Thankfulness

In a room full of family--of aunts and uncles, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters--we each stop to take a moment and bow our heads in prayer. We stand hand in hand, in the warmth of our home, thanking God for the many blessings He has given to us. Other than the sound of my cousins strong voice, all is quiet.

Moments before, the house is in a rather chaotic state...the kitchen is busy with turkey basting, potato mashing, and pie perfecting.  The kids can be found outside playing a game of football, while the dads relax in the living room catching up on the latest ESPN highlights.

I look forward to such treasured time with family.  While each year brings different hardships and struggles, we always seem to find strength from each other, bringing laughter and comfort to each holiday spent together.  I am so thankful and abundantly blessed with such an amazing family, and so many other wonderful things...Tonight I am especially thankful for,

1. Jesus and the freedom I have in Him.
2. My family.  For a Dad who has shown me how to love and live a life centered on God. Who tries his hardest to be a Dad and a Mom, and puts up with the overly emotional and often irrational personalities of his eldest daughter. For my sister and brother--they are both such strong, kind, and loving people full of strength and bravery.
3. My mom.  I could not be more thankful for a mom who has taught me everything it takes to be a woman after Gods own heart.  She was such a true example of kindness, gentleness, peace, patience.  And the faith that is now her sight, is a faith I will continue to hold onto until I see her again. Every day without her, is one day closer to being with her again...
4. My friends and family.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who have loved me, carried me, and simply done life with me:) You know who you are...and I thank you.
5. My freedom. To those who are serving our country tonight, I thank you and pray God's protection upon you. To those who have lost their lives fighting for my freedom, I remember you and pray for your families.

My list could go on forever, but I can hear the laughter erupting from downstairs, what I can only assume to be a crazy game of Balderdash.  Plus I'm pretty sure I have a slice (or 2) of pumpkin pie with my name on them.  Remember, there is so much to be thankful for.  Today and everyday. Happy Thanksgiving!!
XO

New Beginnings

As I sit at my kitchen counter looking out at the rain wash away the bright, vibrant colors of fall I am amazed at how life has a way of catching up with us.  Here I am, graduated from college at the very start of my career with so much ahead of me, yet I can't help wanting to slam on the brakes and just try to catch my breath.  This is probably due to the fact that ever since I got the call from my hometown school district offering me a teaching position I haven't stopped running--running last minute errands, running copies, or stopping the endless runny noses:)

I never thought I would be back home to start my teaching career.  In fact, I promised myself and those around me that Eagle River was the last place I was headed.  I had dreams of graduate school, overseas missions, and living in Music City.  But as always, life has a way of working out in a much different way than we ever plan.  I am now living back home with 16 kids of my own--at least for about 8 hours a day. This means I no longer have an immune system or the desire/need to unpack my collection of cute heels (however I refuse to ever completely compromise my sense of fashion for snowmen sweaters), but it has been an unexpected blessing.  I can't imagine being anywhere else right now--I absolutely love being back in such a familiar place, surrounded by wonderful people who know me, my family, and truly care about me.  I am working alongside teachers who I once had as my own, and walking the same halls that I once crowded with my friends.  It has had it's challenges and I am learning so much about myself, learning what it means to be truly patient:) But most of all I am learning that no matter where God brings us, whether we plan on it or not, He has us exactly where we are meant to be.  And for the time being, that place is right here at home.  It's my time to stop looking backward or forward and simply live for today.

Here's a glimpse into my world now:) Enjoy.

Southern Wedding

I had planned on summing up our second adventure to Nashville weeks ago, unfortunately summer not only comes with fun vacations, but also the crazy hectic schedule of a summer job.  Nevertheless, I have a morning off with no dirty diapers to change or little mouths to feed. I am finally able to enjoy a cup of coffee (from my cliche Starbucks Nashville mug) and the summer breeze from my bedroom window.  So lets rewind several weeks ago to a Friday night at the Belle Meade Plantation.

