Highlights of Fall

We love fall, here are some of the highlights from the things we got to take a part in and enjoy. We took some time to catch a sunset,

We spent some time with our best dog Annie (a.k.a. Anakin)

And of course, we did some jumping into leaf piles! We had plenty to jump in!

Plus there was the visit to the largest pumpkin patch I have ever seen! With some of the best looking pumpkins I have seen, they were great! They were so big and they came in so many great shapes! Charlie Brown would have had quite the experience waiting for the great pumpkin in this patch!

Some of our other favorite fall activities included making apple sauce and apple pies, visiting family and friends, working on the landscaping at the house (is that ever a work in progress) and so much more. Oh, and now I get to wake up in the morning to a warm fire in the fireplace. Sitting there drinking my chai, reading my bible and getting my toes warmed by the fire: one of lifes top enjoyments.

What's your favorite thing to do in the fall? I hope you've enjoyed your time in the fall as much as I have. Now on to Thanksgiving!

One month in . . .

So, one month into home schooling and it is going pretty well. We are following a four day schedule since there is always at least one day spent in town running errands and such. I made one amazingly good decision this year and bought the math curriculum from teaching text books. So glad they came out with third grade math this year! When it comes time to do math, I haven't gotten a complaint once! In fact, I don't even have to ask them to do their math, they ask me! It's amazing!
I love having my kids home with me. It is so much fun to see their minds unfold with new knowledge and it's amazing to see them master a new concept. You can tell when they finally "get it." It's neat to know that I helped them with that, I enjoy thinking that their memories of learning will be with me.
But I have to admit, when I look at my friends blogs and see all of the amazing photo's they are taking, or the great craft projects they are making, or the new ideas they are persuing. . .I get a little jealous.
I have realized that, unfortunately, I am not super woman. I can not do it all. But I could do more if I would just manage to become a little more disciplined. So I think I'll work on that.
I'll let you know how it goes.

3 baths, 6 bedrooms. . . and a lot of responsibility

So, because God is so amazing, we have purchased the house we have been renting for the last two years! You will all not believe what a God thing this is. It is amazing how all the details have worked out. You would not believe what our land lord has done for us. No he didn't give it to us, we have a mortgage, but he was very, very generous. This is a big leap of faith for Troy and I. We don't feel like God is doing this for us to have a huge house all to ourselves. We really feel like we need to use it for Him somehow. Keep us in your prayers as we keep moving forward. We are so excited to see what God is going to do. Also, we have PLENTY of space for company. Come and see us this winter and we can tell you all about what God is doing in our lives and we'd love to hear what He is doing in yours.

Back to the budget...

So the first month of the all cash no credit budget is going pretty well. At least for me. However one small glitch is that I keep forgetting to give the husband his share of cash. Oops. Then he is forced to use the plastic.
So actually, I'm not really sure how this budget is going. I know that I have cut back on spending. Which is good. But I also am realizing that staying inside the parameters of a budget is REALLY REALLY HARD! Especially when Husband's expensive work boots lose their sole after only six months! (Thanks to F/F for working with us on that.)
Money is probably the hardest area to give over to God. But I'm gonna keep trying to give it all back to Him because it doesn't belong to me anyway. And besides, I know that God is good all the time. Even when I feel like life is tough. But the reality is, I have it so good, and I know that. A husband that loves me, a roof over my head, food to eat, a healthy family, my husband has a full time job, cars that run, clothes, and the list goes on. I'm spoiled really and I need to remember that.
Thanks God.

Here are a couple of pic's to tell you about our summer.

Enjoy!

end of summer blues

So who has time for blogging when summer is almost over! We have been trying to live it up before it's gone.
We have been camping with friends, I even slept in a tent! Haven't done that in awhile.
We have been to the beach a couple of more times. ( Lost 2 pairs of goggles of course).
We have had company after company, it seems the house has been full for awhile now. So fun to share our home.
My sister and kids even managed to come for a visit. I love watching the little boys play, Ian and Wyat. They are very cute together.
And we also got to see my Dad and Mom.
Plus we had a sleep over with Tracy and Caden.
Most fun of all was the cute diaper/wipes case my sister and I worked on together that I need to take a pic of and post. I think Amanda (our cousin) will love using it for her new bambino.
I can't believe summer is almost over . . .
It has been so much fun!
I've got the end of summer blues.
I don't want to see it end!

sixlet

My middle son is six today! My little sixlet! How the time has flown, how his life has changed. It is so amazing to think back on the day he was born, a helpless infant, so small and cute. Downy soft cheeks, a tuft of brown hair on top of his head. Fast forward to today: sparkling hazel eyes, full of mischief, boundless energy, knees and elbows and sweaty hugs. All of the growing, all of the changes. It is amazing to see the young man inside of him. Six. It's a good age.

pillow talk

That is, I wish it could talk and tell me how to put this dastardly pillow cover back together. Her's the deal. I have a cream colored cushion on my rattan couch. It is stained and ripped beyond repair (that;s what 3 little boys and a dog can do to a weak fabric). So, since I am in town visiting my sister for a week and she has a sewing machine with a zipper foot, I figured I could get her to help me sew a new one. I even scored a nice brown velvet for only $3 a yard! Amazing! But now that I took apart the old cover to use the pieces as a pattern for the new cover, I can't remember how to sew it all back together! And the cushion is back at my house. Oh blast!

out with the plastic

So my hubby and I decided we need to re-do our budget.
Or more accurately, make a budget.
So I got rid of my credit cards.
EEK!
And we are going to try the cash system.
EEK! EEK!
Oh Lord, please help me!
This will definitely be an exercise in faith!
And receipt saving.

new adventure

So, I'm basically doing this, blogging that is, as a way to connect with the rest of the world.
There is some stuff I want to know.
Maybe you're the one to inform me.
Maybe you can point me to someone who does know what I need to know.
Maybe this will make up for the lack of phone calls to my mom.
Maybe.
Anyway, it's a new technological adventure for me so look out!