{ Family Time }

On one hand we can count the weekends we've had off to do nothing but what we feel like doing since May, when the project of replacing our furnace began.  But then it was always still hanging over our heads, that feeling that rather than relaxing we really should be accomplishing something.  Well, last week, all glory to God, we had the final hook up!  We cannot describe the feeling of relief and humble thanksgiving that has come over us with having this done and seeing how God has carried us every step of the way.  Last weekend, we pushed the button on that thermostat, packed a picnic lunch, bundled up in warm clothes and walked away from it all and just spent two days as a family, doing nothing but what we felt like.  Amazing!

First stop, coffee.  What is a morning without it, especially a lazy Saturday?  We got them to go and then walked down to the farmer's market.  I had been told by a friend that I had to try this particular coffee shop's Pumpkin Spice Latte, which I was more than happy to do.  Every bit amazing, and can I just say, good both hot and cold?  I only ordered an 8 oz., but between pushing the stroller, calming a fussy toddler, and helping Oliver play on the playground, it didn't stay hot all that time!  Pumpkin lattes, I've decided, are basically a fall festival in the mouth.

{ Katy Grace was charming everyone while we waited for our drinks }

Because we got a rather late start that morning, we ended up eating our picnic at the Market.  It was also homecoming weekend for the university, so there were WAY more people and activity than we were expecting.  It was fun and festive, though, just not so easy to park and get around.  We had planned to go hiking after these stops, but naps became much more of a priority, so we came home.  It was just the right amount of busy for one day.

 Sunday afternoon we headed out to Red Barn Farms for their annual fall festival.  My mom met us there, which was lots of fun.  It was a lot more low-key than what it was last year, but still fun.  The kids enjoyed playing in a Pea-instead-of-sand box, taking a hay ride and playing with pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

 { Baby Girl Kisses }

 Oliver took the job of sorting and loading all of those pumpkins very seriously.  Definitely good exercise anyway!

 { Gotta love the little straw bottom }

 Then Tim and I ventured into the Corn Maze, with the company of our little adventuress.  She was beyond thrilled to be above all those corn stalks and pulling on my hair, which is why I look like I'm in pain!  Soooo thankful for my husband who effectively read the map and got us out of there.  It was lots of fun, but not something I'd want to get lost in. 

 { The bridge that was our way out }
 

{ Veterans Day and My Own Captain }

It is fitting, I think, that Veteran's Day should fall in November, the month we are most likely to be thinking about what we are thankful for.  I know I am extremely grateful for the men and women who serve today and who have served in the past.  Today I am thinking about my grandpa who served in WWII, my dad who served in Vietnam, and my husband who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as many, many more that I know who have served.  I want to stop for a few minutes today and say "Thank You"! 

 { One of Tim's photographs }

It was an early morning for us today.  I have been sick this past week and just couldn't sleep anymore so I got up and helped Tim prepare for the speech he is giving this morning at a local school assembly.  I am hoping he enjoys it and feels honored as the guest speaker on this day of recognition.  I've heard his accounts from service before, but they struck home in a new way today.  I realized just how important it is to have a perspective of gratitude throughout the year.  I so often take for granted what is behind my ability to be thankful for simple things.  

There are no doubt arguments on both sides, but I was thinking this morning about how our military is completely volunteer.  For the most part, those who serve want to be there and want to do a good job.  I know Tim was glad to go.  I also know and see everyday the toll it took on him.  Every soldier comes back with wounds, physical or mental.  When he talked in his speech about returning from deployment  to American soil and being met by protesters while exiting the plane, it just made me so sad.

A few weeks ago, our pastor preached on the account of Jesus and the ten lepers.  They were all set free to once more live a normal life.  Of those ten, only one came back and thanked Jesus.  Jesus asks him where the other nine are, but the Bible doesn't say they were punished in any way for not coming back.  Tim used this account as the close to his speech and I think it is very fitting on a day like today.  As he said, "turning around to say thank you is just the right thing to do".