autumn – The Bless Your Heart Blog

Random Rambles

We all ventured out to the sale barn with daddy today. I needed a whole slew of random items from Wal-Mart and I always feel bad making hubby face the mad house after working all day.

Wryder shopped with me while sister stayed and collected money from all of the elder cow buyers to buy a pop to go with her popcorn. 😉 She’s kind of a hit around that place.

Brother and I met up with them a bit later and good gravy does that boy love the sale barn. He ate his fair share of popcorn, gave high gives, moo-ed at cows, double-fisted suckers and fell in love. This boy is ALL about tractors these days and he found a tractor house magazine…

Tractors and popcorn - a match made in heaven — Tractors and popcorn – a match made in heaven

He had a death grip on that magazine and cried when we took it away to eat lunch. He was reunited again once we got in the pickup and he fell asleep with it in his arms.

****************

Our sweet neighbors finished up corn harvest today and the kids snuck in one last ride around the field before next year.

I'm not totally sure what's going on here, but I LOVE this pic! — I’m not totally sure what’s going on here, but I LOVE this pic!

They were so excited to ride the combine in the dark and came home a bundle of loud, raucous storytellers!

Thank you, sweet Kruegers, for all the starts and stops so the Phipps kids could experience harvest!!

****************

Tomorrow is election day in Colorado. We’re gonna head to the local courthouse tomorrow and do our civic duties. The last time we voted, Sawyer thought we were going “boating.” She kept asking, “Where’s the boat??” Poor kid was slightly disappointed. We told her she would be grateful for the chance to vote one day.

Lately, she’s been playing Sesame Street and having words and letters of the day. The past couple of days, she’s been saying that “ridiculous” is the word of the day, but she pronounces it ree-dick-lee-us. It’s hysterical.

We’re not big supporters of Proposition 105 for a plethora of reasons. We were talking about it tonight at supper and we got her on video saying this tonight…

IMG_3402

Funny stuff.

****************

Speaking of funny stuff, Wryder has a new “trick.”

IMG_3401

WHY is poop so fascinating to children?!?

****************

Love this weather. Love this family. Love this life.

Halloween 2014

The day before Halloween, it was a balmy 75. We picked pumpkins (sans coats) and played outside all afternoon.

The day OF Halloween, it was 47 with 25 mph winds. Figures, right? It was COLD!

After nap, I got the kids dressed and we ventured into Grant for Trick or Treat Street. All of the local businesses head outside and hand out candy to all the little trick-or-treaters downtown. It’s a fun, safe, delightful afternoon of candy hoarding.

Sawyer even made their Facebook cover!

We came home and started our 4th annual Halloween Camp IN. We started this tradition by accident. The first Halloween in this house, we didn’t have much of our furniture yet and were busy working/painting in all of the rooms, so we were all sleeping in the living room. The next year, we made it a little more purposeful and brought in the tent. Ever since, that’s been our gig!

I made a fun supper complete with mummy dogs, jack-o-lantern sliders, potion punch, caramel apples, ghost marshmallows and their stash of trick-or-treat treats.

Ghost balloons...that later lost their fill and ended up floating on the table — Ghost balloons…that later lost their fill and ended up floating on the table

The ghosts are guarding the candy bowl... — The ghosts are guarding the candy bowl…

One of Sawyer's favorite sweets — One of Sawyer’s favorite sweets

Kermie and Piggy had a ball playing in the dark, waiting for Daddy to get home and then it was tent time! We set up camp, ate treats and watched a few fun shows.

It was a goooood day. A real good day. We still have WAY too much candy floating around the place but having daddy home for the weekend has put a dent in it.

Piggy, Kermie and a Few Other Characters

I love a good handmade, put-together costume. For her first halloween, Sawyer was a Chia Pet. We made a little pattern and glued a LOT of moss on it. It was highly original, albeit itchy.

The next year, my sister ~~in law~~ sent me an adorable idea for a peacock costume that she had seen online. I loved it so much we made it happen! We found peacock feathers at the floral shop, glued them to a belt, paired them with a tutu, dyed some tights and voila!

When she turned two, she was really into Dora the Explorer so we turned her into Dora!

