Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween Festivities

Growing up, I don't remember that Halloween was that big of a deal.

We walked around, said, Trick-or-Treat, got candy, said Thank you, and that was it.

In northern Illinois, some Halloweens there was snow on the ground, other years it would be cold and rainy, and if we were lucky, on rare occasion would be warm enough to walk around with out a coat covering up part of our costume.

Moving to the St. Louis area provided a completely different Halloween experience. They love Halloween around here. I mean really love it.

On the Missouri side, St. Louis area kids have to tell a joke for their candy. Here's the best one I've heard:
Why did Snoop Dogg carry an umbrella?
For drizzle.
It still makes me chuckle every time I read it!

Over on the Illinois side, in our area, kids say plain ole, Trick-or-treat, but on the 30th of October. On the 31st, the entire town gathers for a Halloween parade. It's a big deal. Lots of kids stay up way past their bedtimes. Not Brynne and Hadley just yet. They will be nestled in their beds promptly at 7:00.

Does your town have a unique Halloween tradition? I'd love to hear about it!

I'll leave you with our girls' costumes. I think they're pretty much the cutest little garden gnomes ever.


Lots of great Halloween costumes over here. Join us!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Crayons

What do you see here?


Some might just see a box of crayons. 64 colors nestled in a box, ready to spread some love to a piece of plain while paper.

I'll tell you what I see.

I see chaos.

Sea green doesn't belong next to orchid!
Red orange has no business touching granny smith apple!

Simply, my girls just don't share their mama's appreciation for a color coordinated box of crayons.

It is, admittedly, a strange little quirk I have. 

Most days the girls have have toys and books strewn all over the floor, and I don't bat an eye. In fact, it makes me happy. Our home looks lived in. The toys, are well played with and the pages of those books are
spurning learning and imagination.

And, of course, there are excellent lessons to be learned about picking up the mess when playtime is over.

But, for whatever reason--when we color with crayons it takes every ounce of restraint in me to not obsess if crayons don't go back in the "right" place in the box, or *gasp* they go in upside-down.

So--as soon as I have a moment, I find myself organizing our crayon box to get ready for the next time we decided to color. 

When aquamarine cozies up to turquoise blue and bittersweet is reunited with burnt orange, I sigh a happy sigh.


I know the girls certainly don't care about a color coordinated box of crayons. I also know that will quickly become undone, the second we begin coloring again. But--getting out a box of perfectly color coordinated crayons is makes me strangely happy. A shred of order to the chaos. Or something.

Weird, huh?

What about you? Do you have any quirky organization things? Help me feel normal.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Mama Loves: CSA

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.
Maybe you've found:
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.
Manic Mother
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Feeding your kids is definitely an adventure. Here are some awesome ideas from some mamas in the trenches:
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CSA = Community Supported Agriculture.

My father was (and still is) a small business owner, so it's been ingrained in me to appreciate local businesses, and to support them whenever possible.

We love our local farmer's market. The girls really love it too. We often indulge in some baked goods, and stock up on fresh eggs, locally raised pork, lamb and beef, and fill our bags with seasonal produce. It makes my heart swell with pride that I can make an entire meal with ingredients grown/raised within 10 miles of our home.

The farmer's market runs from mid-April to mid-October. The rest of the year, we order from local farmers, and have it delivered to a local pick-up spots. You can do this too!

It's so easy to find local CSA! Click the link, plug in your zip code, and enjoy locally grown goodness today! It's convenient, delicious, and spurns creativity. What do you with Brussels sprouts and eggplant?!
Pinterest is a great place to start looking for recipes! There are lots of great ways to exercise and challenge your taste buds. If you're in the baby-food-making phase, check out Katie's post for creative ways to prepare local goodies for your babies. I also really like using Weelicious.

[If you happen to live in the St. Louis area, check out Community Helpings Coop. The Produce Basket for $23 is a fantastic deal! Our pick up spot is five minutes from our house! So easy!]
I can't wait to see what you're loving this week!


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Thursday, October 27, 2011

The one where I cry on the floor of Walmart

I wish I were joking.

Typically, I don't go to Walmart. I made an exception today; I just needed one thing, and Walmart was closer than the grocery store. It was close to lunch, and we'd had a busy morning.

