Forever etched....

Today we celebrate Owen...11 years old. I never, ever dreamed I'd have such a wonderful son. I should have known he'd be a special one when he decided to come into this world 5 weeks early. He was so tiny...5 lbs and 7 oz--itty bitty baby. He's still a small guy for his age, but that heart, oh that heart. What he may lack in size, our Creator God has made up for in his sweet, compassionate, serving heart. He has more room in there than most people twice or three times his age. We were watching "Facing the Giants" a couple of weeks ago...in the scene where the boy, David, is being told by his dad that he has prayed for God to do something great through him and David asks his dad, 'then why did God made me so small?' His dad replies, 'so He might show His greatness through you.' Owen looked up at me with big tears in His eyes....Oh the things that God may do through those who recognize Him and long to be used...WOW!

As if any birthday could be forgettable, God certainly smiled down on my boy today and made sure this one would be etched in our minds forever...he killed his first buck! Manhood is on the way. I'm so proud of him! This is sure to be a day...uh--BIRTHday he'll likely not forget!

Happy Birthday my sweet manchild! Your mama loves you lotta much!

Fall=roots.

The morning is GORGEOUS! Slept late with my baby girl...a wish she often voices, "Mama, will you sleep with me tonight?" SO thankful I took the time to say yes and bless my baby! Taking time...not something I do often, maybe I am growing up? After lazily sipping coffee and enjoying ALL of us here together, we moved out to the patio and started a fire in the chiminea on the patio. COOL, windy...great...then we moved into cleanup mode: yard, house, etc because the remnants of summer no longer fit the season.

In that cleanup, I pondered why I love Fall so much. It's really the end in many ways...the end of growing for so many plants I love, the end of green grass, the end of the pool, so what is it? It's also a beginning of sorts. It's the beginning of cool weather Football! It's the beginning of rest for my family...shorter days equal more time at home for Tony--yay us! It's the beginning of a holiday season of thankfulness for SO many things. It reminds me of my family at home...my GranNoni was an avid lover of Fall...her birthday, her beloved's birthday, goldenrod, leaves! I miss her. Boiled peanuts...my daddy and his family introduced me to that finery early in life...THANK YOU, DADDY! It's hog-killin' time...even though we don't anymore, the cool snap makes Tony and me think of it every year...maybe we'll just kill a hog again someday--for roots for our kids! It's syurp-makin' (sugar cane) time...my great grandparents did, Tony's family still does, and will miss it this year--definitely roots for my babes!! They will NEVER forget the cane mill...thank you Papa Ronnie!!

So there you go, my roots...that's why I love Fall. It's when I can ponder, get all nostalgic, and share our roots with the babes. It's also a time to deepen roots for them...our fire pit by the old barn, marshmallows, etc! So I'm off to boil some peanuts y'all! And in honor of my dear mama--English teacher forever-- 'Fall has Arriven!!' ;)

Am I really doing this?

I can't quite believe I am creating a blog...as if I'll have time to blog. Maybe it will inspire me to ponder and share more of my journey through life...family, homeschooling and ministry. Today is actually a day of mixed blessings...we are home with our weekly schoolwork complete, but Truett is sick :(. It has, however, afforded me a day of doing NOTHING guiltlessly! IF you choose to follow along this eccentric, crazy journey of mine I welcome you. Most of what you will see somehow relates to my roots--the things that made me who I am and that often I must hold firm to in order to keep going; my wings--the dreams, hopes and aspirations I have for myself and those I love; and things--the 'lagniappe--extra, unexpected gifts or benefits' of life. C'mon, honey, let's get going...share with me if you dare....