hello, autumn! (and instafriday)

Well, the weather has finally started to cool down. I cannot tell you how much that thrills me! I have 3 favorite seasons in California. And summer -- not one of them. ;)

There have been some exciting changes over the past few months. We had a new grandson arrive in August. Madison is beginning to talk. And let me tell you... it's pretty cute!

David is staying WAY TOO VERY busy with maintenance these days. It seems that everything has decided to break down. (i.e.: kids' cars, faucet, water heater, etc., and etc.) Thankfully, his job is going pretty well right now and he's got a bit of work there too. But that only adds more to his plate. So thankful for a hard-working, handy man!!

Here are some pictures of our week.

This is an old pic of me and my grandpa. Miss him!

Me this week. Trying out the new front-facing iPhone camera.

Madison, my little punkin'. Adorable, sweet little face!

Cutie to-go cup with Snapple Mango Madness. Yum.

Daddy-daughter cuteness.

Mommy-daughter - Star Wars shirts!

Adorable Max. This is a low-light pic with the iPhone.

Cracker Lover. Ritz. 'Nuff said.

My buddy. Sun bathing.

My other buddy. Working hard, as usual. Our water

heater is going out. Ugh.

And a little book worm. She loves books.

And last, but not least... sleepy pic of little Gunnar. :)

~~~

Linking up with Jeanett.

okay, summer. we're done.

Now before I start this post, let me just let you know that I KNOW this is the epitome of "spoiled".

But I just want to break up with Summer and start going with Autumn. I HATE the heat!! And it's beginning to actually make me sick. I think. At least, that's how I feel. :) I HATE IT! I wish it would move somewhere else so I don't have to see it again.

That having been said, I'll leave  you with some pictures of this summer. And, yes, you'll think I'm crazy after that. ;)

Hope you're enjoying your summer. But if not, I completely understand. 😩

this little light of mine.

David plays the drums for a choir performance every August. Every year, there are blessings. Every year, there are some not-so-great-things too. But THERE ARE BLESSINGS!

One of the blessings for me (although I don't tell him often) is seeing my husband IN HIS ELEMENT. He loves to play the drums, but even more so when he's doing it for the glory of God. My heart swells with pride in his awesomeness every year. But this year is most recent and I remember the feeling vividly. Shame on me for forgetting to tell him afterwards. That was a huge blessing to both of us.

One of the songs the ensemble sang was "This Little Light of Mine". I've had this song in my head ALL DAY LONG and I've been humming it non-stop. The soloist's mother had just committed suicide a few weeks before the performance. After I found this out, I watched the girl every time she sang. For some reason I felt that if I could watch her hard enough, I could be a help her by praying her through it. I wanted to help her. So, I watched. And I saw an amazing thing in her face: determination. I could see that this song, this solo, had become her mantra. Her goal. That even though a horrible thing happened in her life, in her view even, she had determined that she would STILL LET IT SHINE!

Part of the song lyrics:

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.

My God gave it to me,
I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Well, obviously, it's a very simple little song. I've sung it most of my life. My wonderful grandmother gave me a record with the song on it and I played it and sang it so much! But this weekend, it wasn't a child's song. I was "our" song in some crazy way, mine and Savannah's. She stirred my heart with her solo. It's also become a mantra, of sorts, to me too.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, I'M GONNA LET IT SHINE!!