Project 365, Week 43

October has been so kind to us, I can't help but think of Anne's sentiments I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

October 16

We are dipping our toes into Cub Scouts because the whole concept has Aiden's name written all over it. This was the first official meeting. #EagleScoutinthemaking ;)

October 17
The girls have a sweet group of friends at school. Grateful.

I was asked to be the guest speaker at running club, fresh off my most recent marathon completion. What a privilege to be able to (hopefully!) inspire someone to become a runner. Not so much for the running itself, but for the lessons learned from it, such as:

Good things happen when you get quiet and alone with your thoughts + God
Self-discipline is not a dirty word
Some days you feel like a winner, some days you don't. Tomorrow is a new chance
Hard work truly does pay off
Lots of mind over matter practice

October 18
Oh, the thought processes we've gone through when considering where we will move next! This day of looking brought us to a couple beautiful spots.

October 19
We had parent/teacher conferences and the only "negative" Aiden's teacher could say is that he reads "too much". :) I don't know what she's talking about. ;)

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.  :)

Standing at the counter, talking with the kids and answering their questions about the process of making waffles for dinner. A snapshot of life.

Not pictured: a disgruntled child because they didn't crack an egg to the sibling's specifications and got yelled at for it. Then the sibling got angry because the other quit.

The horse barn looked so pretty as we were driving away after soccer and riding lessons.

October 20
The school had a Warrior Walk, which was running/walking plus an obstacle course.

A half day of school made it possible for the kids to go with Grandma to Sturbridge Village on a beautiful afternoon. 

October 21

Amy, Meg and I planned a family photoshoot day to help support friends who are walking through a battle with cancer. It was so great to hang out together on a beautiful day, blessing lots of families with photos and support.

Also, I just noticed that there are two sets of twins here. If we'd done our hair the same and dressed alike, from a distance it would be difficult to tell Amy and I apart and Avery and Maddy apart. :)

October 22
So in awe of our Creator. He's extravagant in His love for us. I'm painfully practical and if I had been in charge of creating, I likely would have chosen just one shade of tree color, perhaps a sensible green, and slapped it on everything. I'm so glad God used color and creativity and care.

Project 365, Week 42

Three cheers for fall and all of its busy activities and beauty.

October 9

For 15 years, we've had a Columbus Day tradition of meeting up at the orchard, where there are hayrides, free donuts, music, etc....a fun festival. This year the rain threatened, so we changed plans and brought the party inside. The kids made caramel apples and played together. It was different but still so great to be with one another.

Also, we got to celebrate Nathanael on his birthday!

October 10
Daddy broke the "no screens before school" rule and gathered the kids around to watch the trailer for the new Star Wars movie. They are all delighted!

October 11
Shaun spent the week doing final projects on the other house in preparation for the buyer's inspection. Amanda wanted to be in the dumpster and then she wanted to be up on the ladder cleaning out the gutters. That girl!

October 12
A couple nieces/nephews joined me at the barn for a bit during J's lesson. Jenna quickly made herself at home, petting every single horse, cat and dog that was available and then making a friend with a girl not much older than her. She is something!

October 13
I think its now safe to say, the roof is DONE! Phew!

October 14
Marathon complete!!

After stopping at home briefly to shower, I spent my post race at the soccer field. Avery played and then immediately after Amanda and Aiden played at the same time (thankfully all home games), so I sat in between the two fields and watched both.

October 15
Amanda had a couple team mates sleep over. They biked and I walked down to the river/playscape.

Chillin' on the couch reading Star Wars with his feet bound. :)

Soccer game 5 of 6 for the weekend.

October's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month (Tuesday).

{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day! }

It's taking longer for it to get light out, but I'm still cozy on the porch in the mornings...highly unusual for October and I'm loving it!

Our walks to school have been without jackets, too. No matter the morning we've had (50% are good, 50% are not) Amanda always stops to turn around and wave one last time before she's out of sight.

We have a contract on the old house, the one that's been vacant a full year now. Its far from a done deal, but it was enough for Shaun to switch gears from working on ascetics to more form and function things like roof and gutters and such.

Ahh...the quiet of an empty house. This was my view while I had a quick lunch standing at the kitchen counter.

Tuesday's is Running Club day. It is the most heavily attended club at school, which is a little surprising to me. I go to cheer, offer high-fives, run alongside, supply water and generally encourage and inspire the kids.

When I got to the school, I found a sweet 7th grader sitting on a bench doing her homework next to Mary (and Joseph??).

When I peaked in the gym, they were discussing what it means to have integrity (it means always going around the cones, not in front of them ;). It sounded like a talk I've had with any one of my kids so many times, and I thought what a blessing to be in a school that supports and encourages so many of the values that are important to us.

Then they said the Lord's Prayer and were out the door.

With the hope of a sale going through on the other house, we are actively looking for a house again, mostly online, but sometimes we go to see one in person. Shaun's brother is our real estate agent, and sometimes he brings Gavin.

We were standing outside talking things over when a neighbor with a dog passed by. Instantly, the kids were over making a new friend.

Home in time for dinner, homework and games.