more from the fall garden

My zucchini may have died out too early in the summer, along with the tomatoes. And the squash. And almost everything else. But the zinnias? They have never failed me. Ever. And that is why I love them.

this is october

A slip 'n slide has taken up permanent residence on a still-green, still-growing lawn.

Next to it is a knee-deep mud hole just big enough for two silly girls.

Pumpkin pie? Oh no, but we have southern mud pie, decorated with green leaves and flower buds.

It is Autumn and the light is changing but the temperature has only dropped to "bearably hot".

These two are becoming the best of friends and it is beautiful to watch.

This is October in Florida.

here is the sea, great and wide

I've been given the huge blessing of being able share some photography with you in a new place, among new friends. I would love it if you would click over to Pick Your Portion and see the incredible color and beauty of Psalm 104 coming to life on this Florida coast. Take a walk on the beach with me, and know that our God is great.

"...Oh Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great..."
Psalm 104

two months

Donovan, you are two months old already?! Here's what we know about you, little man. You are 11.2 pounds and 23 inches. You like to be held and talked to. You do not like to be left alone. You sleep best in your swing during the day but you are starting to sleep like a champ in your bed all night. You are a really noisy eater. You don't cry unless you really mean it. You have an adorable smile. You have two sisters and one brother who are completely enamored by you. You create a lot of laundry. We're pretty sure those big eyes are going to stay blue. You are sweet and easygoing.
And we love watching you grow.

on a saturday afternoon

We take a drive to Fort Pickens National Seashore. It's cool enough to roll the windows down.

It's a gorgeous day on the shore, far away from laundry piles and unfinished schoolwork and sleepless nights.

We take in the view from the end of the island before finding a spot to play. It's Donovan's first day in the sand.

We run into friends from church, their daring girls catching jellyfish, carrying them around in buckets and bare hands.

Playing by these waters, we're all in a happy place. Life calms down.

Katie smiles in her vest, Tristan digs that hole, and fearless Kenna lets the waves pound her tiny frame.

I complain too much about Florida (the humidity, the bugs, the mold...) when really, this place is Good.

There is beauty here -smiles, friends to bump into on the beach, healthy kids splashing clear water.

The Creator of this great wide ocean reminds me that his grace brought me here.

We play till the sun sets in an expanse of oil painted sky and then we take our thankful little selves home.

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love..." Psalm 107:29-31