Strawberry time

We got a game cancellation last week because of rain.

So we let it clear up and headed off to pick strawberries instead.

 We were the only ones with the idea so

we were all alone picking and it was so nice!

 The kids ate a couple pounds and help me fill three flats.

 Then we took them home and started to clean them up.

 I had a 'helper' to process some, 

but I think more went into her tummy:)

 We went to the park and it always amazes me 

when they play in the trees rather than the playground.

 Brother/sister love as they went down the slide. 

I took these pictures because the sunsets have been amazing this last week.

God is good!

It's been a ride...

this last weekend.  

I have thanked my family who have been through a bit of my 

'crazy' this week.

I co-hosted a Trivia Night with my good friend 

for our church on Friday and it was a success.  

The next morning, 

I cleaned my house to prep for a bridal shower for my future sister-in-law.

It turned out to be a wonderful day with family and friends.

I am feeling blessed, thankful, and humbled for

all the support from family and friends.

Don't forget to hug your loved ones today...

I know I will be!

Living Waters

We had a wonderful field trip with a homeschooling group this past Thursday!

We attended a great camp close to our house called Living Waters Bible Camp.

 The first part of the day was set aside for our sensory hike.

Due to the rain, we had it indoors, 

but they still did a great job teaching all the lessons 

and included hands on projects!

 Ms. Ruth was a wonderful teacher and the kiddos loved the taste portion!

 After lunch, the kids got ready for the bread of life portion, 

and made their own chef hats.

We were so impressed with all the instructors there. 

Ms. Joy was a great teacher and very patient.

 Then mixed out all the ingredients for the bread and 

rolled out bread sticks that they got to taste test.

 Oscar's favorite thing was the grinder...

I'm pretty sure he offered to grind all our flour if we would make/buy a hand grinder:)

 Then we had some free time in the recreation room.

 They had ping-pong and Foosball tables.

We met some great families.

 It reminded me of the camp I went to as a kid, but with a bit different scenery.

 Evie loved the playground!

 There is Joey climbing like a monkey. 

We had a great day and can't wait to go back!

Sugar Snow

It's that time of year again...

Maple Syrup Time!

 And we roll in style fancy tractors and ATVs:)

 Children and God children a like we having a blast 

on the warm day with melting snow.

We got it done in record time and 

the kids had fun getting soaking wet. 

 Only one tree was running when we tapped.

Years prior, we've had almost all of them run when tapped. 

 I always turn into "squirrel mode" when I have all my preserved 

items in my cellar come Fall and don't want to use it all right away.  

About Spring time, I start to re-evaluate and 'splurge' by using it less sparingly.

I know it's a little crazy, but I am what I am.

One the way back from tapping,

Zach and Ashley took all the kiddos in the mule! 

That's one pile of kids.

As always, we had a blast!

Reflection and Examination...

Let us examine our path, let us ponder it and return to Yahweh. 

~Lamentations 3:40

Homeschooling seems to be a great fit for our family. 

The above picture is of the crown of thorns that the kids

and I baked a couple of weeks ago at the beginning of Lent.  

Each time they do a good dead(above and beyond their normal responsibilities),

they get to pull out a thorn.  

This has been a good incentive so far.  

 I have been enjoying my personal Lenten journey so far this year, 

I've done some real soul searching,

and continue to repent for things that I still struggle with.  

Having the strength to not be discouraged can be a difficult one for me.

My sins are washed away in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,

but the scars of the sins can still remain to serve as reminders.

Comprehending God's forgiveness as well as His love for us is pretty amazing.

Taking on the responsibility of homeschooling has helped me grow in my faith.  

Being able to see faith through the eyes of children is unbelievable. 

Questions that I thought would be asked, aren't as frequent 

as the ones that makes me stop and think.

Go for a walk in the fresh air and enjoy God's beauty!

I can smell it...

Then again, it might just be wishful thinking.

I really do think it smelled like Spring today!

 I completed Evie's sweater.

Well, it was suppose to Joey's and I ran out of yarn.

It happens:)

 We have been crafting it up.

The kids LOVE ShrinkyDinks!

 Our walk included sunshine,

 snow angels,

 clouds,

and a last ditch effort to save the snow fort!

I had a blast with the kids this afternoon 

and helped them raise the walls a couple of feet.

Advent Greetings...

We now have our house ready to celebrate!  

 The tree was decorated by my three silly kids.

 The star this year was made with yarn:)

 Cookies were decorated:

I may have to buy more sprinkles 

as Evie used almost all of hers on only a few cookies.

 The kiddos had a great time and are counting down the days.

Birthday and Pumpkins...

My little boy turned 9.  

Oh my, I almost have a ten year old.

He is the most loving, sweet, kind-hearted boy!

I'm so blessed to have him in my life.  

Only a couple of days later was trick-or-treating!

What did my three kiddos request to be for Halloween:

The Three Amigos!

We had a fun time and 

they loved their costumes.

They requested we all dress up next year as a family,

just like this year.  

We got dressed and headed to their Aunt and Uncle's for 

the big event.

All of the cousins had a great time and loved the cookies Aunt Becky made.

After trick-or-treating, we came home and carved pumpkins.

Everyone draws their own face on their pumpkin.

And scoops out the guts:)

In order from left to right:

Evie, Joey, Oscar, and Mom:)

We had a great night and 

are so blessed to have our family!

Fall Colors and a pup...

I have been taking pictures throughout the week of all the color changes.

 Most of the maple reds are done, 

a lot of the oak trees have been turning as well.

 These are my favorite colors and 

I've been designing a quilt to help me capture it.

 Zach thought he was pretty clever taking this one-

like how the arrow is pointing at this tree?:)

 This is the place I got my deer last year.

 My favorite trees...Quaking Aspen.

Doesn't get any better than this.

 Up on the ridge with the corn...love it.

 Here is a picture of our house and the trees behind it.

I thought it would be even better to take one more hike up the bluff to get some 

better fall color pictures.

Joey and I got to go on a little hike all by ourselves.

 It was worth the extra work...I can honestly say this is the best I've seen it.

 It was just as beautiful to have some one-on-one time with Joey.

She's turning into quite the little lady.

 We walked to another spot to get a couple more angles.

 These are the pictures that I will be looking at when I start on that quilt.

 God's masterpiece!

 Then we hiked down to the cave.  

Luckily, there was no occupants yet!

 We got down just fine and 

had to do a bit of the obstacle course around the property before we went in.

 Then we presented Oscar with his birthday present...

a great addition to our family.

Meet Dixie.  She is cuter than cute 

and already so loved.  

We are so happy and blessed to give her a good home.