Encouragement

Last Spring, the pastor at our church gave a sermon that was titled "Who Decides." I loved the words and their meaning so much that I kept the bulletin. I continue to read this prayer often and it encourages me to live better and teach my children better. So important in an election year, when so many opinions are on display. I hope it encourages you today. 

Merciful Savior, like Peter, we desperately need a renewed understanding and experience of your love. Our heads know that you love impartially and unconditionally, and we are all too eager to receive that gift of love ourselves. Yet, we confess that we are stingy with your gracious gift when it comes to others, especially others who are unlike us. We want to place limits and boundaries around your love, to decide who is “in” and who is “out.” We are afraid and appalled that we might be asked to love “them” in your name – not from a distance but face-to-face, with hearts and lives fully engaged. We see the error of our ways, and we are sorry. 

Seize the Moment

Last Friday was beautiful. So gorgeous. We walked over to our little green space so Lila could ride her bike and Nate could protect us with his staff. Quickly, Lila decided that she would take off her shoes, as she does often, so she could feel the cool water in the fountain. Nate wore his rain boots so that his feet didn't get wet. And who says kids don't take after their parents. 

We all seize the moment in different ways. I'm proud that they both do.

It's Someone Special's Birthday Today

Scott turns the BIG 4-0 today! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We love you so much and are so thankful we get to share our lives with you!

Chicago Marathon

Scott ran his 6th marathon in Chicago on October 9th! Kevin, Mary, Ryan, Audra and I went along as his spectator squad. We got to Chicago on Saturday and spent the afternoon preparing for the marathon. Well some of us did. Some of us went shopping:)

Scott mentally preparing, studying the course map.

Chilling out at the Embassy Suites happy hour!

Early on Sunday morning, thousands of crazy people flocked to the streets. Have I ever mentioned that I think running marathons means you border on insanity? Because I do. I hear it's really hard on the spouses. Just a rumor. 

We had great leaders on our spectator squad. Here is one of them hard at work.

Spectating...and worrying. Or maybe that was just me!

There he is! We saw him 4 times during the race. He was in good spirits every time.

1.2 miles to go!

I really appreciated all the support, we both did. We are lucky to have all of them in our lives.

And he's done! So so proud of him. To see him achieve his goals makes all the worry with it.

After Scott got cleaned up, we ate a delicious post-race lunch and then went on the Chicago Architecture tour. It's the second time we've done it and I loved every minute of it again! If you are ever in Chicago, it's a must do in our book. 

We drove back to St. Louis on Monday and my parents were town with the Moroni's (my Dad's college roommate, they have remained friends all these years). So we had a joint birthday party for Paka and Nana who happen to have birthdays on back to back days. It was so fun to have everyone together!

Happiest of birthdays to Paka & Nana, we are so happy that we got to spend your special days with you!

Because I'm Always Catching Up

A couple of few weeks ago Nate & Lila came down with a mystery virus a few days apart. They both tested negative for strep but had a fever and missed school. Nate missed a day of school and stayed in bed for almost all of it. It hit Lila a bit harder and she missed 2 days of school. Then they were off school that Friday (that's 3 days in a row if you are counting), so to say we were ready to get out of the house is an understatement! 

We walked to get some cough medicine in the morning and Lila asked if we could stop at Strange Donuts on the way back and I was feeling so good to be out of the house that I said sure! I love our little town, have I said that before? 

After we got cleaned up, we headed over to Illinois to pick apples. It was a good time, as always. 

I was actually counting on all these apples coming home with us so that I could make numerous loaves of Pumpkin Apple Bread. But they were very selective with their apples this year and we got just the right amount. Boo:)

The next day, we took Nate to swim team and camped out at the Bread Co to do the school work she missed. The teacher said she didn't have to, but being the overachievers that we are, we of course were all over it. Emma came along. Emma comes along with us everywhere. Like errwhere.  

I had picked up some Halloween crafts and we broke those out when we got home. Because nothing says Halloween like painting some wood witches while using some Valentine's Day place mats.

The artist probably thought they were beneath him, but he played along nicely.

It was a good restful weekend. Which we needed. Lila's voice finally returned from the mystery virus's respiratory effect this week. It was a doozy I tell ya. We are glad that everyone is feeling better!

Fall Baking

I love Fall. But Fall has not gotten the memo that after Labor Day, it's supposed to cool down a bit. It's going to soon, but recently I've been trying to will it to be Fall by doing some baking. 

I made this Pumpkin Apple Bread and it is SO good!! I will definitely be making this again. Now I'll know what to do with the 638 apples my kids insist on bringing home when we go pick apples this year!

I also made To-Go Baked Oatmeal and Scott & I both really liked them! I used blueberries, cranberries and chocolate chips as toppings. The kids were kind of non-committal, even though they both like oatmeal, but I think they'll grow on them.

Happy Fall!

Fall Hike at Power Valley

Last weekend it was not too hot, so the kids and I decided to go on a hike at Powder Valley. Scott was working and we needed an activity to occupy us for a bit. It had rained buckets the night before so the creeks were full and beautiful. 

I love Nate's face. It's the "You are making her stand too close to me Mom!!" face. Priceless.

Mom Fail...I did not have them wear their old tennis shoes. So they especially loved trying to see how close to the water they could get without getting in it.

I finally gave up. As I should have.

What? You don't want me to get all the way in the water?? Too late.

We usually go to the nature center on our way out, but they decided they just wanted to get on the frog and call it a day.

I'm looking forward to many more Fall hikes! Thankfully our temperatures just might start cooperating.