my kiddos

Only some of the people I love most in this world!

impromptu

So I got up early this morning.  Had my Quiet Time.  Planned my day.  Lots of school, a few loads of laundry, egg quesadillas for breakfast, studying for LTW and geo classes and more.  In the middle of breakfast prep I got a text from my sister.  She wanted to know of a halfway point where we could meet and hang out for the day.  I immediately scrapped all my plans!  I didn't know of a meeting place, but almost burned the eggs while I jumped on google maps to check.  We picked a park that seemed central to both of us and told the kids we were taking a family day and to get ready to go.  We didn't tell them we were meeting their cousins there!  It was a great surprise!    

The weather was perfect.  Sunny, a little cool, and the colors were beautiful.

Sleepy boy snuggling with Auntie Shell~

I loved every part of today.

fall break and friends

I have enjoyed this fall break.  I have needed it.  Since our school week goes from Friday-Thursday (of course with Saturday and Sunday off!) today was our last day of break.  We were excited to meet some friends at the park and then go to their house for lunch (and coffee for the moms :) !

Alissa and Alyssa~

The boys played baseball

Micah enjoyed our friends' little friend :)

 Our Plan A was to go to the beach but the chilly temperature and gray skies scared us away!  Since we didn't get the sand at the beach, we brought sand into the house.  It kept Micah and Z busy for a long time!

So much fun.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful friend!

"field trip"

When you homeschool almost anything can count as a field trip!  When I had an errand to run near the pet store, Drew and Leah asked if we could look at the pets.  They were so excited!  I love that it doesn't take much to make them happy :)

 Leah couldn't see the hermit crab in the log so Andrew picked her up since I'm still not allowed to lift.  Adorable.

Of course, the down side to pet store visits is the over and over and over questioning of "can I get a ______"??  Please??  No ferrets.  No birds.  No guinea pigs.  And definitely NO TARANTULAS!!

rainy suday

Sunday was a full day.  It started off normally with church in the morning.  We celebrate Communion the first Sunday of every month.  Leah participated for the first time and it was sweet to be sitting next to her reminding her of why we were doing what we were doing.  She was so precious as she squeezed her eyes close while silently praying and thinking about what Jesus did on the cross for her.  

After church Matt and I took Micah with us on an errand.  One mile into the trip, an SUV pulled out in front of us at an intersection and we slammed into him.  Praise God for His protection!!  Although we are sore, we did not suffer any other injury and even Micah was not too traumatized.  The vehicle we hit had to be towed, but Matt was able to drive our car home.  

Last year Brianna got Leah some Hello Kitty rain boots.  Leah was happy to find them Sunday afternoon and play in the puddles!

 Thankfully Micah (who was NOT wearing rain boots) kept his feet nice and dry, opting to ride his tricycle instead.

 When the rain became a problem, Matt set up our canopy for the kids so they could play outside but stay dry!  What a dad :)

Completely coincidentally, Micah, Cameron, and I all wore argyle sweaters to church :)

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

October 6 Caleb turned twelve.  

I told him he has the best birthday of all the kids.  The trees are beautiful, it's not too hot/not too cold.  It is just a really refreshing time of year!  I remember feeling that way in the days after he was born too.  It was practically impossible to feel overwhelmed with a new baby with all the beauty and fresh, crisp air all around me :)  

Caleb chose to go to Hot Table for his birthday dinner, but we made a stop along the way at Five Guys (we'd never been before) for some fries to go with his panini.  He loved the whole lunch!

Words can't express how proud we are of Caleb and the young man he is.  Courage, steadfastness, and honor are three words I can use that describe his character.  We pray daily that God will use him not only in the future but even now as he lives out his life day to day.

saturday

We are amazed at all the ministry opportunities Matt has been given.  Last Saturday we were able to set up a tent and offer wordless book bracelet making to kids in the city.  Cameron, Alissa, and another girl were the ones who ran the tent. Matt was able to speak to the whole audience at the event and give the Gospel. 

Cameron saw this little boy sitting alone on a curb and went over to talk with him.

So grateful for a family who loves Jesus!

fries

I picked up a french fry cutter at the Salvation Army the other day.   Alissa treated us all by whipping up some french fries right away! (She did need to use some of Cameron's muscle since the potatoes she used were pretty big. :)  I wasn't able to try them out but the kids said they were the best fries they'd ever had.  They must have been telling the truth- they were gone in 5 minutes flat!

the fair is over!

The fair is over!  Here is a little bit of an e-mail Matt sent out after the event:

It has been a long 17 days of fair ministry!  There was so much build up leading up to this year's Big E event and only a few setbacks, or should I say "set ups" (for God to show His absolute power and complete control over it all) along the way?! The prayers of God's people have been heard.  Here are the totals for the CEF Chapel on Wheels:

• 71 volunteers in all
• 204 volunteer hours
• 102 minimum volunteer slots filled
• 1,481,917 visitors to the Big E Fair (all time record and increase of +116,021 from 2012)
• 1,712 visitors were given the Gospel through the Chapel (an increase of +286 from last year)

I am so thankful for the message that we have to share- the Gospel!  I am thankful too for a husband who is faithful to His God and available to serve Him in whatever ways he is asked.