One by One...

"Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through.

Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it.

This is a kind of death."

(Anias Nim)

I've sat down to blog so many times since August and end up with a messy conglomeration of thoughts. I think I'm on to something and then end up with a depressing, discouraging post that will have someone calling the guys in the whitecoats out for me and I wonder where I went wrong. Although I have my days, that's for sure, I'm certainly not ready for a straight jacket.... well, not anymore so than usual anyway... so I think "WHAT is the deal with these blogs?????" then hit delete and move on to something else feeling guilty for not posting some cheerful thought or yet another story of a moose... (although I do have a good one ... )

As I was perusing my facebook for the 'umpteenth' time last week I saw the status of a dear friend and I thought.... that's it!!! That's the problem with my blogs.... she wrote....

"Fall always makes me Nostalgic..."

Bingo!! I don't know what it is about the change from summer to fall and fall to winter that puts me in such a nostalgic/melancholy mood, but that's definitely the culprit! We had a wonderful summer. We were blessed with great spring & summer weather, a new house, Gerad home for the summer, visits from friends, my nephew, my oldest sister and her husband, my sister Terri and her family, and ended it with a visit from Rachel and Cain, again, a wonderful time...



But then everyone left... and we woke up to that familiar chill in the air... the one that reminds you that things don't ever stay the same, a reminder of how fleeting life can be.



At this time of year we are encouraged to look back and see at how God has blessed us, but I've found it just as important to continually look ahead to what he has for us and believe that even when we can't see around that next bend, God can, and he has a plan ... what a comfort!


Although I've found this season of my life to be so bittersweet, I try to continually count my blessings, (yep, kids...that means the leaves are coming out again, aren't you glad....glad you're not here, poor Rian will have to suffer alone...). Let me be the first to start counting my blessings and naming them, one by one....... (hum along if you know the song!)

4 amazing children (3 by birth, 1 by marriage)

Parents that love us.

A grandson on the way.

Beautiful, beautiful, fall weather

Dear friends, old and new.

So, What about you? Have you counted your blessings lately? Lets start the Thanksgiving season early....leave me a comment about what you're thankful for...

Praise the Lord, all you nations,

extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 117