Searching for Colors

This beauty is in my backyard. I'm always blown away by the colors of the fall. How in the world, can the leaves become so bright and beautiful right before they die? Yesterday, my son and I went exploring in the yard to find leaves for a project he's doing at preschool. We of course, found many more than we needed, just because of how breathtaking they are. We couldn't resist "picking" more and more. However, what I felt myself begin to look for were green ones. We had scads of red, orange, and yellow...but we needed a few greens to balance the bright colors out. As you are well aware, there are not many greens. So, when we would see one, we would say with excitement, "There's a green one!" As we were in the midst of hunting, something about looking for the green ones stood out to me.

It's as if the Lord was saying...

"Why are you looking for what's been here all along? They've been right here under your nose, but it's not been until now, that you can't find them, that you count them as valuable".

I don't know why it stood out to me. Maybe because I spend my life searching for "more" of what I've already been given in full. Or because I just try to get my hands on what seems out of my reach, only to find, it's been there all along. Either way, it was a message of hope. A message of fulfillment. A message of sufficiency.

A sweet reminder, that even though sometimes I search for things I don't have, that my Father is already there, and has always been there, even when I can't see. A gift to unwrap indeed.

Halloween Recap

We had so much fun this year...as every year, but as my kids get older, we get to "do" more with them. First we started by having our annual "Stephens Fest" with my sister and her boys. We (well, she) made cupcakes and the kids decorated them with fun halloween sprinkles. We ate pumpkin seeds, carved pumpkins, and then got ready for trick or treating.

Uncle Randy delivered JC's pumpkin dream with this awesome Batman emblem

As much as I wanted our family to all dress alike in cowboy attire, the kids just wouldn't bite on that idea. River was all about being a kitten, and she wanted me to be the Mama Cat.

Asher went back and forth between a cowboy, a knight, and spiderman, and then the day of, decided on a fireman. I mean, who doesn't want to be a hero?

The kids were cute all dressed up together.

Batman, The Fireman, and Little Kitten

with the big "brother cousins"

After trick or treating, we went to a free carnival with pony rides, jumpy things, and lots of fun times. We met with up with our friends, but after a quick hello really didn't see anyone! All the kids were off to do their own thing! This is what mine had in mind...

River has been more into horses lately, so this was a real treat! She even waited in line on her own accord (I told her I would save her place while she went to ride rides, but she declined the offer) for about 30 min!

To end out the night, we grabbed a bite to eat at Steak and Shake, and really stayed up "late"! It was really fun to complete the evening with a milkshake and fries! Here's Asher the Fireman rescuing Mama Kitty from a tree. Haha.

It was a fun night for our little family. And we were all thankful for the extra hour, the morning after!

Autumn Fires

I haven't been taking an intentional break from blogging, just no time lately to even think about new posts. I have, however, been absolutely blessed to have been in the company of good friends sitting around pleasant autumn fires the last two evenings. I came across this poem yesterday, and it seemed so fitting for these fall days.

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens

And all up the vale,

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over

And all the summer flowers,

The red fire blazes,

The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!

Something bright in all!

Flowers in the summer,

Fires in the fall!

~Robert Louis Stevenson (A Child's Garden of Verses)

The other day, Asher and I were playing outside with bubbles, having a grand time. I was looking at him, and not really noticing much in the yard. Everything looked the same. Same as it always does...not much grass, nothing spectacular, just splotches of green here and there. You know...same as it always looks.

And then something compelled me to look up. And I saw this...

All the time I was standing down in my spot, I had no idea what was above me. I had no idea of the colors and the splendor of what was happening right above my head. (they're really much more beautiful and vivid than that, i just don't know how to take very good pictures.)

It reminded me of how our Father works. Sometimes we can't see what He's doing. We might not even know He's working at all. And then, maybe, we look up. And just maybe we see but a glimpse of His glory. The splendor of His majesty working in our midst all the while.

And all we have to do is look up.

Mums were Nestled all Snug in their Beds...

There are few things that I love more than celebrating. We've even changed our business phrase to "celebrating everyday life" rather than "creating for everyday life". It just seems to fit a little bit better.

So, to celebrate the start of Fall,

this past week I bought these beautiful mums,

and nestled them all snug in their beds.

I begged my hubs to go up to the attic and get down my harvest wreath that still smells wonderful with the eucalyptus that has been in there for 2 years

Filled some other fun jars with lots of Autumntime.

I changed out my seascape candle setting to be more earthy

(also this makes a great place for the kids to put as many acorns

as they want in there without them getting all over my house!)

