Finding Refuge Under His Wings

Ted and I needed to take time out this morning to take a drive and just be together. There are times as a business owner/manager that are not fun...and sometimes turn dangerous. God is good to hear a wife's daily petition for her husband! I am thankful that I can "help" in that way!
What a challenge for me to be faithful in praying for my husband...daily, hourly, by the minute, and even seconds sometimes!
We headed out to a park in our area and sat by the lake...watching the clouds, fishermen, birds, and jumping fish. It was calming to our spirits and I sat and thanked the Lord for His watch care over His children! Today's Key for Kids was just that...Psalm 91:4..."under His wings shalt thou trust."

Let's Review!

Every morning we read "Keys for Kids" for our devotions. Each day has been a perfect challenge for ALL of us! We like the simple "Key" that we can refer to throughout the day...week...etc. Today, we read the verse, Ephesians 6:11, and the key "Wear God's Armor"...and then story...about a little boy who played football. He brought all his protective gear home and was talking about each piece with his parents. Each piece had a special way it protected him when he played. Without the pieces, his coach did not allow him to play.
We always ask the kids questions and today, we asked if they remembered the pieces of armor that the verses listed. "Helmet and Sword"(Ashlynn), "Teeth guard"(Teddy), and "Protecting shoes!"(Alisa) Um...maybe we will take time to go over the verse part again! Their answers re-started our day out with a smile after a big discipline issue in which two children had to have their behavior modified...that is always a bad way to start a day! Daddy used the devotion to remind them..."the armor of God protects us and helps us to do right and fight the enemy. When we do wrong...it hurts...us and others!" We are thankful for the "re-starts" we have because of God's forgiveness!

Homework goes quickly when Alisa speed reads!

Happy Birthday to a fellow in yellow!

Today is my Daddy's birthday! He and I share a love of good food...and free-style cooking! Dad...you have taught me many things through the years and I appreciate the lessons! Even the latest one...about cutting the roast across the grain...we make a great team and I look forward to more lessons...in and out of the kitchen! Love you!

Our fine furry friend

While Teddy and I were eating lunch yesterday, we had a visitor who helped himself to my neighbor's weeds that are overtaking my plants on the other side of the fence! For once, I am glad this little guy is on the fence...eat away, furry friend, eat away!
He has been busy...stripped all the leaves off this mini tree and has started on the tender branches! I am starting to believe that the Farmer's Almanac is telling the truth about a rough winter!

It is crisp and cool...

45 degrees this morning! Perfect day for baking cookies...enjoying the second cup of coffee...reveling in the heavenly scent of my apple candle...while listening to news...
The local morning show is always full of interesting tidbits! Today they are telling us that this winter will be snowy and "numbing cold". Last year, we had a record snow fall! Ah...let's just enjoy the autumn season and not think about what follows! They just reminded the viewers "this is according to the old farmer's almanac...and they are never wrong!" sigh

This & That

Finished favors for the the retreat...an International hot drink packet...mmm, mocha for me!
Saturday morning...we had a wedding with Alisa officiating. Teddy was the groom, Ashlynn was the bridesmaid, and the doll was the bride...which was a good thing as she hung from her hair and arm..."You don't do that to your bride...you love her" said Ashlynn. "Ok, ok, Teddy...do you take this bride?" "Yes", replied the groom. "NO...it's I do! You have to do it right", stated the minister of the hour. I was listening to them and thinking..."why, how, where...?" Then it hit me...we have watched "Father of the Bride" recently. It reminded me of when Mari and I would play church...bathrobe, pulpit, and all!

Letting go...

seems to be the theme these days! I watched Ted help Teddy as he ventured out on his bike with no training wheels. His buddies have been riding without training wheels and Teddy was ready "to join the guys"! They were there to cheer him on as Ted held on to Teddy making sure he was getting his balance...after a few passes and a winded Daddy...Teddy was off! I think the whole scenario lasted 45 minutes till he was "racing down" the sidewalk. He was working hard and was exhausted by the end of the evening. I watched with a gasp on the edge of my lips...waiting for the impending wipe-out...I know it will be nasty and hurt when it happens...but that is part of letting go...being there after the fall to wipe away the tears! Yep...it was a lesson in letting go for me as I watched our son accomplish another milestone!

Friday...the end of the week, the start of the weekend...

enjoying the last few moments of quiet before the kids come home. Can I say...I like being home amid the quietness of the week? I have gotten some cleaning and rearranging done and I am ready to put out fall decor. The retreat projects are coming along nicely! Last night, two friends from church came and we finished the favors for the dininghall tables. I love the little touches that make events more special...little things do matter!

Signs of fall's approach...

*naps

*temperature drops of 30 degrees as the remnants of Gustav move in
*a dark house that needs a cozy light on while the rain drums on the roof
*yummy smelling candles
*desire to bake...mmm, brownies
*late night speeches from the RNC
*coffee pot that stays on most of the day
*comfort suppers from the slow-cooker
*warm slippers
*homework nights
*fuzzy blankets

What do I do to keep busy while the kids are all at school?

Housework...um, not now...I am playing! I am working on plans for our ladies retreat...table decorations for 13-17 tables that are simple and done ahead! The plans have been in my head and on paper for months. I have been finding neat stuff at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and various thrift stores/garage sales/antique stores...but only spending $1.50 or $.49 on things...put it all together with flowers we have at church and fabric I will use for something else and we are good to go! Now is the time to pull it all together...the retreat is in three weeks!


I was excited about the little chalkboard and old picture frame that will add to our "coffee house decor". And even more excited about spools of ribbon in our church flower room! There is always someone who picks up or donates items...they may sit for years before someone comes along...and "tada!" we can use them! So I will still hold to the saying, "One woman's trash...is another's treasure!" Call me thrifty, frugal, or cheap...stay tuned for the end products!

Saying goodbye to summer...

and we're back! We had a wonderful weekend and ended it by tubing this afternoon. I have pictures to prove this Mom is not a party-pooper!!! We are all sporting sun-kissed bodies and the kids are passed out for the night...fresh air makes a body hungry and tired! Back to our new routine! We'll have a large pot of Tim Horton's brewing in the morning!!!