I go into Walmart, get my one item, unload the girls and head home.

As I'm getting Hadley out of the car, I notice something terribly wrong. The stroller is not in the back of the car.

Panic sets in.

I fasten the girls back in their car seats and tell them that we need to pray. Hadley answers by giving me the sign for "truck" (one was driving past us) and Brynne answers by giving me the sign for "drink".
Yes Hadley, Mama is praying that our abandoned stroller doesn't get hit by a truck too. Brynne, Mama will definitely pray that there's enough wine in our house tonight.   
On the way back to Walmart I'm imagining how I'll tell Brad.
So, you know that $650 stroller I just had to have? You know, the only stroller we own? Yeah. Well, I decided to give it away to someone at Walmart.
We arrived at Walmart, and I went back to our parking spot.

No stroller.

I get the girls out of the car, take them by the hand, and begin walking. We see a shopping-cart-bringer-inner-person, so we head over to chat with him.

He hadn't seen our stroller.

Brynne decides she doesn't want to walk, so I'm carrying her and holding Hadley's hand.

[Side note--I never take the girls into any store without the stroller. Not. Ever.]

I'm praying as we walk into Walmart that I can act with grace, because I feel myself crumbling.

I'm walking too fast. Hadley trips and face-plants into the asphalt. Great.

Tears.

I pick her up, apologizing to her profusely.

So, now I'm carrying both girls into Walmart. One in each arm.

I head strait to customer service, where there is clearly no stroller present. As I'm telling the woman behind the counter that I'd driven off without my stroller, I burst into tears.

She goes to get a manager.

Hadley demands to get down, and begins to throw a fit.

So, there I am, sitting on the floor of Walmart, right in front of the automatic exit doors, attempting to pacify Hadley, holding Brynne, and I'm crying.

Not just crying. Ugly crying. Sobbing-tears-snot-running-down-my-face kind of crying. So much for grace.

This lady stops to ask me if I needed help. She opens a just-purchased box of crackers and gives some to Brynne and Hadley. Clearly, sobbing on the floor of Walmart brought me to an all new low, where in I would allow a complete stranger to give my children food.

There were three manager-type people trying to figure out where the stroller was. They assured me that if it was taken, they have security cameras in the parking lot. That made me feel a little better.

Then, the head manager guy comes around the corner pushing our stroller. Hallelujiah!

I had no dignity left at this point, so I did what any thankful, dignity-less person would do--I ran over to that Walmart manager and gave him a big hug. So not like me. I'm pretty sure I left snot on his shirt.

I hugged cracker-lady too.

Someone walked my stroller to safety in the lawn and garden section, answering Hadley's prayer, protecting our stroller from getting hit by a truck.

And as to Brynne's prayer about drinks, the wine fridge is fully stocked. Can't wait till Brad gets home from work. There's a bottle of red zin with my name on it.

In leiu of tattooing a reminder across my hand, check out my steering wheel:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Barnyard Fun

Friends of ours have an annual barbecue in late October. The timing of it is a gamble around here; it could be 30 degrees or 80 degrees. Two years in a row we've enjoyed warm temperatures, which means we've been able to bring the girls out to enjoy the festivities!

One of the activities they have for kids is to walk up the road to see some animals.

We took the girls last year, and they seemed mildly interested in the animals.

This year I was so excited to take them, because we knew how much they'd love seeing the animals!

What a joy it was to see their enthusiasm this year!

I have so enjoyed comparing pictures from last year to this year!

Mama and Hadley checkin out the buffalo

Mama and Hadley looking at the donkey

Brad and Brynne staring down Fonzie the alpaca.

Brad and Brynne crowing like roosters.

Family photo


Sadly, Fonzie the alpaca went to the great meadow in the sky, so we had to settle for a picture in front of a nameless horse.

Walking back to our car.

This year the girls could walk!

Thank you to Cheryl for hosting Way Back When-esday, which reminds me to reflect on where we've been, to take joy in where we are now, and to appreciate the journey.
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I'd love for you to link up to Mama Loves this week! Is there a product, book, recipe or activity that makes life just a wee bit easier for you as a mama? Blog about it, and share!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Learning from Melissa

The week of Labor Day, my sweet husband took us on our first family vacation. I had no idea where we were going; he wanted desperately to make it a surprise, and I intentionally let him do all the planning, avoiding the urge to figure out where we were headed.

