i am thankful

There is a gorgeous tree in my neighbors yard, 

dressed in burnt orange. 

every morning as I sit by the window studying it's majesty,

I am reminded of God's faithfulness, 

goodness,

and creativity.

 I am thankful.

This week, I have watched my oldest daughter
helping selflessly and taking care of her little sisters.
I am thankful.

I have cuddled and cared for my little "superman",
and have watched her snap back into herself.
I am thankful.

I have fed, cleaned, and wrestled the most wriggly toddler.
I am thankful

I have been aware of how God listens and answers prayers,
through my friends,
my sweet, wonderful, encouraging friends!
I am thankful.

I have observed my husband doing nasty jobs,
and caring for all his girls.
(he has been my steady chocolate supplier)
I am thankful.

I have talked with some friends about their recent adoption,
looked through photos of their reunion
with tears in my eyes.
I get to meet their new daughter really soon.
I am thankful.

I have felt the weather get colder,
and watched my dingy little town show its best colors.
I have unplugged, and taken in the crisp autumn breezes.
I am thankful.

I have been bitter, angry, exhausted, and weepy,
but I have also been excited, refreshed, joyful, and content,
and thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
see you in a week or so!

I hope you eat pie,
lots and lots of pie!! 

reading

vintage books in IA

when i was younger,

i didn't like to read,

i never wanted to slow down.

if forced, i would read fast-paced science fiction stories,

but for the most part sitting for a while was really hard for me.

in high school every book i had to read

for english was the worst.

except Tale of Two Cities,

which was the first time i felt like i was in the story,

the details and characters so well described,

that i wanted to be there.

but, 

i still loved to be moving

so i rarely read.

it wasn't until i went to college,

and i had to read a lot,

billions of textbooks.

so I would break up textbook time,

with a fun novel,

usually a classic,

a world i could escape to,

for free.

now as a mom,

i cherish the quiet moments,

where i get to 

sink into my chair,

cozied under a blanket,

and read,

for as long as i can.

also, i understand why my mom would read to us each night, 
give us tons of books,

and even more opportunities to read.

I hope to pass this on to my daughters as well.

so on this chilly morn,
 Lonesome Dove in one hand
and a cup of hot tea in the other,
i am thankful for books,
their authors, bookstores,
and amazon.
most of all,
i am thankful for my mother,
even though it took more time for me to realize it,
she passed on to me a love for reading,
and has showed me by her example,
how to pass that love on to my girls.


What are you reading right now?
i am always looking for book recommendations,
so feel free to leave a comment of your favorites!

our weekend

A warm, sunny weekend in the fall, 

made even better with 

Buttermilk Pumpkin Pancakes

adapted from Betty Crocker Cookbook pg. 77

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk

1/2-3/4 cup pumpkin

2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

dash of nutmeg

beat two eggs till frothy. Add in buttermilk and pumpkin and whisk till smooth.

heat and butter griddle over medium heat.

 mix dry ingredients and sift into buttermilk mixture. 

mix well, batter will be slightly lumpy.

then make pancakes!

I have no pictures of these, they went fast,

but I do have a serving recommendation,

pomegranate and and 100% pure maple syrup.

What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?

oh yeah, and we did this too:

27

Hooray!!

I am now 27!

We had a very quiet, simple day,

complete with steak, playground,

a cake my husband made, 

and a wonderful birthday surprise

that brought tears to my eyes.

Birthdays are my favorite!

speaking of favorites,

here are 9 random favorites of mine,

some may be a surprise:

1. It Takes Two -- I know almost every single line from this movie,

and oftentimes quote this quirky Olsen Twins classic.

2. R&B -- I own 3 Boyz II Men CDs, can still sing

U Got it Bad by Usher in it's entirety.

(and I sometimes attempt to dance like him too, you're welcome for that visual)

3. Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens -- read it junior year and 4 times since.

Second favorite book is Great Expectations.

4. Mossimo Boyfriend Tees -- I have the same shirt in 5 different colors,

that is shopping for me!

5. While You Were Sleeping -- favorite Christmas movie.

6. Jess -- favorite of Rory's boyfriends.

7. Pinkie Pie 

8. Colonial Williamsburg -- favorite childhood vacation

9. York Peppermint Patties

Also, it's friday!! so here are our feet!

"November brings birthday cheer and Christmas cheer! 

Our home warms up with Christmas, even if our schedules are busy.

 Lovely evenings curled up on the couch next to the tree

 watching the Gilmore Girls... just lovely."

--Samantha of Elah Tree

My awesome night consists of my 3rd piece of birthday cake today

and Foyle's War (another netflix favorite).

After a week of partying, this is a night I have been needing.

Wishing you a happy weekend!!

my best friend

Today, I am thankful for this guy:

Really I am thankful for him every day,

yep it's cheesy,

but every single day I am thankful to have him as my best friend.

It's so fun to remember all of our time together.

The awkward picture my dad asked for as juniors,

ciy summer conference 2003
photo cred - my dad

the still awkward interaction on a church trip as seniors.

Then going to the same college next semester,

and the giddiness I felt when I walked into my very first class,

and Mr. Greer sat down in front of me!

Followed by years of marriage, babies, 

and loads of laughing.

we're engaged!

I love this guy!

I admire his servant heart,

always doing the jobs others don't want to do.

I am encouraged by his diligence,

working hard even when it seems fruitless.

He is steady and loyal.

I say this quite often because 

I feel so strongly about its truth,

he is the FUNNIEST person I have ever met,

and laughing is one of my most favorite things!

photo via Lane Moss Photography

While our life together hasn't been easy,

its been fun, full of growing and little girls.

We are stronger because of it all,

and we will continue to grow our love.

Bud,

I have been greatly blessed to have you as my husband,

the "Yea Yea" to our girls,

my pilot on our adventures,

and  my best friend.

Thank you for working so hard for us,

for loving us so abundantly,

and for leading us boldly.

Yours Forever

Who are you thankful for today?

Hello November!

It's November!!!

Yesssss!

Last year I shared a picture everyday
on Instagram/facebook/twitter of things I was thankful for,
and it was wonderful how my 
perception changed.
So this past year, I told myself,
I needed to make more of an effort to 
share my "thank yous" all year long,
and I feel, while looking back,
that I appreciate so much more
about our life,
even when it can be ridiculous,
frustrating, and rough.
So in effort to maintain this outlook,
let Thankful November begin!

---

Right now,
I am thankful for the relationship 
I get to see grow
between Nora Girl and the Cord.

goofy faces

spunky attitudes

their unicorn pumpkin

 They love being superheroes together.
They will play/wrestle/sing/dance/chase
all day together,
and moments of just talking to each other are rare,
so as soon as I saw this I took like 30 photos in a 3 minute window,
here are my three favorite.

Happy November!!