Yay for successful test sheets back from the printer. Yay for blue skies filled with airy clouds. Yay for good friends that bring over pizza and surprise goodies from a favorite bakery. Yay for half workdays and the husband being home early.

I’ve been truly needing a break this week. I’ve been feeling that there isn’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I need (want) to do, and I’ve been struggling with that. And also with lack of sleep. And the attack of the terrible two’s.

But today I had the ultimate Friday. My heart is so full, and I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. For acts of kindness. For a loving husband so receptive to my needs. For sweet little children who throw their arms around my neck and tell me I’m “wow.”

Small reminders that the big picture is very good, and that I can do this.

I may not like the wake-up call at this time, nor the untidiness of the room. But I do like the way early morning light makes everything look.

In between conference sessions this morning, I took Kai up to Serra Cross Park so he could get some wiggles out. Yesterday was all gloom and rain. Today was warm sun and blue skies.

A little hesitant of the ginormous cross.

Discovering some trails.

The view. Even better in person.

Taking pen to paper and recording the day isn’t something I’m good at, but I find this idea from Inchmark totally doable.

I also came across this really neat five year journal, where each page is divided into five entries, one for each year. From Fred Flair:

I’m inspired. My posterity will thank me.

I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to live where I do. Our fall weather has been gorgeous, to say the least. Summers here are ho-hum with what the locals call ‘May Gray’ and ‘June Gloom’. But fall. Fall is spectacular.