Pumpkin Patch

We went with Nana and Auntie Teeny today to a Pumpkin Patch. We almost ran out of time because everyone seems to think that October 31st is the last day you can carve and eat pumpkins. Anyway, they were starting to tear down but we had a great time. There were plenty of pumpkins and the jumping things were still up. The bunnies were adorable and the weather was a beautiful, cool, 68degrees. The only thing missing was Papa, Daddy and the rest of the gang.

Fall pics

Tough week!

I originally started this post last week-

Thursday a week ago my mother-in-law came to stay with us to see how living together might be. Well, It has been tough! We have known for awhile that the RIGHT thing to do is take care of her and serve her. First of all because it is scriptural-Honor thy Father and Mother, that it may go well with you-Second of all because the Lord had convicted our hearts in the area of her Faith. She grew up in the Methodist Church but after she left good ol' Alabam' she never went back. Her life was one that has placed her in a position now where she is very bitter, angry, selfish and lonely. In the five years that my husband and I have been together she and I have butted heads quite a few times. I responded by avoiding and distancing myself. That way my husband wasn't mad at me for the way I treated her and she could have her son all to herself(which is what she wants anyway).

All in all I knew I wasn't handling the situation the right way and I wanted to change but it would take a miracle. Since the God I serve is a God of miracles He has truly done a work. Larry and I have repented for the way we treated her and in the last few months have seen our hearts soften in regards to spending time with her and taking care of her. We even ventured to the place where we were willing to take full responsibility for her and let her live with us. This is what brings us to the two week trial period of her staying with us. It was eye opening, hard, different but most of all a spiritual battle I just wasn't prepared for. All of the junk that operates inside of my mother-in-law because of her past and her hurts brought a ton of spiritual warfare into the house. She battles depression and this was one of the areas that hit me hard. If you know me I am always up(happy, encouraging etc...). But it just so happened that the week she stayed with us the kids got sick and I was home ALOT, on top of her being there and the struggles she has with depression I found myself in a pretty big slump and I am still trying to recover(10/31/07).

At the end of her stay she was very happy about returning to her home, and we were glad to be back to just the four of us. Amidst all this relief though I started to deal with guilt. Guilt that I should have done better, that she should have enjoyed herself more, that we should have related more, that I should have gotten her outside more, that I just basically didn't measure up to all that my big mouth said I was going to do and I feel terrible. The biggest area that hits the guilt right home is the fact that we have decided we are better for her if we go and serve her, then if she comes and lives with us. I had lofty ideas in my head about the glorious things we could do if she lived with us. I had it all planned out, but forgot one major area and that is her emotional and spiritual baggage that effected our home. Larry and I have prayed and know that we are released from the Lord to serve her this way because she has done wonderful things in her past to set her up financially to have in home care to aid her. All this has been taking up alot of my time. My emotional time, my time with my kids, my thought life and I am still battling to find my peace in the choices we as a couple have now made. Think of me when you go before the Father- I want so badly to do what is right and not fall short of what I could have done or been in my mother-in-law's life. Also pray that she will release that hurt and bitterness that has robbed her throughout her life.

Thank you!

Random thoughts on a book I am reading

Trust-Belief-letting go-being at peace

I am reading a book right now by a woman who lived in the 18oo's and it is so challenging. She went through a ton of disappointment and pain but has written a book about the Secrets of a Happy Christian Life. It might seem like a lame title but the woman is kicking my behind. Her understanding of God and the way we are to truly commune with Him is giving me new insights daily. I will have to read through it again after I am finished and make sure I get some of these truths seared on my brain/heart/soul so that I can draw upon them in the future. I will give you just a taste. She talks in great detail about Giving over your life to the Lord and truly saying to Him "Thy will be done". The only way we can do this is to know that HE loves us and trust that his thoughts towards me are good and not evil. We more readily trust friends and family then we do our God because we have this thought in the back of our head that He wants to "GET US". That we still have to pay for our sin somehow and Jesus was not enough. Wow- at this point she presses in to ask you if you believe that when he sent his son who had no sin to be sin for us do you believe it and now live your life in devotion to him because of it.

I will leave you with that because I am still eating that piece of meat and it hits me again hard as I write it.

The Fall

Fall-

When I think of Fall, many pictures come to mind. Pumpkins, Reds and Yellows that can't be matched with paint or crayon. Blue skies, cool breeze and warm drinks. Festivals, Fall cleaning and new outfits. Football and naps next to my man while he is watching football. Gettting together with family and muffins baking in the oven. These are just a few of the reasons why I am so filled right now with a joy of life and enjoyment of nature. Get outside and take a walk you can't help but enjoy it in the Fall.

Mtn. Trip II

I LOVE this photo of Katherine!!


The park we went to has been a favorite of the Keyes family for generations. It was great to establish the tradition with my children as well. We have a picture of Katherine in the same park, as a baby, an 18month old and now as a 3 yr old.
I love the look on Evan's face in this pic. His smirk is hilarious.

Mtn. Trip I

Watching all the birds and hummingbirds
Gram read to Katherine each night



Anytime Nana was around Evan wanted to be right with her. This is in the early AM as he drank his Milk.



Katherine was able to ride her bike around the path. She is getting more confident every day she rides.

We are back

I have been so busy since returning from the Mtns. We have helped two different families get ready to move and move in and now I am trying to finish the 5 loads of laundry that need to be done at my own house. Just so you know how busy we have been Evan has been sleeping since 1pm and it is now 3:55pm. We are tired!

We had a glorious time with Gram and I did not want to leave the cool weather. I will put up some pics as son as my hubby reconnects the cord for me. We have had major computer trouble and it has been testing my patience. BUt praise God my husband works with computers and we don't have to pay anyone.

All for now-need to go get a load into the dryer.