WayfaringStrangers

I've obviously been blogging more lately. Taking a Facebook break makes me do that. And I like it. There have been some dark days here lately. Literally. It's been so cloudy/rainy for weeks! The dark weather seems to affect my mood. I feel like I've been in a battle, a battle between MY will and GOD'S will. A battle of trust, control, loneliness, and learning to give thanks. You know, just some hard-core sanctification. It's not easy, but I know HE will prevail! I've had more time to read the past few months. I love reading and tend to forget to prioritize it. But not having tv and being a stay-at-home mama gives me a little more time to read. God is using this book to change me: It's One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I found her blog awhile ago, it's A Holy Experience. At first, I didn't like her website. It was, well, too holy. Too reverent. I wanted entertainment! Oh mercy, I was wrong! This woman is so talented at writing and photography. Our

First of all, can I say how annoyed I am all these stinkbugs?? I'm tired of picking through my raisinbran to make sure none of the 'raisins' are stinkbugs (hasn't happened yet, but could!) If you don't have them where you live, count your blessings! Thankfully they're not poisonous and they don't bite/sting, but they sure are a pest. We made a stinkbug trap from a soda bottle and have caught dozens of them in our house...but they just keep coming in. We hiked at Lake Robertson on Saturday. We went on the mountain trails. Not really up a mountain, but still a great workout. Autumn Leaves Shelter turned into a house of prayer. Worshipping God in creation is my favorite. Raise your hand if you're having fun!

First, some pics: Can you see the theme of his outfit? Camping Trip! Too bad we didn't camp. But it's still a cute outfit. This boy is all about standing and looking out the window/door. It's been an interesting week. A while ago, our Volvo stopped starting. We figured it was the battery. Finally Behn bought a new battery at Wal-Mart and put it himself. I was really proud of him! It's been working well since then. The day after he put in the battery, our clothes dryer stopped working. Again. 3rd time in one year. It's an older dryer, but still, it's dumb that it keeps on breaking. The first time they fixed it for free (under warranty). The 2nd time they charged us (too much), but Behn's loving parents helped us with that. The third time we decided we don't want to give these people another dime to fix this hunk of metal. Behn went into the shop and told them we'd like to exchange it and they's better cut us a great deal. They agreed, but didn

It's Friday. Another busy week is past. And we had plans this weekend, oh boy, did we have plans. Then this happened: I love rain. It's peaceful and calming and fresh and necessary to life. But we were supposed to go camping tonight. Camping in a tent with a 9 month-old was going to be a challenge, but add rain to the mix and it would be unhappy. So, our plans have changed. The nice thing is there isn't a cancellation fee at the camp. And maybe we can try next Friday night. In a way, it's ok we have to cancel. Now the 3 of us can spend a cozy (dry) night bonding in our home. And tomorrow it's supposed to be nicer so we can even still go to the campsite and enjoy God's creation. Behn and I are taking a break from Facebook, so I'll make sure to take/post some Graham pics on here. Maybe even a video! I hope all my few, faithful readers have a lovely, relaxing Friday night as well :)

First of all, let me wrap up my garden updates. I think the garden was a big success for this first-time gardener :) I made some rookie mistakes (thinking that tomato plants were radishes, planting things too close together, etc), but overall, I got some good produce and enjoyed my garden. It's not over yet; I still have lots of basil, parsely and oregano growing, and I just planted a new row of radishes. Also, my peppers FINALLY produced fruit: Garden peppers for piccadillo...mmm. I have lots of ideas for how I'm going to improve my garden next year! One thing I really enjoyed was growing flowers. I really want to expand my little flower beds next spring. We had a nice relaxing weekend... My brother Aaron has been here visiting. Graham gets a kick out of him. Check out this awesome zipper spider Behn spotted near my zinnias: Hanging out by the campfire: Cookie Monster?

Oops, I forgot to share his stats. Ya'll may not really care how many inches long our kid is...but it's good for me to record it for our sake (so I don't lose the little paper and forget). He's 19 lbs 11 oz (with a wet diaper...so maybe 10 oz). This is 50%, which he's been all along. He's 29 1/4 inches long, 75%. He's long and lean! Quick other thing: He is so funny when we're at the store and strangers come up to him to say hi (happens a lot...'cause he's so cute). He just stares at them completely blankly. Usually they can't get him to crack a smile. Mr. Serious, Mr. Observant. He's just like 'I don't know you, what do you want??" Hehe, it's pretty funny to me!

