Apologizing in advance for grainy pictures! They were taken from my cell phone at 2.1 megapixels, and the lighting in my home is horrible.

So tonight I found this incredible candle at Walmart. It's called a "Wonderful Wick"--a knock-off version of the very wonderful (and very expensive) Woodwick candles. I grabbed the last apple spice scent they had (for anyone who knows me, apple scents are my favorite!)

While my candle was burning away, I spent the next hour cooking up breakfast for the rest of the week. Doing so saves me having to get up even earlier (or doing without when I wake up late). I made biscutis and gravy, froze up some breakfast burritos, and made this breakfast pie:

It looks better in real life. Phone cameras don't do the colors justice. Sausage, egg, cheese, and onions with a biscuit crust. YUM-O!

I love to decorate for fall--even moreso than Christmas! (I actually sold my Christmas tree this year and don't know if I'll pull out the decor for the holidays). I did go all out for fall, though, even if no one sees it in person but me, Stella, and the landlord.

Coffee table centerpiece:

My ol' dining table centerpiece is ready for Autumn:

Entertainment Center:

One end table (with my new digital photo frame thanks to Heather!):

I have leaves EVERYWHERE. Hanging over curtains, across the top of bookshelves, on tables...I just love the colors! Oranges, yellows, reds, golds, browns...*taking in a deep breath*

Fall is my all-time favorite season, and I enjoy bringing a piece of it inside so I can enjoy it as long as possible. The crisp, cool air just does something for me. It's not an extreme--not hot nor cold--but just right. I feel closer to God when I look out and see His fingerprints painted across the trees, His footprints across the dew-stained grasses, His glory displayed in every inch of creation. I feel that way every day when I walk outside, regardless of the time of year, but Autumn's colors are so vibrant that details lost on me throughout the year are brought back to mind.

Like the intricate, complex food-making system contained within each tiny, incredibly beautiful leaf. I cannot see how anyone could look at a leaf and still say there is no God! That did NOT just happen one day out of the blue. God intended the leaf to serve as a food source for the tree and He designed it to be most effective.

But now I am rambling, it's too late (or early) for me to be up, so I must call it a night.

Courageous

Call me crazy, but I saw this movie THREE times in theaters in less than a week.

Call me crazy, but I think it is the best film I have ever seen. I now have an ultimate favorite.

Call me crazy, but regardless, I will stand behind the message of this film.

Our country is turning its back on God and our fathers are turning their backs on their families.

I pray that this movie will be an eye-opener and a catalyst for change in our families. I pray that fathers are convicted to the point of doing something about it.

Here's a video that shares the heart of Courageous. It's not the actual trailer. You'll have to go to youtube for that. Or my friend, Heather's blog--> http://www.mrssouthernbride.com/

I love my grandpa very much. He stood in place of the father who walked out of my life when I was really young. He's not always been the nicest, the funnest, or the most loving, but he's been someone. He stepped up and took responsibility for my sister and I when no other man was willing to. When he didn't have to. By doing that, he gave us more than we had.

I hope this film will knock on the doors of the heart of fathers who have walked out--to move them to become the men they are called to be. I also pray that it will encourage, strengthen, and teach "good-enough" dads like my Papaw.

A powerful movie. A powerful message.

Warning: it's an emotional rollercoaster so be prepared.

Perfect Baby Boy

I cannot imagine the pain a mother feels at the loss of the little life that she's carried, nurtured, loved. I cannot imagine the grief of a father as he tries to remain strong for his wife and children. But I can feel pain, sorrow, and grief as an outsider wondering why he never got the chance to take his first breath...

Even in the midst of the pain I felt, I could not help but feel in complete awe of my Maker's skill.

Ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, so small that even the period at the end of that last sentence would be too large to suffice as a nail...

A perfectly shaped tongue, mouth, lips, nose...

Little knobby knees and elbows...

I sat in that bathroom staring at the most beautiful little boy I had ever seen. I just couldn't take my eyes off of him, though the pain of the situation was hitting me head on.

He is so very precious. So very perfect in every way. Just look at him. He's amazing!  

At three months, Baby Boy looked complete, whole, beautiful. Words cannot describe how I felt as my eyes took in every bit of his whole 6 inches. The sorrow in knowing that his little life had ceased was mixed with the joy in knowing the One who made every detail so...perfect. The questions that come, like "I wonder what color his eyes were?" were accompanied by, "How did You make those little toes, Lord?" I was crying inside, but joyfully praising God at the same moment. It's just hard to explain.

I'm so grateful for the chance to be there tonight, even if I was clueless what to say or do. I got to meet a little guy I will not forget, who has unknowingly taken a piece of my heart but has also drawn me closer to my Father.

Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for the opportunity to know and love another one of Your precious children. I praise You for Your unfailing love and comfort in good times and bad. You are to be glorified in and through all things, and I am forever grateful for every moment that opens my eyes to more of You. I praise You for blessings of health and provision. Father, be with the S family tonight and in coming days, weeks, and months, as they heal. Comfort them and bless them in soul and spirit as they deal with the pain of this loss. May they always be pointed back to You and grow to trust You more each day through this difficult time. Shower the S family with your blessings of provision, health, and comfort. In Jesus' name.