Falling into place...

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

Fall is here and with it is my happiness.

I just LOVE this time of the year. I love the colors of the changing trees and watching the shadows outside my window as the leaves fall to the ground. I love rainy fall days and cuddling inside with my little loves.

I love the smell of the fresh crisp air and the wood and leaves burning. And all of my delicious smelling candles and fall room sprays.

The tastes of apples, pumpkin treats, cold cider and warm coffee bring a smile to my face as we make many precious memories as a family.

The hot summer heat fades away and we wake to chilly beautiful days full of color and sunshine.

It's absolutely my favorite time of the year...

Ahhh. Fall. How I love you.

I mentioned in my last post about how similar this fall feels in comparison to this same time last year. And while, things have certainly changed, we are still so happy. So in love.

Just this morning, I booked the boys fall/winter photo shoot. I went out last week and purchased their little outfits to wear and I'm so excited to see how adorable they look in their pictures. After thinking about what I wanted for their pictures, I decided to look back at some photo's that our photographer, Leah Sandlin of Precious Photography took last year. They made me happy and sad at the same time.

Happy that my boys have grown and we've enjoyed them another year. But sad Maddie is no longer (physically) with us. She was with us in these pictures. I will always cherish that. Here are some of the moments she captured. <3

So can you see why I'm so excited to have her shoot our family again? So many memories.

I often think how glad I am to have these pictures. Even though I wasn't looking so great and was feeling HUGE, I have those pictures of our family of 5. Maddie Grace is there with us. Enjoying life. Her brother's were showing so much love to her already and I can only imagine if she were here, how many kisses Noah and Elijah would be giving her on a daily basis. There is no doubt about it, She was so loved.

So now this fall, as we resume our fall activities and go on trying to enjoy life without her here with us but in Heaven.

I'm realizing.

Everything is falling into place.

The boys are happy and healthy. Jonah is just over 2 months away from joining this family. Rick and I are in the best place we've ever been and Madeline is enjoying the Lord in Heaven and all of it's splendor.

How can I be sad about that?

She is where we all want to be. No pain. No sorrow. No suffering. Just spending eternity with our Lord who gave so much for us.

So this fall, as I still miss her and wish so much she could be here. I know that God's plan is coming to be. We seem to be finding our stride in this life again on how to move forward, knowing she is still with us, everyday.

The boys have decided to be a Knight and Dragon for Halloween. And of course in my mind, immediately I thought that Madeline would have made the perfect princess. And she would have. But, she will be with us that day as they run around like wild animals collecting their candy. She is with us. Always with us. In the words of a friend "She is just running a little ahead." I can't leave her behind ever.

Thank you Lord and Maddie Grace for helping our lives fall back into place. We need you more than ever to give us strength to get through our days. On the beautiful ones and especially on the sad rainy ones. For those are the days I miss her the most.

So as October has now come and we are enjoying life here amidst the beauty of Autumn. I'm thankful. Thankful and blessed to have so much love in my life. Always thinking of you Maddie. Always.

Here are just a few pics of the fall fun we are having. So far. =)

 I bought these last year while expecting Madeline. I'm so glad that I still have them to always remember.

Enjoying some fun at a fall festival.

Eli bear

Feeding the animals

Posing by a really cool car!

Brotherly Love

Pure silliness

Happy Camper =)

The shirt says it all

Having fun while Bubby was at school.

We found the cutest pumpkin patch. I can't wait to take both boys back!

Checking out all the pumpkins

At 3 3/4 he's measuring up to 3 1/2 feet! So cute!

Love this little boy <3

My guys by our new vehicle

The loves of my life <3

I hope all of you are enjoying this time of the year as much as we are. I can't help but see the beauty of the Lord in this season. His presence is all around as if He took a paintbrush to this beautiful canvas He created. I know He has a plan. I'm eager to see where it takes us. I've learned just how much can change in a year but I'm thankful to know He is in control. And just like those beautiful leaves falling outside and this changing season, God has a perfect plan and time in our lives as well. I'm thankful that He is allowing things to fall perfectly into place in His time and His will.

God Bless!

Love, Natalie

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

 ¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
 ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
 ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;