Thankful- summer week 2

This week has been difficult.  Not in any specific way.  Just in an annoying way.  In an --of course that would happen now gah can't I just get a minute to think-- kind of way.  I'm about the worst person in the world when it comes to adapting and going with the flow.  I do not do change of plans well.  I'm what you might call 'obsessive compulsive type A'.  Needless to say, I am having to be intentional about trying to be thankful.  Intentional about remembering to breathe.  Intentional about getting out of the house.  Intentional about art journaling, because seriously, that is so good for me.

Getting out of the house is going to be a must for me this summer.  Today I took Jude to the library, which was great.  He picked out books.  Plus, we have the moments of reading them, which gives us intentional activity.  We also went to a friend's house this afternoon which was fun.  Tomorrow I am going Target-ing for trip needs.  Friday I have book club and friends coming over.  Yippee.  I officially am one of those people who needs to get out of the house as often as possible to stay sane.  Bring all your fun summer toddler activities my way people.  For real!

Despite my stir crazy- I have had awesome moments.

Thankful for this past weekend:  Jude was with his dad Saturday night.  And while that ended up being a pretty huge headache, it did afford me some awesome time with Jimmy.  We went boot scootin' (heckyes) in good ole CowTown (Ft. Worth).  And even better Mark Chestnut was playing there that night.  It was a spur of the moment plan, but it was pretty fun to see him.  I have 100% given up on country as of like 2004 when it became riddled with shizzy pop disguised as country.  However, bring me all your fiddle playing/steel guitar picking/90s country.  Love!  To all you other girls in other parts of the world, I am sorry that you do not get to gaze at your man in boots on the regular.  That is a tragedy for so many Americans.  Two stepping makes my life worth living.  And also makes me love Jimmy more and more.

Monday and Tuesday we were greeted with rainy mornings.  Just a little bit of background- Texas has been in a severe drought state for the past 2 years or something.  I live a bit in the country where two lakes happen to somewhat meet up.  In order to get anywhere, I have to cross parts of the lake.  When I first moved here 3.5 years ago, it actually looked like a lake.  At this point, it is literally mostly dry land.  Not-even-joking.  Severe.  I literally pray everytime I go across (which is at least twice daily basically) that God send rain.  He has answered that prayer soooo much! this spring!  And is still answering it!  I have lived in NTX nearly 10 years.  I've never seen a wet June here in my life!  And to top it off our highs are like 88-93.  Also never happened in the 10 years I've been here.  Highs in the summer here range from 95-100 for June and 100-115 through July and August.  I mean I literally am in heaven right now.  I just kind of want to do a thanksgiving dance on my lawn pretty much daily.

 And then I came inside and saw this.  And I died a little bit.  Why yes I would love to watch my toddler cozy up to Sid the Science Kid while it rains outside and I sip my coffee.  Why no I'm not sure I can think of a better way to spend a summer morning.  Thank you Jesus!!!!

Disclaimer:  This cuteness being said, I'm pretty sure the fact that we've had 2 rainy mornings and have been unable to do fun stuff like go to the pool has been a large reason I am going stir crazy.  That in no way makes me unthankful for the rain.  Still praying for more of it!  But it definitely has shown me that on rainy days, I need to plan ways to get up and go!  Or have ingredients on hand to make cookies just in case?  Something!

This picture is just because.  Cutest sleeping kiddo.

My Favorite Day of the Year

My favorite day of the year is always the same.  It's been the same since I was 3 years old.  Maybe I was four.  I remember the day it became my favorite day.  I had been at school and the weather changed.  I couldn't wait to get home.  I remember going out in our backyard as soon as possible.  I climbed onto our big ole picnic table my dad had built.  I danced.  And probably sang.  I twirled with my arms out.  I am 90% sure I was wearing a dress.  On that day, I fell in love with fall.  That was the first time I knew my favorite day of the year.

Every year since then, the first day the wind changed from dreadful scorching wind on the Sahara to crisp, breezy fall wind, I remember the time I danced on the picnic table because it was fall.  Growing up, I have countless memories sitting on the porch swing in my childhood home on this day.  If I had homework, I always did it outside on this day.  If I was lucky, I read a book, probably Little House on the Prairie.

I remember the first fall day when we moved to Algiers, LA when I was in high school.  That time I just sat on a rocking chair and watched the big, huge Spanish Oaks sway in the wind, and thought about how wonderful life is.

I remember the first fall day of college, and I was actually excited to get up for my 9:30 English class.  Not excited enough to NOT go in my pajamas however.

And the best first fall day was in 2004 when I moved to Denton.  I had gone to church that morning, heard Tommy talk for the first time, and that was the day I became a Christian.  That was the day I finally gave up the fight, because I was one of those people who fought being a Christian pretty hard.  I suppose it was fitting that it happen on such a day, because there is no other day of the year I love more.  And on that day more than any other, my little 3 year old self danced around in celebration.

This year is no different.  I am so thankful for fall, for the countless memories of myself as a little girl, and an older girl that flood me, for the reminder that some days you gotta dance and sing your heart out because life is good, because God never lets the desert heat scorch you forever.  And once your done thanking God because HE is Good, you have to have a pumpkin spice latte.... Can't wait for those to be out!