Fall is here!

Yesterday I pulled out warmer blankets for the kiddies. I know its getting colder at night since Timothy has switched from sleeping in his undies to real PJs. I got out my flannel PJs last night and they were deliciously comfy. The morning air is definitely cold and crisp. I see kids in hats at the bus stop and runners wearing gloves. The trees are beginning to change and I suspect upper Michigan is likely experiencing wonderful colors. Some people don't like fall because its the end of the "summer fun" and the end of gardens and the trees grow bear. But I just love fall. Yep...its a sign of the cold winter just around the corner but I love all the fall treats and the colors and the cool change in the air. It's definitely my favorite season. I enjoy seeing the sprinkling of leaves against the green grass. Enjoy it! It will go fast!!

Survive or Thrive?

This past weekend I attended the Ladies' Retreat at Bair Lake Bible Camp. Its a frequent fall highlight for me. The atmosphere is great and there is often excellent teaching and opportunity to be quite and listen to what God is speaking to me. There are great activities and the guys that cook do an amazing job at feeding us! I really enjoy the brief respite to just be Heather and not mom or wife or other roles....although I am often still sister and daughter (or even auntie) while I am on retreat.
This year was lovely. I enjoyed the sharing, worship time and opportunity to take a nap! I didn't do much as far as activities, I did make a candle and took a walk with my sister and some friend and watched other gals on the "stand" activity. I had a quiet run Sunday morning...that is until some strange dogs ran at me, but I saw 6 deer while I was out running. I am sure I gained at least 2 pounds but saw no reason to verify that fact and will surely burn it off with the 11 miler on my schedule this week. I enjoyed the ride out and back gabbing with my sister. I relished God's creation. The home-made donuts at the campfire on Saturday evening were AWESOME! Its just nice to be at camp.
So what did I learn this year? Honestly, the thing I was touched by most was when the speaker encouraged us to thrive in challenging situations rather than just cope, or survive. I thought about my own life in relation. What have I done in the past 6 years since my greatest challenge became a part of my life? Of course I am referring to the arrival of Sarah. Having a special needs child has without a doubt been the most difficult thing in my life thus far. There is no way to fully share the enormity of the impact that has on one's life and so I won't try. Those who are close to me see a glimpse of it and know its a challenge but in all honestly seeing what we deal with doesn't come close to actually living it hour by hour, day by day, week by week......
But honestly, what have I done in the midst of this challenge? I am surviving. I am coping. And I am doing those things well. But am I thriving? Am I growing? Certainly I do not think growth has been absent from my life since Sarah's arrival but I don't think I've really embraced my daughter as a gift FOR my growth. Instead I've kind of looked her as a challenge God's placed in my life that I would grow from. I think it is different, although it sounds very much the same. So I guess the point of it is I am changing my attitude and eager to see how I can thrive in the midst of the challenges God's placed in my life. Survival just isn't enough.....

Apple Pie

Sarah and I visited the Farmer's Market in Northville today. It was a perfect fall day for it and the market was packed with people and fall delights. There were pumpkins, corn stalks, mums, baked good and handcrafts. There was fresh corn and other veggies and of course...MICHIGAN APPLES! So Sarah and I bought enough apples to make a pie for $2.00 and walked back to our car. This afternoon I made a pie for the family and Sarah watched (some of the time). The end result was splendid....here is the experience in pictures.





THE recipe!.................... the apples.................... Making the crust

more of the crust......... ice water absolutely essential!..... TA DA! Ready to roll

bottom crust.......... in the pan.......

A is for apple pie............... something special for the top.......... ready to bake

The finished product!!!

Ideas

When I run....thoughts flow. Its amazing all the things you can think through in 3, 5, 7, 8 or more miles. I've said before you just can't run 10 miles and still have much to think about it. You've thought it all through on the run. At least that's the way it works for me. Maybe that's one of the appeals of running for me. I come home from running very much at peace with whatever turmoil is present in my life at the moment. Not all problems are solved on runs but many times they subside for a bit. Anyway...I digress....the thoughts flow...during the height of my Facebook addiction I would often think in status updates...scary. But other thoughts flow. Sometimes I use my runs as prayer time, sometimes I just let thoughts flow as they come....today I thought about a book. I have an idea for a book. There are some limitations to following through on that thought process...is it substantial enough? would there be interest? do I really have that in me???

Sad News

Please pray for my friend Jane today. She lost her 2 year old daughter, Jill, this morning. Jill had Mowat-Wilson Snydrome like our Sarah. I have been privileged to "know" Jane via our online support group and she has been a great encouragement to me as a special needs parent. Many of her own struggles have been much greater than mine as Jill but blind and deaf as well as suffering from MWS. In addition Jill's seizure disorder was quite severe. The loss has hit the group quite hard and I cannot even imagine her family much more so.