Fall *sigh*

Happy first week of fall!  Autumn decided to show off for southwestern Ohio this week.  It seemed as if every leaf started to turn either orange, brown, red, or yellow.  The weather was cool, crisp, and breezy with a little rain here and there.  I always hate to say good-bye to summer, but come September I surrender to the absolute beauty of fall.  And now for some fall favorites...

1. The change in nature

2. All that consists of pumpkin and apple

3. Fall art projects

4. Wardrobe change-up...boots, warm jammies, jackets (no coats yet, please)

Hoping you get to enjoy a beautiful fall weekend!

Pet Friendly

Let me start by saying we don't have pets.  We don't really have a "pet friendly" yard and I happen to not be that fond of inside pets...hence the non-existence of pets at the Wilson household.  So that being said, when my dear friend, Vicki, called me this weekend and asked if we would want to take Jude to an event where children can pet farm animals...well, we jumped at the chance.  It ended up being a fun day for Jude.  He happens to love animals and does not seem the least bit afraid to touch them or talk to them.   Although, I think he could have passed on meeting the turkey.

And yes, I am aware that it won't be long until we will be pet owners. ;)

Festival Fun

One of our favorite things to do in the fall is definitely visiting local festivals.  I don't know if it is the atmosphere, food, artisan shopping, or time spent with family and friends that makes it so enjoyable...but it is all that and more.  If busyness keeps us away from other festivals we ALWAYS try and make time for Germantown's Pretzel Festival.  It is not necessarily the pretzels that draw us to it again and again (we don't even eat pretzels there).  I think it just has that "homey" feel.  This is the place all of my festival memories are stored.  We want Jude to experience this fun, as well.  I mean, it must be amazing if I brought him when he was just two weeks old.  So yes, he is sure to be a festival lover, too.  Here are our 2012 memories.

Photos Courtesy of myPhone

WOW, it has been busy lately!  The past couple months have been a whirlwind and this week was no exception.  Of course, the beginning of the school year always tends to be exhausting.  Alas, life keeps going and I have to say...the weekend has never looked so good. :)  Here are a few photos from the past week.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!

 

Picture Perfect

Jude had his one-year-old photos taken yesterday by the photographer we hired to take his first year pictures.  Michelle of Nixon Photography has been amazing to us.  She is so good with children and has such a great eye for what will photograph well.  Michelle took his newborn, 3 month, 6 month, and 9 month pictures.  Yesterday's shoot was fun...minus the rain toward the end and Jude trying to eat rocks and dirt.  I am excited to see the results.

 Now if only I can get some of her photog skills to rub off on me! ;)

Grateful

I'm feeling reflective as I begin a new week.  Yesterday I found out that a dear friend lost her baby due to a miscarriage.  I will not pretend to know what that feels like; however, my heart just breaks for her and her husband.  I have been sending prayers of strength and peace for them.  Life is such a beautiful gift from God.  Thoughts of thankfulness have been flooding my mind.  There are so many blessings in my life to be grateful for.  In our culture, it is easy to get caught-up in all of our "wants".  I pray that I never forget to thank God what I have.  One of my favorite quotes is:

       
             "What if you woke up today with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday?"

Thought provoking, right?!  Today I choose to be thankful for my family, friends, health, home, job, and the many other blessings in my life.

In everything give thanks... I Thess. 5:18