Autumn is Officially Here!

Its that time again. The time of year where I feel alive. I want to bake cookies and pies. I don't care about calorie intake. I happily clean out closets, wash dishes, and do laundry so that my house looks as close to Better Homes and Garden as possible. I shower Audra with coloring sheets, crafts, and Christmas music. I just breath in every second of Goodness of this season. I enjoy every single thing that Autumn brings. The fresh cool mornings. The fire on while snuggling in a blanket to read my latest fiction novel. Getting to spend time with family. The joy of giving presents. I know this may all seem like its a little early to talk about, but this season seriously seems to be over in a blink of an eye. I slowly put away all my Christmas decor and dream of it until next year.

I just want to say that although this season has always been my favorite and even really magical to me; its not just the decorations. I think that one of the reasons its so special to me is I remember Christmas plays and being so amazed at God's love and what He did for us. It gave me this overwhelming Joy. I am able to embrace the whole Joy and Excitement of this season. I hope everyone else is too.

Here are some photos of my "fallness". It looks better in person but it gives you an idea!

I love my pumpkins!

Audra put these up with some guidance, She was very proud.

Our greetings on our front door

So since I have officially got all my fall decorations up, don't be surprised if a more "cheerful" me starts to emerge. Also, if i look like I may be gaining a few pounds, I probably am, all the baking I will be doing has to be eaten. :)

Family Update!

So time has escaped me. I have wanted to post about five different updates since my last adventure with the phone, but have been very busy and find it best just to give a quick overall update.

Audra has started Preschool and is loving every second of it. She informs me everyday that in order to have fun today she needs to go to preschool. She had her third birthday and was very excited. She got a little overwhelmed when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her and she cried. It was short lived though and soon got over it, opened gifts, and ate her frog cupcakes. She now thinks she is 3 going on 18 though. She thinks she knows it all. I thought this was supposed to happen in teenage years....

Audra and Aubrie at her birthday party!

Audra crying while they sang happy birthday!

Ryan is busy studying and doing great in Med School. I am so proud of him. He finds some way of balancing school, studying, being a father, and being a husband. He amazes me and am so thankful that God gave him to me. He is preparing to go down to South America during his spring break this year to do a medical mission trip again. He is really excited about it. They had to change the location this year because of all the war and violence going on in Mexico. Even though they are taking precautions and going to a different area; it is always very dangerous to go to a different country. So be praying for him and all the students that are planning on going.

I have felt like I have been in a whirlwind of events. I have been planning showers, Audra's birthday party, cleaning, training for my half marathon, being a bridesmaid for Adriene, church activities and of course a wife and mom. All my days have started to run together. I am now working on wedding and shower stuff for Megan's wedding. I am still pretty busy. I am up to 9 miles and so happy. The half marathon is only about a month away. I feel confident I will be able to accomplish it!

Something that has been on my mind a lot because of all these weddings has been love. Marriages every year fail. Marriage is not all coco puffs and honeycombs. People simply give up because times get hard or they fall out of "love", but love is not a feeling or an emotion. Sure you can get butterflies and feel on cloud nine while you are in love, but if it was a just feeling no one would ever stay married. Love is a sacrifice of self. God was the biggest example of love put into motion. He sent his son for us; to die so we can go to Heaven and live with Him eternally. You don't get more selfless than that. His example of love should be how we choose to love our spouse. Put their needs over our own. Paster Stephen started a series this week on Divorce proofing your Marriage. I would recommend everyone listen to it that is married or going to be married. He talks about how God wants our marriages to thrive and succeed. I know Im taking my role as a wife a lot more serious. I love Ryan and want us to have a healthy marriage. I want it to be one that when people see it they want to know how we do it, and then be able to point them to God and give Him the glory.

lakecountry.org and go to recent series if you are interested in listening to the message.