It's In The Air

Today I got hit with the fever .... the holiday fever.
The fall season was in full bloom. Cory and I took Easton to a Homecoming Parade (BHS) and the weather could not have been more beautiful.

When we drove up in our yard this afternoon, this is what we saw.

I had to stop and stare at the leaves that had started falling. I took a deep breath of fresh air, the sun was shining, and I quietly thanked My Father for such a beautiful day.

I love the smell of cinnamon and spice candles that come along with this season.

I am very much looking forward to lighting a fire like we did during the cold snap a few weeks ago.

Tonight, I pulled out our winter clothes from the tubs in the garage.

In the next week or two I want to get our Christmas Tree up. I like to enjoy our tree longer than a few weeks.

I'm praying the cold weather decides to grace us soon.
I'm ready! Are you?

Home Coming

My husband had the privilege of being asked to speak at our home church (Milton First Assembly) for their annual Homecoming service. He did a superb job speaking about the prodigal son and how his "homecoming" with his earthly father was a beautiful portrayal of our "homecoming" with our heavenly father one day. We have to make the decision to run to Jesus now (like the prodigal did his father) so that our eternal homecoming will be a celebration and not a decimation. (Read about the prodigal son in Luke 15).

While we were in town for our short trip, I began to think of things that make Milton feel so much like "home". Here are a few things:

1) My mom and dads front porch. Sitting in the swing. Hearing the honk of someone who sees you & knows you. Peaceful. Relaxing. Entertaining.

2) Driving down Dogwood Drive. Driving down Stewart Street. Something about those two roads that bring me back "home" every time. It's like I go in auto-pilot when I'm on them.

3) The green house on Alabama Street that Cory & I claim will be ours one day.

4) Wal-Mart. You can guarantee you'll see no less than 10 people you know every time you go. It's like a small reunion.

5) Tastee Freez = Fried Pickles. Ranch. Chicken Fingers. Gravy. Toast. Chocolate Dipped Cone.

6) Milton First A/God. Pastor Rogers. Growing up in a church for 21 years tends to create some deep roots. It's always exciting to visit and catch up. Worshipping with them makes it ever better.

7) Family. Nothing makes a place feel like home more than seeing family at every turn.

What is "home" to you?

Integrity

So, I had a few minutes before my babysitter had to leave today ... so I stole a quick trip, alone, to the chaotic store we all know as Wal-Mart. I am not used to shopping Wal-Mart, I normally do Winn-Dixie or Publix .... just less people. Sans kids, I thought it would be easier. Haha.

I had already walked the length of the store 6 times ... seriously. I remembered I needed milk, then remembered I need paint for a project, then remembered I need yogurt, then I remembered we were almost out of toilet paper ... YOU GET THE POINT!

By the time I was at the front of the store trying to find the line with the least people I realized I had two items in my buggy I didn't want to buy anymore. I looked around to see if anyone was looking. I saw an empty slot on a shelf. Sure those items were completley unrelated. But they pay people to "put stuff back", right? As I reached to put the items in that empty slot, checking to make sure no-one was watching, guess what happened:  

My husband and his talk on intergrity hit me square in the face. He thrives off of having integrity.
You see, I used to have a horrible habit of placing items randomly in stores. He lovingly told me a few years into our marriage how much this simple practice lacks integrity.

So, with respect for my husband and a teeny bit of conviction in my heart, I walked the 20 aisles to the back of the store just to put the items back on the shelf. I did it. Not completely willingly, but I did it.

And when I unloaded my buggy, I took it all the way to the buggy cart. Which on occassion, I've been known not to do. Oh yeah, that's another one of small integrity things!

I love my husband ... and I love that he pushes me to be a better person ... even when he doesn't know it.

Integrity (according to websters) = firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility

Integrity (according to my husband) = What you do when no-one is around. Who you are when no-one is watching.

Who's Educating You?

I am always curious what people like myself, in similar stages of life, and dealing with the same struggles are reading.

So, in case you're interested, here is what's sitting on my nightstand ...

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna

Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman

Your Time Starved Marriage by Les & Leslie Parrott

The Message by Eugene Peterson

Who's Educating You?

Spanking?

We took a one day trip to Milton this past weekend.

We were in Cordova Mall looking in Dillards.
I was strolling Easton ... Autumn was walking with me ... Cory was in the restroom.

Autumn got out of my sight for a few seconds ... and as soon as I rounded the rack of clothes and saw her, I thought I'd scare her into staying right beside me.

I knelt down in front of her. I leaned in real close. We were eye to eye.

I wanted her to know I meant business.
I explained to her that she is a beautiful young lady and there are people in this world who would take her. I told her that she could get lost and then she'd be scared and crying. I explained she is to never leave my sight ... On and on for a minute or two.

I'm thinking I'm doing a pretty good job of scaring her into sticking closer to me than white on rice.

She waits for me to get done. I'm looking in her eyes. I wait for her response.

She politely says "Mom, did you brush your teeth today?"