faith

Currently: October 2020

Welcome to October! I’m not sure how it’s fall and the tenth month of 2020, but here we are. Also, want to hear something crazy? This month marks ten years of blogging for me. 

Carnegie Library

Here’s a look at what’s currently going on in my life this month! 

Current book Still working my way through Midnight Sun and Sadie has been enjoying the Gerda Muller Seasons Collection that my blogging friend Grace gave her for her birthday! Thank you, Grace 🙂

Current excitement Celebrating Sadie’s birthday with our families. We’re having a little get-together with immediate family tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it!

Current joy The everyday moments of life. Going to the library with Sadie, taking Niva on a walk, snuggling with Malcolm on the couch, sitting next to Jimmy at church. Such blessings!

Toddler at Carnegie Library

Current indulgence Taking a nap while Sadie is napping. It doesn’t happen often, maybe once a week, but it’s always refreshing to get in a power nap every once in a while 🙂

Current food Butternut squash soup. I’ve been using this recipe for years and love how simple it is.

Current feelings Sad our garden is on its last leg but excited for this season and the upcoming holidays. 

Current cuteness Niva sleeping in our backyard. The weather has been cooling off here in Pittsburgh and she is loving it. 

Siberian husky sleeping in yard

Current baked good I’m really wanting to pick up some molasses so I can bake these or just some good ‘ol ginger snaps. 

Current beauty product This leave-in conditioner has been making my hair so soft. 

Current drink I usually buy Sadie Juicy Juice in the fruit punch flavor at the store and always steal some from her because it’s so good. Also loving this coffee, as always. 

Current laugh I was at the grocery store the other day while Sadie was napping and checked on her via our baby monitor and found this adorable scene. 

Dad sitting in baby's crib

Current craving A trip with Jimmy. We haven’t gone on a trip just the two of us since before Sadie was born and I’ve been dreaming of a little one-night getaway!

Current goal As always, going through our belongings and donating what we no longer use and then organizing what is left over. 

Current confession I’ve been looking at Christmas decorations. I may or may not have picked up a few holiday-esque things at Dollar Tree the other day. Are you a “it’s too early to think of Christmas” person or a “yay! Christmas!” person?

Current blessing This may sound weird, but the joy of passion. Just being creative and having ideas and doing things is such a blessing, you know?

Tell me something current in your life!

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

Visiting The Outer Banks in September

Last year when we were evacuated from the Outer Banks in early September due to Hurricane Dorian, we vowed to never visit in September again because of the high risk of hurricanes. So what did we do this year? We went to the Outer Banks in September, LOL. 

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

We were blessed with no hurricanes and a blissful week of rest and joy. We met my parents at their beach house in Kill Devil Hills and had such a lovely time.

The weather was definitely a mixed bag; the first few days were windy with rough surf due to remnants of a couple of hurricanes that thankfully didn’t hit the Outer Banks. The rest of the week was just right, though. Some sun, some clouds, high 70s and a calm ocean.

What we were up to all week:

  • Relaxing! Jimmy and I were in the hot tub every day, sometimes multiple times a day 🙂
  • Attending church. We visited Son Rise Church of Christ and also watched our home church’s revival via Facebook Live.
  • Playing at Dowdy Park. Sadie loved all the play structures there and so did the adults, ha!
  • Vlogging. I posted two vlogs from our trip; this one and this one!
  • Hanging out on the beach. Sadie was a little fearful of the ocean but loved playing in the sand.
  • Ordering in lots of seafood. A few of our favorite restaurants if anyone is looking are: Black Pelican, Awful Arthur’s, and Miller’s.
  • French braiding. Yes, I regularly braid six-strand challah bread, but just learned to french bread hair. 
  • Walking on Jeanette’s Pier. We saw a surfing competition the day we did this!
  • Visiting the Duck Boardwalk. Jimmy and I got Sadie her birthday gifts there (this book, this book, and this little toy) and grabbed some vegetables from a farmer’s market stand.
  • Playing mini golf. Jimmy and I went on a little mini golf date and he beat me!
  • Celebrating Sadie’s second birthday. Sadie turned the big t-w-o while we were away! We bought her a balloon at Dollar Tree and she has been playing with it ever since. 

Alright, enough typing. Here are a few photos!

Duck boardwalk in Outer BanksOuter Banks with a toddlerOuter Banks surfing competition at Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head North CarolinaGrandpa with toddlerOuter Banks fishing off of Avalon's PierDowdy Park in Outer Banks North CarolinaCouple sitting by pool in Outer BanksGirl holding cocker spanielGrandparents with toddler at beach in Outer Banks North CarolinaCute family photoOuter Banks North CarolinaMom reading to daughterDowdy Park Kill Devil Hills North Carolina in the Outer BanksThree generations of women braiding hairToddler playing with magnetic play house toySmiling husband and wifeJeanette's Pier aquarium

The Outer Banks are such a special place for us. I grew up visiting almost every summer of my childhood, Jimmy and I honeymooned there, went on a babymoon there, and now we take Sadie to visit as much as possible!

There’s just something about being near the ocean and having time to relax and not do much of anything that brings so much joy and refreshment to us. ❤

 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3