Counting My Blessings

As Thanksgiving approaches, I try to take some time each year to literally count my blessings and give thanks to the One who has so richly blessed me with all good things.

It would be impossible for me to collect an exhaustive list of my limitless blessings. However, I have compiled a collage of images that represent broader blessings in my life. They are in no particular order (other than which pictures fit best in the frames, kindly provided by Megan at Shabby Blogs.)

1. My adorable niece and nephew represent my entire, wonderful family - immediate, extended, and in-law.

2. I just love Chester a little more than should be commonly accepted. In a way, he represents our future family and the children that are to come for us. Until real babies show up, Chester is most definitely serving the role as my child.

3. God's Word. This really should be located first and foremost on my list. I am so grateful for God's love, mercy and grace. For the avenue or prayer, which He so graciously opens to us. Also, for the family that I have through Him in my church home. Oh, what a blessing!

4. My husband. How in the world did I end up with such an incredible, strong man to love and care for me? He is the greatest man in the entire universe, and God gave him to me! I'm so thankful for him and the relationship that we share with one another.

5. All of my friends (not only the few featured in the picture) and the great times and fun that we have together. Life would be so boring without the laughter we share, and so lonely without the constant companionship.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it pretty much covers the bases - the Lord, love, family, and friends. What more could a person want? (Well, besides the food, shelter, and various capabilities that I so often take for granted, but for which I am still extremely thankful.)

This holiday, I encourage each of you to take a moment to actually write down some of your blessings and truly Give Thanks to the One that deserves all praise.

I'd be thrilled to know what you consider to be some of your richest blessings and what you're thankful for this season. Please feel free to share them with me as we, together, give God all the glory.

Lost in the Leaves

I love Fall. It’s my very favorite season of the whole year. (Weather season, anyway, not holiday season – Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday season.) Besides the temperatures, the sweaters, and the colors, one of my favorite parts of autumn is watching the leaves fall down like snow all around me. As I watch the foliage conceal the grounds outside, I can’t help but relive some of my childhood memories. Please indulge me as I reminisce and tell you a little story.

Growing up in Illinois, we lived across the street from a public park. Bliss Park, to be precise. It occupied an entire city block. The neighborhood mostly consisted of the four streets of houses that outlined the park. We were pretty much all bf's. Well, mostly my brother was bf's with all of the boys in the neighborhood, and I just crushed on them when they came around. But there were a few "sisters" of those cute boys that I spent some time with, as well.

Anyway, we lived right next door to my grandparents (mom's parents), and they naturally were the hub of our whole family. Grandma and Grandpa had an open door policy, which meant that the entire family was always in and out, constantly visiting and hanging out there. I was pretty tight with my cousins growing up, and they were always over at grandma's, which basically meant they were always over at my house, since I more or less lived next door.

So, essentially, I grew up alongside a lot of other kids, some related, others not, and we all virtually lived at that park. My mom was a super cool mom. She was really young and always hung out with us kids a lot, so she was included in that “peer group” that I spent so much time with.

The park was completely full of really big trees. You know, the really nice, full-grown kind. Each year, the leaves all fell, and the city paid people to mow the grounds and mulch them up. But year after year, before they had a chance to destroy the opportunity, the entire neighborhood would get together, grab rakes and tackle the park. Spearheaded by my super cool mom, of course, we would create a gigantic maze through the leaves, complete with dead ends and short cuts and the whole shebang. The labyrinth covered the entire city block, wrapping around the slides and winding through the swings and spiraling into circular dead ends that, if you found yourself in, forced you to trail the whole spiral to back out in order to escape.

And then we'd play tag in it!!

Whoever was It would run after the others through the maze at lightening speed, trying to tag them as they worked their way through the paths without getting trapped in a dead-end or spiral. I can’t promise that I never “hopped” a trail of leaves to help maneuver the path while no one was looking, but I can definitely promise that I had a great time playing with my friends, enjoying the season, and basking in the glory of everybody cooing over how cool my mom was. Yeah… that leaf-maze-tag master of the park was my mom!

The entire maze culminated in this GIANT pile of leaves located in a perfect spot in the middle of some hedges. Since it was contained by the bushes, we could pile the leaves up super high without worry of them flying away. The leaf pile was always base, if you could find your way to it through the trails. After we were finished playing tag, we'd conclude our fall festivities by taking turns climbing the tree above the pile, and jumping down into it, trying to see who could do the most impressive acrobatic stunts on their way down into our personal soft landing. It was so, very much fun.

These are the memories that spawned my love for fall, and these are the memories that I can’t help but recollect every time I see the leaves mask the earth.

