The first day of Fall

Happy first day of Fall, y'all!

I LOVE Fall! The weather is balmy, with cool breezes starting to blow making it the perfect time to break out the hot cider, long sleeve shirts, and chunky sweaters. The apples are ripe, just begging to be made into warm apple pies and crisps. It's time to bake pumpkins to last all next year.  There's a different smell in the air and the leaves begin to change colors. And it isn't weird if we burn candles all day long ; ) Oh, yes, Fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons. 

However, my favorite part about fall is..........

MY BOOTS!!!! 

I just love wearing boots - and if it were not totally crazy I would probably wear them all year long.

However, I do try to exercise some degree of self control ; ) 

But today is the first day of fall so it definitely warrants wearing boots and long sleeves......and a hat........and is it still too warm to pull out my jacket????

So heres to enjoying Fall.....

What do y'all enjoy about Fall? -- leave a comment and let me know!

2 weeks at Cape Hatteras

Well I haven't made an appearance in blog world for a while and the cause was.......yeaup, a 2 week trip to Cap Hatteras, NC. This trip was quite a special trip because it was my first time ever traveling without my family! This trip also included my first full time nannying job, first time catching a fish, first root beer float & ice cream drumstick, first Brussel Sprouts & Quinoa and a lot of other "firsts". All in all it was a wonderful experience and tons of fun -- as well as work lol.  

I got to go with the Greene's and Castlebury's, 2 sweet families that I have grown to truly love and appreciate.  Trevor, Thelma, Seth & Charity have become like family and the little chillens are so sweet and fun. 

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Isabella and Daniel

Elizabeth

Baby Ivan :) 

Daniel, Ivan and Trevor

Trevor and Thelma at sunset

Seth and the kiddos

On Sunday afternoon Seth went Crab fishing and brought in quite a haul -- 43 crabs, to be exact. So After church he and Trevor joined forces in the kitchen and cooked up....

... delicious Crab legs!!! 

They were AMAZING!!!!

During our stay we also got to visit the Hatteras Lighthouse which is the tallest lighthouse in North America and the tallest brick lighthouse in the world.  We climbed 257 stairs to the top and it was quite an adventure, but the view from the top was truly breathtaking.  My only suggestion is, if you are claustrophobic then do not attempt climbing a lighthouse -- I know from experience lol.

Measuring to enter the lighthouse

Yours truly

Thelma and Isabella

My first fish!

Bonfire on the beach

Thelma, Trevor, Ivan and Collin

And because I have missed the last 3 Monday's for my musical post ( and because it seems fitting to share this song with a beach post) here is a fun piano guys piece for y'all to enjoy. 

Title: Over the rainbow/Simple gifts

Genre: Popular Instrumental

Performed by: The Piano Guys

Musical Monday

Hope y'all had a blessed Sunday folks! Thought I would share a pretty instrumental piece that Havi and I happened to hear on Pandora. We enjoy "attempting" to play it ourselves ; ) Hope you like it!

Title: Passacaglia

Composer/Writers: Secret Garden

Genre: Classical Instrumental

Performed by: Secret Garden

Musical Monday

At the beginning of July "Alone, yet not Alone" finally came out on DVD.  We had been anxiously awaiting for it and were excited to finally see it (it was a great movie, by the way).  Well, we all loved the theme song- "Alone, yet not Alone" so I decided to share it.  Remember we are never alone - God is always with us. 

Title: Alone, yet not Alone

Composer/Writer: Bruce Broughton and Dennis Spiegel

Genre: Hymn

Performed by: Joni Eareckson Tada

Alone, yet not Alone

Alone, yet not alone

God's the light that will guide me home.

With His love and tenderness,

Leading through the wilderness.

And wherever I may roam,

I'm alone, yet not alone.

I will not be bent in fear, 

He's the refuge I know is near.

In His strength I find my own.

By His faithfulness He's shown,

That so mighty is His shield,

All His love is now revealed.

When my steps are lost,

And desperate for a guide, 

I can feel His touch,

A soothing presence by my side.

Alone, yet not alone,

Not forsaken when on my own.

I can earn upon His arm,

And be lifted up from harm.

If I stumble, or if I'm thrown,

I'm alone, yet not alone.

When my steps are lost,

And desperate for a guide,

I can feel His touch,

A Soothing presence by my side.

By my side!

He has armed me with His love,

Watchful angels look from above.

Every evil can be braved,

For I know I will be saved.

Never frightened on my own,

I'm alone, yet not alone.

I'm alone, yet not alone.

Musical Monday

I recently learned this song while Camilo and Jess were over at our house (we usually take advantage any time they are here - I LOVE their voices)  and I have learned to love it.  The words are so sweet and true.  Hope you enjoy it today.

Title: Jesus, Thank You

Composer/Writer: Pat Sczebel

Genre: Hymn

Performed by: Galkin Evangelistic Team

Jesus, Thank You

Verse 1:

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend

The agonies of Calvary

You the perfect Holy One, Crushed Your Son

Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Chorus:

Your blood has washed away my sin

Jesus, thank You

The Fathers wrath completely satisfied

Jesus, thank You

Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table

Jesus, thank You

Verse 2: 

By Your perfect sacrifice I've been brought near

Your enemy You've made Your friend

Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace

Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Chorus

Bridge:

Lover of my soul

I want to live for You

Musical Monday

Hope you enjoy this song and are encouraged to Consider Him this day. 

Title: Consider Him

Composers/Writers: Andy Gleiser and Rebekah Snyder

Genre: Hymn

Performed by: Galkin Evangelistic Team

Consider Him

He left His throne to wear a crown of shame;

Forsaken Son when He our sin became.

In blackest night, He faced His death alone.

In brightest day, He rose and claimed His throne.

Refrain:

Consider Him who chose a lonely cross.

Consider Him and marvel at His loss.

Despising shame, Christ suffered in your place.

Consider Him, sufficient is His grace.

stanza 2

Though in the race of faith you seek relief,

Reset your gaze on Him who knows your grief.

Rejected by the ones He came to save,

Without complaint, His sacred life He gave.

stanza 3

All those who long to be like Jesus Christ

Must now partake in His self-sacrifice.

Take up your cross, endure the struggle now.

In time you’ll learn the cross leads to the crown.

Family Blessings

My family and I have been attending Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Simpsonville for about a year or so now.   I'll admit that I wasn't a happy camper to begin with....after being at Iglesia Bautista de la Fe all my life I really didn't want to leave.  But God knows best and I just have to share with y'all what a blessing it has been for me and how much I have grown spiritually through the teaching we are receiving.  Not only have I been encouraged-- and stretched-- spiritually but I've also been able to see first hand God's work in my family.  My sweet brother, David, came to a personal, saving knowledge of God a couple months ago and was baptized a few weeks ago and became a member of the church 2 weeks ago!  It has been such a blessing to see God working in his life and see him striving to live a life to glorify His Lord and Savior.  

Love you, kiddo! Can't wait to see how God continues to mold and use you!!!