Blessings from the week vol 11

A quick list this week!  Are you counting your blessings?  Share them in the comments!

1.  Abundance

I made a decision at the beginning of October to clean out the pantry and freezers as much as we could.  The 80 pounds of chicken coming in November was the main motivation.  That and the fact that I think we could live off the food in our house for several months.  It was past time for some cleaning out.

2.  Second Opinions

This week I saw a second orthopedic doctor for my bum hip.  While I didn’t like what he had to say, I am so thankful that God led us to seek another opinion and that we were able to get in so quickly.  

3.  Tomatoes

I admit that this is a struggle to be thankful for today.  My plants are still producing and I’m so done with harvesting.  But I know I will be glad I have them stored this winter and into the spring.  Taco soup, beef stew, swiss steak, chili, etc are all in our future.

4.  Growth

Yesterday I took Megan to practice parallel parking.  She nailed it.  It amazes me daily how our kids grow and master skills that make them more independent. 

From crawling, to walking, to reading, to driving.  It makes me scared and excited all at the same time.

5.  Candles

My girls have been scenting our house lately by burning candles.  It changes the atmosphere of the whole house.  It's good since we've had our windows shut more since it so cool out.

6.  Progress & flexibility

Despite being gone a bunch for doctor appointments this week, the home school work has gone on.  Slow steady progress is good since we are looking at taking a longer Christmas break than I planned for in August.  

7.  Season change

Everything is shifting from the rapid growth and harvest of spring & summer.  I can feel the sunshine starting to fade and that causes me to feel my yearly “Autumn Anxiety.” 

8.  Dairy Free & Gluten Free foods

We’ve shifted our eating since Elizabeth is home and has different diet needs from the rest of the family.  We’ve tried some new and interesting recipes the past two weeks.  She misses cheese so we’ve tried some alternatives that while weird are not all bad.

9.  Pain Meds

Between the bum hip and Elizabeth's Fibromyalgia pain, we definitely are thankful for pain medicine. 

10.  Anticipation

Michael, Rebekah and Cecily are coming to visit tonight.  We just can’t get enough of seeing them. I’m glad they only live 2 hours away.  Also there are more BIG things coming in the near future.  I’m trying to anticipate them and not dread them.

After I finished this list, I realized that many of theses things are HARD to be joy-filled about.  Many of them are actually complaints but by looking for blessings in life I saw many them in a joyful way.  

Funny how that works.  What are you thankful for this week?

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10 ways to deal with autumn anxiety

I’m on edge lately.  Even when things are going well, I feel a little off.

Recently I was trying to figure out why I was irritated and out of sorts.  Nothing had changed with the general messiness of the house(working on that)  Our schedule is still crazy and I’m feeling overwhelmed but we are dealing with it. 

This morning when I got up I had to slip on my sweats so I wouldn’t be too cold.  I pick up my jacket each time I head out the door.  Our yard has fallen leaves on top of the browning grass.  Our 2015 garden is finished and I need to put it to bed soon.  Steve mentioned closing down the pool this week before it gets too cold. These are all proof that fall has arrived.

Autumn Anxiety is Real

Daily until December 21st, the days will continually get shorter and the nights longer.  I looked back at my journal and realized I always feel this way this time of the year. 

After some searching on-line, I found that I’m not the only person who experiences Autumn Anxiety.  My symptoms increase as the sunshine decreases.

As I researched and read more, it was encouraging to find that others deal with this issue and that there are actions I can do to help myself.

How I deal with Autumn Anxiety

1. Tell my family how I’m feeling & not let it come across as anger or depression
2. Getting enough sleep
3. Delegate so we keep up with cleaning tasks
4. Remind myself that being a mom is enough
5. Having security blankets--cozy hoodies, comfortable chair, time in the sunshine
6. Blocking out time so I feel less aimless—school, blogging, cleaning, cooking, errands
7. Crockpot Meals--seriously reduce my anxiety each day
8. Menu planning--again a way to reduce stress and anxiety each day--free printable available!
9. Tracking my goals & using a to-do list to see what is getting accomplished.
10. Get outside and enjoy the limited sunshine EVERY day!

I like autumn.  Really.  Beautiful leaves, pumpkins, cozy clothes and all.

But I admit, I miss spring and summer and long for them to return and bring the energizing sunshine.

Is this something that you experience as well? 

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Linking to Fellowship Friday

Blessings from the week vol 10

Life is good even when you are having a yucky day.  That is how I started today.  But I started looking at my pictures from this week and was reminded of how blessed I am.  Truly.  Count it all joy!

1.  Friends for life

We had company over the weekend.  It was a blast to see them and have house guests. 

2. Peanut butter cups

In between the visiting I was able put 10 foods in the freezer to prep for "those" busy crazy days. 

• Chicken & beef precooked
• Egg cups
• Muffins
• No bake cookies
• PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

I LOVE peanut butter cups. 

Seriously my favorite snack and dessert. 

No sugar involved, just creamy peanut goodness!

3.  Baby snuggles & road trips

I couldn't stand it any more!  Three weeks had passed since we saw my grand daughter.  So we headed to St. Louis for a quick visit.  It was quick but we still had a blast babysitting for Michael while they went to their small group.  Cecily is just starting to laugh and it was precious to see her

4.  Fall Color

It's like liquid gold.  Not all the trees are turning at once here.  I'm catching photos here and there all over town.  I'm enjoying it this year.  I can see it so much more clearly than last year!

What is blessing you this week?  I'd love to hear!  Comment on this post or over at the Day to Day Adventures Facebook page!  Have a great weekend!