Autumn Leaves and New Beginnings: A Reflection on Life's Transitions

As the leaves paint the world in hues of amber and crimson, signaling the arrival of autumn, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of life's cycles and the joys that come with the changing seasons. This time of year, with its crisp air and cozy evenings, is a perfect opportunity to pause and appreciate the blessings in our lives, especially the ones that come in the form of family and friends….and cherished memories.

Come with me as I recount our latest adventures, share the joys and the tears of our family updates…..and most importantly, bask in the warmth of the memories that forever mark our hearts.

I kicked off the season judging the Harvest Festival Queen pageant, which is a local high school pageant for Terry County. Y’all these young ladies were AMAZING! This time getting to know them left me in awe of the younger generation’s talents and big hearts. These young women have a heart to change the world, and I have NO doubt that they will make BIG waves in this world!

It’s also been amazing to catch up with some of my best girlfriends. Time with sweet friends are so special to me. If you tune into my Braided Faith Podcast, then you have heard some of my struggles this year. I went no contact with some family members, and during this time, these friendships were VITAL. Stefanie and Julie (my friends pictured below) were so needed and so important to me during this difficult year. They both offered ears to listen, hearts to love, and wisdom to support. I’m so thankful for friends who become your family.

To give an update, I am no longer “no contact” with those family members. The past few months have allowed me the space and time to heal and release it to the Lord. I needed to find forgiveness in my heart for so many childhood traumas that I didn’t realize I was carrying deep within me. I had to face my TRUE heart with it all and submit it to the Lord so that my heart could be made pure.

I feel that as Christians, sometimes we tuck away our hurt and trauma, refusing to face it head on and admit to God and ourselves where our hearts truly lie. It isn’t until we can FULLY and HONESTLY do this that we can FULLY forgive, thus freeing us from the past and from all bitterness and hatred. Stepping back from certain relationships, allowed me the space to do this. I share this to you all in hopes that if there is someone facing challenging relationships, that you will be encouraged to take time for healing, TAKE IT. Set the boundaries, cut off contact, do what you need for the sake of healing and forgiveness.

I did open communication back up with these family members, BUT I am also loving myself enough to keep strong boundaries up. I have no desire to take the chaos back.

This year was EXTREMELY hard for me, BUT it was the greatest gift I have ever given myself……permission to grab onto PEACE and NEVER LET IT GO! Only God can give us that peace and in order to do that, we have to put Him first and walk in obedience. He released me from all toxic relationships this year, and I do not plan on rebuking His gift by going back to them. I encourage you to really take time to seek Him and ask Him what relationships do you need to let go of. He can’t work unless we trust Him and let go.

I also knitted my first beanie. It didn’t come out exactly how I wanted it but I’m SO excited that I was able to actually DO IT! If you know me, you know I’ve been trying to learn how to knit for a few years now…..I’m not the best knitter BUT I’m improving haha

So, something fun that happened this fall was hubby completed the theater in our house. We weren’t sure how we would like it or if we would really use it….BUT we LOVE IT! We are in that theatre every weekend. We’ve already hosted family for movie nights and are having SO MUCH fun with this room. It’s complete with popcorn maker and a small concession stand. I’m obsessed and cannot wait for Christmas movie time!

I also got to spend some fall time with my sweet little cousin, Kenley, and my Aunt Kenna. Kenley came home from college for a fall break and we had SO much fun watching a movie (in the theatre) and catching up over coffee.

My sister also came into town and was able to finally taste Darin’s famous homemade chili. We didn’t get a picture together but it was SO nice to spend time with her and see her.

Fall wouldn’t be complete without romance. Married couples, just FYI, romance doesn’t have to be extravagant…..it can be as simple as dinner over candlelight and nice fall music in the background.

Our fall has been simple but joyful this year. We haven’t had too much excitement, as I’m still healing an injured knee from the summer, but it’s been blissful and peaceful. Which, has been nice considering the year of SO much change and pain. As I healed my heart from past wounds, I pained……sometimes you have to go back in order to move forward and I did that this year. I’m so thankful I did. It allowed me to receive peace, give true forgiveness, and grab onto hope for a beautiful future.

This is the year Darin and I thought we would grow our family by two little feet…..or four or six through adoption and/or pregnancy. God had other plans. Instead, He gifted me with beautiful healing and freedom.

Because of the heart and mind space the tragedies of this year brought me, we set growing our family down for a season. We paused adoption preparation and didn’t make it to the fertility clinic in Dallas as we had hoped. At first, I was angry that we had to do this because of all that we were going through. Now, I’m grateful. God knows what we need when we need it and healing was vital to a healthy growing family.

That’s where we find ourselves now, healthy and healed. I’m happy to announce to my blog friends that we are officially “trying” again. We are back on the adoption journey and will be seeing the fertility doctor very soon. Many of you know, we are older, so getting pregnant naturally will be a challenge BUT I trust God. My Great Aunt, Sister Celine, and the nuns from St. Francis Convent referred us to a fertility clinic in the Dallas area that specializes in couples in their 30s and 40s who are pursuing natural pregnancy. I’m so excited to see them and allow God to continue to guide us. We aren’t stuck on getting pregnant naturally, we trust Him. If it’s adoption we grow our family, perfect. If it’s both, even better! I’m just excited and thankful to be back on this journey. If we come across your mind, please keep us and our growing little family in your prayers. I receive them!

I pray your fall is finding you with joy and SO MUCH LOVE! I adore this time of year and can’t wait to see what Thanksgiving and Christmas bring us all!