It was indeed a great surprise to see my sweet friend, Melissa standing in the restaurant parking lot when we arrived at our destination.

Please excuse the crazed looks! It had been a long day for all of us.

Melissa and I met through blogging. 

Her girls are five months older than Brynne and Hadley, so I've sought her insight a lot, because, in most instances, she's dealt with it; been there, done that with her girls. In the process we've become great friends. We share our faith. We share our lives. We encourage one another.

Following our trip, Melissa wrote a telling post about all she's learned through our friendship.

If you've taken a moment to read it, you'll see that we are, indeed, very different people. And our parenting styles are in many ways night and day different.

I was telling a friend, a long time ago, about my friendship with Melissa. Her comment was that really, this is the best way to get to know someone. Instead of seeing what kind car she drives, or what her home looks like, or how she dresses, or how how her children behave--I saw her heart.

That is where the foundation of our friendship was built, and on that, there is great grace and love for one another.

Her words ring true. It's easy to judge and discount mamas who do things differently than what works for us, and maybe we should not be so quick to do so. There could be a beautiful friendship (and much to learn) amidst the different feeding, diapering and discipline styles.

My efforts in parenting our children focus greatly around health and safety. Admittedly, obsessive in some instances.

I battle to find the line between letting the girls experience life fully in a safe and healthy way while teaching them to obey and exercise appropriate caution. When I say battle, I really do battle/debate/question everything. Sometimes it's exhausting.

Stop.
Breathe.
Pray.
Repeat.

As Melissa has learned from me, I too have learned much from her. Learned and put into practice! Mostly, it involves relaxing a little bit. It's good to relax, and to let the girls relax.

Going barefoot. Before our visit to South Carolina, I don't think our girls had ever gone barefoot outside (unless they were in their strollers). This is a regular occurrence at Melissa's house.  


My girls kinda love it!

Letting the girls bake with us in the kitchen. Kitchens make me nervous. There are about 103 ways a kid can get hurt in the kitchen. Once, my little sister was helping me make some brownies. I was a dumb high school kid, who didn't pay enough attention in chemistry. I poured water over burning butter, which then exploded in my face, sending me to the ER. Thankfully, my sister didn't get burned. But--the thought that she could have been makes me all kinds of nervous, which is why our kitchen is completely off limits to the girls.

Melissa lets her girls bake with her in the kitchen all the time. That sounds like so much fun! I want my girls to decorate sugar cookies, help me stir, and be part of food preparations where appropriate.

So...under careful supervision, our girls did get to help their papa make banana bread (no burning butter involved). They had so much fun! Definitely something we'll do with them again!


Family Dinners. Most of the time, Brad and I wait to eat our dinner after the girls go to bed, and the girls have the leftovers for their dinner the following night. Melissa's family eats dinner together as a family. Lately, one or two nights a week we've been doing family dinners. It's chaotic sometimes, but I love that the girls are part of our meal together. I look forward to more of those meals together in the future.

Appetizer Dinners. Most of the time I plan out just a plain old meal. Melissa does "appetizer nights" at her house. How fun! Are you guys on Pinterest? I caution, you, time spent there is like a black hole, even worse than facebook. But--there are some pretty amazing recipes to be found, and you can park them right there in your own Pinterest folder, so that they're easy for you to find. I've found some great appetizers for appetizer night that way. Appetizer night at our house is definitely a family dinner. Fun food enjoyed by all!

Climbing. Melissa's girls are climbers! Oh my are they ever! This was something Brad and I are just not used to at all. We stood in awe as Aeralind and Bronwyn climbed onto the roof of the car, and Melissa and Derek didn't even bat an eye. Our girls have never really been climbers. They climb up on the couch, but that's about the extent of it. So, this is a new adventure for us, and it makes me nervous. Climbing = falling. But--I let this go on long enough to snap a picture this past weekend:

Heaven, help me!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Feeling Favor

We've had another week of sickness around here. Cancelled playdates. Cabin fever. And the weather to match all the dreariness.

