Photojournal, part two: remembering

I wrote about our trip back to the farm earlier this week for some apple picking. While we were there we were able to get in touch with the current residents of the farm and they more than graciously allowed us to walk around the property.

It was my first time back to the farm since we moved and I won't lie...I miss the openness and the fields and the freedom to just let the kids roam and explore and climb trees. I miss my sanity walk down the driveway every afternoon to get the mail. I miss the space and the sounds and the barns and the pond. The birds. The butterflies. The memories...

However, I don't miss mowing the grass at all and I kept reminding myself of that in order to hold back the tears, ha!

Checking out the new horses in the field...willing them to come over =) 

Despite Zoe's sad face...I am happy to have a picture of all four kids by the fence. 

The gate, the gate! I didn't have to coach this picture at all.

All of the gang on the famous walk around the pond...

We found fairy tables...

and feathers...

and frogs.

Zoe found the boat...

Ella had to catch a ride on the wibbly-wobbly swing, of course.

I know we are where we are supposed to be. I know it. That said, it was a great day being able to return to where we hold so many fond memories. Its hard to believe we are coming up on a year since we moved. What a treasure for me to now have a new memory, one that includes Zoe, of one of our favorite places on this earth.

thursday thoughts

We've got a few kids down with minor sniffles and coughs this week. I decided to declare a "sick day" today and allow for some extra cuddles, book reading, chicken noodle soup eating, tea drinking, and yes...even some cartoon watching. It's possible that the teacher needed a slow day herself. Definitely possible.

I am currently finishing up a book and don't have another one coming down the pike. Any good recommendations?

Is it too much to ask for one child that isn't so strong willed? Just one? And no, Eli is not exempt...he may not seem it, but he is very quietly strong willed. Zoe is kicking my mommy booty these days, playing the ever so fun game of "guess when I'm going to nap or not nap" or "look what mischief I can get myself into when you turn your back for one second".

Fun times, people.

In other news I attempted to go clothes shopping recently and was rather disappointed with the styles this Fall. I realize that may put me at risk for sounding like 1) a granny or 2) a privileged first world brat. However, the whole navajo or neon look just isn't my thang. Why is it that when I am pregnant all the styles are super cute...and now that I am not pregnant and back to my normal size all the styles are not so super cute? I know, I know...I am a privileged first world brat.

My kids have been all about making up some trampoline games lately. All (not some) of them are crazy hilarious. More to come on that later...

I made the best apple pie the other night. For anyone else jonesing a good apple pie recipe, here ya go:

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Filling:
6-8 apples, peeled and cored.
1 1/4 cp sugar
2 heaping tbsp. flour
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cp sour cream
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 9" unbaked pie shell

Topping:
1/2 cp sugar
1/3 cp flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cp chopped nuts (I used pecans and walnuts)

1. Fill unbaked pie shell with apples.
2. Combine remaining topping ingredients and pour over apples.
3. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.
4. Combine all topping ingredients.
5. Remove pie from over and sprinkle topping mixture over the top.
6. Return to oven and bake for another 15 minutes,

Enjoy!

And now I'm off to get up a supposed to be sleeping Zoe...who, by the sounds of it, is self destructing in her bed.

Happy Thursday!

photojournal, part one: apple pickin'

When we lived out at the farm there was an adjacent empty lot that was home to a small apple orchard. It was very overgrown and wild...but we loved picking apples there every September.

Since it is September and the boys are studying apples...a trip back to the apple trees was definitely in order!

We all had a blast and came home with a laundry basket full of apples that are slowly being devoured and sacrificed for yummy apple pies.

The pictures do it justice more gooder than my words. Yes, I messed up that sentence on purpose.

Zoe was just a little bit happy to be able to roam and roam...

Who needs a ladder when you've got a swagger wagon?

Or your daddy's strong shoulders?!

Have you ever seen a caterpillar like this one? So weird looking I had to take a picture of it.

Oh, how Ella has missed climbing her trees. It was the first thing she did when we got there.

She was quite the helper.

Again, Daddy's shoulders are the best ladder.

What?  A self-timer picture where we are all looking at the camera?! If I had known this was going to happen I'd have coordinated our outfits, ha!

Stay tuned for a photojournal, part two: remembering the farm...coming later this week.

Ella's Baptism

First of all, let it be noted that the weather was absolutely beautiful. Perhaps the most beautiful day of the year? Yes, lets go ahead and say it was. 

Second of all, let it be noted that beyond the day I gave my life to the Lord, married Jeremiah, and witnessed Ella giving her life to the Lord...this was the best moment of my life!  I am always teary and overcome during anybody's baptism... but watching my firstborn daughter publicly declare her faith in Jesus Christ was unbelievable.

Our Creek Church family assembling on the banks of the Jordan Lake.

All three sets of Ella's grandparents wrote her letters encouraging her in her decision and sharing their pride in her boldness. I loved watching her face as she read them...

And finally, my favorite photo of the day...

Would you think me a sappy sap if I admit that I tear up every time I look at it?

I do.

I love this sweet girl of mine who is going to do bold things for Jesus.
I love this strong husband of mine who so tenderly loves and raises his children to know the Savior.
But Mostly, I am overwhelmed by the relentless love of my Lord, who pursues my children with the same passion he pursued me.

To God be the glory, great things he has done!

thursday thoughts

3 weeks in and I finally feel a groove settling in our school routine...

The boys are doing an apple unit this month.

Calendar center

Diagramming the parts of a plant.

I actually wore a hoodie yesterday. Oh, yes...Fall is here. Or 3 days away, if you want to get technical about it. However, I believe the reappearance of Starbucks pumpkin spice latte is a more accurate (and more delicious!) way of determining the emergence of the new season.

I took a kettleball class this week at the gym and am just now able to sit down without grimacing. Who knew that swinging around a black ball would be so traumatizing to my muscles? Zumba may have traumatized my pride, but kettleball did a number on my body.

Jeremiah has started working with the youth at our church this week. I got to go for a little bit of the 1st night and realized I had totally forgotten how much fun it is to hang out with teenagers. Yes, I feel old...but goodness, I love their energy. And their honest approach to studying the Word is refreshing. I am looking forward to this new phase for our ministry.

The kids started Awana clubs at another local church this week also. The first night was a bit overwhelming for them (me?!) if I'm honest...but I am hoping they (me?!) will get into a groove with it. I'm just not so good at the whole large groups of small children thing, it tends to make me a bit twitchy. But 2 out of the 3 big ones said they loved it and the only thing they didn't like was leaving...so we will give it a good college try. Or something like that, ha!

It is official. I am completely booked up for photo sessions in October, with not an open spot to be found. That is pretty exciting for me, perhaps a tad bit nerve racking because of my perfectionist tendencies and my love of white space within my life...however, I am going with it!

I do still have some November spots open if you are interested...just go here to request more info!

I have more to write, but this is feeling lengthy enough as it is...so we will go ahead and cut it off =)

Happy Thursday!

weekend recap: cutting a rug

Practicing for a future daddy/daughter dance? Not if he can help it, ha!

The beautiful bride, Julie, and her handsome groom, Josh.

Zoe was in awe of the speakers, ha!

Who says dance floors are just for dancing?

Those Hambrick cousins know how to break it down. Or something like that.

weekend rewind: part one

We went up to Virginia for a really quick trip for a family wedding.

Jeremiah's family was in from Florida as well and while quick, we had a great time visiting...

I love how Zoe is snuggled up right in the middle of them all.

Of course we couldn't let a birthday go by without some candles blown out. It's not an official birthday until that happens, right.

And presents, of course.

The grandparents and all the Hambrick cousins, minus a napping Zoe.