Ready for Autumn, Pumpkin Patches and playing in the leaves!

We have been having an early autumn this year. We have been enjoying temperatures in the 60's and 70's and the leaves have been starting to change. It just makes me that much more excited about Fall activities!!! I have started decorating my yard with harvest decor and have looked up the schedule at the local Pumpkin Patch to see how early we can go enjoy that! LOL I love LOVE LOVE Autumn!!!

Some of you have been asking if we experienced Ike or not. We did! It came through here Saturday night-Sunday. It actually combined with a tropical depression that came off the pacific and also a cold front. Saturday we actually had to take cover in the basement because the tornado sirens went off. We had no tornado but the storm had produced tornadoes that had momentarily touched down prior to getting to us so it was a precautionary measure. We also got LOTS of wind and rain (like 8 inches)over night which caused flooding near us. Everything is back to normal now but there were some pretty strange stories on the news! Like one man had been walking his dog on Monday and came across a crayfish... it had been picked up by the Hurricane and dropped down here in Kansas City!

Here are some new pictures:

Poem about Motherhood

Current mood: thankful
Category: Life

A friend send this along to me and I really liked it...


"A Father's work is from sun to sun, But a Mother's work is NEVER done." Sure, I love tiny fingers, reaching under the door, as they peek in the bathroom, while lying on the floor. "Mommy, what'cha doin'?" They sing in harmony, "I'll be out in one moment," so they wait patiently. Why do they love to stay close, under foot? Entertained, as they watch me launder and cook? I fall asleep each night with a tear in my eye, for I know we've been blessed and not a day will go by, Without thanks to the Lord, for "I am a Mother," this fills me with joy, unlike any other. Each morning, I await, their faces to see, when they rise from their beds and rush to me. Sure I have my days when I'm tired and feel blue, but I'll never resent my cute little two. "Don't you need YOUR time?" Many have asked. I can't say I do, for these moments soon pass. I've known in my heart they will quickly "outgrow me," so, from one Mom to the next, I offer this plea...Please see your child as a gift from above, and cherish each moment they fill you with love. They look in your eyes with trust and with faith, for you are a hero, that none can replace. The cooking, the LAUNDRY, do seem to add up, but don't let these things make you miss them GROW UP. A prayer and a kiss at night's end, I look forward 'till morning, when it all starts again!!

By Diane Garvis

So Proud!

Bryan has been doing so well memorizing his bible verses for Awana Sparks! He has already finished his Flight 3:16 book and moved into his Hang Glider Book (in which he has now memorized the first 2 verses in that book!). He also brought home an assignment that he did in class at school where he had to draw a picture and tell a story. His picture was of the Cross, a Bible and Jesus. He loves to tell people about church and how he is going to go to heaven one day. It makes me so happy to know that our faith is having such a positive influence in his life!

Here is a video of him reciting John 3:16.

Child Personalities- Wow describes my kids perfectly!

Current mood: amused
Category: Life

Jesse is a natural rebel who likes to do things his own way. Get lots of toys to keep your child from becoming restless during down time, and lock those cabinets early. Give him the chance to crawl freely on grassy lawns and toddle around the playground. Embrace his discoveries by letting him collect the rocks and other little treasures he finds. Support his individuality by allowing him to decide which outfit he wants to wear or which stuffed animal he wants to sleep with. And introduce new toys, books, and games regularly: Kids born with this personality are bright and often develop ahead of schedule.

Face it: Bryan can be stubborn. Your child is likely to resist change of any kind and prefers the security of familiar routines. Take whatever measures you can to prepare him for transitions (such as counting down the minutes until book time turns into nap time) and changes in the usual schedule (such as an unplanned visit from Grandma). Your child is all about comfort: He adored a cozy crib and may insist on covering his big-boy bed with loveys. Kids born with this personality are especially fond of animals, so don't be surprised if he gets really attached to a certain stuffed dog or cat.

Currently listening :
Sounds of Nature: A Sun Filled Stream
By Various Artists
Release date: 1992-03-30

A busy Month Ahead

Current mood: hyper
Category: Life

I am honestly looking forward to this month. I have so much planned and the weather is so nice now! I will be starting to attend Wednesday night activities at the church which include dinner, nursery for Jesse, R.A's for Bryan (its a class that teaches about missionaries) and Women's ministry class for me. Then Sunday Awana's starts!!! I am excited about teaching a class this year but nervous because as of last Wednesday I don't have any help. I will for sure have 5 kids (18 months to 3 years old) and I NEED a helper!!!

Bryan is doing pretty well at school but is still way ahead of what they are teaching. The teacher has just started the book work with them and he loves what the school calls "Specials". The Specials rotate on a daily basis and they have 2 specials a day which include Library, Music, Art, PE and Computers. So far Bryan loves PE, Music and Library. Bryan wants to join the church Children's Choir and will be starting Sparks this year. I am excited about Sparks because it takes them right through the Bible book by book and is a 3 year class. He already has his first verse memorized so he will probably go right into a book.

Jesse is picking up sign language and talking rather quickly now. His favorite words are "ball" and "cool". He likes to color but wont sit for very long and thinks its funny to draw on my table cloth. He has his first Parents as Teachers meeting this Thursday. Parents as Teachers is an organization which gives the parents resources to help them know how to teach their kids and they check up on kids to see if they are where they should be developementally.

Anyway that is about all for now. Chuck is off today so we are planning on BBQing some steak later and maybe setting up the pool for the kids before it gets to cool for them.