Unplugging

Lately I've been sensing a change needing to be made... Something stirring in my soul. I needed to break free, but from what? I couldn't really pin down the exact thing that needed to change but I was about to come unglued if something didn't give.

I suddenly realized it... It was all just too much noise. WAY too much Facebook, way too much Pinterest, even too much Instagram, generally too much smart phone....Just downright too much stuff bombarding my mind. None of it necessarily bad just taking up my time and using my brain space.

So, for now, I'm saying goodbye to those things. Just putting them down and refocusing on old fashioned things like books, books for me, books read to my children, sitting and just chatting with my family, just trying to do simplicity, embrace simplicity and attempting to just enjoy simplicity.

Simplicity - "simplicity can be used to imply beauty, purity, or clarity"

Clarity... Yes, I'll take some of that please! :)

Harvest

This is our first bit of food from the garden this fall. Ok, not everyone's favorite but nonetheless something! The garden is actually full of radishes ready to eat but currently growing are carrots, cilantro, onions and something else I can't remember! ;)

LOVE growing food!

Fort fun

It was very chilly here today so when the kids played outside they covered their slide fort with huge sleeping bags and made a nice cozy place. I baked them some cookies, sliced up some apples and sent them out a thermos of milk... They had a blast! I love love love watching them play together!!

Love

I'm so totally, head over hills in love with this girl... We all are!

Getting ready for the fall festivals

We spent a little time the other day putting all the finishing touches on costumes! So excited for all the upcoming fall festivals!

Mr. Prep

I was trying to get a picture of him in his super cute, preppy outfit but all he would do is make silly faces and run around like a crazy man. :)

Fish face

His newest thing.

The dog

No, we didn't get a dog.. But, our babysitter went for a run and this dog was lose running around the street so she called her owner and brought her to our house until she found out where her home was and returned her. In the meantime our kiddos were more than willing to "dogsit" for a little while.

They became fast friends with the very well trained "Draper". She was such a sweet dog and I bet you can't guess what our kiddos have now been asking for all evening... "Can we get a dog??"... They asked at least 100 times! :)

Swinging

She is just starting to enjoy this.

Two monsters in my bed

Our baby girl is pulling up

I couldn't believe my eyes but Patience started pulling up today.... This is a first at only 6 months for any of our babies!

I was sitting on the grass playing with Patience and looked over to talk to Rivers about not jumping from everything he can climb up and suddenly I look down at my leg and Patience has pulled up on it... What??!!

So we sat her down and waited and sure enough she did it again... Go Patience!!

Visiting Granna

My Granna has been moved to a new facility where she has her own mini apartment and it makes visiting her a bit easier with more space for the kids to move around while we are there. The girls especially love visiting Granna!

I can't account for Rivers in the attached pictures... Who knows where he was or what he was doing when I was taking these... Not cooperating and posing for a picture, that I know for sure. :)

Six months old

Our little Patience Joy turned six months this past week. As with all my children, I was shocked at how quickly these six months have literally flown by. Our little newborn is gone and a baby quickly moving towards a toddler has come. No longer can I leave her in one spot and expect to come back and find her there. She is on the move... Not a full blown crawl, although, I see that happening any day... Right now it's more of a scoot and pull.

She is such a happy and cheerful child. Always, greeting you with a huge, heart melting smile. Giant chubby cheeks and toothless face of an angel! I am so very smitten with this tiny person and her overwhelming joy in life and happiness she brings every person in this house. I think back to before April 3 and wonder how we ever got along without her.

Anna picked the name Joy for Patience middle name and now I know why our hearts confirmed that to be the perfect name... This child is pure joy to all those her face graces. I love her more than I could ever describe and can't wait to watch and see all the exciting things the next six months hold for our precious little baby #5.

A fall bouquet

This precious wildflower bouquet, complete with fall ribbon, was made for me by my precious Serene! It's moments when a child brings me something like this that I am overwhelmed with the thought of how did I ever come to deserve such incredible joy.... Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more!

Atlanta

Back in September we flew to Atlanta for 24 hours to attend my nieces second birthday party!! We had so much fun!! It was wonderful getting to hold and interact with my sweet nieces! Such a joy!! Happy Birthday Ella!

Our first 5k

Saturday we did our first family 5k. It was to raise money for the Brain Tumor Foundation.... Our team was organized by a friend of Jimmy's whose father died of a brain tumor and since Jimmy's dad died from a brain tumor as well we also ran in his memory.

Despite the rain and chill we had a blast!!! Hope to do more 5k's soon!!

Rangers game

For Jimmy's birthday back in June I gave him tickets to the Ranger game. I bought for the last home stand of the season hoping for a playoff type atmosphere and cooler weather. We got both!! Go Rangers!