A Cup of Mommy Time

It's a wonderful day!

Caramel brûlée latte.  First holiday coffee of the season which is perfect since I'm doing a little {Christmas} shopping for the family today!  Oh, how I love this time of year with Thanksgiving fast approaching and Christmas on my mind. 

My little treasures are at preschool and I can spend 4 hours in a little indulgence with coffee and driving to the sounds of Ben Rector's new album.  <3

Hi there:)

The trees in our neighborhood are so gorgeous right now!  My yard is a lush carpet of red and gold, and I love it!!!

God gives rest to the weary, and days like this are a good reminder as a mommy of two tiny tots with holidays around the corner!

I like to call this photo Buried Treasure:)

I  hope you all enjoy this gorgeous Autumn day like I am! 

~Mommy

A Blustery Day & Family Time Pics

Today is a cold, cloudy, blustery day outside which means it's perfect weather for candles, a toasty fireplace, baking pie, and cozy houseshoes!  It's a good day to stay inside and get comfy...

Apple pie time... again!  It's really a favorite of ours right now, and it makes the house smell unbelievable!  There is something about the process of making it--the peeling and slicing apples, measuring the spices, and cutting in the butter-- the whole thing is very relaxing and almost as satisfying as eating a slice freshly baked. 

Extra pie dough means cinnamon sugar hearts for the wee ones after naptime!  Like little cookies, they bake in a snap and taste delicious!  I just used Trader Joes frozen roll out crust, but it's still flaky and buttery.  Oh, how I love crust. 

Aren't they just the sweetest thing? :)

The apple cider simmers while the kids nap.  I wanted a sipper while I listened to worship music and call my family.  (I've already met my coffee limit!). I have to mentally slow down sometimes to reset myself.  Talking to Jesus, having music going, sitting down with a cozy drink and chatting with my Mom are all things that help mid-day during naptime!  It's a great excuse to stay inside when outside is frosty, but I'm enjoying the view of the leaves in their golds and oranges falling.  I love Kentucky in the fall!

Here are some precious moments that we captured when visited the quaint, small town of Glendale, Ky.  We've shared memories here for the past few years as I shop antiques and eat at a special little restaurant.  

Think Mayberry.

(Our favorite restaurant and shop to visit, The Whistle Stop!  The coconut pie is amazing.

I love these two little hearts as they learn and grow everyday.  Wow, God is awesome!!!

This beautiful old barn was just asking for pictures...

Last weekend we saw Heath's family and had a wonderful time!!!  What blessings they are.

Our son dressed in his daddy's classic overall and hat!!

Precious then and handsome now, my husband.

Fun, Family, and of course, Coffee!

Allow me to walk you through a special day with many pictures and few words...

The Pirate.

The Little Mommy.

Hazelnut Macchiato with just Mom and Sis.

Beautiful day.  Beautiful time with two of my favorite hearts in the world!

(Over coffee... Of course!)

Shopping.

Mexican food accompanies girl talk and a gift for my sissy.

(Avocado chicken enchiladas, rice & beans, Chuy's jalapeño dip & chips!)

New outfit from Grammy.  Very. Happy girl!

Let my sister's celebration begin, first time as "Aunt".

A precious family photo on the steps.   L<3 V E 

Joy!  Grandchildren from the Lord.

 The card anticipation must have been riveting!

Mammy's moist, old fashioned, heirloom carrot cake.  The baker was Mom.  Nuff said.  :)

Magical moments. A wish in the making.

A new year begins for my sister.  God's love never fails.

Birthday party fun really begins once the sugar is consumed!

Happiness abounds watching little toes jump and eyes light up over candy colored balloons.

I love the age that my son is jumping his highest not to get a basket, but a balloon.

He comes to Mommy...

Tired but content.  My handsome teddy bear.  Our son!

Rocking chair. Books. Blankets. Cuddles. Sleepy eyes and Grammy. 

The perfect ending to a sweet, blessed time with family!

~ Mommy

God Uses the Barren for His Glory

I stumbled on this today.  This is something I believe God was stirring up in my spirit last Spring.  During my prayer time one morning (I've never done this before), but I felt the urge to just begin writing down words.  I grabbed my phone and actually penned this in my "notes" on my phone. Ha

Looking back, it was written out of a place of deep faith that I firmly had after a long stretch of not having much at all.  Little did I know our life was about to drastically change with God's answer (HIS answer) to our prayers!  I just began typing what I felt come out of my heart that day.  God was doing a HUGE work in me personally that changed my whole outlook of my circumstances.

Although our children are not biological, they are certainly no less a miracle to us!!!

There is a portion in here that I wrote talking about preparing for motherhood and raising children up to serve Him.  I'm in the midst of that right now.  I want to be the very best mommy to our sweet peas, but I'm not "perfect" by any stretch!  I'm learning everyday, but I do know how important it is to raise our family in the love of Jesus so they'll come to know Him!

Anyways, here is what I jotted down several months ago.

~~~~~~~~~~

Issac 

Jacob

Joseph

Sampson

Samuel

John the Baptist 

What they have in common is all of their mothers were "barren". 

Mothers who cried out for God to open their wombs, they pled, they wept, they even laughed, but they stayed faithful.  

He answered all of their prayers and opened their wombs.  He delivered them from infertility!

These babies, men, were miracles from the time of conception. 

I believe they were born for such a time as this!  Their time on earth was kairos- time.  Sometimes we have to just trust the sovereign nature and all - knowing power of The Lord, when we don't see answers.  At all.  When we pray for His glory to be manifested in our life, we need to realize His timing is Kairos not chronos.  

He sees "time" from a perspective that would blow our minds.  

Perhaps our barrenness is only for the moment until He is ready for our child to be on earth ... 

His reason is greater than our wait.

... Our children will be on purpose.  We as future parents need to be ready!  Ready to raise up our children in the Lord's strength.  To prepare them for the mission God has called on their lives.  Because He does have a calling on their lives!

These babies born from a former barren womb all became great men of God who were used to pave the way for Jesus Christ to come to earth!!  

Coincidence--you think-- that all of their mothers had to wait?  Waiting with some days in agony and some days in firm faith but waiting in prayer for their time.  I don't think so!  

Their children grew up:

Impacting generations for all time.  

Following God's lead in their life.

Sacrificing to bring glory to Him.

Allowing themselves to be humble vessels of light in the boldness of truth.  

I appreciate these women for not growing so weary their hope fades, and they accept their barrenness as a curse.  Even Sarah laughed when she heard she was having a baby, for it was that impossible... So she thought!  The Lord is full of sweet surprises, and when we delight in Him he gives us the desires of our heart, and when we seek His face He will deliver and heal our land.   I also believe when we trust Him, He will not only do things for our good but greater yet... He will use us(!) and our children in a higher calling for His glory!!!

His ways are higher than our ways, 

His thoughts are deeper that our thoughts,

His Love is stronger than our love ...

              So what is there not to trust?

"To every thing there is a season; and a time to every purpose under Heaven."

Eccles.  3:1