While G.G. was here, she kindly helped me work in the garden, stain the patio set and taught me her secret spaghetti sauce recipe. We worked hard, laughed hard and slept hard while she was visiting. And the memories we shared are visible all over Hearthstone House. I am so glad that my Grandma came to stay and was able to see my home and family in our environment, and experience a day in the life of The Estate Manager. Love you G.G.!

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior;… Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, … Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

There are certainly days where I feel like I am drowning in my life as a mom. Bobbing around with no direction just trying to hold on for dear life as my kids steer the ship. But, like most moms I tend to look at my faults and short comings and not at the progress that I am making as a child of God, wife and mother. I am too hard on myself and don’t see the life I have as a blessing. That each spilt cup of milk I clean up, every poo-pie diaper I change, every lunch I pack, every nose I wipe, is all challenging me as a person and shaping my very character. I can honestly say that a year ago or even two years ago, I really thought I can’t handle this. It is too much! But every so often I will have a day or a moment that catches me off guard. I see myself being patient, responding in love, holding my tongue, or praying instead of crying, complaining or yelling.

Meebs gave me two great lessons this past week. Repeatedly when things were chaotic, she began to chant Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! And God used her to bring my focus to Him instead of the anxiety of the situation. And also this week I caught myself laughing instead of yelling,  as she pretended that markers were make-up. Now that’s real progress.

When I am afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed, I will remember that I am loved, precious and not alone. I won’t be swept way, consumed, burned or drowned. God is with me.

It seemed like the perfect way to get the girls together and to celebrate an otherwise less significant birthday. I wanted to make the night special and the details had to be just right. I first got out some inspiration. A little blue box that Slade had given me long ago. So simple, so classic and so all together romantic. Ahhh, the Tiffany & Co., blue box. You know when you see that box that something shiny and sparkly is about to happen and the little girl inside of you is about squeal! And I wanted the girls to feel that way the whole night.

To create that feeling through food, I chose to have pastries instead of cake, champagne cocktails, assorted cheeses and crackers, chocolate covered strawberries and Cracker Jacks. The girls brought some hot appetizers and some dips to complete the spread and we ate and drank ourselves into food comas. For decorations and party favors I followed the colors Tiffany blue, white and silver.  At around eleven o’ clock we put our PJ’s on and watched the classic in its entirety. We had a lot of fun catching up and spoiling ourselves for the evening.

Thanks Ginny and Kim! I love you both dearly and was so honored to have you over. I will always remember my 32nd birthday and celebrating it with you!

Christmas morning after all the toys were unwrapped, food was eaten, and Meebs was put down for a nap, The Bird and I got a chance to crack it open and start building. The fun thing is that each wooden block has multiple uses for it: some have a single path that the marble can go through, others have a couple of paths in each block, but all can be used as either structural or functional elements, or both, as you build.

Today, the 3 of us (Meebs was again taking her nap) built a giant “city” in the office, and we incorporated a few household items to switch it up. This easily has a Rube Goldberg aspect to it, and I can see us having Quadrilla set ups that launch over a sleeping Tiki, change channels on the remote, and ring the neighbors doorbell.

This week has been a furry of activity for The Bird with preparations for Christmas performances for church choir. She sang on Wednesday night to a packed house of parents, grandparents and siblings. She did really well and was not stage freight, I think it was because her buddy Chase was there. Mom and Dad were so proud of her and look forward to more performances in the future.

At the library – for a pre Halloween Party

Coloring (going bonkers) at CPK