insta-september

insta-september

I love these small moments that are only a small fraction of the wonderful moments we have but that are lucky enough to be captured. Each post is an expression of gratitude for the life and goodness that we have. 

{9.2.19}

We've started work to finish our basement and David's Dad has been down here 3 of the last 8 days teaching us and helping us do it. We've framed out the storage room, stair landing, utility room and half of the main room. Cal is so knowledgeable, kind, and funny. He's patient with our mistakes and willing to spend lots of time talking through things to make sure we understand. David's brother @brucepeaden has been coming down, too, and he's been so helpful! It's been exciting to start work on our basement but even more fun to spend such a extended amount of time with Cal (and Bruce). I'm so grateful for a father-in-law who is so generous with his time, resources, and love.

{9.2.19}

Sue has been tagging along while Cal has been helping us with our basement and it's been so wonderful. She sits upstairs and snuggles the baby which allows me to be able to go down and work, too. I'm grateful for her. She doesn't judge my "lived in" (read: messy) house, she shows me incredible love, and she's a wonderful Grandma. I'm grateful that she feels comfortable and welcome in our home.

{9.8.19}

Utah weather is actually my favorite. Today started out rainy and windy, then it was warm and sunny, then a micro burst brought hail and pounding rain, and we ended with a calm blue sky. You get all the best kind of weather packed into a single day. (I must be a kid at heart because I loved it as much as my kids.)

{9.9.19}

Sunshine + new books from our Library haul= the best Monday morning.

{9.9.19}

My brain is full of words, but I can't figure out a way to articulate everything bouncing around in my head. So here are some bullet points to hopefully ease the jumble in my mind:

-It's my birthday week! 🥳 I ate a donut that David bought for me and read books with my kids in the sunshine. My new favorite way to start off a birthday week. -Out of pure desperation we moved Caleb into Lydia and Austins room 3 days before Lucy was born. It helped for a while, but bedtime just isn't working great for anyone. It's a problem and I'm not sure how to fix it. -Lucy has a visit with an ophthalmologist tomorrow to hopefully figure out some visual issues she's having and I'm nervous but also feeling really peaceful about it. .

The end.

{9.13.19}

Thank you to everyone for the kind words and prayers after my last post mentioning Lucy's opthalmologist appointment. Lucy was diagnosed with some potentially severe visual conditions but the doctor wasn't sure where she will fall in the range. We go back in three months because at six months they will better be able to tell what the rest of her life will be like. So friends, we are praying for a miracle- that her eyesight will improve and her eyes will strengthen over the next three months so that when we go back in December she will be at a place that will minimize the impact that her conditions will have on her life. I believe in the power of a group of people praying for the same thing, and if you would join us in praying for her, we would appreciate each and every plea on her behalf. We have been filled with great peace and confidence. Moving forward we are determined to do so faithfully and with joy. We love our Lucy Holland and are grateful for such a wonderful support system of loving people in her life.

{9.18.19}

Sometimes I go back and read through my Instagram posts and just cry because of how grateful I am to have captured such small, wonderful moments. 😭 David and I have a blog where we keep most of our pictures and we write about them, but usually after the fact (as in, I'm trying to catch up on July right now- yikes 😬) But Instagram has been a way for me to capture tiny moments, things that don't really need a full blog post- but that I want to document anyway. I keep my circle pretty small here- an amazing little space full of people that I love- but I mostly post for myself. This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions. But through it all I have felt this overwhelming peace from heaven. In addition, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support and love shown by you, my friends and family. After learning of Lucy's vision conditions, we took a few days to process but we have settled back into normalcy and are determined more than ever to create a home of love and faith. It feels a little funny to start posting about normal things again, but those normal things have brought a lot of comfort and I'm just grateful for this life I'm living no matter what happens. (Still praying for our little Lucy-Lou that her eyes will get stronger, but feeling confident that no matter what everything will be okay.) Thank you for being there for me and showing us so much love and support. ♥️

{9.20.19}

That one week when you take your homeschool on the road, hop in a car and head to California! Science with Grandpa Walker and Uncle Matthew, Art with Aunt Brooklyn, PE at the beach. The best homeschool week ever. Thank you M&B for being so great and letting us come visit. We love you so much.

{9.20.19}

The real reason for our trip. ♥️😍♥️ Baby Juniper, we love you SOOO much! I'm so glad we got to hold you and go with you on a few of your first adventures. You are just a tiny baby, but you have a huge place in our hearts! You probably already know, but your parents are amazing and you are so lucky to have them.

{9.23.19}

You guys. This Austin-boy of ours turned five! He loves the Magic Treehouse books, playing card games, and snuggling with his baby sister. His actual birthday was a bit of a rough day: picture me basically giving up in the middle of the day and strapping the kids in the car to go ... somewhere... simply because we needed to get out of our house. Then leaving the boys strapped in while they watched a movie in our garage and I did some life-catch-up in the front seat. He requested to go to the swimming pool instead of having a friend party and that was a great end to our day. More than anything I hope that this boy knows how much we love him and how grateful we are that he is in our family.