Changes

Can't believe its almost November! I caught this picture as I was leaving the apt. I'm loving the color fall brings! Hope everyone is having a great week... I'm trying to fight a cold or something that is taking all the energy out of me but hopefully it won't last long. :)

for you Mom...

In flight
Mom had wanted a photo of the geese taking off from the pond-we were never quick enough... last night as we were walking, this is what we saw.

pure boys

I did a "half photo shoot" just before Josh's party... the kids parents were getting ready for a dinner party so I will get full family photos soon. The boys decided to tell me what I should take a picture of so some of these ideas they came up with on their own- such as holding hands aww! They are very much boys but they still make me smile!

15!

Celebrating your 15th year of life! I hope this year brings you much joy and determination as you continue to transition as a high school student, an older teen, and take on more responsibility...
Love you Zach!

Josh... SuRpRiSe!

Happy birthday Josh! I hope you had a great day, glad we could surprise you!
Love ya

Prayer for the Cramers

Dr. Cramer (President of Bethel College) suffered a heart attack over the weekend and was rushed in for bypass surgery. The surgery went well and he is recovering but he and his wife, Terri will need continuous prayers and support through this time of recovery.

Edit: I heard mild heart attack, my cousin said it was chest pains...

others

Just for fun
I was able to show Don & Mindy tonight and they enjoyed the photos! I'm glad.

photo shoot-1

Just a few from today...
After a bad experience with a portrait studio in the area a couple years ago this family wasn't looking to get any photos from a national chain. I was able to take a shot at capturing some memories and hopefully they found it much more relaxed from their last experience. It was fun and the boys did well, best of all the weather was amazing. Just a lil windy...
Don & Mindy I hope you enjoy the photos!

7 out of 14

Half of my last 14 posts have been to celebrate birthdays. That means 1 of 2 things, I have a lot of friends and family born in Sept/Oct or I haven't had time to do much else with blogging. Both are true but the later is a better explanation. I still don't have time... but I threw in a photo :)
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Danielle!

Happy birthday my dear! My Chipotle buddy, my ND-ECDC buddy, my friend who likes Diet Coke a whole lot... and the list could go on

We've been through a lot over the past 5 years but I'm so glad we met- oh the good days of "block" :) Remember we had matching NYFD sweatshirts?!?
Happy birthday
Love you!

Happy birthday Noah!

...I hope you have a GREAT birthday!

miss you and love you

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you, my Master
Ready to do your will

Grace

This song/video is great- you can find it on gccwired.com and on youtube I believe it was used for Lifeline- the HS ministry.


Its a great reminder that no matter how much we mess up or how lost we feel, He still has a place for us.
.My Refuge.
.My Father.
.The only Living Water.
.I'm weary.
.I'm broken.
...and still you reassure me that You knew me before I knew myself.

a friend of mine

...has a birthday today! Happy birthday Ciji!
Hope its an exciting one... and it continues through the year ahead of you. Love ya


Also, happy birthday to my supervising teacher Amy from ND. Hope the kids sang to you on Friday! :)

An unopened gift

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

I need not look back but only look forward and not forget to enjoy the moments in life... I have lived the "hurry through your day" much too often recently and its kicked my butt both physically and emotionally!
Today a child wrapped his arms around my neck while sitting in my lap during group and I had a huge internal grin. He had been attached to me all morning-but it was as though he was saying "stay right where you are- I won't let you move." Its the little things.
God has tried to get my attention and say "Brittani! I have you doing all this for a reason, your time is coming- just have perseverance and we'll get through this " but I get impatient and focus not on the blessings He has poured out on me but the trials that are thrown my way. I'm working on this. Its hard sometimes.

a birthday in Mexico

Happy Birthday Ruby!

Ruby is celebrating her birthday in Mexico where she is teaching. I miss you dear! Hope you have a great day though- know there are many of your friends back home thinking of you! Love ya

and though my heart is torn

I’ll praise You in this storm And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am

Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

debut weekend

This is where I spent most of my time this weekend- it was busy, but fun. The only kicker was that we were playing Christmas music on the inside while others were enjoying the 88 degree record temperature outside. We still had a great turnout! The ornament pictured above is one of my favorites from the debut! Does anyone remember the amazing See 'N Say?!? This one really works- what a favorite to have on the Christmas tree!
How was everyone else's weekend? Hope it was a good one!

Like a sister

I miss seeing Beth at least every weekend while watching her kiddos and then having our long chats late at night/early morning about life. She has been such a great friend, and encouragement to me. I'm so thankful for her! And today its her birthday!
I'm celebrating your life today Beth! I love ya!

wOw

...WON! Amazing! Hope it continues.

just friday... what?

I'm very thankful its Friday! Even though my weekend is busy!

Have a summer-y weekend since it will be in the high 80s

I'll be seeing some of you tonight...

Some birthdays to remember...

My Uncle Terry

and...

My Friend Kerri! (who is not preggers anymore- I don't have a recent pic of her) ;)

Hope you both have amazing days! -Celebrate-
Love you

Welcome October

It's fall and I'm looking forward to the crisp breeze and the leaves changing. I just don't want to deal with the allergies and such that go along with the cooler weather. Although I have looked at the forecast for the next week or so and its still a bell-curve of temperatures. (yeah statistic terms apply here)
Hope everyone has a great day even though its a bit gloomy. Make the most of it.