This weekend was glorious though. Sunny and warm. And, finally, the girls are well enough to frolic in it.

Do you ever feel God's favor? Like really feel it?

God's favor feels like getting into a car that's been in the sun--the warmth wrap its arms around you, and embraces you tight.

That's how this weekend felt. I felt God's favor. His pleasure.

Thank you, Jesus.

Counting my gifts this week.

1009. Roses blooming in October that smell delicious.


1010. Steamy showers and cool night air to quell croupy coughs.

1011. First pot of chili of the season.

1012. Early morning snuggles with Hadley. Soon enough she'll be too big to fall asleep on my chest.

1013. Vivid fall colors.


1014. Impromptu trip to the park with Ellyn and Benjamin.

1015. Pumpkins in trees.


1016. Getting pumpkins out of trees.


1017. Girls meeting animals.






1018. Barefeet.




holy experience
 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Mama Loves: Time Change

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found:
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.

Manic Mother

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Do you just have no idea what gear to buy sometimes? Here are a few fantastic ideas for mama, babies and toddlers:
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Okay, so I don't really love the time change. Gone are the days of getting an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning.

Our babes just don't get that yet.

They will.

Soon enough they'll be rallying to extend their curfew an extra hour, because of the time change. And we will say no, and hold the fact that "they used to wake us up at 5:30 AM after the time change" over their heads, and it will be a glorious victory.

One day.

So, when the girls were six months old, in sheer desperation for some much needed sleep, we went to a sleep specialist. She is also known around my husband's office as The Baby Whisperer.

She gave us a huge packet of information about every aspect of a child's sleep. Seriously--she thought of everything, and every six months or so, I remember to be thankful to The Baby Whisperer.

Why?

She gave us one page paper on time changes.

But, I told you The Baby Whisperer thought of everything. She sure did.

So, until mamas can unite and rally for them (whoever them is) to just move the time 30 minutes and keep it permanent, maybe her wisdom will help you too:
Although the time change officially takes place on a Saturday night, for the child, it actually begins the next evening on Sunday. The parent should stick with the "old time" all day Sunday for the child's nap. Then on Sunday evening, the parent should move to the "new time" essentially making the child stay up an hour past the usual bedtime. The parent must continue putting the child down at night at normal bedtime for the child to make the adjustment to sleeping in till their usual time. Most children continue waking early for several days, then intermittently for several days. After about 10-14 days most children are back on schedule if the parent is consistent. It will take longer to adjust if the parents intermittently put the child down early.
*Disclaimer. I am not a sleep specialist, and I don't play one on TV. I'm just very grateful to The Baby Whisperer, and thought I'd pass this along. I'll say this: we've followed her recommendations, and each time our girls have adjusted within a couple of days. Painlessly.

Can't wait to see what you're loving this week!


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Friday, October 21, 2011

Cabin Fever Cures

So. I'm feeling it already. Feva.

The prescription, I fear, is more than a little cowbell.

File:Walken-Cowbell.jpg

The girls have been sick for over a week now. The one time I took them out for a quick errand this old lady walked up to me, and told me she heard that girls coughing, and shouldn't I get some socks on their feet? My girls don't leave anything on their feet most of the time. It's a battle I refuse to fight, especially when they're just going to be chillin' in their stroller. And anyway, it was 70 degrees outside for heaven's sake.

I digress.

Anyway. Yeah. So, we're staying home. I can only be gracious to so many old ladies (however well-meaning they might be) in one week. 

The staying home thing is giving me some serious cabin fever! And I know the girls are feeling it too.

The most recent Parenting Magazine had something on their cover cabin fever remedies, and I got all excited thinking I was going to read tons of awesome ideas of stuff to do inside. The article was only one page, so not quite what I was hoping for.

Here are a few of their suggestions off of the top of my head:
  • Let your kids go swimming in the bathtub
  • Build forts about of pillow and couch cushions
  • Play volleyball with balloons
So this is a shout out to all you mamas. What are your go-to cabin fever cures?

I'd love to hear all your lovely suggestions. Maybe we can all help each other beat cabin fever this winter!

