October Birthdays, Blessings and Milestones

October Birthdays, Autumn Blessings, and the Goodness of God

October has been a busy and beautiful month in our home! We've celebrated two birthdays, enjoyed some gorgeous autumn weather, and watched the fall colors put on a spectacular show. Everywhere we look, God's beautiful creation is reminding us of the changing seasons and the many blessings we have to be thankful for.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Danika!

Our sweet Danika turned two during the first week of October! To celebrate her special day, we took her to a local park for a little birthday outing.

What a glorious day it was! The brilliant fall colors surrounded us, making the park even more beautiful. It seemed Fall had decorated just for her birthday!

A special gift was the glorious colors of Fall everywhere! 

Danika's favorite activity was swinging! Oh, how she laughed and laughed as she soared back and forth. 

About a week later, we gathered for her birthday party on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We had around 25 family members and friends join us for the celebration.

I made homemade pizza for everyone, using a double batch of my favorite pizza dough recipe (which you can find in my cookbook). Oh my, those pizzas were delicious! Everyone brought some wonderful sides to enjoy with the pizza, and we had quite the feast!

Lots of fun sides to go with the pizza. 

I also found an adorable fall backdrop for Danika's birthday pictures. She looked absolutely precious in her little pumpkin outfit!

Her mom and dad surprised her with a tricycle, complete with all the bells and whistles—literally! She's going to have so much fun learning to ride it.

Gramma and Grandpa gave her a collection of Curious George books and some fun solar lights. We also bought a swing set as a combined birthday gift for Danika and Clara, whose birthday is coming up next month.

It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, good food, family, and precious memories!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAN!

For Dan's birthday, we decided to do something we hadn't been able to do in quite some time - go camping!

We hadn't been camping since before his heart attack last October, so this little getaway was exciting for both of us. It felt so good to be back in the woods, enjoying the God's beautiful creation together.

Many friends and family members came out to our campsite to help us celebrate Dan's 56th birthday.  Gathering around a campfire with people you love, sharing stories, laughter, and good food is a great way to celebrate! 

And, of course, campfire coffee is the BEST!

A beautiful little creek ran close to our campsite. Oh, how I love the sound of water rushing over rocks! It is a sound that soothes the soul, bringing peace and joy to my soul. I'm grateful for these pleasures the Lord created for us to enjoy!  

We also explored a nearby logging trail that offered breathtaking views of Upper Priest Lake. The scenery was spectacular, with autumn colors covering the mountainsides.

At one of the scenic viewpoints, Dan and I stopped for a picture. It was COLD! Snow flurries were swirling around us, reminding us that winter isn't far away. 

The weather certainly wasn't perfect. We had rain on and off, along with plenty of wind, but none of that dampened our spirits.

One of the very best parts of the trip was the silence. No phones ringing, beeping, or dinging! No constant interruptions or demands on our time. Just time to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the mountains.

The only time I reached for my phone was to take pictures!

It was such a relaxing and refreshing getaway, and we were so thankful to be able to enjoy camping together once again.

October Happenings Around Our Home

October has brought some of the most brilliant sunrises!

I love getting up before dawn, sipping my hot black coffee, snuggling with our cats, and enjoying the warmth of the crackling wood fire as the morning slowly awakens.

These quiet moments have become such a precious part of my day. As the darkness gives way to the first colors of sunrise, my heart fills with prayer and praise to the Lord for His goodness.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

What a beautiful promise! I lean into those words every single day.

Meanwhile, the garden continues to keep me busy!

My tomatoes are finally ripening, and I've already canned more than 35 pints of homemade salsa, with plenty more to make as the remaining tomatoes turn red. Seeing jars lined up in the pantry, ready for the winter months ahead makes my heart smile. 

I've also been saving seeds for next year's garden. One of my favorites is the Scarlet Runner Bean. These amazing climbing beans produce gorgeous red flowers throughout the growing season, followed by large, beautiful purple seeds. I let the seeds dry thoroughly before storing them away for next spring's planting.

Jars of canned salsa for the pantry. 

And the pumpkins! One of my homegrown pumpkins has already been baked into pumpkin pie for Danika's birthday. There's nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your own garden!

Our early morning walks have become brisk and frosty, often with a thick blanket of fog hanging over the landscape.

Some mornings, the sun struggles to break through the clouds as the fog slowly lifts. Even on those gray, chilly mornings, there is such beauty to be found. The soft light, misty fields, and quiet stillness create scenes made for painting. 

If only I could paint :) 

I never tire of watching the seasons change here in North Idaho.

 

October Milestones - A Year of God's Faithfulness

October 18, 2026, marked an incredible milestone for our family.

One year ago, Dan suffered a heart attack. It was a frightening time, filled with uncertainty, prayers, and simply trusting the Lord for what lay ahead. It was filled with uncertainty. Many dear souls came alongside us in prayers, gifts of both cash and donating their time to help us get ready for winter. 

The deck Dan and Clara are sitting on was built by dear neighbors who saw our need and built it for us. We are blessed beyond measure, and are so thankful.

And then, just days after Dan's heart attack, you may remember that we received more devastating news. Doctors told us that our precious little Clara, who had not yet been born, was at risk of being stillborn.

Our hearts were heavy in that October/November as we faced the possibility of losing two people we loved so dearly.

But God was with us through it all.

Today, one year later, Dan and Clara are both healthy and doing well!

I look at the picture of little Clara sitting happily on Dan's lap, with Ryan's dog smiling through the screened curtain in the background, and my heart just overflows with thankfulness.

We have so much to be grateful for! 

When I think back over everything our family has experienced this past year, I remember the beautiful promise in Psalm 23:

"Yea, though I walk 

THROUGH

the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil: 

for thou art with me."  

Psalm 23:4 

This promise isn't that we will never face the valley. The promise is that He will be with us as we walk THROUGH it.

And He has been.

Through the fear, the uncertainty, the tears, and the long days of waiting, God has faithfully walked beside us.

Here we are, one year later, celebrating birthdays, camping in the mountains, watching our grandchildren grow, and enjoying the simple blessings of everyday life.

We don't take any of it for granted. 

We don't know what tomorrow may bring, but we do know Who holds tomorrow.

The Goodness of God

One of my favorite worship songs is Goodness of God. It has been recorded by many artists, and its message touches my heart every time I hear it.

Several years ago, I created a video using this beautiful song along with photographs and footage I captured of eagles fishing at Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Watching those magnificent birds soar gracefully through the frigid winter air, then dive toward the water to catch their fish, never ceases to amaze me. Their strength, beauty, and remarkable ability to thrive in God's creation are such a wonder to behold.

I've shared that video here, and I hope it blesses your heart as much as it has mine.

As I reflect on this beautiful October, I am reminded that life isn't always easy. We all face struggles, disappointments, heartaches, and seasons of uncertainty.

Yet even in the midst of those difficult times, there is so much to be thankful for.

The joy and laughter of grandchildren. The warmth of a campfire. Beautiful sunrises. A pantry filled with the garden's bounty. And the incredible blessing of sharing another day together.

Today, my heart is overflowing with praise and gratitude for the goodness of God, who has sustained us, strengthened us, and faithfully walked beside us through it all.

His mercies truly are new every morning.

And for that, I am so very thankful! 

God bless you all! 

Happy October blessings to each of you!