Full

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

After taking a winding road up through the tea fields we reached our destination for the day. We walked into the house and a fire was blazing in the fireplace. I felt giddy. After a few moments of soaking up the pleasure of the fire I looked out the windows lining the back wall and my eyes feasted on some of the most beautiful scenery. We were in a farm house in the middle of a flower/ tea farm. There were cows grazing, green, rolling hills, towering trees, gorgeous flowers, and a clear, blue sky as a back drop. I wanted to STAY forever.

We were gathered with some new and some not quite so new friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I felt full, and not because of the incredible foods we ate, but because this place was a gift to my soul! God does things like that. He is so creative, so majestic, and He shows us this through things like HIS creation. Not only is He creative and majestic, He is intimately concerned with us, His precious creation. He knows how much I love a fireplace. This was no ordinary fireplace. It had a beautiful, deeply colored wood mantle, and the fireplace itself was large. I am telling you, every time I passed that wonderful sight I wanted to cry. He knows me and what gives my heart pleasure. Between the view, the fire, the food, and the fellowship it was a full day. The hours passed but it really felt like time stood still.

All week we had been focusing on the treasures of God's provision, His word, Salvation, our health and freedom, and His protection using a Thanksgiving resource we got years ago. It helped us focus on why we celebrate historically as well as spiritually.

We have so much to be thankful for. We live in a place where we see poverty on a daily basis. Chris has been visiting people who have little to no food, are sick and/or have lost family members because of the famine in the horn of Africa. Chris is feeling so much better after a year of really struggling physically. I could go on and on. God is good and not just because we are where we are physically and emotionally but also because He was there when we were struggling physically and emotionally this year. He was faithful then and He is faithful now.

As I enjoyed our time in the hills on Thanksgiving, being fully there and enjoying every moment, I was reminded to be fully where I am wherever I am. This is the moment, I am not guaranteed another. Am I living fully here and now? Am I walking closely with my heavenly Father, knowing Him, enjoying Him, obeying His voice today? This is my prayer!

"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! "
Psalm 95:1


p.s. Sorry...I forgot my camera that day. Oh- I didn't even mention the coffee...wow.

FALL FESTIVAL

All dressed up and ready to go...

Our church had a Fall Festival. Our children LOVE any reason to dress up. To be able to go out in public , well...that's the best!

Chris headed up the group as Indiana Jones complete with a whip.



Gavin is a scurvy pirate....ARRGH!

Gavin has had an interest in pirates ever since he read Under Drake's Flag by G.A. Henty. Chris told him that there might be a family connection to Sir Francis Drake.?????????











Jaden is Sacagawea with her baby on her back.

"Sacagawea is the perfect example of a persevering woman who demonstrated enormous character at a critical moment in American history. Carrying her infant son on her back throughout the entire journey, she served as a guide and translator for Lewis and Clark through the dangerous western mountains on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean."
~taken from the Vision Forum website

OK, it's not a son on her back- Jaden still had a blast!

June Cleaver at your service.




















Emma is our 50's chick. She actually wore a ponytail and tennis shoes but this was taken early. Emma loves to dress up (really all of the kiddos do). She has a princess outfit that has seen better days but that she faithfully puts on at least once a day.















Avery didn't care what she was as long as she could be "FAN-SAY' "...so she is our Fancy Cowgirl-watch out, partner!
















And rounding out the crew...SUPERBABY! You can't tell by the photo but Superbaby
has a snotty nose, a cruddy cough, and a fever. He and
Mom stayed home tonight.

He just came up to me, sat in my lap and waved "bye-bye"
I think he wants to go to bed....

Back now. He WAS asking me to go to bed! How cute is that?

Exploring Countries & Cultures

We started "back" to school the day after Labor Day. Here are our world travelers applying for their passports.

We use My Father's World (www.mfwbooks.com) curriculum. We are so excited about this year's curriculum (Exploring Countries & Cultures) as it allows us to focus on one of our passions...the nations! This year will be an intense geography year. We also study Bible, Science, great biographies, English, math, Spanish...most of it is all connected as a kind of unit study. I am soooo excited!

The kiddos really loved the passport day. Chris and I pretended to be passport officials. The kids had to apply for their passports, write checks for them, and have their pictures taken. We laughed and had a great time.

I think this one looks a little suspicious! or should I say mischievous?

Ready to travel!

Smiling for Mr. Travelogia, the photographer (Chris),

Definitely a ring leader!