blessed beyond measure

This was one long weekend that we made the most of. Here and there and everywhere, traditional face-stuffing togetherness, a little home TLC, and random fun thrown in for good measure. Wednesday night was bowling with the tribe girls and kiddos. We laughed and teased and fussed and cheered and there was much ado in our two little lanes. All the ladies topped a hundred, and we were stoked about it. Most of Thanksgiving day was spent working around the house. The garden, now freshly plowed into its big, beautiful sienna clumps, can rest easy through the winter, primed and ready for whatever snow may fall. Trey and Aden turned the kitchen into an interstate, complete with weigh stations and refueling spots. On the other side of the kitchen, I up and did something I've wanted to do for three years. Cabinet-top garland turned out as magical-looking as I imagined. About an hour before dinner, we all hustled in and out of showers and made it to Nana and Granddad...

Much, much to be thankful for. Sure, it's the holiday to pause and reflect, but isn't it every day that God's blessings flow all over our lives like silky, rich turkey gravy? Because He is so very good . We gathered - Giga, Poppop, Nana, Brandon, and I - with our churchful of fellow believers, hearts surging with pride and hope, as Granddad baptized our boys. And in His perfect timing, the Lord reminds me of why I'm here and how great are His love and mercy. Thanksgiving indeed.

It ran late, but fall has finally decided to join us in shivery air, blazing yellow and red leaves, and the looming promise of gravy. My perpetual goose bumps have reminded me of a small handful of summer memories I had been saving for a wrap-up post. Well, guess what. Here it is. Because late is the new on time. And you can only judge me so much because Aden's jack-o-lantern is still sitting front and center on our porch, spotty black and shriveled up like an orange prune. We remember this past summer as a good one, hot and dry and busy as ever. Full of activity and earth's lavish beauty and together time and bonding deeply. The boys are maturing and it's amazing and scary and frustrating and more fun than I ever realized to (at times) be their friend . Three boys at home all summer together, you never know what will happen. Standing on chairs in sunglasses, singing and dancing. Breaking windows. Vacuuming under the couch. Waking up with your brother...

It was an impromptu fall adventure on a perfect Saturday afternoon. In it, we were yet again reminded of the splendor and variety of this backroads land where we've been planted. The Harris Hayless Hayride ended up being a treat for everyone. And how we praise the Lord for blessings like this. Granddad got his tractor (and the tires!) all clean and shiny for our trip. Through the pasture and into the woods we went. Sweet Aden, fighting the urge to jump into the creek, finally settled on tossing big sticks down the bank. Trey found a tiny snail shell. Then threw it at a frog. Dad and Granddad got in some range time... ...while the boys rested and Nana and Mama took pictures. Poor cows, stampeding us because they thought we had their dinner. Mooing at our pursuers. How I love these people. How I love this place. So grateful.