Long over due praises...

A weekend with my Mom. Even in the chaos it's so nice to just be there with her.

Spending even a short time with Ryan, Carly, Jeff, Stacey, and the girls...seems like it's never enough time!

Knowing I have great people here in Illinois. Let's just say if it wasn't for them I'd be on my way back to Ohio about now. Although I've been gone 4 1/2 years and I do love it where we are now that feeling of homesickness hasn't been so strong in a long time. If I could just get my whole family to come to Illinois... (think about it people, there is plenty of room in this state!)

Coming home to my husband. I'm so grateful to know he's here waiting.

The laughter my little people bring even in the midst of chaos.

Teenage babysitters who let Mike and I go out after a good two months of no alone time...a true blessing!

Grown up time with Mike. We need to do it a lot more! Too bad my family is all so far away (cough, cough) and my for a fee sitters all have such busy schedules!

Coming home to a quiet house with both boys sleeping in their own beds at 9 pm. Lets just say this is a feat most babysitters have not been able to attain in the past several months. Tonight's babysitter, as Mike says, "deserves a cookie!".

Kids who are great travelers.

Veggie tales DVDs.

Visiting a Babies R Us. There is such joy there! If you have one close to you, go in and spend a few minutes stroking soft baby things every so often for me! The closest one to us is over an hour away and even though my babies are getting bigger I totally miss it!

Beautiful fall weather for traveling. If only I could have taken pictures while driving... Breathe easy, I totally put my camera out of reach so that I would not be tempted. This is the perfect time of year for picture taking (take note of this those of you who have asked me to do something along this line, find me a date, I'm ready to play!)

Seeing my old church start to come alive again.

Feeling hope where I this summer only felt darkness.

Memories of moments past.