31 Days

Back in 2008 (has it really been that long?!?) I spent the month of October posting a virtues prayer a day with a foliage pictures for all 31 days.  Doing a series was fun and I enjoyed having an outlet for displaying all the beautiful foliage we experience here in New England.

Wanting to do it again, last year I did some searching of a list of 31 things I could repost.  Nothing stuck out to me.    Finally, about a month ago, I believe God laid a list on my heart.  Once He gave me the subject, the list just flowed from my blank-slate head.  The subject?

31 Ways to Live in Peace

Let me set your expectations from the start.  I am not professing that the entire list was God-breathed, but I will say I am not known for my creativity or originality and the list was formed easily and almost without effort over the course of three separate mornings.

Expect short, to-the-point posts.  I'd love for blogging to be the only thing I have going, but alas, its not so time must be short when I sign on here.

Expect to be wowed by the beauty of fall in New England.  Not because of my photos, but just because it is what it is.

Expect to hear from my heart.  I'm not following any particular rules here.  Some will be deep, some will not.  Some will resonate with you, some will not.

My prayer is that you might find something of benefit that will bless you and help you as WE seek peace, and pursue it.  Let's encourage one another!

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

I Thessalonians 3:16

Rest For Your Soul

Yesterday I awoke well before the crack of dawn and got started on my list of things that needed to get done...forever ago.  Digging into the work did not give me a sense of accomplishment, instead I began to feel more and more overwhelmed, until I just felt like throwing my hands up to it all.  It was only 6:00 am and I was already feeling defeated and wanting to give up.

I do the cutest little devotional book with the girls at breakfast, called Five-Minute Devotions for Children.    Our particular story was about bears and how when cubs are born they are about the size of a banana but their mother watches over them and teaches them the things they need to know for survival.  The corresponding verse was [Jesus said]...Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:29

In the Message Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.


I took it as a word just for me and "found rest for my soul".   Today is a new day and I know that God's mercy and grace will be sufficient for me again today. 

More Maine

Day two started out quite foggy but it was still good weather for everything we wanted to do....a whole lot of nothing!  :)

 Ready for it?  At the age of 26 months Aiden caught his first fish!!

 When we got back he was telling his great-grandfather about it.  When asked how big the fish was, he held out his arms wide and said "this big!".  Right on cue...hilarious!

 So thankful we made the sacrifice and took the time to go.  Lots of good memories were made!

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Mark 6:32

Maine in the Fall

Nearly every year for a long time we've gone up to Shaun's family's cabin in upstate Maine.  This year our summer was insane and we'd kind of written it off, but the girls, Avery especially began asking about it and expressing an interest in going.  Once we finally settled on going and told them, they were over the top excited and the reaction made it worth it, before we'd even left.

We left at 7:30 pm, and did the trip with no stops, which got us there about midnight.  The next morning I went to the grocery store to get supplies for the two days and that was the only time the car left.

There is no internet service and very limited cell service...perfect for getting some quality family time.  And that's exactly what the trip was....wonderful family time.  As close as our kids will get to camping, at least under our care.  

Our two days were filled with:

Donut eating....

 Morning snuggles....

 Fishing lessons.... 

Playing games...

 Snake hunting...

 Swimming...crazy girl.

Walks for exploring....

 Campfires.....

 Marking growth on the wall....

 More games and smiles....

Day 2 tomorrow.

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

Monday's Musings

How 'bout a completely random and scattered post, since that is exactly how I am feeling.  After being away for a couple days (without internet) and having my weekend end before I even knew it started, I feel like my head is swirling just a bit.  In fact, lets do this post in bullets.  :)

• Yes, we went to Maine for a couple days.  It was wonderful family time, just the five of us.  I've narrowed it down to 92 photos that I just love, I'll try to cull a little bit more before I do the post.  :)
• Thank you to those of you who spent quite a bit of the summer thinking about and praying for Avery while she dealt with Mono.  Our families were so sweet to send cards and so many asked about her.  She is completely back to normal and has gained back to weight she lost (to my mother's-eye, anyway).
• And since we're updating, the dumb dog is even improving.  By the week he gets easier and more manageable.  He turned one sometime this month (s'pose I could look up the actual date) and some of the wild puppy-ness seems to be fading.  Thank the Lord.
• Strawberries were $1.69/lb today and that makes me very happy.  Unreasonably so.
• Two people went out of their way to speak encouragement to me this past week.  It meant so much and was a good reminder that its such an easy thing that can make such a big difference.  I am resolving to give out more of it.
• I'm listening to Amanda singing I love you this big in the kitchen while she unloads the silverware. I love hearing her "whistle while she works" and its SO fun to discover what random song it will be.  One never knows.
• God has answered some big-time prayers recently....not my stories to tell here, but I'm rejoicing just the same.  God is good...all the time.
• I got to experience one of THE most amazing sunsets over the water, right here in CT.  Really...it took my breath away.
• So thankful for a supportive, involved husband.  The kids were his sole responsibility the entire weekend and he managed it well.  I even came home to a much-cleaner-than-I-left-it house.  He's one in a million, that one.
• Today is September 26...and its in the 80's.  Ecstatic!
• I'm committing to give my best effort to post every day in October.  Come back Friday to find out what the theme is going to be.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Psalm 63:2

Project 365, Week 39

I got home from a 14-hour wedding day just after midnight last night and I am headed out at 8 am to photograph two services worth of baby dedications and then infant twins.  My first time doing twins so I'm excited.  I'm going to need to up my exercise routine if I'm going to keep up this pace.

Have a tremendously blessed week!

September 18

My cousin Johnny is on the far left, trying to go after my QB husband on the far right.

 Playin' with the big boys.  :)

 Avery snapped a pictures of us.

 September 19
After a hard weekend of playing, I went in Monday morning to wake Avery up for school.  I found not one but two sleeping little girls in her bed.

 Big boxes are big fun.

 September 20
After a day's worth of activities and school and work, we set out on the road at 7:30 pm to go to....

 September 21
Maine!  Lots of pictures to come but this was our view for the day.

September 22

Shaun spent lots and lots of time patiently teaching the kids about fishing.  His patience well never goes dry...amazing.

 September 23
After Amanda had had her afternoon rest she came down and was immediately cranky.  I told her to lay down for a few minutes to regroup and all was quiet in about 2.5 minutes.

We went to show Great-Grandpa pictures from our trip.

 My sister and Shaun's brother both got a puppy today (crazy people!! :).  If you can believe it, they were from the same breeder, same litter...all without any discussion.  We got to see both of the little fluff balls briefly.

September 24
Shaun took the kids to his other grandfather's house where they did a group birthday party for all the great grandkids.  While he was there, I was second shooting a wedding, which I have hundreds of pictures of, just not in my possession yet.

We did formals on the water and the sunset was completely awe-inspiring.