed.

62. Driving down the road watching white fluffy clouds in the blue sky.

63. Seeing Little Brother's face shine as he helped his brother pick out a lunch bag for school. Seeing Little Brother's face sparkle when I told him that he could choose one too. That extra ten dollars was well spent just to see him light up... nevermind that he won't need a lunch bag for several more years.

64. Snuggling Baby Sister close to me while she slept several times today.

65. Dinner inspiration.

66. Another evening with a breeze. Another evening walk.

67. Quiet moments to read and think and pray this morning.

68. Help when I needed it.

69. How patient the professor and the boys are with me, even when I am impatient with them or I am tied up with the baby. The boys have been especially patient these past few months.

70. A new haircut.

Here is tonight's dinner inspiration. I sauteed fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and zucchini until tender, splashed in some wine and a drizzle of whipping cream, stirred, and tossed with whole wheat pasta and chopped grilled chicken, garnishing with parsley. It was simple, fresh, and fast.

Here is my "new do". Last week, while visiting my parents, I walked into an unknown-to-me salon one afternoon and asked if a stylist was available. Then I proceeded to tell the unknown-to-me-but-available stylist to cut off my hair. I didn't care how it looked or how she did it, I just wanted it cut. Off. She granted my request and I love the result.

My hair is still falling out {we're talking about a mass exodus here} but at least it's shorter now and has some shape. Isn't it amazing how a new haircut can make one sparkle and shine?!

And now I must say goodnight because I've turned into Mrs. Tittlemouse...

...she was too tired to do any more.

First she fell asleep in her chair, and then she went to bed.

from The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter

Tuesday's Random Shots

These dog days of summer leave me feeling drained, hot, and uninspired.

The 50mm fixed lens sparked some inspiration today.

The professor brought this shirt home from his recent trip.

Love it... despite our Apple leanings!

Neighborhood cats spotted on our evening walk. Little Brother loves cats.

Hooray, today's 97 degrees with a breeze felt much better than the recent 107 degrees with humidity.

Miss Blue Eyes is thighlicious!

Summer Dwindles

Around here we're watching the last few days of summer break dwindle away. School starts next week. I'll miss the leisurely, slow pace that we've perfected over the last few months, but the relentless heat... well, lets just say that I won't be shedding any tears when it finally relents.

Last week, while the professor was conferencing on the other side of the country, the boys, the baby, and I spent a long stretch of happy days with my parents. We filled our time with fun activities and outings, drinking deeply of summer's freedom.

We're home now, a pleasant and peaceful place to be {where everyone sleeps well in the their own beds}, but the week's calendar is full of appointments and preparations that I would rather ignore. Tonight, I'm thinking about how overwhelmed I was at the beginning of summer as I wondered how I would fill the empty days for two active boys while caring for an infant. The summer days filled themselves, quietly and pleasantly one after another, and now as this season draws to an end I'm making a mental note to sit still while I can and enjoy these last few moments.

El Erekh Apayim avi Ha-Tanchumim, The God of Patience and Consolation

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus...

Romans 15:5

Freezer Jam Thawing

Dinner Recently

{Garlicky Baked Shrimp}
Served over pasta.
It was a hit.

Every meal that I prepare these days...
with a baby dangling from my hip...
feels like a victory.

Life would be much simpler if no one had to be fed.
Including me!

Blue Mint

{minty fresh}

Four Months Old

Eight

Eight years ago today at 6:33 p.m. I received one of the greatest gifts of my life... you made me a mother. Before you were you I imagined that one day I might have a boy who looked just like his daddy; you are the boy from those dreams. And, you are so many wonderful things...

You are my adventurer. You love new experiences and you love to travel. You are always eager to try new things, especially if food, wheels, vehicles, or speed are involved. You enjoy an active, busy existence and you are always ready for more. I love your insatiable appetite for life.

You are a hard worker which makes me so proud. You try to do your best for the glory of God in your schoolwork, in your housework, and in projects that you undertake. I admire your persistence when something isn't easy for you.

You have a kind and loving heart. The tender love that you have for your siblings and the kindness that you show your friends never ceases to amaze me. You love God and seek to honor Him. I pray that your heart will always be soft.

You have a fun sense of humor. As you grow older I love watching this part of your personality mature. I love to laugh with you.

Yes, you are the son that I dreamed of, but you are so much more than I could have ever imagined. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, placed in our family for a purpose. I love you so very much and am proud to call you my son. Happy Birthday!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness...

2 Peter 1:2-3a