refreshing words {rejoicing always}.

the daily reading from "jesus calling" a few days back really spoke to me.  this fall is quite busy for us.  and as a mom, i'm always trying to savor the moments.  i don't want to get carried away with the hustle and bustle of life that i miss the now.  too busy to notice bella twirling about the living room in her tutu.  how emmy searches for her thumb when she's sad.  the chill in the air, promising change... the simplicity of a quiet house and the smell of bread baking.  how my heart feels full when i climb into bed at night and rest next to my husband.

these are all moments i want to savor.  lord, may i not be too busy to treasure each one.

"rejoice in me always!  no matter what is going on, you can rejoice in your relationship with me.  this is the secret of being content in all circumstances.  so many people dream of the day when they will finally be happy; when they are out of debt, when their children are out of trouble, when they have more leisure time, and so on.  while they daydream, their moments are trickling into the ground like precious balm spilling wastefully from overturned bottles.

fantasizing about future happiness will never bring fulfillment, because fantasy is unreality.  even though i am invisible, i am far more real than the world you see around you.  my reality is eternal and unchanging.  bring your moments to me, and i will fill them with vibrant joy.  now is the time to rejoice in my presence!"

(phillippians 4:4, 12; psalm 102:27)

help me, father, to rejoice in you for you are my constant in an ever-changing world.

*i talk about this devotional often... if you haven't picked up a copy, do so!  the refreshing take it gives on our relationship with jesus is life changing.

multitude monday.

478.  crisp september nights.
479.  walking in quaint coastal villages with my mom and the girls.
480.  carrying emmy in my wrap.  i love her hair tickling my nose and being able to kiss the top of her head a million times.
481.  tucking bella into bed at night, covers warm and smoothed all around her.
482.  apples&peanut butter.
483.  going to nick's football games.  love watching him coach.
484.  thick, wool socks on chilly days.
485.  being snuggled on the couch under big blankets.
486.  park mornings with my sister, jude and lucy.
487.  students faces that light up when i tell them a simple "hi".
488.  sister hugs.
489.  the way emmy watches bella... and how her big sis can already make her giggle more than anyone else.
490.  warm laundry.
491.  knowing in my heart just how proud of all of us my dad would be.

what's for breakfast this morning {homemade clean-eating granola}.

eating healthy can be a lot of work.  but it's totally worth it!  i'm trying to establish a new cooking/baking routine.  every week my goal is to make 1-2 loaves of bread, two different snacks for our family and a batch of homemade granola.  with taking classes, working part time and taking care of my family it's going to be a bit busy... good thing being in the kitchen is a stress relief for me!  last sunday i was on a roll and this granola was one of my projects.

i searched the internet for different recipes for clean eating granola, and in the end i came up with my own.  it was superrr easy and really yummy.  here is my recipe:

homemade clean-eating granola

* 3 cups old fashioned oats

* 1/2 c. raw almonds, chopped

* 1/2 c. raw walnuts, chopped

* 1/4 c. pumpkin seeds

* 1/4 c. ground flaxseed

* 3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

* 1/4 c. honey

* 1 t. vanilla

* 2 t. cinnamon

- combine everything in a large mixing bowl.

- pour evenly onto a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes, stirring every so often with a spatula so it won't burn.

there you have it.  really, granola is pretty foolproof.  at first taste, i thought i would need to add some extra honey or maple syrup next time since it didn't taste sweet enough.  but for breakfast with a little milk and sliced banana, it was super delish and plenty sweet from the added fruit!  aaaaaand even just a little scoop filled me up because of all the protein from the nuts.  even in a week's time of using little sugar, my taste has adjusted and now i snack on my granola by itself and am completely satisfied.  

stay tuned: i'm going to experiment with making a pumpkin spice granola for the fall.  i'll be sure to post once i make it :)

enjoy!

so long, sweet summer.

i'm finally resigning to the fact that summer is over (due to the fact that it's the middle of september already and i'm just now posting a recap).  

sighhhh.

our family certainly loves summertime.  we live in maine, so who wouldn't?  but also, nick teaches and i'm a school counselor: which means summers off.  double bonus.  life slows down a bit... or if it's busy, it's because we're having fun.  here's a picture-y run-down.

meeting princesses...

storyland, new hampshire

first trips to the beach...

gloucester, massachusetts

backyard fires...

time for smores!

beach bums...

bella and her friend, olivia

ice cream cones...

bella and her buddies, wyatt & sam

playing in the ocean...

sand beach, maine

family vacations...

santa's village, new hampshire

fun at the lake...

with dakota & olin at their camp on sebasticook lake

sweet family time...

at chuck e cheese in dallas, texas

with brian & leanne

with aunt jayne

with meme & aunt holly

cousin love...

bella&jude on a ride at storyland

lucy&emmy's first sleepover

all the cornwell cousins with nonni & papa

date nights...

date out with my man.

our favorite summer dates: on the front porch, or in the backyard by the fire.

 so long, sweet summer.  i will miss your sweet simplicity, days of sunshine and evenings of leisure.  until we meet again...

multitude monday.

