Thankful

I started this post back during Thanksgiving but didn't get around to finishing it. However, I think it's still the season to be thankful - isn't every season of our life supposed to be this way?. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessaloninans 5:16-18

So Ava was looking through her latest Young Rider magazine and found this ad in the back. She thought it sounded like a lot of fun:

 

I responded with an "Ahem! Doesn't that sort of describe your life on an everyday basis?!?" I mean we're not an "official" working horse farm but we do have horses and we do work! There is never a shortage of chores to be done around here!

But it got me thinking...how many things (tangible or intangible) in my life do I have and either take for granted or don't even recognize? I have been convicted lately about enjoying life with my children instead of being so busy that I'm rushing right by them or spending entire days without really "talking" with them - can I hear an "Amen!"?? Certainly I'm not the only busy mother who feels this way (which by the way - I saw something on Pinterest or Facebook recently that said something to the effect of "I don't know why they call it 'stay-at-home-mom' because I'm never at home!")

So I thought I'd list some of the things I'm thankful for below, in no particular order:

1. My Haven

I call this my haven, for lack of a better word, because this is where I spend my most treasured time each morning. I get up usually around 4:30 (notice that those windows are DARK at this time of day) and here I spend a good 1 to 1 1/2 hours every morning for my quiet time (prayer, Bible reading, Bible study and maybe 5-10 minutes at the end for some Pinterest or Facebook time ;-) I have all my neccesities - iPad with Olive Tree installed, coffee, pen, paper, and candles. It is uninterrupted quiet time - no kids or distractions.

2. My Family

This gives you a sneak peek of what our Christmas cards will look like (that is, if I get them out in time, unlike last year). It was one of the last warm days before ICEMAGEDDON 2013 hit. I think of the 12385 pictures I snapped a few turned out ok ;-) Ava is now 11 (going on 18), Amelia is 6 and Audrey is 3. They are all full of life and keep us on our toes! One of my goals for the new year is to spend more quality time with them. That's such a cliche but I feel like I spend a lot of time with them doing busy stuff - not enough fun time or relaxing time. And of course Jason is included in my sentiments - he's just not in the picture!

3. Gorgeous sunrises

Okay, a little sappy perhaps but every morning when I see the sun coming up I am reminded of Lamentations 3:22 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

4. Jesus Christ and His sovereignty

While the ice storm that hit has delayed plans and caused some problems, my pastor was wise to remind us of God's sovereignty with this verse: Psalm 147:16-18 “He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. He casts forth His ice as fragments; who can stand before His cold? He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.”

We were very fortunate that we did not lose power or have any pipes burst like last time such a strong cold front invaded North Texas in 2011. However, I am reminded that even if we did lose power or have other "terrible" or unexpected things happen that God is still sovereign, He is still in control, He has ordained every moment, circumstance and situation in my life and He is working it all for my good and His glory! How can I be anything but grateful and thankful for everything in my life (the perceived good and bad things) knowing that?

2 Corinthians 11:27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

 

 

Baby It's Cold Outside

We are into our fourth day of temperatures hovering around 32 degrees. A monster cold front swept down Thursday night bringing rain, some sleet and ice but thankfully, no snow! It's also our fourth day of cloudy skies. It's starting to get a little bit depressing! Yet there is beauty to be found in the cold and somber scene:

Icicles cling to evergreen branches...

Icicles line all the gates and fencing up in the horse pastures...

It's a good day or a nap...hope you're staying warm wherever you may be!

 

 

I've Found It

Okay.  I'm done.  I've found my dream stable/tack room.  I've submitted the following picture to Jason for his perusal and to base the new designs for my barn around this.

Everything about this space is perfect.  From the white walls to the pictures on the wall to the monochromatic color scheme.  We'd just have to expand it a bit to have at least 8 stalls.  With turnouts.  

