Mama, I'm comin home!

For the past 6 weeks, my hard-working hubby has had his nose to the grindstone 7 days a week, 12-13 hours a day. Needless to say, we briefly forgot what each other looked like, and I think Rowan forgot that John actually lived with us.

Now, that is all coming to an end. In exactly one and one half more days, the aforementioned breadwinner will return from his life of drudgery and rotating equipment (which somehow he actually enjoys) and will join the world of the living. Friday we're leaving for a much-needed stint in the good, ole midwest -- the Land of Lincoln to be precise. That's right, for the first time in three years, I will actually be seeing the Cookson family on Thanksgiving (eeee!).

Personally, I'm looking forward to some real-live cold weather, trees that have actually changed color (even though the leaves will be well past gone by now), watching the Macy's parade with my mom - we do this every year while we're making Thanksgiving lunch/dinner (you know those two meals are one giant food coma blur), and sharing some new fall recipes I've been trying; more to come on that later.

Equally exciting is the prospect of a potential baby-less date night...maybe even a....dare I speak it....a movie IN THE THEATER?! And of course, there is nothing more exciting than getting to spend some quality time with our very-missed family. We love you guys and we'll see you SOON! (eeee!)

I'd love to hear about our friends' Thanksgiving plans! Anybody else traveling this year??

Ahhh yes....

What I have learned today (again):

1. This world is temporary. God and the souls of men are not.

2. Remaining faithful during trials is a way to love God.

3. God does not tempt.

4. Temptation comes from the innate desires of our flesh.

5. This means that our flesh will naturally lead us to death (kind of depressing if you think about it - but exhilarating when you pair it with the hope promised in Jesus).

6. Every good thing comes from God.

7. God never changes.

Where I learned these things (again):

James 1:9-18

What I'm wondering:

1. How do you stop an innate desire from morphing into sin? Through submitting it to the Spirit? Daily dying to the flesh? Spiritual breathing?

2. What is it in us that is so prone to (ultimate) self-destruction?

What I want to know more about:

"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." (1:18)

God's Word has found me again today :) Thank you Lord. 

A Lion Cub's First Halloween

So, I know this is a little late, but since none of our Halloween pictures turned out, I've spent what few snippets of free time I've had over the past couple of days putting together a short video of Rowan's first Halloween. Yes, he was the cutest lion ever; yes, we kept him up just the teensiest bit past his bed time; and yes, John and I have already eaten the majority of his candy (Rowan doesn't mind, trust me - no teeth). All in all, the stroll around our neighborhood was quite a success! On a non-baby-related note, my highlight was definitely getting to meet our neighbors who currently possess the much-coveted tangerine tree in our neighborhood - it's orange and beautiful, and it grows in their front yard. Rowan and I stop and stare at it like tourists every time we pass by. One day.....

I'm sure you won't enjoy these little clips of our lion cub QUITE as much as we do (since we are the chiefs of the pride and all) but I hope they make you smile today! Happy Belated Halloween!