Pumpkin Carving

After carving and dinner smores.

This one...Miss Maddie Jane...wanted nothing to do with the smores.  Instead she demanded a bag of frozen strawberries and ate that instead.  Whatever floats your boat kid!

 

Evie on the other hand was all in for the smores!

Lighting of the Pumpkins

I think they turned out pretty good.  They needed some help but they're getting better and better.

Sadie's and Hazel's Pumpkin

Cooper and Evie's Pumpkin

Wyatt, Aubrey, and Maddie's Pumpkin

To Mark the First Hearthfire of the Season

Bless this hearth, O Lord, and bless the gatherings that will happen around it in the coming season.

May this hearth be to us a port in the storm, a cheering beacon, and a place of fellowship marked by the consolation of your Spirit.

May it be a place of celebration,

Of conversation, and of caring,

Of the sharing and bearing of burdens,

Of the multiplication of joys, 

Of light in the darkness and warmth in the cold.

May it be a place of prayers and hopes,

Of plans and quiet considerations.

A place of shared stories and of good dreams.

Grant us grace to savor this season as we live it together, that in later days the memory of this place and these times will linger sweetly, shaping our lives, our words, our deeds.

May the comfort and fellowship of this hearth be so kindled in our own hearts, O Lord, that as we journey outward from this place, even in seasons of cold and darkness, we will do so always carrying the warmth of your love, and the light of your mercies.

Amen.

Quoted from Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey

I discovered this book Every Moment Holy about a year ago.  It is filled with liturgies for every day moments.  The idea behind it is that every moment we are given is sacred.  Every person we interact with is created in the Emago Dei, image of God, and every moment of our day whether we are at work or play, celebrating or suffering, alone or together, it is all a part of a good story being written by God and we choose to either acknowledge that or not.  These prayers are intended to help us think differently and to intentionally acknowledge God in these ordinary moments.  

Anyway they're beautiful prayers that have helped me to think a little differently and often pray about things I didn't quite have words for.  This was the first time we tried reading one aloud with the kids and they thought we were a little crazy I'm pretty sure, but I hope that over the years its makes some of these traditions just a little more meaningful and ultimately points our prone to wander hearts back again and again to Jesus, the source of each and every moment we are given.

Pumpkin Patchin'

We were so excited to hear that field trips are back on again.  FINALLY!!! Both Hazel and Evie were able to attend a field trip with their class to the pumpkin patch and then our family took our annual trip to Greens Bridge.

   Evie's Field Trip to EZ Orchards

Apple Picking

Reagan and Evie

The Pumpkin Patch

Evie's Class

The Petting Zoo

Hazel's Field Trip to Greens Bridge

Hazel and Ainsley

The Pumpkin Patch

Hazel's Class

The Corn Maze

Our Family Trip to Greens Bridge

It was blazing hot when we went on Evie and Hazel's field trips but amazing what a couple of days can do.  Fall feels like it is officially here as is the rain.  We got soaked!

Our trip was a success and honestly these kinds of things are getting a little easier.  The big kids are more and more trustworthy and they all do a pretty good job of staying together.  Our take away this trip was that we need to be clear that they can't pick pumpkins they can't load into the wheelbarrow on their own.  One of our pumpkins was 40 pounds and really all 3 were much to big for carving.  So I guess I'll be purchasing some smaller ones for carving and will be using these as decorations. :)

Volleyball 2022

What a fun season!!!  We Love, Love, Loved watching Sadie light up on the court and with her team.  There was so much growth this year and we had a blast cheering them on.  GO EAGLES!!! GO GOOSEBUMPS!!!

Sadie was so excited to get back to playing volleyball for Crosshill and we were so proud of her for working hard and making the 8th grade team.  She grew a ton this year as a player and as a leader.  Her coach actually made her a captain part way through the season because she was so impressed with the way she carried herself, her awareness on the court, and her level of skill.  She was one of 3 setters on the team, they learned some basic rotations, she got a lot of playing time, and all in all just had a wonderful season. 

One day after practice Coach Jung told Brandon that Sadie had an amazing practice.  She said something about how she was doing a great job hitting and that it literally gave her goosebumps.  You have to know Coach Jung but she's hilarious, so passionate and so fun!   Anyway, so Brandon text me and asked if I'd call Sadie Goosebumps when she got home.  I did to which she rolled her eyes and said, "He already told you?" and walked away.  I told Coach Jung the next day as she dropped off her daughter and I dropped of Evie.  We had a laugh about it and I thought that was the end of it but then she got up to serve at the next game and her Daddy yelled Go Goosebumps !!!!  I was elbowing him telling him to knock it off, Coach Jung was dying laughing, and everyone else was confused.  Thankfully she made her serve and from then on it was her nick name.  Sorry Sadie :)

Felicity and Mrs. House

Coach Jung

Volleyball Awards/Parent Game