465.  lazy sundays with my little family after a way-too-busy week.
466.  my sleeping girls.
467.  crystal knobs.
468.  the crispness in the air, and the promise of fall.
469.  the smell of a campfire.
470.  time with my bella.  and watching our favorite football coach do his thing.
471.  toasted homemade bread, butter melting on the top.
472.  watching emmy giggle at her reflection in the mirror.  or anything, reallly.  she's a happy little one.
473.  homemade granola filling a glass jar.
474.  time in my kitchen, making things to feed my precious ones.
475.  falling asleep snuggled up to my husband.
476.  hearing bella's sweet little voice sing "this is my father's world".  and how she prays for family members & friends, as well as prince charming and belle.  such a kind hearted one.
477.  my cute little students.  and how their faces light up even at a "hi".

what's for breakfast this morning {homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer}.

it's a chilly(er) day here in maine.  it's september and there's football on our television.

hey, fall.  welcome back.

i'm a huge fan of all things pumpkin but one of my all time favs?  pumpkin spice coffee.  i've had two already and it's not even "officially" fall.

i should also mention that i have been motivated to get our family eating more cleanly.  no white flour, very little to no white sugar (sorry, this recipe has a couple tablespoons!) and lots of fruits, veggies, lean protein and good grains.  i've been researching different recipes for a couple weeks now and today a clean-baking extravaganza took place in my kitchen.  this pumpkin spice creamer made it smell like heaven... in the fall.

seriously... this will be what gets me out of bed in the morning.  here's the recipe:

homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer

* 1 c. half&half (i used fat free, but you can use whatever you prefer)
* 1/2 c. pureed pumpkin
* 2 T. sugar
* 1 T. vanilla
* 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
* 1/2 t. cinnamon

- in a small saucepan, whisk half&half, pumpkin and sugar over low heat until warmed.
- remove from heat and add vanilla and spices.  cool, pour into a mason jar and store in the fridge.

how easy is that?  and once you have the ingredients on hand, you'll have enough to make this a few times.  i'm all for that.  next time, i'll be doubling the recipe.

so get in the fall spirit and whip up some of this yummy pumpkin goodness.  your coffee mug will thank you (and i'm pretty sure you'll thank yourself).

{original recipe source}

days like today.

my sweet girls,

i just wanted to tell you the days like these are my favorite.  we haven't done much all day, but we've been together.  in our pajamas.  just the three of us.

i've been working on laundry, and it's scattered in folded piles all over the living room.  i'm trying not to care.  i have much better uses of my time this morning: you.

 bella, you&i made chocolate chip cookies while emmy, you watched from your bouncer seat.  bel, the kitchen became a disaster fast because you wanted to do everything on your own.  flour went everywhere.  i have to bite my tongue often and remember that you having memories of cooking with me is far more important than the endless sprinkles of flour littering my once-clean kitchen.

and i always want to make memories.

one of my favorite things to do is turn music up loud and the three of us dance through the kitchen.  emmy, you're too little so i hold you.  and it's my *favorite*.  because i love how your chubby little cheeks feel pressed against mine.  i can't stop kissing them!  you laugh as we spin around and i shimmy you from side to side.  you are so happy; your smiles are contagious and you just ooze with such sweetness.

bella, you LOVE to dance.  and i love watching you.  you like dancing with your dolls; this morning you twirled belle all over the dining room.  as you spun in circles you said "mama!  you dancin with emmy, i dancin with belle!"  you are the cutest thing.  even though you tested out markers on our couch and the dining room table, threw fits all morning and wanted me to hold you every second.  i still love you and your sister more than life.  my heart literally feels like it will explode sometimes.

you girls and your daddy are the biggest blessings god has ever given to me.  you are some of the sweetest joys of my life; you fill my heart until its overflowing. i can't tell you how much i love being your mama.

days like today are the best.

love you with all my heart,
mama