It's Autumn!

The leaves are changing and falling.  

The scenery is starting to sparkle with vibrant colors.

 
Autumn happens for such a short time, then the cold wind blows and winter appears.

Today we saw yellow walnut leaves and puff balls.  We visited with family and played with cardboard boxes.

Yesterday we caught fish, played with family, and ate pizza.

Who knows what adventures await tomorrow.

Save The Date

Two weekends ago I finished reading a book from the local library.  Once again I just browsed the aisles for something that jumped out at me.  This time I decided to walk down the letter "J" aisle.  The book I found as Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones.  It sure was fitting for this time of the year, because one of the characters is a gentleman running for a seat in Congress.  

I really enjoyed reading this book.  The main female character is Lucy.  She runs a non-profit women's home for young women that have graduated from the foster system but still need a bit of help before they step out on their own.  The book starts out with Lucy getting ready to have dinner with the love of her life and she has very high expectations.  Then the story jumps to two years later.  Lucy is on her own and on a mission to save her beloved women's home from ruin.  After funding for her non-profit is pulled she makes an attempt to storm the castle during a gala to get answers to why.  She is intercepted by a former professional football star, son of the funding company's CEO, and potential congressman Alex. 

Alex's numbers are down in the race for Congress, but after some pictures appear from the gala event with Lucy his numbers start to rise.  Thus a plan is hatched, to increase his likability to the public Alex's campaign managers suggest that he needs a women by his side.  Lucy on the other hand needs funding to save her women's home.  So the two strike a deal for a fake engagement until after the congressional seat was won.  So what will really happen?  How will the story end?

I had quite a few laughs and there are a few unexpected turns along the way.  How can the daughter of a maid fit into high class society?  How can a self-centered jock portray a sensitive side to the public?  

This story also has a spiritual side too.  One of the supporting characters is a youth minister and there is an amazing few paragraphs featuring a sermon.  The sermon is about giving our worries, our weaknesses, our flaws to God because no matter what we are perfect to him.  We are worth of him and his love.  Always a nice reminder.  

Another spiritual aspect is that everything is in God's time not our time.  We may think that our life is crap and that nothing can go right, but He does have a reason and purpose.  He makes us stronger, wiser, and He does answer prayers (although it may not always be the answer we expect).  

Here are some verses on God's timing: 

 ~ "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8

~ "There is a time for everything,  

and a season for every activity under the heavens:  

a time to be born and a time to die,  

a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

a time to kill and a time to heal,  

a time to tear down and a time to build,  

a time to weep and a time to laugh,  

a time to mourn and a time to dance,  

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,  

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,  

a time to search and a time to give up,  

a time to keep and a time to throw away,  

a time to tear and a time to mend,  

a time to be silent and a time to speak,  

a time to love and a time to hate,  

a time for war and a time for peace." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Children . . . .

I do love my children, but sometimes they are a touch trying.

Since Pumpkin has started kindergarten he has gotten more stubborn.  Since Princess is without Pumpkin at daycare she has gotten move devious.  We have our good days and we also have our bad days.

With Pumpkin sometimes I feel like a broken record. "Leave your sister alone."  "Don't tease."  "Use NICE words."  "You need to LISTEN."  "Please do what I ask."  "LEAVE Auntie's dog alone."  "Give me a normal smile for the camera."  "Get in the bath tub or I'll wash your hair." (<-- His one super hero weakness)  Most of this is a typical five-year old boy not listening to their mother scenario, but none the less it can get frustrating.

With Princess I have to constantly watch.  She cries on the drop of a dime if she think she can get her way and/or get Pumpkin in trouble.  And today I told her that she needed to eat all of her lunch to get the donut she picked out at the store.  So what does she do?  For the first time ever, she attempted to hide the food she did not want to eat. She brought me her plate and I asked were he food had gone so fast.  She gave me a pouty look then led me to the pile of carrots hiding behind the couch.  I know years from now, I'll probably be laughing and it is kinda of cute but definitely a no-no in my book.  Once again typical three-year old girl.  I will have to develop some super special super powers to deal with the stealth, quite child as she grows up.  (Ha ha ha ha ha)

They also both know that daddy is the weak link.  They can already twist his arm to succeed in getting what their little hearts desire. . . . chips before supper, delay bath time, fries and milkshakes from a favorite fast food joint, taking offensive food from their plates, etc. . . . Hubby really is a good guy and a great dad, but they just know how to successfully make him crack.  I need to send hubby to some super hero training sessions to strengthen his defenses against the powers of children.   (Ha ha ha ha ha)

Anyway they are both great kids and I love them with all of my heart, but sometimes mommy cracks and I need to escape to keep my sanity.  Sometimes when they get too overbearing and I can't escape we do a "project" to distract. . . . color the driveway with chalk, draw a picture with crayons, watch a favorite movie, blow bubbles, etc. . .  If that does not work, then the vacuum monster makes an appearance and they scramble to pick up fast.  They definitely listen after the vacuum monster is turned off.

Well off to super hero mom training school to sharpen my skills! ;-)

Down On The Farm

Yesterday afternoon we went up to the northern 75 and checked out the crop.  Thankfully the land is being rented out this year, but it is looking awful rough.  

We walked along the southern waterway.  Explored the edge of the corn crop.  Chased butterflies and grasshoppers.  And just slowed down for a bit.

Out in the middle of the country

 Walking along the waterway

Some sorry looking corn

The corn is not that much taller than the kiddos in places

Unidentified butterfly

Some type of sulphur butterfly

 Cool toadstool, but alas not toads

Short corn and cracked earth

Putting a fallen shoe back on

Someone got tuckered out

 

Painted Lady butterfly

Southwestern corner of the parcel 

Yard Time

We spent part of the holiday 

playing out in the yard.

  Enjoy!

I'm pedaling on my own!!!

Sweet Gum leaf with dew drops.

Playing by the pond.

What a sweetie!

 Mommy & Princess 

with our beautiful glasses.

 Mommy & Pumpkin

standing on the bridge.

Mommy & Daddy

(Definitely A Keeper!)

Pumpkin looking for flowers.

Princess joins Pumpkin looking for flowers.

Love this profile shot!

Pumpkin found a spotted cucumber beetle.

Princess blew dandelion seeds.

Pumpkin has a handful of dandelions.

Pumpkin gave Mommy the flowers.

How sweet!

Playing In The Rain

Yesterday the kids went out with daddy 

and played in the rain.  

They had a lot fun.  

They got very wet.  

Then we made peanut butter cookies.