Autumn 2014

Autumn is my favorite season.

The cold, crisp mornings and bright blue days of Idaho's autumn are quite spectacular and long lived.  This week we will have a hard freeze and possibly snow, so we are tucking in and getting ready -- saying goodbye to a season of change, learning, and fullness of life.

EVERYONE seems to be growing up around here!! The animals are showing signs of age, the appliances are wearing out, the paint is beginning to peel in certain sections, the parents are falling into bed at night with new-found groans -- sleep not long in coming, and the kids are sprouting wings in more ways than one!!  

With the changing colors come changes in our days.  Earlier nights allow for more family time inside as Dad is now captive audience (off mower and/or tractor) and able to enjoy time alongside us :-)  Reading aloud, watching the Duggars and/or Waltons on the computer, texting or talking to Josiah, doing homework after dinner, and managing new indoor projects (including preparation for Christmas!) are how we spend our time when we aren't actively engaged in hospitality or service opportunities.  Life is very full.

Also with autumn come some favorite memory-making pastimes.  The four of us enjoyed an evening at the pumpkin patch -- walking the corn maze, seeing the animals, riding the zip line, and choosing pumpkins of course! 

The mini-donuts are an all around favorite as well (and secretly -- the main reason we come)  :-) 

Our active church Body is always looking for ways to have a good time -- and the annual Harvest Party in October is a highlight of everyone's year.  Old fashioned games, caramel apples, freshly made kettle corn, horse rides (of which Isabelle helps lead younger friends on the the horses), shooting, roping, campfire, singing, chili feed -- you name it, we've got it!! 

The moms won the tug-of-war against the daughters (of course!).  You can see Isabelle pulling with all her might on the right side, second one in.  She is now nearly as tall as I am and quickly becoming a young lady.  It's already been fun to pass clothes down to her and share shoes :-)

Isaac is working diligently this year to finish high school as well as endeavor to earn some college credits via CLEP testing.  While his focus is mostly on academics, he has also had some great opportunities to grow in leadership, serve at our church, and enjoy sporting events - including football with some of the young men from our church.

Most of our days center around learning and managing our home and property.  This year we have several new opportunities including our history craft group which meets every other week.  You can see Dyana and her son Thomas in the background.  This particular week, Dyana arranged for the kids to make original mummy masks.  So fun!!  They always enjoy being able to do hands-on projects that center around what we're learning in history.

This academic year I have the privilege of teaching my neighbor alongside Isabelle three days a week for history, geography, and writing.  It's been so fun to have Jonny join us in the afternoons for reading, writing, narration, discussion, and map-making.  Here the kids worked together to make a salt relief map of Ancient Egypt.   Don't you love their proud smiles?? :-)

Of course, throughout the month there are several other group learning experiences for the kids.  Above you can see the older kids (Isaac is in the middle with his back turned to the camera) taking a quiz during Science Club (we are studying Chemistry this year and holding class in one of the labs at NNU).  I also teach a small Research and Report Writing/College Prep class monthly with intervening assignments which Isaac is also a part of.  In addition, Isaac is studying the Old and New Testament through a survey class twice monthly that our Pastor teaches.  Isabelle is heavily involved in musical opportunities this year including piano lessons, individual and group violin lessons, and a children's choir.  Needless to say, we keep fairly busy -- but it is all fun and so worth the efforts! 

Although we do not celebrate Halloween, Isabelle did enjoy carving a pumpkin with her Daddy's occasional help on the eve of the 31st.  They've been enjoying every opportunity they get to spend time together doing their latest craze -- black/copper smithing!  With anvil, forge, and hammer, you can often hear various "tinks" ringing out from the barn as the evening wanes and sunset approaches in these chilly autumn evenings.

The sky says it all -- winter is coming and all that comes with it.  Our winter this year holds the promise of a much-anticipated visit from Josiah for Christmas break.  We are all very excited to be under the same roof once again!!   Enjoy the last days of autumn with us as we look forward to all that God has in store for us in finishing out our year....