Looking Forward to Fall

My kids started a discussion in the van today about what they look forward to in fall. This is what they came up with. What would you add to the list?

1. Apple picking
   
2. Bobbing for apples
   
3. Apple pie
   
4. Applesauce
   
5. Jumping in the leaves
   
6. Apple pancakes
   
7. Carving pumpkins
   
8. Pumpkin picking
   
9. Thanksgiving
   
10. Fires in the fireplace
    
11. Decorating for fall
    
12. Leaf tracings
    
13. Family movie nights
    
14. Roasted marshmallows
    
15. Playing football with Dad
    
16. Soup for dinner – Mommy's tortellini soup
    
17. Homecoming at Cedarville
    
18. Soccer
    
19. Great fall weather
    
20. Wearing coats
    
21. Having snuggles at night
    

Back Home Again

Scrapbooking to some is a chore, and to others it is a treat. This past weekend was a treat. My sister joined me for some scrapping time for three days – away from meal responsibilities, making beds, running kids to their events and anything else part of the routine (I mean blessed) day at home. I did not get quite as much done as I would have liked (29 pages), but the time I had to spend talking with my sister, listening to Christian music, and reviewing special memories was more than worth the weekend. We missed our sister-in-law, whose schedule became too crazy to join us, but we enjoyed dinner together on one of the nights.

One of the things I enjoy most about scrapping is being reminded of the many blessings I enjoy with my family. Some of the pictures may not be great, but the stories behind them are priceless. Maybe blogging has prompted my desire to write. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed telling the story in words as well as in pictures and colors.

I will never be caught up, and it does not really matter. I scrap because I enjoy it, and my kids enjoy seeing what I do. I have learned to do some scrapbooking online on Shutterfly, but the hands one paper books are my favorite. Unfortunately, they take the most time.

If you are a scrapper, I would love to hear about some of your favorite pages or techniques. I am pretty much a cardstock paper kind of girl, but occasionally an embellishment calls my name. Here are a few of my favorites from this weekend.

I may not be able to scrap for a while – maybe a long while – and that is OK. In the meantime, I will continue to document how my family grows and what blessings God chooses to send our way.

I had to smile

Life gets crazy, but I would have it no other way. This evening I was on my way out the door to pick up my princess from art class when a smile crept across my face. My little one had set up her own fort and was creating with paper at the kitchen table. My sweetie and little man were enjoying some time together playing Wii. The aroma of freshly baked apple pie wafted through my home. The TV was off, and contemporary Christian music played. I had the rare opportunity to sit in my office a read a bit. The only thing missing was my angel who was away at school camp. It feels good to look around and see the many little blessings in the middle of what seems to be chaos at times. God is so good in giving those daily blessings.

Wordless Wednesday

A Princess’s Tea Party

Our princess turned twelve this past week. She is changing before my eyes and growing into a sweet, Godly young lady. I love her smile and her creativity that she shows in so many areas of her life. God has chosen to make her a petite young lady. She is not always appreciative of that, but she is growing to challenge herself in ways that she never thought she could. Being #2 kid behind her big sister is not always fun, but she is learning grace in her life and is taking responsible in other areas.

We celebrated her birthday this year with a tea party . Seven of her friends joined us for a Sunday afternoon tea. I was so proud of our princess as she did an absolutely beautiful job of setting the table for her friends. I let her take ideas and run with them. I loved watching her creativity play out.

The girls arrived dressed for the occasion and were thrilled to have the opportunity to choose their own teapot and teacup to use for the party. The tea sandwiches went quickly as did the fruit platter and chocolate chip scones. We played a few young lady games with flower bouquets as prizes. After opening presents, the girls enjoyed another cup of tea with their strawberries and vanilla ice cream. The afternoon finished with a simple craft of hair bows.

I stepped back most of the afternoon and enjoyed observing the sweet conversation and friendships both formed and reinforced.

Tea parties are fun, but they are even more fun when you can share it with such a special young lady as my princess.