Life Lately

Life lately has been full and busy and good.

We have established a pretty smooth routine for school.  Sometimes schedules look good on paper, but the reality is people move at different paces, and sometimes the unexpected happens, and best laid plans don't work well.   But, so far so good, though.  

We have art planned for Mondays ("Monday Funday") We are all loving that.

The signs and colors of fall are everywhere.    

We have several large maple trees on our property which means lots and lots and lots of leaves.  The kids love making huge leaf piles to jump in.

I was inspired by artwork that I saw at a friend's home.  She bought hers on Etsy,  but I couldn't find it there so I made my own version. 

A piece of scrapbook paper I had on hand, an anchor that I die-cut at the local craft store, and some borrowed chalk-ink pens.   Voila, and at a fraction of the cost. 

Big news.  I just turned 50!  Just writing that is weird.  I don't feel fifty /mostly ;-) /  

I am mindful of the gift that God has given me fifty years of life filled with so much blessing.

But it is a little sobering too because there is a greater sense of responsibility.  I am considered an "older woman" in the church.  I am to teach the younger women by encouragement and example.  (not that that isn't true of any age)  Theoretically, younger women would see me as  wise, and see in my life an example worth following, and one that they would be drawn to as a source for good counsel.   I guess I feel more than ever, that others might be watching me.

I hope I am the best stained-glass window (others looking at me might see my frailties and imperfections, but with the Light of Christ - He makes it beautiful.)

Because it was a monumental birthday and because my father's birthday is one week after mine, family flew in to celebrate both birthdays.  Why did I not get a shot of everyone together?  But I did get one of all the cousins

/ Matthew, Sarah, Caleb, Hannah, Roger, Daniel

Mary Anne, Abigail, and Ellie /

My brother even played a very impressive "Happy Birthday" for us on his harmonica.   

It was a very short visit, but I am thankful for the time we were able to be together. 

 This was Hannah's gift to her grandpa, who adores apple pie.  A single serve pie all for himself.

I admire this girl so much.  She is so inventive and creative.  She comes up with perfect gift ideas that cost little to no money.  She works within her means.  That is a skill that will serve her well all her life. I also admire her willingness to make something - like pie - even though she can't have it herself.  
Which brings me to the topic of her health.  You can read more about it on her blog, where she has tried to be rather candid about it. We would covet your prayers for healing and wisdom for the treatment course, but we have a big praise in that tests seem to indicate nothing serious.  While that may sound rather innocuous to some, we are thankful that we can be confident it is restricted to an inflamed gut.  

It is so hard to watch your child suffer with constant pain.  In spite of all her best efforts of eating safe foods, and avoiding offending ones, she has not improved, and at times, we've felt she's gotten worse, so to know that we are on the right track is a huge comfort.  I know this trial has been difficult and discouraging for her, but I also that God knows what He is doing.  He is allowing this because this trial will accomplish His will for her.  Do I know what that is?  No.  But I know this is true and that I can trust Him, who loves my daughter more than I ever could.

This is my latest drink obsession.  A chai tea with steamed coconut milk.  It's the perfect sweet-spicy flavors for fall. 

Eric gave me this for my birthday.

It's fantastic!  A huge upgrade from my D40.  So I hope to carve out time to take some pictures and get intimately familiar with this new favorite.   

Time is whizzing by - we have an upcoming fun trip to the zoo with friends, then a quick trip to Colorado to help my brother move, and then it will be November!  What?  

How is your life lately?  I'd love to hear from you.    

~Carol

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Random-osity and Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth