Pumpkin Patch. . . "take II"

So, I added a few more pics to yesterday's post. . . 

make sure you check them out!! 

The Pumpkin Patch

Our family headed to the pumpkin patch today.

First "field trip" of the year, and O so much fun. . . 

especially because of the crisp, fall weather.

It was a new experience for our crew,

and a joy for us to be out in God's beautiful creation!! 

 We took a hay-ride over to the pumpkin patch. . . 

The kids all got to pick out a pumpkin.

                            

We just recently picked 5 orange pumpkins from Num Num's back yard. . .

 

So, I encouraged the kids to find ones with different colors! 

 Looking, looking, and looking for that perfect pumpkin. . . 

 . . . found it!! Drew's was a beautiful yellow.

 And Abby found a green one with bits of orange in it. 

 
























The other three chose lovely white ones!

This pic was so close to being our "family shot" for the year, 

BUT of course my hair had to be flying everywhere! 

I would have used it, but my sweet hubby said no way.

O well, the kids sure look cute, and I can still share it this way!! 

The farm was HUGE.

So stay tuned.

You might just see some more pictures

of the other cool things, besides the pumpkin patch,

that we got to do. . . 

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Cousin!

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday dear Chasey.

Happy Birthday to you!

Toby: "I love about her that she is cute and that she plays with me. I think Chase will be a ballerina when she grows up. I love you."

Abby: "I love that Chasey loves me and she loves to play with me. I think Chase will be a good girl, loving and sweet, that likes to play and loves people when she grows up. I would like to teach Chase to talk and obey and learn her manners. I hope she will play the violin because I want to play the violin."

Drew: "I love Chase because she is sweet, cute, and kind. I think Chasey will be a Godly woman that will raise a family when she grows up. I want you to honor your mom and dad."

Ellie: "I love Chasey's laugh and her smile. I love the way she says my name. I hope that Chase will grow up to love art like me, and I think she should play the guitar like her daddy. I love you and I hope you have a great time celebrating your birthday."

Whit: "I love Chase because I miss her and I'm happy that her birthday is coming up. I love her funny sounds and her funny laugh. I love her birthday. I love her really bad."

Chase, today we are celebrating your life across the miles.

We love you. We miss you. 

We thank the Lord for your sweet, sweet life. 

You bring joy and sunshine wherever you go! 

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you

and give you peace. 

Kisses and Hugs, 

your Cousins :: your Aunt & Uncle

A Weekend Project

 The Pastor was gone for a couple of days this past week.

He was accepted into the Northwest Presbytery. 

It was stressful for him because he had to preach at the assembly,

be interviewed by a committee, and then stand on the floor for questioning. 

I always seem to have so much more confidence in his abilities 

than he does in himself.

He passed with flying colors. 

While he was away, I decided to gather material to make this wreath:

I followed a tutorial on a particular blog I love.

I thought it turned out so well! 

I know you might wonder when I have time do do things like this. . . 

I did this in stages, standing in my kitchen while everyone was either 

watching sports or just milling around. 

I've found that keeping my "creative juices" flowing,

is something I so need in order to keep my sanity 

in the midst of our every-day life/routine  :)

Ellie, Abby, and I checked out our new mall on Saturday.

Love that this "girl time" is becoming enjoyable for me! 

They actually like looking at clothes now and "window shopping."

I see the light at the end of the tunnel. . . 

and some sweet days ahead for "girl bonding." 

The pastor preached on Mark 3:31-35 Sunday morning. 

The emphasis was on "building community"

and how families fit into the bigger picture of Covenental life and

Kingdom Business. 

The family is God's design for the foundation of the Church. 

Our Covenant Family is also so important because:

1- It's cause is GREATER than any other cause.

2- It's ties are ETERNAL!

3- It is more satisfying than any other bond. 

In the context of our familial families, we should always be thinking,

"How will this (decision, event, practice, etc) benefit the Kingdom of God". . . 

not just "How will this benefit MY family."

Lord, help me to be sensitive to the needs of those around me,

 to foster in my children a love for their Covenantal church body. 

May our family be a STRONG foundation for Your bride, the Church.

Nesting

I've been "nesting" the past few weeks. 

And fittingly, I'm in love with birds, nests, and the like. 

They make me happy!

We brought a few nests with us when we moved, 

and hope to make some new discoveries in our new surroundings.

 The kids have already eyed a number of "new" birds.

I love encouraging them to do nature notebooks - Charlotte Mason style,

and am anxious to get some bird feeders up so we can start

identifying our "back-yard" birds. 

 A dear friend gave me this little picture when we moved,

and it is so fitting for the Northwest. 

Actually, this week we haven't seen hardly any rain.

Skies have been more blue than overcast. . . just cooler than we are use to. 

I'm surprisingly anxious for the rain, although I hear I need to

greatly appreciate these sunny days. 

I like the idea of this goal. . . bringing your own sunshine.

Today in our devotional reading I read 1 Thessalonians 5:16. 

I like these goals even more:

"Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"

In fact they aren't just goals, they are commands. 

I'm tempted to paint them on one of my walls.

May your "nesting" habits this week-end be filled with 
God's grace. . . and lots of sunshine!! 

The Schoolroom

Just a few pics of our "schoolroom."

It has been such a surprise BLESSING to have this extra space.

I no longer feel like my kitchen/dining-room/family room are

covered with schoolbooks! 

Num Num found these GREAT old school-desks off of Craigs list.

We still need to get Whit a chair, but in the meantime, 

she has a "special" red chair she sits in.

 The kids have surprised me at how they love using this space.

 We always start the day with Bible in here, 

often each of them sitting at their own desk.

See that empty left wall? I hope to find or make a cool

black board to fill that space. I'm eyeing an old door right now! 

I've been trying to reuse my kitchen jars/tins once they are empty.

They make for great storage containers and look cute too! 

Who needs to buy fancy storage containers when

so many are off-handedly brought into the house??

Outdoor Creativity

We headed up to Num Num and Papa's house again this past Monday.

It was quite cool for us but  we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it and 

are excited to be experiencing a new environment! 

The kids had fun setting up an out-door kitchen. . . 

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness this morning.

God has blessed our family with so much! 

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

 in your light do we see light."

Psalm 36: 7-9