Just Because,

Sometimes they run and scream and cry, and the tension mounts

I stop to enjoy the things they are

The things they do


Working on drawing Bible stories as we go


Big sister picks up fork to help the smallest eat


Open poem book we read and work on while we sit and run.

Math especially for the kindergartener was Chutes n Ladders


Bella and I were on 96, ahead of the gang. I went to roll the dice and the anticipation in the room was on full alert!


We won :)



Hannah in her senior year, was home sick for the day. She put on her scarf, poured a cuppa tea, and studied for her SAT anyway. I thought she looked adorable and snuck in a non Facebook pose to show the world what I see everyday. I still see her as the spunky young heart that flashed its happiness and trust daily in our home with her rough play with brothers, mischievous but innocent laughter, devoted loyalty to her family, love of animals, beanie babies, climbing trees, drawing deer, constant smiles. Happy Hannah has not suited her more.



~Cassandra

Fall's Fireworks

"Mom, how do they know how to fly in a shape?!" Abby asked as we watched the birds fly over our heads during our afternoon playtime. "And how do they know where to fly?"

What is there left to say to these unanswered questions?

"Isn't God amazing?"

Dad came home from work and we quickly piled into the big vehicle and went to our favorite spot to watch the sights in the sky this time of year. This really is our favorite place on this ground that Jeremy and I share a love for. We love to take all the kids during the different seasons and just soak it in. The sun was setting and we can easily estimate hundreds and hundreds of geese and ducks there and flying over our heads making a cacophony of sound. It's so beautiful. The trout were jumping, the waters' glassy surface reflected the colors of the setting sun.


Grady watching the birds come in and land.











Sophie discovering milkweed.


























"Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly
Summer's sun was on their wings
Winter in their cry" ~Rachel Field

~Cassandra

Little Hands

They really loved this activity. I did this frequently when my first three were small. It's one of those "fall" things that bring us all a lot of happiness. Pick out some favorite colors from outside. Design it on wax paper, and put another piece on top. Iron in place.








"A Face" by Bannon








Sophie was mesmerized!

















I'm excited for another day together. Looking forward to it and its plans and surprises. Grady has already climbed to the sink to play in water, spilled a pan full of dried rice all over the floor, and pushed around little cars.








~Cassandra

Walk

"And your ears will hear a word from behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it.' " Isaiah 30:21

Fall's rich colors clap their hands, demonstrating God's magnificence. Pointing to His creativity. Revealing His nature. His provisions in the changing of times and seasons.








These walks are so special to me. Hannah and I share this love of walking, and we love to grab the camera to capture the sights while we walk, and we share heart to heart conversations while we do so.




















This season of change in life stirs my heart again and again to pray and seek God for big and little steps we take.

I've been thinking about how God is the "God of peace." The God of peace is alive in His children, and His grace whispers and heals in the deepest places. He never stops working. The light of His love is always turned on. It gets quiet when I stop listening. But when I believe, my soul is fed, my spirit strengthens, my mind clears, and I see the road in front of my feet. That is His protection. Confidence in His will. And suddenly worry and anxiety are not so important. His peace is. The Lord does not leave us helpless, nor is it His will to have us tossed to and fro with our own ideas about things.








My eldest sweetheart has been praying with us and talking with us about life. Her choices. His will. We've talked again and again about not being good enough to do one thing or another. But really, when it comes right down to it, it's not for us to make that decision. When He says to turn the doorknob, well, then that is the door.





~Cassandra

Life these days

Rest

and laughter
delight
and love
memorizing moments

and the sounds are songs
slowing down
and remembering to embrace
leaves no one hanging
or longing for a place
*The grass isn't greener. It's all around our feet!*