Fabulous Fall Friday

Fabulous Fall Afternoon Backyard Therapy. 

🍁🍂🌾

Saturday

We sure enjoyed spending the week with these cuties. 

Last to leave.

Friday

Ready for our dinner date. 

Happy Birthday to our guys. 

Tadd's is tomorrow and Jay's 50th 

(the reason we've been at the beach) 

is in 2 weeks.  

💙🎉💙

Wednesday

Morning cartoons with Papa

Perfect evening for a swim. 

Heading downstairs after evening baths. 🛀🏻

Tuesday

Morning mischief

A shrimp boat passed by close enough this afternoon that we could tell it was blue!  It was a lot closer than this looks. We could see all of the birds resting on the rigging while waiting for their late lunch, too. 

Today's Treat

This water baby enjoyed this so much!

Heading out for supper under gorgeous skies.

We at at Lucky Rooster.

My sweet girl drew her and me

on the back of her menu.

See my crutches?  

Winding down with story time. (from a real book this time 😉)

.           *               .

Monday Moments

Sunrise Sentries

Drip Sandcastle Lessons

(Just like Grandma used to make)

Big Boys' Rest Time

Lifeguards

The pool was steps away from the back door

and was heated.  It was sooooo nice!

Matching Cuties

(Waiting to be seated for supper at Hickory Tavern)

My sister-in-law took this one of 

her sweet kiddos and me.  

I was so touched by her caption:

"I'm not sure if there is a more adored aunt in all the land. 💜"

And I do *so* love our little ones.

.             *             .

Sunday in Paradise

The view from the common living area.

(This house was gorgeous!)

Lap full o' Love

(When only Daddy will do 😉)

Seeking words. 

(It melted my heart so that my sweet girlie

wanted to sit by me each time we had dinner out)

Supper Sidekicks 

Oh, and see her mac and cheese from Poseidon?

She didn't care for it

but boy-oh-boy we adults did.

(Scarfed it right down, too!)

One cutie down for the count.

(Her mama requested this photo as this little one

is very much her Daddy's girl).

.                *                 .

And.... We're Off!!

Headed for Hilton Head Island, SC

with the fam.

Just like they did for my sweet Tadd, 

his parents' are treating the family to a week at the beach

in honor of his brother's 50th birthday.

We made it!

This is looking back out our house

for the week, the one on the left.

14 Collier Beach Road

Ahhhhhh....

.           *              .

SaveSave

Breathe September :: Quiet

Quiet Confidants

(Because, when I remember, 

I tell them what's on my heart 

and mind as I pass by 

and,

as they have for years, 

they just quietly 

stand, 

receive 

and hold space.) 

💕

#breatheseptember2016

.            *               .

Breathe September :: Beauty

Earlier this week I found a delightful surprise waiting on my desk at work. 

Seeing li'l Beauty's sweet angel face brought a warm, affectionate smile 

and I knew in a heartbeat that she was left there by my very favorite partner. 

Blessed be. 

💕

#breatheseptember2016

.              *               .

Breathe September :: Love & Relax

Looking forward to spending some time relaxing with my new book 

and learning more about my Loves 

(and faithful, steady guardians).    

I ❤️🌳

#breatheseptember2016

.            *               .

Breathe September :: Drink

Being out of milk this morning it was ice water in my happy Elmo cup. Both the refreshing 

liquid and offer of a big bear hug quenched my thirst on this warm, late Summer's day.

#breatheseptember2016

.             *              .

Breathe September :: Nature

Soft Saturday Salutations 

#breatheseptember2016

.           *              .

Breathe September :: Celebrate

Finished this brutiful (<- her word for those beautiful and brutal moments in our lives) 

memoir earlier this evening and was so deeply touched by her story. There aren't many pages 

that don't have something underlined on them!

Tonight I honor and celebrate Glennon's vulnerability, honesty, and most of all her courage as 

she shares her raw and valiant journey home to herself and those she loves. ❤️

And looking forward to "The Wisdom of Story" starting next week taught by Brene Brown 

and Glennon. 

#breatheseptember2016 

#lovewarrior 

#glennondoylemelton (<- thank you! ❤️)

.              *              .

Breathe September :: Still [Life]

Ever since our only woman partner took over as managing partner, we have fresh flowers 

in the front office every week which has been such a treat.

And even though they are still, this week's bouquet of fresh fall-feeling flowers are full of 

life, laughter, and loveliness. 

🌼

#breatheseptember2016

.            *              .

Breathe September :: Nourish

As I often do, I pulled over close and since no one was behind me this morning, I stopped 

for just a moment to rest under the sheltering wings of my beloved 4 Sisters.

Smiling fondly because while I believe they bless me each and every time I pass under 

their branches, I think we all take pleasure when I pause and allow them to nourish me 

with their steady, ever-faithful presence.

Blessed be. 

💚

When I shared this photo and my thoughts over on Instagram, a friend left me the most

wonderful comment:

"There's a great book called Yearning for the Wind 

that suggests that as much as we long for Nature, 

Nature also longs for us. 

They know you're there."

❤️

🌳🌳🌳🌳

Yes.

#breatheseptember2016

.              *               .

Breathe September :: Comfort

. . . is taking a moment to intentionally soothe my soul. 

Before getting into my car to leave for work this afternoon, 

I walked around so I could stop and admire our peaceful back yard, 

smile at my porch swing, 

bask in the gentle, less-direct September sunshine 

and b-r-e-a-t-h-e. 

#breatheseptember2016

.            *           .

Breathe September :: Surroundings

Surround[ed] by love

and giggles. 

😊

Time spent playing with my sweet littles 

is always pure delight for this auntie. 

💕

#breatheseptember2016

.               *                    .

I stand with Love, too . . . ❤️

My Commitment

I so love what Mister Rogers' mother would say to her dear son during 

scary times: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are 

helping.”  

This movement feels like a tangible, powerful way to be a helper and so 

I, too, raise my hand with my fingers curved into a love sign, to say NO 

to hate and YES to love. I pledge to Stand With Love.

#WeStandWithLove

.            *              .

Breathe September :: Listen

Six of the songs on my "Be Still, Deb" playlist have my word for this year, Abide, in the title. 

Each one has become a gentle anchor quietly reminding me to take a breath and intentionally 

choose where (in Grace) and how (in Mercy, Hope, and Peace) I Abide.

I love and am touched by each one. 

❤️

Smiling because as I was typing this the one by Sam Cox was on and I found myself leaning 

back with my eyes closed and singing.

I've listened to them so many times that they're in my bones. 

❤️

(And that's a very good thing.)

#breatheseptember2016

.             *               .

Breathe September :: Fun

What a delightful surprise to find a package tucked inside our mailbox this week!  

And how fun to have a new favorite mug, too. 

😉🐠💙

#breatheseptember2016

.             *               .

Breathe September :: Weather

Twin Dogwood sisters weathering 

the last of the outermost bands of rain 

courtesy of Hurricane Hermine. 

Wishing all in her path comfort, safety, and peace.

#breatheseptember2016 

.             *             .