Finding My Time Niche for Fall | Meal Planning & Shopping List

Even though I love many things that come with the change of season, the back to school transition always means a change of schedule, and leaves me looking for ways to make the most of my time.  If you know me well you know that I love to organize.  Something about having everything in order just makes me feel at peace and way less stressed!  One helpful tool I found is this weekly shopping list idea from Becky Higgins (you can download a free template of it here).  While this template was just about perfect for me, I did a little tweaking and came up with this:

I like the idea of having the weeks meals and my shopping list all on one page, and when I need more room for my grocery list (like this week--and maybe every week) I just flip the sheet over and add to it.

A New School Year Begins

Summer is finally over!  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed spending my days with the kids, getting the chance to go on some great weekend outings and visit California on vacation, and our lazy summer routine.  But...there's just something I love about fall.  Getting settled back into our school routine and finding our niche timewise, enjoying warmer meals around the table, the changing colors of the trees, and knowing that the holidays are just around the corner.  I love it.  The kids started school this week...here are a few shots I got during the first few days back:

Project: Friends Album

I made this mini-album to highlight some of the close friendships that I've had, some since junior high, and some over the past few years.  Each page features a favorite photo and a few highlights about that friend. 

My Mind's Eye Blog Challenge #14 | Summertime

A few pics of the project I made for the My Mind's Eye blog challenge.  Entering these gives me a little creative fun in my spare time, and I thought this project would be cute to put in Katie's room when I'm done.

Sunday Evening in August

Sunday evening in August...we spent the evening at Stewart Park.  Picnic dinner, sand vollyball, the kids played in the sand while I relaxed and got the chance to catch up with some friends.  I love summer evenings like this and will miss the slow routine of summer when school starts back up.

A Few Thoughts on Friendship

Lately my heart has been very heavy about some close relationships that seem to just be left out in the desert. I've tried to understand it, I've tried to fix it...to no avail. Sometimes people close doors and you don't really understand why (even if you think you do). I think a lot of women can relate to how I feel at some point in their life. I am saddened because these relationships were precious to me.

Well I woke up this morning feeling such peace! I know that even though I feel alone, there is something that God wants to do in me during this time. I trust that God knows my desire to have friendships that are going to enrich my life...the kind of soul mate friends that will be there through all of the changes and seasons that I will inevitably encounter.  Perhaps He will bring new friendship into my life.  Or strengthen current relationships.  Or possibly even revive old friendships from the dead!  I know that anything is possible. 

God did not design us to be an island, to walk through life's journey alone.  He created us for relationship.  So I'm not going to lose heart....I know there is a purpose for why I feel like I am walking this part of my journey alone.  And I know that I am not alone!  I think there are secrets that God wants to reveal in my heart that maybe could not happen any other way, and that is something sweet to anticipate!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6