Young Life... and a room full of teenagers!

Putting last night's emotions into words is so difficult for me for fear of sounding sappy or silly. And as you can see for yourself Young Life knows how to throw a party...the theme was perfect, the decorations were incredible and the festivities overall were quite amazing.

But, what I didn't expect was to be so humbly and completely moved by the honest and raw expressions of love and devotion...to God...by teenagers. The same teenagers that are surrounded daily by incredible pressures and situations...which are all outside of their control. They have learned how to finesse their way through these sometimes impossible circumstances...making decisions with a "Young Life" mindset. And, thus, these kids are making the conscious choice to live their lives differently than the majority...following their hearts.

So, after listening and witnessing firsthand the impact He has had on their young lives as teen after teen shared his or her personal story (and mind you they each exposed themselves in front of both their peers and an entire ballroom full of parents) brought tears to my eyes more times than I could begin to count.

It was an awesome Young Life night.

Super Saturday

Our Saturday began with my oldest daughter quietly stating to Steven and I that she wanted to have a family day. So, after breakfast with grandma and grandpa, we set off to the park on our bikes...with kites in tow. The wind was perfect, the sun was shining and we were all together...what more could I ask for? Here are just a few pictures chronicling the afternoon.











After scanning this post, Steven quipped, "We have two daugthers, ya know." Yes, but only one will ALLOW her photo to be taken!!!

Similar Sentiments

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?"-Hal Borland

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."-Andrew Wyeth

"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July."-Henry David Thoreau

"November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear."-Sir Walter Scott


While we South Floridians may not be able to witness the searing red leaves as autumn continues to descend, I still like to fill my home with everything that is November. Although the fall foliage is of the silk variety...I love it. And while I may not be able to wander over to the nearest cider mill for some fresh Honey Crisps and mulled cider, I can burn fifteen autumn wreath votives from Yankee to get my fix. For me, this season is a time of reflection and contemplation...and that's a large part of why I love it so. A time of self-examination if you will. And I'm pretty satisfied with my life thus far. As this season progresses, I find myself pulling my family closer, wanting to develop those relationships more fully. As the year draws to a close, I am pleased with the way God has stretched me spiritually and pray that He will continue to do so. Yep, I love November.

Transitions Are Interesting!

This has been a difficult Halloween. Let me rephrase that. This has been a very different Halloween. From the time we became a family of four, we have followed the same Halloween traditions. The girls always planned their costumes for weeks prior to the big night and began dressing for the festivities three hours before dark. Steven prepared his famous homemade chili with steamed hot dogs, corn bread and all the fixings. My in-laws and folks joined us at the house and simply enjoyed the evening...some staying behind to greet trick or treaters while the rest of us traipsed around the neighborhood accumulating bags and bags of goodies.

But, our former traditions have been set aside this year and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it...a little sad, maybe, a little unsettled, definitely, but...like so many things these past few years...I have to recognize that the changes aren't necessarily bad, just different. So, when Alissa began preparing for Homecoming and dressing in her beautiful gown looking every bit a woman...ready to conquer the world...I surged with pride. And when my Kinsey set off for a Halloween party with her girlfriends without us..I was oddly at peace. I have all of these wonderful Halloween memories to look back on. So, as I notice the neighborhood kiddos dressed for the night with their parents following closely on their heels...I will remember and treasure those not so long ago traditions. And I will work hard to embrace the new traditions that now seem to be.

Senior Night

Whew! It's over...after countless hours spent chasing down teen girls for their quotes...after sleepless nights spent fretting over the details (the presents, the program, the dinner, the posters, the decorations)...after many minor meldowns, too many trips to Target to count and a few tears too...it's done. And I learned a few things about myself along the way.

First and foremost, I don't delegate well. But, I love to volunteer my time and talents for others. Second, I am a perfectionist and I have ridiculous expectations for myself. But, I love spending time with teens...because they really do notice when you put forth the extra effort.






And I'm thrilled to report that Senior Night was a huge hit...in fact, it exceeeded my type A expectations. And, looking back, I would do it all over again...exactly the same way.

(By the way, that's Alissa's boyfriend on the left!)

Enjoying the View

I really love the view. The way that when I'm sitting on my couch, tilted just so, I see nothing but palms fronds and the sparkling water of the fountain...how at that moment the rooftops around me just melt away.

I really love the view. The way I'm able to witness the sun dropping just behind the treetops when the clouds are extra heavy...painting a picture that takes my breath away every single night I'm lucky enough to catch it. And these random thoughts set my mind to thinking.


I really love the view. The way in which my tender-hearted girl wears her heart on her sleeve...never afraid to express her love for family openly for all to see. And the way in which my blue-eyed beauty continues to blossom before my very eyes...no longer the gangly and giggly goofball. This emerging young woman who is figuring out how to make her way in this world has somehow taken hold.

To state that I love the view seems so basic and simple. But I do.