Fall Days

An impromptu fall picnic. 

Gwen's preschool had a fall festival.  I had to correct the kids several times on the way there that indeed it was not a "fall vegetable".

Reading a spooky story in the library with flashlights...

The duck pond...

Monster feet...

We entered the pumpkin contest with our own baby pumpkin.  We didn't win, but I thought it was cute and we got a $5 Sonic card.  Sounds like a win to me!

It's getting very cold here and I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it getting darker earlier, but I feel like I'm in slow motion some days.

Kid's Room

Something I've been working on off and on is the kid's room.  I've painted, then painted some more, then painted.  It's actually the never ending story and I'm still not done.  BUT the kids have gotten in on decorating...take a look.

Complete with a picture of Gwen from the womb!

Johnson Pumpkin Patch

Oh my, what a wonderful day we've had.  I love love love fall and all that it brings.  I loved apple picking and I loved going to a pumpkin patch.  I don't think I've been to one before.  

We got to see newborn piglets.  Just born last night.

Pig races!

Gwen jumped on "the pillow".  She said it hurt her ankles, but it didn't take long for her to find a friend to help her jump higher.

Zeke being the bus driver in a sand filled bus!

A great big field o' pumpkins.  Loved the sight!

Zeke loved the "train".

Oh, and the pumpkin shooter.  This thing has some SERIOUS power.  It shot pumpkins into a large pond.  Look at the very top of the photo and you can see the pumpkin in the air.

Gwen on the "train."

Last year Grandma took them to this pumpkin patch and I had never seen the dragon that eats pumpkins... but literally, Zeke has been talking about this for a solid year.  It makes quite the impression on a little boy's mind!

Caught our driver texting while driving the tractor!

The kids became part of the lollipop guild.

The Kids

What Do I Do With This?

So I've been singing scripture this week thanks to a free sample CD of Seeds Family Worship.  It's been good and it is a great way for me to meditate on scripture because I learn through hearing mostly.  Plus, music is my vehicle... so I especially appreciate it.  I struggle to discipline myself to read the Word, but even then God finds a way for His awesome Goodness to find a small corner of my selfish heart to burrow down in.  This is the verse I've especially been thinking of this week:

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Clothe myself.  I want my life to be like that.  If I'm not wearing patience it would be like going to Aldi without a shirt.  OK?  I want it to be like that.  I want to clothe myself with love... love for others... others that don't have and are lonely and hurting and need support.  Orphans, widows, stay at home moms, children, teens in my neighborhood, neighbors that don't know the Lord... all of those.  How to implement that is the question I have been asking the Lord.  "What do I do with this Lord?" has been my constant prayer in the past months... what do I do with this?  This restlessness to do something bigger, more stretching... more eternal.  Yes, I know motherhood is eternal and it is a daily concern of mine as well as the health of my marriage.

Then today I read this verse:  Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:13-17)


We have a new person living with us.  His name is Mike and he's 20 yrs old.  He is an entrepreneur and will live in a house Ben and I have purchased but haven't closed on.  It's a long story, but this guy is smart and very nice and an entrepreneur.  It seems we always have someone extra living inside our walls.  Please pray for Mike.  I'm not sure where he is with God, and I pray Ben and I have a chance to share our faith with him.    

(Extra)Ordinary Moments

Even using the salad spinner can be fun if you let it!

Fall Beauties

Gwen's Art

Gwen has been bringing art home from preschool.  Here are two examples.  It is so interesting watching how her art gets more complex as she ages.  See how these two drawings look alike?  When I asked her what they were she said the top one is two bees, a spider's web with a spider and rainbows.  The second one is of a helicopter.  I've had such a great day with Gwen today.  She's got a cough so she actually let me hold her today and kiss on her.  

Project Potential

Why do I do this to myself?  I bought this for five dollars the other day.  I just love it.  I'm thinking of spray painting it some funky color and recovering the seat.  I just LOVE IT.

Wedding

Here comes the groom... I mean, the trumpet player.... I mean, the groom that plays the trumpet.

and here comes the lovely bride...

She picked her own bouquet out in our back yard.

Bottling vanilla extract.

She is my helper... and has helped me three years out of her four.

Fall Beauty