And so on and so forth and what have you...

Not being a fan of whining or rushing time, this is a bit hard for me to write...although I'm not so sure this is whining. But I am done with October. Give me some Halloween chocolate and let's move to November. This has not been the best of times at our house(nor has it been the worst). When a friend of mine posted this picture of Cruella a few weeks ago, I laughed. It is funny, but then the laugh also turned into a pit in my stomach, because how many of us can relate? 

Raise your hands. You know you want to.

This October we have repaired a major appliance and replaced our hot water heater. But what tore at my momma heart most was having an unexpected health issue with our middle kiddo, which ended up with surgery and now a lot of follow up tests and appointments. She IS the social butterfly of the family, but didn't even care if she saw anyone while she was home for two entire weeks. God bless the girl as she's making up two weeks of high school assignments.  

And now Chad has been so kind to invite the flu to our house and his immune system that hates him is being kinda lazy in helping him get over it. For real, he kinda looks like that pic of Cruella, 

bless his heart.

And for the love, anyone who is currently raising or has raised teenagers knows that even the best of kids can be...um...challenging at times. Why did they have to pull that out this October? Have they not learned life is easier for everyone if you just say "yes, mommy" and comply? That worked when y'all were toddlers and preschoolers. We could try that again. But no, I have to let them grow up and make decisions on their own, within boundaries. 

Add in moodiness and messy rooms...and I may just give that eye roll back to them sometime soon.

Now I do know blessings abound. I mean, Blue Bell brought back Christmas cookies ice cream and it's already in our freezer! And we do have incredible kids. But man, it is so easy to allow all of these other things to leave me feeling overwhelmed. Then as the day winds down and I am feeling wrung out, weary and tired, God sends that amazing autumn Texas sunset. That comforting blanket of orange comes and settles in. Like God's grace...if we allow it...will come in and comfort. As big as my self-made list of my own deficiencies grows, I'm reminded that He is sovereign, 

He made me, and I am His.

I've got to take up all of this stuff...health issues, house issues, inadequate mom issues, and so on and so forth and what have you (thank you, Sue Heck), and lay it at His feet every single day.

But really, peace out, October. See you next year.

"Just remember God is a blessing - now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, 

from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!" - Psalm 113