Pumpkin Patch!

Sunday afternoon we went with our Oasis Group (small group) to a pumpkin patch nearby.  It was a rather chilly afternoon, complete with a few sprinkles, but a fun time of being together. 

Cutest pig ever! It really looks like she's making a pig face.

Alyssa was really excited to go check out the cows.

Here she is asking about the utters on...

this beauty!

I'm not sure how comfortable she was with the fact that that's where her beloved milk comes from.

Checking out the baby chickens.

Her first "pony" ride.  I made the mistake of calling it a horse.  Excuse me!!

Her usual pose when Pastor Mike is around.

My two handsome guys.

Happy Fall 2009!

An ordinary day...

I keep waiting for something really significant to blog about...but alas, the everyday ordinary wins.  Yesterday, I sat down to do a quiet time and read this:

Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking around life- and place it before God as an offering.  Romans 12:1 (The Message)

I found such hope in this.  My days consist of feeding children, getting them dressed, doing laundry and dishes, cleaning up messes, coloring, playing trains, reading books...about as ordinary as it gets, yet God wants even that.  I have struggled in the past with the fact that right now, these four walls are the only mission field I have.  I felt a freedom in reading that even the ordinary, my ordinary, can become an act of worship.

A Little Inspiration

The kitchen has been the focus of my decorating energies as of late. A change in paint color inspired new curtains, which then inspired a new rug. My new level of contentment with the kitchen however was brought to an all time high this week with the addition of a console table.

About a month ago I decided that I wanted to add a console table to the kitchen. I began my search for the perfect table and found it on Pottery Barn's website.

I think what drew me to the table is the warmth that it exudes.  My decorating style has been evolving as of late, and creating a warm inviting space is definitely high on my priority list.  So, I love the table, I have my mind set on it and... it's $499.00.  Ugh, ok, that's never going to happen. But I really like this table, so I'm not going to give up that easily.

I decided to go ahead show the table to Chris.  If he hates it, it's kind of a moot point, but if he likes it...well, maybe.  Show I showed it to him and he said "I can make that!"  Ummm....deal!  Have I mentioned I love this guy?!

So after a little calculating and designing, the project begins.

Bless his heart, he made the initial cuts outside so that he wouldn't wake Evan up.

Have I mentioned he loves me?

 

Here it is taking shape.

 

The man in action.

Signed for me...

DONE!!

Isn't it amazing!!! He did a simply fabulous job. Go back and compare it to the original...perfection! (Obviously I'm still finishing the decorating, I just couldn't wait any longer to brag on him.)

 Here's the best part.  Mine cost $35.00!!!

Yeah, that's right.  Lumber + stain = $35.00

Thank you so much Chris. I love that our home is filling up with pieces made by your hands.You really did a fantastic job.

Look at my new wheels!

He is a boy on the move. Today Alyssa said "he's going to Marshalls." Yes, we do go there a lot.

We bought this walker for Evan this week. It's not the one that I went to the store to get, but it is so cute, I couldn't leave it there. And even more, the tans and greens match our decor, so it's not an eye sore when it's just sitting around. Yes I do take these things into account. More important than my anal tendencies, Evan and Alyssa are having so much fun with it. He's starting to get the hang of it and actually making forward progress on his own now! Alyssa very willingly steers him wherever she thinks he needs to go so, alone time to figure it out has been scarce! He's so much fun. I love this age.

Lessons at 40 ft.

Chris and I are high school sponsors at our church this year.  It's a fun group of students...mostly girls at the moment.  This past weekend we went on retreat with them and had a blast.  As usual, I walked away having learned so much about myself.

We went to an adventure camp.  I was totally excited about this before going.  Rock wall climbing and a high ropes course. ..two things I've never done but have always wanted to do.

We did the ropes course first.

Here I am all suited up and ready to go.  Still feeling quite brave with my feet planted firmly on the ground.

Well, I climbed up the ladder, got to the top and had to transfer off of the belay onto the bunny ears.  Not feeling so brave anymore.  Chris was already up there, and so he came and the two of us set off together.

I got across the bridge, and to the landing on the other side, but couldn't handle waiting up there while the people ahead of us cleared the way.  So I walked back across the bridge and climbed down.  When I got to the bottom, Stephanie, one of the leaders said to me "You can't let him be your crutch."  Ugh...those words pierced right through to my heart.  I sat and watched  the students complete the course and just hung on those words.  I knew I had to go back up.

As I got ready to go up Stephanie said to me "It's facts over feelings."  Again, just the words I needed.  I disclosed to you my readers last week that I struggle with Panic Disorder.  When I have a panic attack I am operating in feeling and no facts.  So this statement was huge for me.

 Here I am crossing it by myself.

At the end of this bridge is a narrow walkway which is where I quit before.  I thought that the people in front of me were far enough ahead that I wouldn't get stuck waiting there again, but alas...the girl in the front was taking her time...

...so I waited.

Here's where it got tough for me.  One of the components of panic disorder is the feeling of needing to flee.  I experience this feeling in grocery stores, at traffic lights and most recently at Michael's the day I posted about last week.  I absolutely hate the feeling of "needing" to go but not begin able to.  Clearly I was stuck on the bridge.  There was no quick or easy down.  I had no choice but to sit in my discomfort.

Eventually we got moving again.  Strangely at this point walking across itty-bitty wires seemed easy compared to the waiting I had just completed.  After all...I was at least moving.

I made it across the leap of faith and through the cargo net.

and here I am at the end!  Yay!!

So the take away...facts over feelings.  If it works at 40 feet in the air, it's got to work in the Michael's check out line...right?!

The next day we rock climbed.  This was not nearly as life changing but really fun and challenging.

A few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

P.S. - so totally proud that after two kids that's me climbing the wall!

So a great weekend.  I love when God uses complete strangers to breathe words into our lives.

Baby it's cold outside!

I don't know what the temperature is where you are today, but it's cold here!

  So to usher in the cold weather...our first fire of the season.

Hope you're staying cozy!