odds and ends, brought to you from houston

hello dearies.
i am writing to you from my in-law's couch and i am feeling just swell.
for the next week, i plan on soaking in the rest of a bountiful life.

 a bit of my instagram feed from the last two weeks. . .

a bedside view to cheer me up.

these last few weeks have been a struggle.  the weight of the last six months has been pulling me down to such a state of discouragement.  i have been too focused on counting each loss, rather than recognizing all that has been given.  why do i forget?  i must remember that grief and joy can walk side by side.

i love our sabbath adventures.  a time reserved for slowing down and just being. 

taking a walk before church along the rio grande on a gorgeous fall morning was just as close to perfect as it gets.

when did my not yet 6yo daughter decide to look so grown up???
not cool.

another sabbath adventure. . . a short hike on a very cold sunday afternoon.
it really does get cold in new mexico!

we finally traded in my nearly 4yr old phone of average intelligence for this beauty. 

my husband is awesome.  and hilarious.

a later start than expected for our 15 hour roadtrip because someone broke the garbage disposal at 10pm the night before.  yes, it was me.  i have learned my lesson!

now we are being spoiled by loved ones, reuniting with far away family, gearing up for a special wedding, excited to celebrate the enzo-boy's third birthday, and planning on a feast of yummy food while giving thanks for all.

i will practice the counting of gifts.
because counting losses is a guaranteed route to misery.
choose joy with me, friends.

yes, it will be a good week.