The give and take...

One day we are poor and the next day we feel rich.  It seems like God gives us just what we need, and I think for good reason.  As humans we almost don't know what to do with more and so we become wasteful, ungrateful or even foolish.  And so just as quickly as He gives, He can take away.  Don't forget to communicate with God when things are running smooth, so that He recognizes your voice when you need Him!

So much to be thankful for...

The holidays are just around the corner and I cannot help but reminisce of all God has blessed the Murphy's with.  We joined our little church in downtown Geneva, and feel at home with the pastor and sweet people.  Since then Madeline asked Jesus in her heart, and she and Tanner both got baptized at the first service of our newly renovated sanctuary.  It was so cool to be apart of the double celebration and an easy way to remember the date.  I can just see Madi walking down the isle and getting married in that same beautiful sanctuary where she became a new girl in Christ.  As a mom you pray and dream and hope, and I am comforted to know our oldest 3 now have a place in heaven!
Erick and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary, and spent some sweet time rekindling the romance.  I tried to get creative with gifts this year and so I spent a good bit of time writing down all of those little memories of our last 10 years.  I recalled the houses we have lived in and the babies we brought home from the hospital. It was truly overwhelming emotionally to see on paper all God has really done.  I am proud to be a wife in progress to a patient and faithful man.  We have laughed more in this little cabin, and just enjoyed each others company...  I cherish the time I get to spend with him.
Thankful as well for Jake, as he wraps up an awesome season of some very intense football!  He has learned so much, and grown as an individual.  He walked on to a team with strong established players and got several hundred yards in as first string.  Better still Jake has begun to verbalize his understanding of why God moved us here.  His growth as a bold man for Christ has made us proud and we see God's hand at work in his life.
Lastly, our feisty little princess has potty trained herself.  At a little under 2 1/2 she exclaimed she was "underwear" not "diapers" and has completed her transition into "big girl-hood". 
So we are soaking in the beautiful fall, with our windows open and our hearts full.  Thankful for family visiting several weeks in a row, and ready for the holidays and quality time together!