Monday, October 17, 2011

1,000 Gifts

Last June I embarked on a journey. Counting my gifts. 1-1,000

When I began counting I was a new, mama, and completely and utterly overwhelmed.

I cried every day as Brad left for work.
I begged God to bring rain to cancel his baseball games, so that he would be home in the evenings.
I pleaded with God that my girls would sleep.

In short, I had no idea what I was doing. Every moment I felt like I was drowning.

Anxiety. Fear. Resentment. Doubt. Depression.

They flooded my soul. I sat in a pit with all those dark friends swirling around my head.

I would combat them with prayer. On my knees, weeping, begging, pleading with God to help me kind of prayer.

I desperately longed for just one day to feel manageable. 

A blogger friend of mine had joined Ann counting her gifts.

I was intrigued, and decided to give it a try.

I had no idea how much it would change my life.

You see, when you seek joy; when you seek God in everyday (even in the hard stuff). Fear, anxiety, resentment, doubt, sadness? They can't co-exist with joy. So, my heart changed. I changed.

Do you see how my perspective was totally altered? Instead of looking at things, and feeling helpless, I just looked at things, and said:

Okay. This sucks. Where is God here? What can I find joy in in this place?
I intentionally sought Jesus.

Sometimes it was really hard. But you know? God always showed up. Even if it was just to give thanks that my precious babies had breath to cry.
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It seems so fitting that this would be the week that I'd reach 1,000.

My girls have been sick with the croup for a week now.

Lots of snot.
Lots of coughing.
Lots of crying.
Lots of clinging.
Lots of watching (and listening to) my sweet daughters fight to breathe.

I step away. To seek my Father. To seek joy.

Breathe in.
Lord...
Breathe out.
...Jesus Christ...
 Breathe in.
...have mercy...
Breathe out.
...on me.
(Thank you, Mandy)

Then, I list my gifts.

Mercy.
Grace.
Joy.
Eucharisteo.

Everything's a miracle.

Eucharisteo precedes the miracle.

So I give thanks. And look for miracles.

988. Hair bands, from when the girls were infants (that still fit), and hold their hair away from snotty noses.


989. Rain boots.



990. Craft night at Heather's

991. Chatting with Laura and Heather late into the night.

992. Meeting Lori at craft night.

993. Waving at Lori on Sunday at church.

994. Chatting and connecting with Kelly and Gabby at Artisan.

995. Seeing both Kelly and Gabby at church the next morning.

996. Having friends at church!

997. Going to a church full of people that are full of grace.

998. Meeting Beth and praying for her during chruch.

999. Olbas oil. Seriously. Check it out!

1000. Listening to Brynne and Hadley coughing. Knowing they are breathing.

1001. Honey that quells the coughing.

1002. A husband that helps me with the girls in the middle of the night.


1004. Brynne calling for her papa in the middle of the night.

1005. Playdate scheduled with Shelly and Max.

1006. Texts from Affton and Sara checking in on us and praying for us.

1007. Getting to 1,000 gifts.

1008. Intentionally doing hard things, and finding God in the hard stuff.




holy experience



Saturday, October 15, 2011

Mama Loves: Tennis Courts

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! So glad that you've stopped by!

Mama Loves is a linky party where mamas can share anything that has made your life easier as a mama.

Maybe you've found:
  • a toy or book that captivates your child(ren)
  • gear you just can't live without
  • a recipe your choosy toddler gobbles down
  • a parenting book that you've found perspective changing
  • an activity that wears your kid(s) out (these lead to good naps, which we all love)
  • an outfit that flatters your post-baby body and makes you feel fabulous
  • or anything else you're loving--creativity welcome!
Share it with us! Blogging has made me a better mama, because I've learned about all kinds of great things, like those listed above, from mamas just like you. Here's your chance to share it with all of us!

To link your post up, click on the linky tool at the bottom, and follow the directions, it's really easy. You can also add this beautiful button to your post. Just grab the code in the box, copy and paste it into your post. Easy.
Manic Mother

________________________________________________________________________________

What are some favorite toys around your house? You guys have already shared so many great ideas!
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We've been sick around here this week. The girls have been battling the croup. I'm so thankful to report that with a call to our pediatrician, we've been able to treat it at home. No ER visits!

