So Much to be Thankful For

We've had fun being outside blowing and collecting the leaves this fall. The girls got to jump while dad cleaned the trampoline! I sure am thankful for my husband. He's the best. I feel like married up- he's godly, a loving husband and father, and super handsome.

 

Our family verse for November was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Practically, we are working on not complaining, but being thankful- even when things don't go "our way". This lesson applies to young and old!! Another way we applied this verse is by being thankful for others that serve us. The girls made caramel popcorn for their Sunday  school and AWANA teachers. We had fun!

Here's the little baggies ready to be delivered.

 

I'm thankful for this group of women- Ministry Wives! We meet once a month and talk about ways we can love the Lord, support our husbands in ministry, and grow in a friendship with one another. This last time we also made pie crusts together. Thanks Kathy!

On Thanksgiving we shared what we were thankful for as a family. When we asked Geneva, her first rely (without help) was "God".The girls made their lists as Jesse and I did, and we truly are blessed! Then we headed to church for the morning service. Jesse preached an excellent message on The First Thanksgiving  (you can listen to it at that link). After that we went to the Calls house. What a blast!

We are very thankful for these dear friends.

After lunch, we went on a walk around a little pond. I love this picture!

Hahaha

Only 17 kids...it wasn't hard to get this picture at all:)

Savannah's 5th Princess Party!

Grandpa flew all the way in from ABQ to go to his first princess party :)

 Miss Penny amazed us again with her cookie talent!Look at this castle- all edible!!

 Thanks Miss Penny! 

 We started with craft time. The girls made their own favor bags and Cinderella carriages by decorating pumpkins.

 Auntie "L" took all the lovely pictures at the party- thank you!! 

 Savannah gave out rings to her friends.

 Then we did nails and danced at the ball.

 

 The girls had an afternoon tea.

 Then we played find the hidden glass slipper. Jesse was guarding the door!

 Here they come!

 Savannah loved having Grandpa there!

 Sweet group of friends.

 Thanks everyone for the fun gifts!!

 Savannah thanking her sister for her present.

 We are so thankful for this sweet girl. She truly is a joy. 

Yay- Grandpa too!

After the party the girls played for a while and then watched Cinderella.

Such a fun time celebrating God's gift in Savannah!

Grandpa's Visit

We had a wonderful visit with Grandpa! The girls just love spending time with him. 

He was under high demand!

Chutes and Laders!

School time. Grandpa played a little math game and then a reading game with Maddie. 

He was super helpful with Geneva while I did a bit more work with Maddie.

While Grandpa was here we went on a couple epic walks! 

Both girls rode their bikes around a 4 mile loop!

Grandpa also got to go to several of our friends house's for dinner. 

He was such a good sport with all the kiddos!

Real Life Here

This is good for me to be reminded of...

 There's always more to what we first see. 

Here you see kids being productive- school time.

Looks good, right?

Well, here's what's UNDER the table. Nice, right?! Crumbs, toys, blankets, slippers, and little feet etc. God is teaching me to be OK with life not being organized, clean, and falling in-line with my plans. I'm learning that life is messy, and I need to submit to what the Lord brings my way. This contentment is full of pain and joy. When I seek God's plan for my day, and don't push with my own strength, joy is the outcome. But, when I do things in my own strength and ignore what God wants me to slow down for, I am frustrated and sinful. So, let me encourage you today to spend time on what matters. Spend time in God's Word, and find the grace in Christ to accomplish
 what God has planned for your day. To God be the glory!

Field Trip to Amish Country!

Well, a huge benefit to homeschooling is that we get to take trips whenever we want (kind of :)! It fit in Jesse's schedule to take off 2 days, so went drove a few hours to Lancaster, PA and visited the Amish. The last week the girls and I learned the history, beliefs, family lifestyle, livelihood, and traditions of the Amish. 

Our first stop was at the Amish Village. Here we took a tour of an Amish home and farm. Here are the girls driving the buggy!

I wouldn't trust this bunch on the road!

Geneva really wanted to feed the horses!

We learned what life would be like in a one-room schoolhouse. The Amish don't start school until they are 6 years old and complete their education at eighth grade.

Next, we took a buggy ride. Maddie even got to drive!

One afternoon the 3 of us got to see the Christmas show at Sight and Sound Theatre. It was amazing! The girls loved being at a "real" show.

The next show coming to the theatre is Samson- so the girls had to take goofy pics.

So strong.

I loved driving around the countryside- so beautiful!

We got to be turkeys at the Turkeyhill Factory.

We had a great time (all except Neva) learning about how ice cream is made. We even got to create our own flavor, design a carton, and make a commercial!

We stopped at a home where they make and sell delicious root beer and jam.
The girls also got to see their animals.

One of our highlights was going to the Choo Choo Barn. 

There was an incredible display of model trains!

Geneva kept holding her tummy- she said she was scared of the trains! Ha.

Mesmerizing.

Then we rode the oldest continuously running locomotive in the U.S.

The girls got to ride in the engine area- it was super loud!