61 degrees.

landon just came home for lunch. we had chicken seasoned with fresh garlic, scallions, cilantro and olive oil that i had on hand from another meal. i threw sliced carrots in with the chicken, and it was really good. we also had rice and crescent rolls. we're a tad short on the dough (not the crescent roll dough..) so lunches at home have been the norm lately. today's, however, was better than anything we could've picked up in a drive-through, in my opinion.

also when he was home, landon had to put on a sweater. it's so cool out! i just found myself laughing and smiling because of it. i mean, you're-a-little-nuts for laughing out loud with joy at the temperature. it's just that the pumpkins and fallish table runner and gray flower pot of polished black river rock stones on my table seem so much more festive when it's practically in the 50s outside. no matter that there's also lots of bills, an empty sprite can and empty diet coke can, allergy pills, a framed photo of my mom when she was 2 and plastic bookends from ikea also on the table. everything is better when it's cool. i might even be inclined to pick up the house this afternoon so cuddling in blankets tonight will be that much more enjoyable.

another motivation to clean, we got new carpet in the living room on monday! holy smokes, if you ever saw our old carpet, you know what a big deal this is. i didn't even take before and after pictures 'cause the old carpet was just atrocious. the new is wonderful and plush and a darker neutral with lots of variation that will hide goldfish crumbs quite well, i do believe.

i was having a real rough day yesterday and in the midst of my self-pity, i got a text from someone: "you've been on my heart a lot today. do you need me to pray for you?" ahh.. the timing of my Lord. so wonderfully perfect. just that simple encounter lifted my spirits. to know that He hasn't forgotten me.

the Bible study we're doing at delana's is so..stinkin..good. i feel myself going deeper in my relationship with Jesus than i ever have. it's sort of a growing pain situation as i realize that suffering abounds for a christian on this side of heaven. that seeking Him, no matter what He chooses to do, if anything, for my circumstances, is the purpose of my existence. i'm realizing that it is more than enough to just want Him. but it's also a process of stripping my flesh of the need for Him to fix it. now. please. in order to worship with a whole heart. it's pretty awesome. and pretty tiring at the same time.

OK. enough rambling for the moment. i'm going to clean, gosh dernit. i have the motivation and the time in this instant. so i'm going for it.

wait...is that the baby crying?