Finding in the grass

Today my dad and stepmom came up for a visit and we were all out back playing when I looked over at Jake in a corner of the yard and saw him batting his paw at something on the ground. I immediately thought "oh Noooo, it's probablly some poor little helpless baby rabbit and it's going to be all bloody and half dead when I get over there,,," so I ran over to see what helpless creature made a wrong turn into our yard and there was a little toad. Jake had no idea what to do with it and I honestly thought it was a frog, but called my friend Rachael who has three boys and tons of amphibian creatures lurking in and out of her house and she informed me that since it had bumps it was a toad. Anyways, I yelled for Kylie to come get it because I knew she would be thrilled. I went and got a bucket and she immediately went over to put water in it. Then we got some rocks for it to sit on. I asked her what it's name was and she said Kale. Owen LOVES to look at it and point and has lots to say about it, although I haven't a clue as to what he is saying. But he won't hold it. Anyways, here's some pictures. (scroll down)

Apple Picking

This morning me and Owen went apple picking with our friends Katie and Trey while Kylie was at pre-school. We went to a local farm called Ackerman's Farm in Morton, I absolutely LOVE this place! Not only is if free but they have nearly all your typical farm animals which toddlers seem to be able to enjoy for hours. Although it seemed their favorite part was chasing the kittens around. Eventually we wandered over to to orchid area and picked the best apples on the planet, HONEY CRISP! They are like candy! And then we went through the cutest gift shop around, I just love it and even picked up a few candle decorations. They had pumpkings, ghords, and indian corn gallor strewn about as well so I was in full fall mode when I got home and even though I didn't have plans to pull out the dusty cobweb boxes of fall decor I did and spent the afternoon putting them out. I am loving fall right now, the weather is amazingly perfect, definately my favorite season. Here are some pictures of our fun morning!

Two Years

I have no idea how to title today or what to even call this day, sure there are probablly lot's of nice politically correct or spiritual ways to name this day but nothing is resonating with me just right, and quite frankly the main thing going through my mind is that it has been 2 years today since my little world spun off it's axis. So for me it's a day to take time and remember Luke and to remember us. I had the best day today doing just that too. I spent most of the day with out my kids and went to a place out in the country where I could just sit and read and pray. I was a bit bummed that it is raining today but once I got out there and stood under a huge oak tree and looked up and saw all these rain drops falling down on me, it was just awesome, truely like tears falling down from heaven hitting my face. I found a nice tree house to spend the a few hours in, which had an open view of the forest and a tin roof.....ahhhhh....I have a thing about listening to raindrops falling on a tin roof. And then after sitting for awhile the rain let up a bit and I was able to walk for a bit through all the trees and along the creek....another favorite sound. I won't go into details because I want them to myself, but I will say that I felt I had an amazing day with God and Luke showed up for awhile too :)
I want to be able to write about where I'm at and answer the "how I am doing" question that I know so many people have.....so here goes.
This past year since I have moved has been exciting, scary, lonely, exhausting, and an incredible time of growth for me. I have felt like God is moving me in a direction that is healthy for both me and my kids. This isn't always an easy move, lots of growing pains are involved. Lots of self reflection. As strange as this sounds, I have had to get to know myself again. I'm not Angie and Luke anymore and even though he will always always be a part of my heart and our life, he's not here in the physical sense anymore and therefore I have had to accept that and start to see who I am ....(deep breath) with out him. I have also been able to have a more positive change of heart and outlook with Life in general here on earth, I now mostly look forward to each new day with my kids, where for awhile it was just another day to "get through". We still have a future here together and that finally is exciting to me to see how it all is going to play out, day by day.
I am thrilled to be doing photography again, getting out and taking pictures has been a great strength of developing something good in me...I have no idea what to call it, it just feels really good and really right. Kylie and Owen are amazing, they make me smile and laugh every day, I am so crazy blessed to have them in my life. Now don't get me wrong, I have hard days and I assume I always will, but they are good and part of healing. God promises to make good from bad, even though it's not always a easy road to the good, He has made good on that promise with me. He has never left me, and He is always ready to meet me wherever I am at in this journey of Life and His grace is full of unspeakable peace and healing to my soul.