So, a word on snot.

That stuff is like glue. I really think the glue manufacturers should look into it as some sort of natural glue alternative or something. Snot certainly has some staying power.

But, it is no match for Boogie Wipes!

Crusty, snotty noses need Boogie Wipes. The saline dissolves all the glue-like snot gently. My girls actually like having their noses wiped with these.

Gentle Saline Wipes, Fresh Scent

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So, I don't know about you, but at this stage in the game, I can't take the girls to parks with playgrounds by myself. In fact, the very thought of it makes me start to sweat.

My girls, in a matter of two seconds, can masterfully manage to divide to the far most opposite ends of the playground, and climb their way into some sort of precarious, dangerous situation.

One day, in desperation--Brad was out of town, the girls really wanted to run around outside, it was a lovely day, so I wanted to be outside too--I took my girls to the playground, only we didn't go to the playground. We went to the tennis courts adjacent to the playground.

The courts are fenced in, so I shut and latched the gates giving my girls a great big cage open area to run around and play, free of the perilous high places.



The first time I just brought sidewalk chalk (I'm sorry if this offends any serious tennis players out there). Since then, we've brought balls and other toys for the girls to play with in the tennis courts.



We've even had a few playdates at the tennis courts.

Can't wait to see what you're loving this week!


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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Deep Thoughts On Pumpkins

When you head the pumpkin patch this fall, what kind of a pumpkin are you looking for?

Do you search for that perfect orange pumpkin? Symmetrical, with a smooth surface for carving or otherwise decorating?

That's what our Hadley picked. Mostly because she could pick it up. The stem is broken because she's dropped it a few times. I think I like it better that way. Broken.


So, I learned something about myself at the pumpkin patch this year.

I love the "ugly" pumpkins.

I love the funky-colored pumpkins.


The variegated pumpkins.

The misshaped pumpkins.

I think I like to find the pumpkins that aren't "ideal" to most people, because I want them to feel loved. And I have this drive to find what is lovely about them.

Maybe that's because that's what I want people to do with me.
Maybe it's because that's what God does, and I'm trying to get a little bit of insight.

I don't know. Deep thoughts about pumpkins.

Here's my pumpkin:


As we're driving away from the pumpkin patch, my husband informed me that I might have chosen the ugliest pumpkin in the whole patch.

I don't care. I love my pumpkin! It proudly sits on my front porch in all its imperfect glory!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Abundant Sunshine

We had such a fantastic week! My sister came on Wednesday to spend her precious vacation time here with me and the girls.

Having her here blessed my heart, and the girls absolutely adore their Masi, which delights and thrills me.

My sister is a surgical resident. She works insane hours on not nearly enough sleep. And she does really, really hard things.

She sees people die and she saves lives.

Can you imagine?!

Then, when she has breaks she goes home to a husband and a dog. In addition to all that--she still takes time to encourage me, to be my friend, to love me and my family well--intentionally.

Doesn't all of that sound exhausting?

She gets two weeks of vacation a year, which she has to take one week at a time. Two weeks---that's it.

So, you see how blessed and honored and privileged we are that she chose to spend it here loving on Brynne and Hadley (and me too). And how cherished I feel that she made the six hour drive down.

So many blessings this week!

969. Abundant sunshine.

970. The girls picking ripe tomatoes and putting them in their buckets.

971. Petting the goats at the zoo.


972. Hadley reading with her Masi and petting Noodle.


973. Pastries and coffee from Artisan Bakery--such a treat!

974. Pumpkin picking fun!


975. Brynne pulling the wagon.


976. Then riding in the wagon for a little break.


977. Then gingerly stepping over the pumpkin vines with her Masa.


978. Hadley being only interested in choosing great big pumkins.


979. Grandpa helping Hadley pick up her great big pumpkins.


980. Delight in finally finding a pumpkin more her size.


981. Whew! Resting in the wagon after all that hard work!


982. Discovering that riding in the wagon with Papa is way more fun!


983. Pulling the wagon with her Masa.


984. Brynne running down the dusty path with her grandpa.


985. Trip to the fire station.



986. Heading home with our spoils.


987. Sunday afternoon at the park.



holy experience