It's that time of year again..............it's a super fast slide right into the Holidays........
I always get to this time of the year and the war begins.
The war between who I am and who I feel I should be.
Maybe even "who I wish I was" joins in a bit...
This...I can tell you... causes many sleepless nights.
Many very tired mornings.
Maybe it's because my memory is so/so...but with MAJOR events like Holidays - I have linked memories of the kids....the home....the traditions...
I feel like I am running in 100 different directions at once - and yet I feel soooo guilty for not adding to it. There are SOOOO many things I'm just NOT accomplishing and really should be.
Yet I don't even know how to accomplish what i am already "signed up for".
I woke this morning with the feeling that you just can't plan ahead.
I KNOW where this feeling is rooted.....
we were supposed to go to a great aunt's 100th birthday party this Saturday.....
she died yesterday.
My first reaction was "why would they plan a 100th birthday party MONTHS in advance....why didn't they celebrate RIGHT AWAY?" Life's too short (even at 99.9 years old!) why didn't we just have a party for her at 99?

The time to hug is now.
The time to love is now.
The time for dinners and laughter and family time and holding hands and good times is NOW.
Because really - who knows where we'll be tomorrow?

How bout you? do you have a war going on? maybe just a small conflict?

I'd love to hear about it!

~with all my heart~
Michelle

stories...

I remember as a child - hearing the story of how the people - when Moses went up on the mountain - how they almost immediately FORGOT the goodness and provision of God. And I was amazed at how quickly they forgot. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I remember hearing the story of Mana...and how the people had NO doubt that it was from God...but soon grew tired of the blessing...and wanted MORE.MORE.MORE. And I was amazed at how quickly they grew selfish. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I remember hearing story after story about how pride, selfishness, anger, etc... can cause SO much damage. And I remember thinking I "GOT IT" when the story ended. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ But now..... As a mother. As a wife. As a woman. As an adult. I know in my heart and in my life - How quickly I can forget the blessings. How quickly I can grow selfish/angry/prideful/forgetful/demanding.......wanting MORE. Today my prayer is that I remember to STOP and give thanks. NO matter how things are. NO matter how finances are. NO matter what my kids are up to. NO matter what life brings.... Because GOD is still working - He doesn't have the "blessing amnesia" that I often have. He is still LOVING. He is still working all things for good. Some days.... I just need to step back and look for the mana :)

Happy Fall Y'all! :)

Well - We live WAY down south - and we really don't get much in the way of weather changes. So I have to live vicariously through many other "blog friends" posts - those wonderful colorful leaves....the recipes for hot soups, chowders and stews....the mention of crisp mornings and warm jackets leaves me longing for a change of season. Down here we have summer with a bit of cooler weather. Thats it! I will tell you that I am making more and more crock pot meals. and I'm introverting a bit more. I feel like I'm pulling those near and dear to me - a bit closer.... I am at that point where I am focusing more and more on family events (perhaps it's the holidays coming up that makes me do that) And I am focusing less and less on all the other "noise" that often interferes with the peace. I sooooo want to hear what you're doing - the little things that truly tell you it's autumn (even if the weather outside isn't telling you anything yet ;) As always - I love to see comments :) It lets me know someone out there is still reading :) Happy Fall Y'all! With all my heart~ Michelle