Group Trunk-or-Treat

Group hosted a Family Trunk-or-Treat night on post tonight. Each battalion was in charge of an event like games, cookie decorating, hayride, etc. The kids, although cold, had a blast with their friends (Caleb, Joshua, & Emmy) decorating cookies, drinking hot chocolate, playing games, and scoring lots of candy. Ellie was ecstatic to finally get to dress like a cheerleader, and Saedi was proud to pose as a piggy. The girls were so exhausted when we got home that Ellie asked to go to bed rather than have a snack and dig through her candy bag...what! Kristen took this nice picture of us as well, which I will cherish since I don't have many of myself with my kids.

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Momma's Helpers

Isaac is in love with Ellie. Who wouldn't be, right?

Ellie will pretty much do anything to make someone laugh. I guess that's a good, but potentially dangerous attribute.

Zombies during Cartoon Saturday

And Miss Saedi, who wanted to show Daddy what a Big Girl she is. I think Mr, Chunk-a-Dunk is going to outgrow his sissy before too long

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Where You Go I Go -Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

While I'm a Kim Walker fan, I was just introduced to this song today through Steph. I can't stop listening to it. Just minutes before hearing the song for the first time I was reading in my Bible:
Psalm 50
...vs7-15
"Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak:
Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burn sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mind.
Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats' blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you're in trouble-
I'll help you, and you'll honor me."
My hope is that wherever you are you will make time to praise God. Honor him. May your heart be open to the Holy Spirit as you listen to this song.

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Class Presentations

Ellie has been a part of a local home-schooling program/co-op for the past 8 weeks. The program is part of a nationwide program called Classical Conversations. I have been thrilled with this program. Even though education is my academic background, homeschooling is not really something I thought I would ever do. However, the past two Autumns I became very irritable during Back to School time. We tried pre-school and I was very discontent, irritable, and felt like it was a big waste of money. Now, I'm not saying preschool isn't good or that it is a waste of money, I'm simply saying that's how I felt, which people began pointing out to me these are good indicators to try homeschooling. *Groan* So, my friend Kristen, told me about Classical Conversations starting up locally. We drug all of our kids to Nashville for the seminars, etc, and here we are giving it a try...and it's working! All that said, each week the kids stand up and give a class presentation. This past Monday Ellie taught the kids how to make fruit kabobs, and Saedi (who sits in during the class b/c her teacher Ms Amy is a saint) presented on making trail mix. Both girls did a wonderful job and I was hoping to post the videos of them, but I'm not able to get them uploaded. So, use your imaginations! The pictures included are of Miss Amy (the tutor who models what to practice for the week) and the class. Six-year-old Ella is teaching the class how to draw a person.

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Fall Scavenger Hunt

On Friday we hosted a last-minute fall party and scavenger hunt since the weather was beautiful. Everyone brought food, and Ellie made up the scavenger hunt. The kids had a blast running around the yard in the leaves and finding treasures. I think all of the Mommies enjoyed adult conversation as well.

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Isaac 9 Weeks

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Chunk-a-Dunk

Isaac @ 2 months (13lbs, 10 oz, 24" long)

Saedi @ 2 months (11lbs, 2.6 oz, 223/4" long)

Ellie @ 2 months (11lbs, 9 oz, 24" long)

Isaac, the happy chunker, had his 2 month check-up and required shots today, along with the great weigh-in. This baby boy is in the 90th% for height and weight! 13lbs 10oz and 24 inches long. I love it! I like knowing that I'm nourishing my baby and that he's strong and healthy. When we got home from the appointment I eager looked up the girls stats at 2 months, and while Ellie was the same height, both girls were only 11lbs with ounces at 2 months. So thankful to have a tubby baby boy.
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Isaac's First Run

Riverdance+Ranger Panties+Pepper Spray= Isaac's First Run with Crazy Momma

There's that disturbing, old man look again

Apparently the girls are having a blast in Michigan with Mimi and Papa. They've already gone apple picking & made homemade apple pies. They've gone on Autumn hikes & had an overnight sleepover/ camp out in the Tepee with Papa. That's right...a real tepee...with a campfire pit & costumes inside...and Skittles to bribe the kids :) Back at the ranch, Isaac and I have been spending lots of time outside walking, jogging, and hiking. We've also spent lots of time inside...watching movies, reading, cuddling, relaxing. It's been a wonderful few days and I'm going to do my best to cherish the last couple as well.



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Tall, Happy Babe

I took this picture a few weeks ago, but it cracks me up because Isaac so often reminds me of an old man satisfied with his life. Isaac is so tall that he's outgrown most of his 0-3 month clothes in his legs, although they fit him perfectly everywhere else. Thankful for another happy baby!



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Thank You

Thank you to each of you that supported the Stop Child Trafficking walk last Saturday! It was tougher than I expected to walk carrying Isaac in the Bjorn and push the girls in the double. It was a pretty hilly course. It made me question how I ever used to run pushing that thing??? My friend Keri and I walked together and Miss Ellie ran a good portion of it with her friend Mollie. So thankful for the money we raised for this great cause...thanks again!


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Making Momma Proud

I am so proud of Ellie! Recently she's become very helpful around the house. Last night she cracked me up because she walked into the kitchen to show me all that she had organized...the letters on the fridge & her play dishes. It made me smile to think that maybe, just maybe she'll have a few organizational freak skills like her Momma. Ellie has also taken to making flower arrangements. She will ask me several times a week if she can go out back to cut flowers. Today she came in with this beautiful arrangement which she put together all by herself! And, last but not least, she loves having Coupon Cutting Parties with me and is a huge help in this department. I love my Ellie and am so grateful for her vibrant spirit and tender, creative heart.

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Isaac Smiling & Cooing 7 Weeks

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