Happy Fall Y'all

Happy Fall Y'all 

While everyone is posting pictures of pumpkin arrangements, here I am proudly showing off my succulents. I dug this planter box out of the clearance bin at Michael's a couple of months ago. I didn't know what I wanted to do with the box at the time, but it was only $5. After Lucas painted it, I decided to use this box for succulents. I've never grown succulents and I really hope they live.

It's spirit week at school. Monday was sports and today was 80's, tomorrow is career day, then tacky tourist and lastly on Friday its twin day.  I nailed sports day, however 80's not so much. I proudly don't own any 80's clothing. In fact...I really think that 80's fashion should be buried and forgotten! However, my little 80's inspired model did look adorable for picture. Tomorrow he asked to wear his fireman costume for career day. More pictures to follow.

*EDIT* 

Pictures of Career Day and Tacky Tourist Day. 

This little girl and I are enjoying our mornings together. At 27 months, Alara has become a little independent lady. She wants to do everything that her older brother does. She does not want a sippy cup, does not want to use her high chair tray and she insists on dressing herself. Her vocabulary is growing and she often uses it to her advantage by expressing herself loudly!!

Till Next Week.

Swift Arrow by Josephine Edwards

I want to share a book that the kiddos and I have been reading. At the beginning of the year I promised myself to read more. I've been slowly, but steadily building up steam and tacking my never ending book pile. And with Lucas's reading log for kindergarten it has been a great motivation for us to read more. I'll be back to my usual posts tomorrow, but hang in there with me...this might get interesting.

Swift Arrow by Josephine Edwards 

Swift Arrow was one of my favorites growing up. I loved listening to my Mom read the book aloud. I read the book on my own several times after that and now I'm reading it to my kiddos. The circle has come full.

George Boylan a young pioneer boy is captured by Indians and raised as the son of the mighty Chief Big Wolf. He lives with the Indians for about twelve years learning their ways and living as a member of the tribe. However, never looses the desire to escape and return to his family.

When Big Wolf announces his plan to name Swift Arrow as the next village Chief, and to betroth him to Ewanah, the Chief's daughter, Swift Arrow knows that his escape is now or never.  George is successful is escaping and returns to his family to live a long and happy life.

Although George does not want to be an Indian, or be the Chief, he appreciates the kindness that village show him and learns to love and respect Big Wolf as as his Chief and Father figure.

During a particularly difficult time in the Indian village, George recalls what his father said about God and suffering. "God does cause the suffering. But when things do go wrong, God helps us endure. And God has promised a great reward if we lived right and keep our faith." Great words to live by.

Baby Quinn's Quilt

My best friend from college is having her first baby! Baby boy Quinn is due around the end of the year and we are all excited to meet him. The Mama-to-be requested navy blue, gray and white with a chevron print. I'm happy with how this blanket turned out and I'm excited to hand this baby over.

a day away

With the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, our family needed to get away for the afternoon.  I couldn't think of a better place than the San Deigo Safari Park. It's far enough away to be out of town,  but close enough for a day trip. It is familiar, the weather is cooler and its outdoors. Turned out that it was a good day to go, not too crowded and the animals were active. 

Our day didn't start out well. In fact, we almost turned around and stayed home. The kiddos were fussy, I didn't pack ahead of time so we were all running behind and on top of it Lucas had a long week at school. Nevertheless, we pushed forward and went to the park. And although it was a good day, I was exhausted by the end of it. 

One of the highlights of our day was watching the elephants. Two elephant brothers were splashing and swimming in their pool. The kiddos were enthralled. It was cute watching the two brothers roughhouse in the water clearly enjoying themselves. 

We stayed until the late afternoon before heading home. Glad we went and oh so thankful or a full rest on Sunday before Monday morning. 

Mr. Lucas Goes to Kindergarten

Ready or not, Kindergarten here we come!

After much prayer and consideration, we decided to enroll our oldest in our local church school. He has been in school for almost a week and loves it. We love his teacher and I think it's going to be a good year for him.

I'm so proud of myself. I made it through the classroom and campus tour without any tears. The teacher wisely ended the tour at the playground. This gave parents the opportunity to slip away unnoticed by their kiddos. As I said good-bye to the teacher, she did the unthinkable....she wrapped me in the biggest hug and I lost it and cried.

I should probably mention that I know the teacher. I've substituted for her, I did service learning in her classroom and she was one of my Master Teachers in college. And worked with her daughter at Pine Springs Ranch for several summers.

Having a teacher I love and respect has made this transition easier for me. I'm excited to see what this year holds for us and I'm looking forward to seeing my son learn and grow.

6th wedding anniversary

PC: Hollie Macomber 

Six years ago I said "I do" to this man.

It's been a busy 6 years, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Happy Anniversary to us and cheers to many more happy gold years ahead of us.

half way point

Summer is flying by! We have about two weeks of summer left, and are determined to take advantage of these last few days to spend time together. Sabbath afternoon, we took a spur-of-the-minute trip up to Pine Springs Ranch. Anyone who knows our family understands the significance of Pine Springs Ranch in our lives.  I grew up there, I met my husband there and I love being able to take my kiddos to experience camp. 

Our kids loved exploring the camp Fort. The original Fort burned down in the summer of 2013, so this one is fairly new. Lucas enjoyed climbing the ladder to the Fort's main tower. The first time he tried it I was nervous and wanted him to wait for me. However, he apparently didn't "hear" me say wait and by the time I met him at the bottom of the ladder he was already standing on top of the tower's platform making ninja poses. 

It was crazy seeing old campers as staff. I had several young ladies say hi and share with me that I was their counselor/riding instructor at camp. I love seeing old campers become staff. 

With summer winding down I wanted to revisit my original "Summer Adventure" to do list.

Revisiting my to do list:

• Take the train to the beach 
• Family trip to the San Diego Safari Park/Zoo 
• Day trip to the mountains for fresh air and hiking
• Try something new and unique to our local area 
• Go to a baseball game
• Go to a movie (this one is for Lucas since he has never been to a movie theater)
• Make ice cream 
• Go horseback riding at Grandma's house 

Not bad for one summer. We still have two more weeks before school starts to cross off a few more things from our list.