What are some of your favorite fall memories? Do you love jumping into a big pile of leaves as if there is no care in the world? Did you grow up with as cool of a mom as I did? I want to hear all about it.

Farmers' Market Frenzy

Have you ever been to a Farmers' Market? Neither had we. I can't believe that we hadn't ever, really. We're all about fresh produce as well as supporting local businesses and farmers. A Farmers' Market is just what we needed. Apparently, Nashville has a pretty great Farmers' Market that is open every day, year round. Brad and I finally had our inaugural visit, this past weekend.

I couldn't believe all of the produce available! It really was just like a giant, outdoor (although covered) grocery store. We spent quite a bit of time just looking around and getting a feel for it all.

As far as the eye could see, there were mountains of apples, carrots, pears, peppers, bananas, carrots, peanuts, potatoes, and even some jams, pies, and breads. One guy even coerced us into buying one of his green tomatoes, by offering us a discount on the rest of his merchandise. Okay, how can we refuse that? Besides, he was very anxious for ust to fry it up and experience the Southern specialty for the first time. (We followed the recipe he told us as closely as possible, but I'm just not sure we'll ever be big Fried Green Tomatoes eaters.)

We bought some organic milk in glass jars from a farmer from Kentucky that drives down each weekend, and we also bought a bunch of meat from an organic farmer that lives in a neighboring county. He spent a lot of time with us, gathering a combination of beef and pork that fit our budget and explaining how to cook each type (since we totally don't cook regularly). He also cut us a deal on the price. Wow, the Farmers' Market is kind of cool. People are nice, spend time talking with you, and give you discounted prices? Yes, please! The healthy, fresh produce and support of local people like us is just icing on the cake!

Needless to say, we walked out of there with our hands loaded. It was really a great experience, and a lot of fun together. I don't know if we'll only do our shopping there from now on, but we'll definitely consider it when we have the time and opportunity. If you've never been to one, I totally recommend finding a Farmers' Market in your area. Just try it. I bet you'll like it.

Thank You

I can't easily talk about Veterans Day without getting tears in my eyes. I am just so incredibly thankful to each person who has ever served our great country. I'm overwhelmed with pride in my own family. Dad, TJ, Grandpa - thank you. Thank you for your courage, bravery, commitment, strength, integrity, devotion, and sacrificial love. I understand that Freedom is Never Free, and I know that this country could not possibly be the free nation that it is today without the dedication of military men and women like you. You truly deserve honor. And I, along with the rest of the nation, honor you today.

Thank you to all our veterans and men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. You are continually in my prayers.

*Originally posted, Veterans' Day 2008

Birth-Day Flashback

This year for Brad's birthday, we decided to not only celebrate the anniversary of his date of birth, but to truly remember his actual birth day. So last night, as Brad was turning 26 years old, we stepped right back into the glorious decade in which he was born. The 80's.

Let me go ahead and warn you, now, that viewing some of these photos may trigger your gag reflex. Read and view at your own risk.

Brad thrift-store-hopped to find us some sufficiently atrocious clothing (he succeeded), and Emily teased and sprayed my hair until it defied gravity in order to really bring us back in time. A dozen of our friends joined us as we reminisced of the glory days (of which we, honestly, barely remember). We created the setting with decorations of Care Bears, Garfield, and various records of period hits.

Our 80's activities began with the Funfetti birthday cake that boasted the vibrant colors that were so embraced during our youth. With Footloose playing in the background, we played Totally 80's Trivial Pursuit, boys against girls. Or should I say the Care Bear against the Trapper Keeper? Since all of us (but a couple of old guys) were born in the 80's, the questions were nearly impossible. I won't even go into the stressful drama of me accidentally giving the boys Cyndi Lauper, or of me totally knowing it was Billy Idol, but second guessing myself and blowing the answer. Man, it got pretty intense. Suffice it to say, the boys ended up coming out with the win. But I don't want to talk about that, seeing as how I basically handed it to them, anyway. (So it really hardly counts, boys!)

We also watched the Super Bowl Shuffle from the 1985 Chicago Bears on good ol' VHS. Just fyi, it is totally lame. I was embarrassed for them. How in the world did this grip a nation? The boys played some Atari as we jammed to some 80's tunes on cassette. At one point, I realized that the music stopped. When I asked Brad what happened to it, he matter-of-factly explained to me that he had to rewind the tape. Rewind.the.tape. Whoa. I forgot "rewind" ever even existed.

A few other friends also dressed up for the occasion! (Despite the fact that the theme was really short notice.) However, Brad happened to be the only boy brave enough to go there. Here is Audrey, Emily, Brad, Heather, and me all sportin' the decade of the night.

The cool girls, holding Tommy Tutone's record of 867-5309, Jenny.