God couldn't have brought two better people together.  I have known Mike since freshman year of college and to try and sum him up in a few sentences would be near impossible.  I am so thankful for our friendship, and the fact that he has put up with me for the last four years showcases his wonderful character. 

He introduced me to Katie during a visit to Oshkosh back in April and I immediately saw why God brought them together.  She was the perfect balance to Mike K. Chastain :) She is one of the most welcoming, sincere people I know, and her heart for others is rooted in a deep love for the Lord.  Together, they make one heck of a team :) 

On our last Nashville road trip, we were able to visit the Belle Meade Plantation with the couple and get a taste of what the ceremony would look like (along with a sample of the winery's blackberry wine).  The plantation is absolutely beautiful with several restored  stables and buildings which houses the reception and ceremony.  The weather was perfect for the Chastain wedding and the actual ceremony took place outside just as the sun was setting--coincidence? I think not. 

I don't think there was a dry eye in the place (including the groom, who would claim otherwise;)  after the exchanging of vows and rings.  I'm such a sucker for love stories :) 

If ya'll haven't ever been to a southern wedding before, I highly suggest crashing one.  They are amazing! Way more laid back then the typical midwest wedding, complete with the 2 hour long cocktail hour and dreaded chicken dance.  Plus who doesn't enjoy a great BBQ and sweet tea?! 

The rest of the evening included heartfelt speeches, tearful Father-daughter/Mother-son dances, and the Cupid Shuffle (again, no chicken dance folks). 

We spent the rest of our weekend in Nashville hitting up the local karaoke bars, walking Broadway, and enjoying all that is the Wild Horse Saloon.  Before we knew it, we were checking out of our hotel and starting the 10 hour long car ride back to Sconnie, without managing to avoid the traffic jam in Chicago or the dreaded trek through Gary, Indiana.  Eh, worth it:) 

In front of the Belle Meade Mansion

*Anthony Wahl Photography:)

L-O-V-E 

Pandora and Packing

Nashville is less than 2 days away and I couldn't be more excited!!! Looking forward to a weekend of wedding vows and friends:)

Also loving this man's voice, while packing my suitcase.

Never too old for Play-dough

I have officially started my job for the summer as a full time nanny for two very adorable little girls.  I am loving it so far and am looking forward to the few months ahead.  I have been trying to come up with some fun activities to do with the girls, so today we made homemade play-dough.  Normally I am somewhat of a neat freak and like to have order in the kitchen.  However, that doesn't always work out when you are working with flour, food coloring, and a 3 year old.  So instead of trying to completely control the outcome of our little experiment, I set up my camera and decided to just embrace the moment. =)

And really, other than my perma-stained hand from the food coloring, the kitchen looked spotless after we were finished.  I was happy.

Ella, my little helper, all ready to mix our concoction. 

Okay so maybe I took control for a little bit....

She called this "Shrek gum"???  =)

Little Aubrey watching her big sister

Trying to convince me to let her taste it....

Never too late for Christmas cut-outs

A fun end to the perfect day=)

Amazing book

One of the great perks of teaching is the thoughtful gifts students bring in at the end of the year (or in my case, the end of my student teaching.)  I quickly used all of the Starbucks gift cards during the cold months of February and March, but just recently I discovered a forgotten Barnes and Noble gift card in my wallet.

I know they tell you not to judge a book by its cover, but I can't help it.  So while I scanned the shelves at the bookstore I came across Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.  I have heard that its a great book (and the cover seemed intriguing enough) so I walked out of the store with my new novel, feeling confident in my choice.  The three hundred page book took me two days to finish.  I honestly couldn't put it down.  It's a beautiful, but hard story about the horror of Stalin and World War II.  If you are looking for a great read or are getting bored with your Time Warner I encourage you to check it out:)
    _________________________________________

That's when I saw it.  A tiny sliver of gold appeared between shades of gray on the horizon.  I stared at the amber band of sunlight, smiling.  The sun had returned. 


~Between Shades of Gray

Dave Barnes - What I Need