But I'm sure Jason will be able to come up with something ;-)

First Day of School - 4 Days Late

I had meant to get this up sooner...but, well, you know...life happens.  But at least I'm doing it now before the first week is over!

Amelia was very excited to start first grade....she was a little put off by the fact that Mrs. Featherston was not her teacher again...I think she thought she might have the same teacher her entire school career!  But she is settling in fine, despite her BFF, Gracie, not being in her class this year.  They do, after all, still get to see each other at lunch and PE.

Ava is starting fifth grade...10 going on 18...sigh...tween years have hit and we've only just started the double digits.  And with that comes all the drama and angst that I thought I wouldn't encounter for another few years.  Does that mean if we started early, it will end early?  

Nah, I didn't think so either.

Ava's BFF also was not in her class for the first time this year.  She's adjusting well though and was happy to have scored one of the iPad 4's that was handed out to the students.  She's thinking that in addition to ballet and horse back riding lessons that she will run for student council this year.

Should be a great 2013-2014 school year!

A Midsummer's Night

Ava got it into her head that she wanted to sleep out in the barn by Tinkerbell, her horse.  I was a little skeptical and really not that enthused about it.  I mean there are spiders and snakes and dirt and all kinds of things that come out at night up there!  But, she caught me in the right mood and as soon as the word "ok" was out of my mouth, she was setting up her tent on top of a few stall mats in the main aisleway.

There are three little faces peeking out of that tent but only two had permission to stay up in the barn.  The third one was not happy about missing out on the fun with her sisters and may or may not have been bribed with an iPad to play with in bed that night...

I have to hand it to them...they picked a great night (low was 62 - in August people....I tell ya, we've had an awesome summer) but they stayed up there ALL.  NIGHT.  I thought they'd be back in the house with the first howl from a coyote in the pasture.

But they stuck it out.  This is what they looked like around midnight:

I must apologize for the grainy pictures.  I only took my iphone because like I said, I didn't expect them to stay up there - I thought it would be a short evening!  But they were playing away on their Nintendo games.  Jason said he went up there one time and heard Ava telling "scary" stories to Amelia.  They had their dream lights and flashlights and felt perfectly safe and were having a grand ol' time.  Ava was happy to report she checked on the horses at different times and caught various ones laying down to rest.  

And of course, our faithful family dog, Rosie, was nearby.  She spent most of the night laying down outside the barn, scanning the property for any intruder or predator that might approach the barn.  Ava said at one point a coyote started howling fairly close by and Rosie took off running and barking towards it.   It soon was quiet again ;-)  Good GIRL!!!

Around 8 am they came straggling back into the house.  They finally went to bed around 1:30 AM, according to Ava, and spent the rest of the day laying around the house, trying to recuperate from their late night. 

Now THAT'S what good summer memories are made of...

Until next time...

Trial By Fire

I have so much to catch up on!  But instead of trying to recap the last six months or so, I figure I'll just post as things happen and catch up a little here and there as I go...

One highlight of this summer was a beach trip we took to Destin, Florida a few weeks ago.  We definitely will be returning there soon - lots of fun!  Here's one picture to tease you with...

On the way home, Jason was getting tired and we realized its silly to have him do all the driving when there are two drivers in this family!  So, I had him slap the "Student Driver" sticker on the back of the motorhome and I drove this 45 foot bad boy for a few hours from south of Dallas all the way to Denton!

The only unexpected challenge was that after I got going, we realized a little too late that we were heading into Dallas traffic...and Dallas CONSTRUCTION!  Anyone reading this who lives in North Texas right now understands the mess that almost every freeway is in the metroplex at the moment as the state has decided to upgrade and reconfigure almost everything!  I am happy to report that we made it through unscathed!  Despite narrow lanes, many LARGE trucks passing in the next narrow lane, detours, heavy traffic, potholes and many orange cones and barrels scattered throughout the roadways!

We're taking another road trip soon and I plan to log some more miles...so watch out fellow drivers! ;-)

Until next time...