31 Days to Crazy Joy Finale

Need a little pick-me-up to kick off your weekend?

To start things off, how about some sweet pictures of the Bird?

Hanging out on the trampoline with Dad...

It's not exactly active play but it sure is a good place for some snuggles.

Made some of these cute little jack-o-lantern oranges for Lily's teachers and aides.

Ready for trick-or-treaters.

Halloween is hard work!

Lily was wiped out - in bed by 7PM, and asleep by 7:05 PM.

Next, an article that will make more than your weekend.  Chy Johnson and "Her Boys" by Rick Reilly will make you smile, restore your faith in our teenagers, and serve as a gentle reminder of everything we hope for ALL our children.

And lastly, did you think I wouldn't finish my 31 Days to Crazy Joy?  Especially since I didn't do any posting this week??

Well.  Boom. Bam.  Here it is.  All 31 Days.  Read 'em and see for some joy yourself, ok?  And by all means, share that joy with me!

31 Days to Crazy Joy

October 1

1.  My laughing Lily Bird

2.  My new red loafers

3.  A great day at school for Lily

October 2

4.  Pumpkins

5.  A walk around Town Lake in the evening

6.  Overhearing my big girls laughing together while Face-Timing

October 3

7.  cozy naps

8.  Reagan's good idea turning into an exciting new project

9.  peas and cornbread

October 4

10.  homemade applesauce

11.  a new season of Sherlock on Netflix
12.  almost daily text photos of Ryley's "outfit of the day" for LU classes

October 5

13.  libraries full of free books

14.  booking Ryley's ticket home for Thanksgiving

15.  starting the Christmas planning lists

October 6

16.  hot chocolate with LOTS of marshmallows

17.  watching Ryan and Lily wrestling and hearing her girly squeals of delight

18.  a cute new purse - purchased by my mom

October 7

19.  boots

20.  after missing two weeks, getting to go to church

21.  rocking newborns in the church nursery

October 8

22.  a daughter who knits

23.  a helpful husband

24.  pajama days

October 9

25.  Parenthood - best show on TV

26. effective medication

27.  cooler temperatures

October 10

28.  Sonic ice

29.  watermelon - the Bird's current favorite treat

30.  mailing my first care package to Ryley

October 11

31.  the discovery of Duck Dynasty - and a brand new season just started!

32.  my monthly MOSK group - Mothers of Special (Needs) Kids

33.  new Christmas stockings for the whole family, handmade by Reagan

October 12

32.  a weekly delivery of free eggs from a sweet friend

33.  my crock-pot

34.  a beautiful front porch decorated for fall

October 13

35.  homemade spice tea

36.  organic honeycrisp apples

37.  The Pioneer Woman's French Breakfast Puffs

October 14

38.  hearing the words "Lily is rocking it today!"

39.  sweet buddies who volunteer to hang with Lily on Sunday mornings

40.  handing Lily a treat and hearing what sounds like "thank you" in her sweet voice

October 15

41.  gathering with my fellow pastors' wives to just relax 

42.  getting together with new friends and discovering what you have in common

43.  iPic movie theater - WOW!

October 16

44.  an amazing time of prayer for Lily with pastors from all over Austin

45.  the opportunity to teach One Thousand Gifts at a Ladies Retreat

46.  wearing a sweatshirt outside for the first time this year

October 17

47.  pulling something delicious from the freezer when I don't feel like cooking

48.  getting coupons to Barnes & Noble in my email inbox

49.  overnight oatmeal in the crockpot

October 18

50.  Discovering a new author

51.  Putting Reagan on an airplane for a "sister reunion"

52.  Seeing this on Facebook a few hours later:

        

October 19

53.  an unexpected date night due to the generosity of a sweet friend

54.  catching up with friends

55.  great  news from Lily's California doctor (more on this later)

October 20

56.  a good ARD meeting

57.  teachers who care about Lily and want to see her succeed

58.  a neighborhood wagon ride

October 21

59.  sleeping on freshly washed sheets

60.  Lily looking at storybooks

61.  seeing pictures of my big girls having a blast together in Virginia

October 22

62.  cousins

63.  Ann Voskamp's blog - A Holy Experience

64.  tweets that make me laugh out loud

October 23

65.  peppermint mochas from McDonald's

66.  answered prayers

67.  a new way of looking at a verse of Scripture I've known my whole life    

October 24

68.  getting comments on my blog posts  

69.  cheering for Lily Bird

70.  Skype conversations with Ryley

October 25

71. hearing Ann Voskamp's sweet voice introducing her 1000 Gifts DVD study - and inviting me to the farm!

Want to hear it yourself? Click here.

72.  an unexpected free day

73.  a clean car

October 26

74.  the smell of wood smoke

75.  the first fire of autumn in our outdoor fireplace

76.  chicken and dumplings that remind me of my Mamaw

October 27

77.  fuzzy socks

78.  the feeling of sweet relief that floods over me when I "cast my cares on Him because He cares for me"

79.  the sound of a crackling fire

October 28

80.  Lily marching to Father Abraham

81.  a response tweet from Ann Voskamp

82.  sweatpants

October 29

83.  blessing a friend

84.  my parent's anniversary today - and their example of a godly marriage

85.  new mulch in the flower beds

October 30

86.  the gift of being a stay-at-home mom

87.  beautiful music that speaks to my soul

88.  friends who pray regularly for my family

October 31

89.  Pastor Appreciation Month and the sweet notes of encouragement we receive from our church family

90.  precious children dressed up in their Halloween finest

91.  a  Joy Dare for the month of November -  and a brand new month to keep counting it all joy!