There has been a birthday explosion in our group, and we had all of the birthday people get together for a big photo. All of their birthdays were either last week or are this week. Talk about party time!

There were more people there too, but in my excitement of all things 80's, I failed to get a true group picture of everybody, including the undressed up ones. But if you still want to check out the rest of the pictures from the party, go right ahead!

*Special thanks to my work friend, Bryan, for totally providing us with all of the rad games and 80's memorabilia! I guess that's what happens when you're actually old enough to have truly lived during the 80's!

I've always really thought I was an 80's child. I mean, after all, I was born in the 80's, and so was Brad. However, I do believe that a single night of trying to relive the era forced me to realize that I have no real idea of anything about the 80's, at all. I have superimposed my memories of 90's events and Saved by the Bell episodes into the 80's and relied a little too heavily on VH1's I Love the 80's series. Oh well. The mystery made it even more fun. And it also helped us to still feel young. I mean, c'mon, we don't even remember the 80's. What are we? Like babies or something?

Halloween at the Metcalfs

Got an email from TJ this morning along with some pictures of their Halloween. I laughed:

Thought you all might like to see some recent Halloween pictures. Mindy you need to tell your husband to come over next Halloween and we can do some good pumpkin carving with MAN tools not those wimpy 2nd grader girl carvers. We still haven't managed to talk Rachel out of wearing her swimsuit every day and want to go swimming even though its 40 degrees around here. I guess she is just going to be in a swimsuit year round.

I mean, for real, Rachel is so cute. I can't believe she was brave enough to touch the guts!!

I guess these were the "MAN tools" he was referring to. Seriously, TJ? A saw? And then you put your daughter in a helmet just in case it gets away from you, or what?? No wonder he was making fun of Brad's "wimpy 2nd grader girl carvers." That is so my brother...

Here is the result of all of that "MAN carving." A very manly pumpkin display, indeed! I cracked up when I saw this. The Pumpkin Horror is apparently wreaking havoc among the townsfolk. He's destroyed one, beat up another, is eating a little one, about to throw another, and causing one to vomit all over himself in terror! Honestly, somebody has got to gather some control over Pumpkinville! (Sheesh. And I thought Brad's pumpkin wasn't very nice...)

Here's the fam trick-or-treating. Those Metcalf girls sure do make beautiful Snow Whites! Look at Rachel with all that lipstick on! I'm not sure what Clinton was, except staying warm. But he's still super cute!

Oh, and here's Rachel in that adorable swimming suit she loves to wear. Of course, it's princess. I love that she's wearing boots to keep warm, but still chooses to wear the suit regardless of the temperature. She is hilarious. Such a diva.

Okay, that's all. Thanks for indulging me. I just enjoyed the pictures so much and laughed so hard that I couldn't help but share them. What a great family. :)

Grins and Grimaces

Remember those giant pumpkins we got for dirt cheap? Well, they had just been sitting around our house as un-animated decorations. With Brad's crazy schedule, it had been extremely difficult to plan our Annual Pumpkin Carving Ceremony, this year. We finally managed to squeeze in the oh-so-important fall tradition on Halloween day. Thank goodness. I was beginning to get nervous!

With the second appearance of our helpful Pumpkin Super Scooper, Brad and I each created our very own masterpieces. (Also, the second appearance of the now-traditional eat-the-pumpkin-goop-from-the-super-scooper-picture. Nice.) While I sought his opinion regarding eye shapes and teeth placement, Brad refused let me see even a glimpse of his design until it was fully complete.

And now you can see why. Since he was doing his own jack-o-lantern this year, he decided to make it spooky, creepy, and "not wimpy." Obviously, his pumpkin didn't like being stabbed in the head, hence the grimace. He was very proud of his handiwork. (I believe he used his own portrait as the inspiration.)

Boy, mine sure is cute and cuddly. Such a sweet little thing to see glowing in our home. However, I guess boys will be boys. I never anticipated that the Pumpkin Carving Ceremony would exhibit our true gender differences, but alas, we are indeed much different at heart... (By the way, notice, in the previous picture, which pumpkin Chester prefers. Ahem.)

Even though the ceremony was last-minute, that didn't meant that we neglected the important things, like self portraits of us using the camera timer! Who knew we were such great artists??

PS. Notice how much shorter I really am than my husband. In nearly every other picture of us together, I'm unconsciously standing as high as I can on my tippiest tip toes to diminish the height difference. However, with the combination of the running to grab the pumpkin and get into position in under 10 seconds, and the weight of that ginormous pumpkin, I stood flat-footed. Wow. Maybe our friends realized how much taller he is (notice, that he's taller, not that I'm shorter), but I never see us next to each other except in pictures in which I'm on my toes. Honestly, how do we even kiss each other??

