blessed beyond measure

Thanksgiving came and went all too quickly this year, but what a blessing it was to gather with those dear to our hearts. Indeed the Lord has surrounded us with amazing family and friends who love Him and us and it's just the best part of this holiday. Followed closely by a perfectly crafted bite of turkey, potatoes, dressing, and gravy all in one. It never disappoints, y'all. First up, lunch with Giga, Poppop, and Nene. Poor Brandon wasn't feeling well and missed out. But we had a fabulous meal, topped off by our somewhat lost tradition of a nice, slow neighborhood walk that made us not feel quite so bad about those pumpkin squares we all devoured for dessert. Of course we came back from our walk to this. Words cannot express how thankful I am for this family and the Lord's hand in where we are. On Thanksgiving day, we gathered at Nana and Granddad's for yet another feast, the boys flabbergasted that we would choose to have a meal smack in the middle of ...

The title is in homage to this post of the same name from almost exactly five years ago. When our idea of growing pains was that Trey wouldn't stand on a stage with his class. Not to belittle that, because it truly was heartwrenching at the time. But little kids, little problems. We're OK, we really are. But parenting looks nothing now like it did then, and nothing like I ever expected it to. I always wanted to have kids, but it seems all my daydreaming never really made it to the tween stage. Which, as it turns out, is a poorly constructed roller coaster. I'm strapped tight and in it for the ride, but in the back of my mind I'm aware there's a decent chance the car may fall off the tracks. And of course, this is just the beginning. And in five years the issues we're having now will seem like small potatoes. But it's now, and an eleven-year-old is stealing my joy. Out of respect for Trey, I will not divulge too much. It's enough to say that...

History is absolutely fascinating, y'all. And how blessed we are to live in Virginia, where there is no shortage whatsoever of opportunities to see and walk among pieces of America's early days. Aden's class loaded a charter bus for Charlottesville, and my friend Cheryl and I were ever so happy to follow behind, laughing and talking each others' ears off for the two hour drive. It was as beautiful a trek as you might imagine up the eastern edge of the Appalachians in early November. We ate an early and chilly lunch among the leaves, endured the chaos of very limited restroom facilities and group organization for probably 200 kids at the visitors' center, then began our tour. Through one room of artifacts, then onto a rather luxurious shuttle bus. Out the windows, sprawling farmland for growing tobacco and wheat, and horse pasture as far as the eye could see. At the top of the little mount, Monticello in all its grandeur. A map that Thomas Jefferson drew, ci...

I begged for an adventure. It got to that point. Fall just wasn't seeming fall without going exploring with my boys. Somewhere. Anywhere. They relented, and on a warmish afternoon I gleefully packed up my long-neglected camera and water bottles all around, and we went straight from school to the State Park. Apparently trail-walking is still acceptable, even if your mom is tagging along. Our one single adventure for the year. Weather has been all over the place for us, and our poor leaves don't really know what to do. Half of them have fallen to the ground still green. But a little bit of color has started emerging over the last few days, and it's gorgeous as always. We hiked and talked and peeked in old barns and, under threat, the boys sat somewhat close together for a few photos. Stayed longer than we planned, because who can resist crunching through the woods, breathing a cool breeze, soaking in the waterside beauty, and the lure of a playground you've ...