I now understand why you always have so many pictures to share, Angela...

Oh dear.  With a phone on me that takes pictures quickly, I am constantly documenting everything every day.  But it is so nice, because I love to look back on the week and see all the little moments that have brought me joy!  

We got through our first week of Preschool (and are excited for the next!) and had our first day of being cozy in fall weather.  I think we will start adjusting to our new routine soon, but I have definitely been drained of energy this week.  I had many  moments this week where God blessed me with bursts of joy from inside.  Do you get those?  When you are sitting there and suddenly realize something you are so blessed to have (usually something that is completely taken for granted), and then feel this burst of happiness about it?  God reminded me a lot of the gifts I have this week - even though it was kind of a trying week parenting-wise.  Shea is getting to be sooo independent and has quite the voice to vocalize that with now. Jeremy and I are definitely entering a new chapter of parenting with this little guy!  It is hard when it feels like everything I do to try and teach him to obey goes out in one ear and out the other to not lose my patience.  Oh, I definitely do.  I definitely make mistakes and have sent him to his room several times this week just so I can chill out and figure out what in the world I am supposed to do.  It is a VERY good thing that I can trust that God will fill in the gaps in my parenting.  I know I can never be perfect, I can never be all the things I wish my parents had been for me, and any good I do is only when I allow God to work through me.

Anyway!  I just uploaded my pictures, so why not post them?  They may seem random, but I have found a gift in each picture.  Back when I read "1000 gifts", I was very impressed with the power of finding blessings and being full of gratitude for them - it affects you heart in a way I never thought it could and makes life so much more simple.

Oh and did I mention - God has really taken care of us financially - like always!  Jeremy's old employer finally got more work and has been working with Jeremy's boss to schedule out time for him during the week.  I think this week he will be getting one of the biggest paychecks he's had since I stopped working.  Just in time for me to start having my dental appointments.  I don't know why I ever doubt (I don't think I do too much, anymore), because we are always given exactly (and more) of what we need right when we need it.

I'm thankful for...

fall weather and a cup of tea,

brewed in my favorite teapot and shared with my husband.

Finding my red tablecloth and having fresh, locally grown produce on our table.

Having more than enough clothes to keep my family warm (and at least a little stylish).

Having a healthy, chunky baby who loves to sit in her bath while I take a shower (meaning, I get to take a shower, yay!)

Hailey falling asleep by herself in her carseat while I worked at the preschool.  THIS was a big gift.  Normally she hates her carseat and has never fallen asleep without me bouncing or nursing her.

Going shopping with my hubby and getting TONS of produce and spending a naptime making it into fresh salads for the week.

Making cookies with my son.  We used our kitchen aid, and afterward he was spinning around in the kitchen and said, "Mommy, I'm mixing like a cookie!" 

Having a silly boy who loves to make others laugh.

My preschool class :)  This is after we read "ten apples up on top".

Taking out my espresso machine randomly to see if it would magically work after being broken for a few months...IT DID!  And my husband and I had two small lattes today.

My baby's soft skin, smiles, kisses, spit-up, cries, messy diapers, and calm sleeping on my chest.