Thanks, Nie.

I have become consumed by a blog that I somehow tripped upon a few months ago - The Nie Nie Dialogues. There's something so unique and beautiful about it and it seriously touches my heart. It's written by a remarkable mother of four who was in a terrible plane accident a year ago and suffered burns on 80% of her body. I've read the story of the accident and her life since, but have been curious about her life previous to the accident, so about a week ago, I decided to start from the beginning - she's been blogging for about four years. And, I have to say, that just from reading her blog, a change has come in me. I'm about 18 months from her current post, so I haven't read everything yet, but what I have read has truly touched my life for good in so many ways.
She has such an optimism, such a true love and spirit for motherhood and for being a good wife and homemaker. Her focus is on the joy that her family brings her and the simple and beautiful things in life. She has brought out things in me that I've been trying to bring out on my own, and through the inspiration that I've received through her blog and her amazingly sweet spirit and strong faith, I find it effortless to do the things necessary to complete the day to day tasks in my life while maintaining a sweet spirit in my home. My love appreciation for Steve and our children has grown exponentially. I see so much more in them than I have before.
Steve is truly a knight in shining armor - though a humble one. Any problem always seems instantly resolved when he comes into the picture. And he always helps everyone so willingly, and I'm more in love with him than I can say I've ever been. Joe and his amazing spirit and raw talent and pure little testimony of Christ. Kathrynn and her amazing spunk and LOVE for life. You can see it in her eyes all of the time - she loves life and she means to live it to the fullest. And Drew, with her longing for peace and comfort and her gigantic heart.
I just needed to express my gratitude for the things she has shared with the world and for the amazing life she has lived and created for her children. She has also taught me not to take a single moment for granted. I'm able to see now the work I am here to do and don't want to lose a single moment idly standing by.

Other things...
Remodeling our home is nearly complete, though not quite all of the way complete, which is why pictures haven't been posted. I'm getting a lot of grief for not posting said pictures, though, so I may just give in and do before and almost afters.
We are inches away from starting the day care. My fingerprints finally came back (sent the first batch in in March), so now we're just ironing out the last few details and I'll be turning in my paperwork hopefully in the next week or two. And away we go...
Steve has started school this semester, working on his pre-reqs for Nursing school. He is the busiest person in the world right now and every moment I have with him is treasured.
This is totally the beginning of a new phase in our lives. It feel like we're walking into a tunnel and there's a big giant light at the end of it, but it will be a couple of years before we get there. I can say with assurance that this will all be worth it and that Steve is going into the best possible field for himself.
I've felt so many little changes within myself - all for the absolute best. Little ways to take care of my family better, like focusing more on having whole foods in our home and making everything I can from scratch rather than buying processed, ready made foods. This will definitely change things in my coupon adventures, but I think the benefits will be worth it.
And, best of all, I feel fall coming in. The light is different, leaves are starting to hint that they'll be changing color soon and the wind won't stop blowing. It's almost like it's blowing the new season in. I love fall. It is my favorite season, hands down, and it's the time of year that I feel most alive.