noticing small (and big!) joys.

• caroline was home for the weekend
• the way eli calls on his way to work sometimes
• sending mail! fun stamps. 
• new shane & shane album 
• getting to hold the hard with folks
• talking to lane. i love him. 
• sweet stuff/good reminders: 

• unexpected cracker barrel breakfast
• meaningful conversations.  just right words (that i question as they are coming out of my mouth but end up being just the right thing - thank you, Lord. more of that, please!)
• easy peasy wal-mart pick up
• easy peasy cottage turnovers
• easy peasy anything
• sharing things i love/believe in (mainly the pour over and the Sing daily devo)
• emma's delightful simmer pot (wish pictures could be scratch and sniff)

• leftovers at church...free 99 is just the right price :)
• nick has had a good week retreating
• that one kid at mid week.  getting to brag on him to his mom. 
• lots of gilmore girls with emma
• throwing flax seed and chia seeds into stuff (follow me for more nutrition advice ;))
• yaya treated us to steak n' shake
• the ants eventually go away. 

looking for and finding beautiful things from our beautiful God.

• just write words on wooden blocks for a just right friend
• yaya + pumpkin decorating + beautiful day

• answering the phone at the right time
• senior HOCO for emma (really like that girl...and that guy...and that dress...especially thankful for modest choices)

• strawberry cake from whistling pig! (a whole half!!!)
• another pretty day on mountain brook

• getting correct addresses before sending mail
• finally enough leaves for raking

• seeing so many "small" things working just right at CityScape (doughnuts and greeters and security and nursery volunteers and check in people and conversations and so much more!)
• beautiful caroline! grateful for glimpses into her life!

• ezra is home!!!!!
• i got flax seed. and made energy bites. 

• hearing about a certain niece's wise decision
• yup, this:

• kids praying scripture
• when discipleship looks like kids hanging in a tree

• panera bagels AND a toaster at staff meeting
• zoe's enjoyment of her wheelie shoes

 

rejoicing in the Lord my God and the gifts He gives

• very successful volleyball season (the fruit of this experience will be in season and on display for decades. so proud of our emma girl.)
• family + the varsity
• smiles from our favorite volleyball player

• lime juice right when i was hoping for some
• real and raw and honest and beautiful conversation at MIC
• really good cup of coffee and time well spent with the mitchells

• Really great podcast about Allen Levi & friends (so fun to hear Bart's voice!)
  
• seeing AB baby run - especially up the hill - "what took ya so long?" ;) 
• swimming in october

• mrs. shawn brought me mushroom coffee (thoughtfulness is one of my favorite things)
• weeping with those who weep
• things that make me smile: 

• afternoon/evening to myself
• help with the hamburger patties
• magical nature soup made by the best chef

• kitties and the turtle are in good hands
• the ease of sending giftcards through apps (watch out world...and budget)
• cards in the back of the truck

• walks and talks
• folks who can beautifully handle midweek 
• community gathered in prayer around jon (his surgery was a success!!!)

• sleeping with the door open - listening to the rain throughout the night
• perfect screened in porch
• cul-de-sac cabining with these 2 incredible humans and their delightful families

• the way the Alabama quarterback waited to talk with G. Stockton. grateful for men of character. 
• coke  + cheese dip + marriage advice
• nick + daughters + plus time in birmingham on an ordinary thursday night

• riding with my sister
• cooler weather is coming (supposedly!)
• autumn rains that remind us of His faithfulness

remaining extremely impressed by (and thankful for) things

• cinnamon crunch bagels!
• friends who pray. really pray. 
• singing "holy, holy, holy" with the kids at midweek.  those sweet voices. 
• treasure boxes in the works

• CFA treat cards for sharing (thanks, kasey!!!)
• such a good and restful sunday. 
• impromptu CFA lunch with nick
• good reminder: 

• that strawberry pretzel jello dessert. wowzahs.
• time with Katelyn & Hunter (and the previously mentioned dessert they brought!!)
• another cottage booking came through
• caroline making memories with her friends

• the text that started with "I'm ok...." that whole situation.  God, you're trustworthy. 
• weeze.  she certainly earned those kazillion cool points. 
• being able to text ray with questions
• the thing mr. bill said we need was at the church (thanks, emi!)

• meaningful interactions on sunday morning
• still on track with school work
• when the instructions are clear and obedience is easy
• the sky tonite.  pinks and oranges galore. 

don't know what happened to the bullet points. dashes will certainly do. but then the bullet points showed up. so we shall have both.

• --more good news out of jacksonville.  thankful for health and growth! 
• --pre sunrise walks and runs (and meaningful conversation)
• --zoe's ability to fall asleep when the incentive is right 
• --time on the porch with EG and Christian
• --getting to celebrate ella grace...hosting with a team of folks who know their gifts and strengths and operate in them!

• --the washing machine works (it was indeed user error)(helps to push the power button before the start button)
• --AND the dryer also works (helps to close the door all the way before pushing the start button)
• --jennifer's text and prayers
• --hands and hope mail.  this might've been my favorite month yet. 
• --delightful Truth in a beautiful format

• --upward cheeseburger (and friends)
• --another sweet week of kids stuff at MidWeek
• --security.identity.truth. 
• --candy bar nick brought me!
• --90% of monday was spent outside

• --pre game nap
• --half time nap
• --her friends showed up
• --really good leftovers in the office fridge! (i heart meatballs)
• --God's creativity

• --SAFE safe safe in His love
• -- "called and kept safe by Jesus Christ" - Jude v. 1
• --"refuse to get involved in inane conversations." - 2 Timothy 2:22/23
• --emma's wisdom/question asking...and compliment
• --catching up with christal. possibilities. 

a few of the great things the Lord has done for me. (and i am glad)

• good news from jacksonville!
• all the puns and laughter at staff meeting
• beautiful skies

• most of school was done on the sidewalk with chalk
• volleyball is such a tiny slice of life
• nick's amazing grass cutting skills

• splitting up the kiddos wednesday night
• incredible helpers!
• things that make me smile: 

• auntie anne's pretzel and sitting in the truck talking
• porch therapy
• fall is here...and the weather is trying to cooperate

thankful times a zillion

•  getting to watch the UGA game during volleyball :) 
• nick & eli and the guys trip to Zion
• sweet sisters drawing with chalk together

• midweek went well!!!!
• GA Tech volleyball on TV (seeing jacob!)
• she made the thing! 

• nick's intentionality with our kids (took emma to see a show!)
• leftover roast turkey around the office table
• fun things with dice 

• date night dinner and conversation
• anne + gilbert 
• zoe the detective

• going back to sleep
• air conditioning
• lovely words presented in a lovely way

• baby cat = kitten (laughing with MIC ladies)
• keeping on keeping on and keeping up with zoe's schoolwork
• sewing with yaya

• chocolate chip cookies a plenty at citygroup!
• eli's intentional phone calls 
• friends and family and friends who are like family at emma's senior night!

• lefotver mexican
• flowers all over the place
• thinking lots about humility...and holiness...and forgiveness...and grace....