Anyway, tell me all about your own Pumpkin Carving Ceremonies! Did you get super creative? Did you go for happy or scary? Did you stand on your toes for the picture? I'm dying to know...

Complete Halloween 2009 Album

29 and Holding

Guess who just turned old! My (pregnant!) BF, Emily, celebrated a birthday this week, and she is now the big 2-9! Okay, okay, she may not be officially old yet, but she is definitely oh-so-close.

Brad and I, along with some other friends of ours (and their next-door neighbors), Kris and Emily crashed Charles and Emily's house on Tuesday night to help celebrate. We came bearing dinner and cake, though, so I don't think that they minded us invading too much. Brad, being the amazing man that he is, created a delicious lasagna that was ready to bake when we arrived, so we could eat it fresh out of the oven. Kris and Emily carried a scrumptious salad across the lawn with them, and we had a great time enjoying the meal together. (Even though I somehow butchered the bread. Honestly, it's the easiest thing, and it was destroyed by the time I was done with it.)

Brad showed off even more of his awesomeness with a special birthday cake that he baked and decorated all by himself! (Watch out, Ace of Cakes; you've got some serious competition!) You know you're getting old when a single package of candles doesn't contain enough for your birthday... We had to use the 24 candles in the box to actually write out the number 29 for Emily to blow out. *cough*old*cough*

As you can see, her wish should be coming true any time now. She successfully blew out all "29" candles with one big breath. We'll see how many flames she blows out next year. Jokes were made about how she'll stay 29 for years to come. This year, she is officially "29 and holding."

Happy Birthday, Em! Love you bunches!!

Continuous Twirls and Incoming Teeth

Have you ever seen anything cuter in your whole life?? Just look at those faces! This past weekend, Brad and I had the chance to join my dad in a visit with my brother's family, up in Illinois. I can't even begin to describe how much we've both missed our precious niece and nephew!

Rachel is 2-years-old, and she's definitely all girl. She absolutely loves all things princess. She would be completely content to live out the rest of her life in a princess dress. "Please, I can wear my priddy dress?? Please take a picture! Please, I can see it?" She twirled around and around (holding the dress with one hand, just like all the princesses do in the movies), saying "CHEEEEEEEESE!!!" the whole time for the pictures, and clearly loved being delighted in. That worked out just fine for me; I could have taken a million pictures of her little shining personality, and shown her every single one right afterward...

Clinton is already 8 months old! He's completely chunky, crawling all over the place, pulling himself up on everything, and even has a couple teeth peeking out of his grin! When he's happy, his whole face lights up. In general, he's pretty content to occupy himself, steal his sister's toys, and explore every inch of the room. (Unless he's sleepy, hungry, or poopy. Then he cries, screams, and screeches. Sheesh. He is such a baby!)

We had good intentions of carving pumpkins, so we girls headed out to gather some for the crew. Sadly, the regular pumpkin farm burned down, so a trip to the nearest pumpkin patch would have required quite a drive out of town. However, luckily, Walmart was busy price-matching, and they had some ginormous pumpkins on sale for $1.98 each! Can't argue with that deal! So we loaded up our cart (literally) with a giant pumpkin per person, and then a few additional small ones just for good measure.

Well, a regular 2-day weekend is just too short for a sufficient visit with the fam, and we didn't get the chance to actually carve our jack-o-lanterns before Brad and I had to head back to Tennessee. But don't fear! We definitely used the photo op to our advantage! Look at these two little darlings posing in our own pumpkin patch!

Of course, Brad, Chester, and I had to take advantage of the family photo as well. Duh.

It was such a blessing to get to spend some leisurely time with my dad, TJ, Jennie, and the kids. Usually, when we're together, it's for a reason, and whatever that reason is, it takes up all our time. But, this weekend, we were able to just hang out, visit, eat delicious Jennie-cooked meals, and love on the little ones. We're definitely going to have to make a point to plan more Just Because Visits. At the rate Clinton is growing, we'll need to go back next weekend to witness is first steps!

Complete Photo Album From The Weekend

Live Action

So, we played with the camera while we were at the bottom of the waterfall. I'm kind of embarrassed to show you this one, because I look like a dork. (I was posing for the picture I thought Brad was taking.) But, Brad's too weird to not share it.

And I apologize for the sideways view. Now we know...

This one is a good (sideways, again - sorry) video of the actual falls. With this one, you can really see how fast the water was coming down! As well as the wind and the mist that totally soaked us. Oh, also look at the weird, life-like foam that was gathering at the bottom. It was super cool. Hope you enjoy. :)