Our School Rodeo

Jayden had so much fun learning and playing in the Old West this month. Wednesday was our big rodeo and my friend Trinity a REAL cowgirl taught the kids how to rope and everything. Jayden loved the real cowboy chili. It was a full day. Not an experience he will soon forget.

What a Weekend

This is going to be one of those let the pictures tell the story postings. This weekend was SO wonderful and FULL. Thursday we carved pumpkins (I am proud of my owl pumpkin and have the battle burn to prove it was my handy work :)). Friday was a really fun crop (no pictures can you believe it?). Saturday the boys and I went to our first true "Halloween party" my friend Kristine throws one every year for kids to carve pumpkins, our jack'o'lantern was a team effort I opened, Jayden cleaned and Ethan carved. The Boys were very excited that they won "Scariest Pumpkin." Sunday Kathy and Kierra along with the rest of the clan played in the leaves at Grandma's. We were all amazed at how happy Kierra was after the LONG drive from Wisconsin to here and not getting a good nap that day. They are visiting because Andy (Kathy's hubby) is hunting here for a nice vacation. Yay for us! Anyway, busy is the best word to describe our time. GOT TO LOVE IT!!!!

Kristine made some AWESOME FOOD!

"I Wish I could Be Born Again"

Today is a day I never want to forget. On Thursday morning Jayden and I go to Bible Study Fellowship. It is nondenominational and mostly full of older women who are home and bring grandchildren (though there are several younger moms like me too). Anyway, I attended it about 8 years ago with Kimberly and LOVED hearing my then 2 year old talk about Moses, God and the Bible so clearly. I always vowed that if I had Thursday mornings off I would take Jayden. Well this year it happened. At first I have been a little disappointed my son being a boy and 5 has not been as excited about the "boring church" as I had hoped. However, last Thursday I got to watch him in his class and he said afterwards, "it's pretty fun." YAY!!! But the BEST part was today as we are walking to the car Jayden says, "Mom, I wish I could be born again. You know but I can't be a baby again, huh?" OH my heart melted. You see this week in John the book of the Bible we are studying we read chapter 3 where a Pharisee name Nicodemus is meeting with Jesus and Jesus says,"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Well Jayden was trying to comprehend this in his mind and shared that he was truly wanting to experience heaven too. In his 5 year old mind he really was trying to work it all out. WOW!! We discussed how Jesus died for us so that we could be "born again" if we except His gift of love for us. He may or may not "get it" but to know that he is seeking understanding. Oh what a blessing. God is SO good. It is amazing how He meets us where we are whether we are 5 or 35.

ONLY PAPER!!!

Exhibit A why you don't let a 5 year old out in the backyard alone with markers (not that I saw him take the markers).

This is after the day before getting in trouble for writing with an ink pen on his pants and his leg (in the back seat of the car mind you). I have more evidence however the kittens are a bit skittish about a camera after their body artwork. I tried to make the punishment fit the crime by having him scrub it off the shed however when I heard him singing I knew that the only one who really learned a lesson was me... Never let him out of your direct sight until he is 20! My only comfort is the book "Art Lesson" by, Tommie DePablo. He (Tommie) became a wonderful illustrator and writer and he wrote on everything as a small boy too. I can PRAY!!!

Linder Farm

Our Field Trip to Linder Farm was Saturday and the kids and I had a lot of fun. Doug even got to come for a little while before work. We got white pumpkins for a project I hope to later share about. I just thought I should make sure and put a couple of the MANY pictures I took. The fun part is that we are wearing short sleeves in October! When I asked the kids what their highlight of the day was, they said all together "the DONUTS" so I had to get a picture. GOOD TIMES!!!

Fun on the Vermeer Farm

Creative Memories Workshop

I Love MY Old Town Public School!

Fall Camping

We had so much fun this week. The kids had Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off from school so we waited until I got off on Wednesday and "headed for the hills." It was perfect! Definitely cold but that just made the hot food taste better. Grandma Margaret went with us and we couldn't of had a nicer time together. Doug and the kids mostly fished while I explored and read. The big highlight was Kimberly and Doug's fish. Then there was the story of the one that got away. Kimberly hooked a big one, so big it broke her line and took her bobber. The boys loved catching insects and skipping rocks. We even got in a little homework because Kimberly was creating a board game with river rocks as pieces. It was a perfect get away but as always the time flies. So here we are back to reality.

Memories

Fall must be a nostalgic time of year for me. We went up to Hells Canyon again. It is hard to believe just a month ago we were dying because it was SO hot. This time we got to test the heater in the trailer. It was perfect. Doug and I even managed to get a picture together which is a rare thing (I of course don't care for me in it but Doug looks cute as ever). Anyway, we got to talking while we were there and it dawned on me that this weekend 7 short years ago Doug and I got together. This is the long teacher conference weekend and I went to have my tires rotated at Walmart. My dad and mom came with me for moral support (ha, ha). The funny part is I sent my dad out to check the "cute guy" out and Doug thought maybe my dad and I were together (NOT!). Anyway, one thing lead to another and he (that is Doug) asked me out for the next weekend. The rest as they say is history.