Our kid is 9 months old! As in, coming up on a year! Everyone says 'It'll go so fast.." Very cliche, but TRUE! The 9 months I was pregnant was much slower than the past 9 months of him being outside of me. At 9 months, Graham: Stands. Pulls himself up to everything, sometimes things that don't hold his weight and then he falls on his bum. Cruises. Not very fast, but if he's holding on to something he can walk along for a few feet. Makes more sounds. We've been a little concerned about his babbling...but the past month he made a lot more noises :) The pediatrician said he's developing normally. Picks up 2 toys and hits them together. Drummer? Eats more! Loves his bananas, sweet potatoes, etc. But now he's wanting what we're having- last night he had several bits of my grilled cheese sandwich. Loves to be chased or for us to play 'monster' with him. I make a scary face/noise and he squeals and freaks out in glee. Enjoys swinging in a swing. An

My boy and I It's been a pretty plain last couple weeks...but that's ok. The everyday life seems to keep us busy anyway. Lots of church stuff going on...Behn's volunteering at a local university library to get some experience...Behn's new semester started...I'm picking up a few more hours doing respite care...Graham's had a runny nose for a week...so yeah, really there's a lot going on. Baby F was sick Friday and is with his grandparents today so there's been a little break with that. Looking forward to having him back tomorrow for Graham to play with! Watching tractors bale hay across the street. We've been loving the cooler weather. Yesterday we had our new "Rat" (freshman cadet from VMI) over for the afternoon. He was a really nice guy and I'm glad we are his host family. Oh, and if you need a new lasagna recipe, you've GOT to try Trisha Yearwood's Cowboy Lasagna. It's even better than Pioneer Woman's (sorry PW). We

-This post written by Behn- About a week ago, as Meg, Graham and I were strolling along at the Lexington Community Festival, I came across the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) booth. I noticed some tee shirts they were passing out: General Lee, with a tear strolling down his cheek and the First National Confederate Flag beside his head. Pretty soon I discovered there would be a Flag Rally-to protest a recent ordinance to be voted on by the Lexington City Council. An apparent "controversy" that dates back to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This weekend happens to fall on the same date as Lee-Jackson weekend. So, inevitably, some were offended by all the Confederate flags flying on public flagpoles during MLK weekend. I'm not on here to act as a Southern Sympathizer 150 years after the War Between the States first began, nor to declare the aforementioned flying of flags as "unpatriotic." I majored in U.S. History at University

It's such a blessing to be home with Behn and Graham for 3 whole days. I used to work in group homes and often worked nights, weekends, holidays. I do not take for granted the opportunity to be here and enjoy family time. Last year Behn and I camped on Labor Day weekend. That was fun, and I hope we repeat that this fall. But this year we stayed home and chose not to travel at all. So we decided to have a little cookout with church friends. We went to the early service yesterday, then came home and cleaned up the house a bit, and got food ready. Here's a synopsis of my thoughts: 8 a.m.: Ah, need to clean the house and get groceries after church . 11 a.m.: That was expensive. Having people over is pricey . Noon: Cleaning extravaganza. Our house is too small, cluttered . 2 p.m. (number of estimated guests went from 5 to 8). I'm panicking! Do we have enough food? 3:30 p.m.: (amidst Graham crying and trying to make pasta salad) Why did we decide to do this?? 8

Dear MD, I'm not sure why I'm thinking of you and praying for you today, but I'm glad I am. You were the first kid I met when I started working at the group home, and for some reason I remembered your name right away. I remember your big brown eyes and smile, and I remember I was suprised to find out you were 8 years old, because you looked older. We weren't supposed to have favorites, but you were always my favorite. I felt attached to you right away. At home I referred to you as "my little MD." I remember how good at basketball you were and how you would get silly. But really, you were an old soul. You said the most profound, heartfelt things sometimes. MD, you made me realize that kids in foster care are great and deserve a wonderful home. Sure, you had your tough moments. Your room was chronically messy. We had to check your shoes everyday to make sure you hadn't 'borrowed' other kids' items and snuck them home for yourself. And when yo