Happy Friday

Today it was Beautiful out. So we called one of the local orchards to see if they had any pumpkins left. They did so we packed up the kids and headed out. This orchard was so much fun. They didn't have any apples left to pick but had goats, pigs, rabbits, and chickens. The goats had this really neat feeding contraption. It was kinda like a jungle gym. The goats walked up to the top. We put feed into cups attached to a belt and pulley system. We turned the pulley until the cup got to the top where the goats were; the cup emptied and fed the goats. We got seven small pumpkins for $16.00. They have a tunnel maze and hedge maze. The kids had SO MUCH FUN running through the mazes. To me there is nothing better than a child's laughter and I heard lots of it today. Brian was able to meet us there so that was nice to be out enjoying God's creations. We had some good apple cider and cider donuts to top off the day. This evening we are home enjoying God's Holy Sabbath, smelling pumpkin crunch baking and studying Sabbath School lessons.

October is nearly over

I sit here thinking Oh WOW there is only two months til Christmas. The past two months have been so very busy.

School is going well. Caleb is reading, slowly but getting there. Leo is really into reading and making up stories. We recently watched a National Geographic show on Boston's Big Dig. It was about how the highway system went underground. I have to say Boston post Big Dig is absolutely beautiful. Where there was once an elevated highway is now parks and beautiful landscape. Reuben is loving the time spent learning.

The girls are into everything these days. Can't hardly turn my back on them. It makes it even more interesting with four two year olds. Nique and I have been trying to potty train her girls. Savannah is being a little stubborn about not wanting to take the time to sit on the potty. Elisabeth is getting it, fewer accidents every day. Anneliese and Rebekah just don't understand why the other girls have little potties and they don't. But A & R both have been using the big potty for months, not going back now.

We were offered a different three bedroom house a little closer to Brian's work but turned it down since we would still be in a three bedroom, I am holding out hope for the four bedroom to open up soon.

A few weeks ago we went apple picking. Between the 10 of us we picked probably 45 pounds of apples in several varieties. The farm we went to is a nice place with a petting zoo, playground and lots of huge trees. They also allow you to eat apples while you are picking. Those were some of the best apples. So we have had apple crisps, apple dump cake. baked apples and even apples in our oatmeal for breakfast. I can't wait to go back again next year.

The fall foliage was SO BEAUTIFUL, the most vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. Now the rain and wind have knocked most the leaves off the trees. Last night our overnight temp was around 28.

I have so many pictures to edit and put online. I will be doing that soon, I promise. If any of you have flickr accounts, I can add you to my contact list and you can see all my pictures not just a select few.

Off to work on some crafty projects.

My friend Kristy (a long time friend) sent me this award.
Thank you for the award Kristy. Kristy lived across the street from my family when I was a teenager. We have known each other over 20 years now. We have somehow managed to stay in contact through multiple military moves. The internet makes it so much easier. I love seeing her blog and it inspires me to be a better mom and Christian. Part of accepting the award is:

*displaying the award
*linking back to the person who gave it to you
*paying it forward & nominating 7 blogs
*adding links to those seven blogs
*leaving comments on their blog telling them you gave them an award
*enjoying the award!!

Okay - I have to send this to 7 other bloggers. Here we go.

First award goes to (in random order of course). Andrea, a beautiful person i have known over 6 years. We have boys the same age. Our friendship has been through military moves across the country and out of the country. THrough all that we have remained friends. I love reading her blog too see her comings and goings and seeing pictures of her beautiful children. Andrea and I have been through good and bad times together supporting each other all the way through. I know without a shadow of a doubt she is there for me.

Second award goes to Nique, she is a fellow mother of twins. We met online 3 years ago while pregnant with our twins. We are both military wives at various stages in their careers but yet we have this bond that makes us friends and I think friends for a life time. I have watched her become an independent mother, wife and person. She has survived 2 year long deployments in 3 short years.

Third award goes to Bel, a fellow military wife, who I met in New Orleans just a few short years ago. Our boys are only a month apart. She has a generous heart yet tells ya what is on her mind. She and her family have now moved to another state as well and by reading her blog I can keep up to date on her family when life just seems to get in the way

Fourth award goes to Lindsey, yet another military wife and Christian. I love Lindsey. I love seeing pictures of her beautiful twins and sharing in her life via her blog.

Fifth award goes to Crystal, We met through MOPS in New Orleans. She is a pastor's wife with three beautiful boys yet always finds time to give of herself to others. I miss her and by reading her blog I am inspired by her Christian walk, her travels and mission mindness.

Sixth award goes to Theresa, She is this amazing woman who I haven't met in person but yet I love her. She is a mom of three, works from home and homeschools as well. She is always willing to lend a shoulder, a prayer or just give me a laugh.

Seventh award goes to Sonja, We met online through a Christian online group about 7 years ago. We each have three boys very close in age. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Sonja in person about a year and a half ago. She maintains a wonderful outlook on life and relies on God in her daily life.

Like my friend Kristy said. I am very blessed with the friends I have met both online and in real life. God has always provided just the person I needed in my life. Once at MOPS we studied about intimacy and was given a quote. God provides friends for the road (those that come just for a certain purpose in our life) and friends for the heart (those that stay in our lives through time). I am blessed to have so many friends for the heart.

Making Strides-Hope begins with us

Today was the walk. I walked the entire 6 miles. It was so inspiring reading the support shirts and why people are walking. One man was wearing a shirt that said, My wife's battle is my battle until she beats cancer. He was there with two young children. There were kids as young as 5 or 6 walking, other kids in strollers with their parents. Men and Women alike were wearing PINK for support. One young girl had a shirt on that said FIGHT LIKE A GIRL with a PINK ribbon. Together we can hopefully find a cure for Breast Cancer as well as ALL CANCER. After losing some close friends and two grandmothers to breast cancer, this walk was meaningful to me. I also know many survivors.

Between parking and some after the walk window shopping, total miles walked today was approximately 9 miles. I can't wait to do this walk again next year and hopefully raise even more money. I am also proud to be apart of a company that donates over a million dollars annually through fundraisers and special Help Whip Cancer products.

I want to encourage anyone who can to get out there and support this fight and the American Cancer Society. I want to thank those that donated to my fundraising efforts.

What a small world we live in

This morning we went to church. I was looking at the bulletin and the guest speaker was a name I recognized. I told Brian, I wonder if this is the speaker is the person I went knew from school. So the speaker walks in and I wam thinking yep that's him. So Brian grabbed his arm and was I think my wife knows you. YEP it was him. The speaker and I went to school together in New Orleans at the Adventist school. He is now the chaplain at the near by Adventist Academy. He just moved her about 2 months ago. He spoke a really good sermon and it was nice to catch up.