No More Candyland!!!

I remember it like it was yesterday... I carried the tattered box out to the garbage and threw it in. I thought I was done with Candyland forever, or at least until I had grand kids! I was totally relieved, I really don't like Candyland(or Chutes and Ladders). But that was before Isaac, Camille and Baby J. came along.

So, this afternoon the UPS delivery truck showed up, and a box was left on my doorstep. Inside that box was Candyland! I had completely forgotten about ordering it with reward points right before Christmas. It must have been a moment of weakness, when I thought a childhood isn't really complete without playing Candyland! So, tonight the kids gathered around the coffee table for a rousing game, and had a great time. Elise wanted to teach the little ones how to play, so I was off the hook! I tried not to act relieved!

Autumn Fun!

Delicious Autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,
and if I were a bird
I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns.

George Elliot

I love fall! It is by far my favorite season!! Today, I made fall play dough. Never heard of this? I hadn't either, but I saw a recipe in a magazine at the doctors' office and decided to try it at home. Since I didn't get the exact recipe I just made cooked play dough and added pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. It did take quite a bit of seasoning! I also tried to make it orange, so I added red and yellow food coloring. It turned out great! It looks just like pumpkin pie and smells like it too!

I see Camille needs more practice holding her scissors correctly!

Isaac has such a sweet smile on his face!

Elise made a pumpkin pie! It smelled delicious!

Garden Helpers!

Today I had some help in the garden. Isaac, Camille and I removed some old tomato plants,

and prepared the bed for new fall vegetables.

The kids even helped me turn over the soil to get it ready for planting.
With all this "help" it was a fun morning. It is funny though how God always uses the kids to teach me something. As we were working, I was thinking about how much easier this job would be without the "help". I know that it is the right thing to do to have the kids help me with the work around the house, so that is why I do it. It is not easier. Then God reminded me of a saying I heard a while back that goes something like this: "The right thing is rarely ever the easy thing." Wouldn't you agree that this is true? I have often found that the right thing to do is the harder option given a choice.

So, as I gardened with the little ones, I prayed that God would lead me in the way everlasting, and give me the courage to do the right thing and follow Him even when it is hard, or requires more of me. I don't want to look back at my life and regret not having made the right choices because I wanted to take the easy way.

Potty Training Camille!!

This has been the first week of school for the older kids, which means it is quieter around our house. I always miss the kids when they head back to school! As the new year starts, I am praying about my role in the home and as a mom. God has really laid it on my heart to focus my time and energy on my kids and my home. This isn't to say I haven't been doing this, I just feel led to proceed with more prayer and purpose.

So, with my focus at home, I am purposefully spending less time away! This has allowed me to do something I have been putting off for a while now, potty training Camille. She has been more than ready and the slower pace of our days have created the perfect time to get this done. So here she is, proudly going on the potty. We took this picture because she went poo poo in the toilet for the first time right then! What a big girl!!!

God is so good to me. I cannot imagine spending my life on anything more important that raising our family. I am thankful that God has allowed me this privilege. I am also grateful that He has caused me to slow down and really focus on and enjoy this time of my life!