And made my hubby another pot of vegetable soup.

They're not big things...just everyday ways to celebrate this gift called Fall that God gives us every year. What things do you like doing to welcome Autumn? I know I'm not the only one who likes to party! ;)

Brrr....

My 10 favorite things about it being cold...so far... I'm really a wimp about the cold, so I have to remind myself why I love this time of year.

1. my clothes don't sour when left in the washer too long

2. my son's first words about snow - "i see no!"

3. being able to layer clothes! i love layering.

4. planning winter day meals...and thanksgiving day food...and cookies....yummm...hot food.

5. sweaters.

6. hats.

7. scarves.

8. drinking warm drinks all day long.

9. seeing my kids noses get pink from the cold.

10. starting my Christmas shopping!

Secrets of a Sassy...Hats!!

Now is the time to wear your hats! They're so cute, and they give you such a fun look. I love how hats frame your face. Not to mention that I love how you can get away with a bad hair day and still look great!

Here are some that are hot right now.

Here are some that will never be out of style.

Here are ones that are great for snow and also super cute!

So there ya have it - or there ya hat it. Whichever you'd prefer...but just like those boots, just put them on! People say all the time, "I don't look good in hats." But it's such a lie! You just have to find WHICH type of hat looks good on you. So, find one right for you, and wear it! And don't think that your grandmother or mom doesn't have one that would suit, too - go search through their old things, and find yourself a newsboy cap or vintage wool hat that will still be great today!

"I Should Have Been A Great Many Things..."

That's one of my favorite quotes from Little Women, (the movie...it's probably in the book, since the movie is from the book, but I'm not the best at reading books, instead I like the movies). This past week always welcomes the question, "What are you going to be for Halloween?" And so the journey began. Our daughter went from option to option, thinking diligently about each choice. She first was set on a ballerina. Then a cat. Then a dog. A mouse. Then it changed to a rock star. Then, I guess someone at preschool was going to be a hippie, so she changed her costume to a "hippie-rock-star". She chose her outfit (out of her bottom drawer) and was a brilliant hippie rock star...on Thursday.

Then, on Friday morning, she decided she would wear her Belle costume so that she could be Belle for Halloween. My mom-in-law came and we had fun curling hair and doing make up and then hit the mall for a couple hours. She loved parading around getting oohs and ahhs from people and looking like a little princess. Then about half way through Friday, the costume was too itchy, and out the window went the Belle idea.

In the bathroom at the mall, she said very seriously,

"I know what I want to be for Halloween, Mommy." I acted surprised for the nth time, and said, "What?" Then she smiled widely, and said, "Me!" To which, I was so happy to hear. I smiled back, and said "That's the best thing you could ever be!" Of course, I was thinking, I'm not sure how we'll get candy out of that one, but we'll work on it.

So, the evening came, and we were back to ballerina. A beautiful ballerina. Asher was easy. He was a fighter pilot. The cutest one I've ever seen.

River and JC before trick or treating

Saturday Night, Take Two

Last night, my hubby and I were all ready for a fun Saturday night. The coffee had just beeped, telling us it was ready, our pie was waiting, and our movie was in the player.

Just then, our little girl came out wiping her mouth off, saying, "Mommy..." and I knew. I knew she had gotten sick in bed. And I knew that it was here again. That season, where you never know when they might be sick.

So, after getting her bathed, and bed linens changed, and another spontaneous episode, and another bath, we had her back in bed. At 11:00pm.

So, we decided that we would wait for another night. So, even though it's 10pm, we're going to try Saturday night all over again. Let's just hope our little boy doesn't interrupt us tonight.

the start of fall

my daughter asked me the other day which day was the start of fall. i hadn’t even realized it, but that day was the first day of fall. and the last couple days it has truly felt like the beginning of fall. today i got to take the babies outside just for a little playtime and it made me remember even more why i love the start of fall.

i love having to grab a jacket.

i love seeing my cute little boy in a hooded sweatshirt.

i love not having to swat at mosquitos the entire time we’re outside, no matter how much bug spray you put on.

i love being able to stay outside long enough for me to type a post, without sweating all over the computer.

i love hearing the leaves rustle in the wind

i love that the sun is shining just enough to make me feel warm all over.

i love seeing hints of red in the leaves that are just starting to change color

i love seeing less bugs and more birds.

i love hearing geese overhead flying south for the winter.

i love that my dog will lie at my feet without scratching fleas incessantly.

i love having to sip my coffee to stay warm.

i love having a leaf fall on my keypad as if to say, “Hello, there! Just passing through.”