Wrex and I even got in on the fun; he dressed up as Swiper the Fox and I went as Boots the Monkey. 🙂

Last year, a friend of mine gave us the cutest little Indian papoose costume for Wryder so we went on the hunt for something matching for Sawyer. We found the main piece of her costume at the thrift store in Denver. We used some leather, ribbon and feathers from home to make her head piece. We gave her a few stripes of paint and some little braids and she was one cute Indian girl!

This year, I wanted them to be able to be something together so we were trying to think of famous duos and Miss Piggy and Kermit the frog came to mind. I knew she would love all of the frilly, girliness of Miss Piggy so we went for it!

We made some felt ears and glued them to a head band, bought a pig nose on Amazon and a feather boa from the dollar store and paired that with some pink, fru-fru clothes and Miss Piggy was born!

For Wryder, we used sister’s green tights and a green hoodie to make the base of his costume. We cut a Styrofoam ball in half, painted on the eyes and glued them to the hood. We then made Kermie’s famous pointy collar, hands and feet out of green felt. Easy, peasey!

All in all, we spent less than $13 on both costumes – score!

Seriously, are they not to-die-for adorable?! I really couldn’t get over how cute they looked!

Our church hosts a harvest carnival every year so we put on all of our garb and headed to town. They played games and ate snacks and rode the horse and buggy until they were worn out!

Riding the horse and buggy with our dear friend Jim

We’re not just uber Halloween fans nor do we (remotely) get into the dark side of the ‘holiday’ but I do love the innocence that can be found in dressing up and getting to be whimsical and downright silly.

We still proclaim the name of Jesus and worship (only) the one true God, but we do let our kids dress up and trick-or-treat. Dressing up in costumes doesn’t make us satanic evil-doers any more than wearing a suit to church makes you a follower of Jesus; it’s all about the heart, ya know?

For a TREMENDOUS read on a wise-woman’s opinions on Halloween, read this lovely little blog post. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Sure is Purdy Out

This fall weather has been absolutely astounding! Normally in Colorado, we’d have had at least one snow by now but it looks like nothing but sunshine on the horizon. While I don’t really appreciate 86 degrees in darn near November, it has made going outside quite enjoyable.

Daddy went to a funeral this morning so the kids and I decided to take advantage of this nice weather at the park.

They LOVED all the leaves! We have a few trees around the place but they’re all either cedar, pine or Chinese Elm; not too many leaves falling around here. Sawyer picked her three favorites to bring home for daddy.

We spent the majority of yesterday outside, too. We surprised daddy by cleaning up the barn and the feed room – a chore! – and this afternoon, we hope to finish a new cover for the well house. AND…I have GOT to finish little Wryder’s Halloween costume…but I need my handsome seamstress for that. 🙂

Enjoying the warm weather but yearning for a good freeze…I’m a little over all things that fly…namely flies.

Mars Vs Venus

Our sweet neighbors are in the throes of corn harvest and the kiddos got to go ride in the combine this afternoon! They were FIRED UP! Wryder is all about anything tractor related and any time Sawyer gets to spend with Mr. Rick, she’s all about.

She got her cowgirl clothes on again…

and out they went!

I stayed home to finish unpacking and doing laundry since we were gone all weekend in Denver…and tomorrow is doomsday in my book. I have to go to the dentist and get at least one tooth pulled. Fun yes? NO. Pray for me…please.

I asked daddy to take some pics since I wasn’t gonna go this time…………and this is what he came home with.

That’s it. That’s all the pictures he took. Not one of the kids in the combine…or with Mr. Rick…or by the grain cart…just corn…that I see out every window of our house every day.

Sigh.

I mean, I didn’t specify pics OF THE CHILDREN or the experience, but I guess I thought that was a given?! Sawyer said, “I guess we’ll just have to go again!” I wasn’t quite that gracious. *ahem*

Funny how different we can be sometimes, yes? I just have to laugh…

Random Rambles

It’s fun Friday and while the weather is cooperating beautifully – I love this cloudy stuff – poor Wryder’s not having much fun. Little guy has been a bit fussy the past two days and today is no exception. Pretty sure he’s got some major teeth trying to make their way in. He has fever this morning so back to bed he went! We’re really wanting to go watch some high school football tonight so we’re hoping he feels better soon!

Our good friends from church have a son, whom Sawyer adores, who plays football in Grant. She’s convinced he plays for the Broncos so we’re hoping she’s not too disappointed tonight. 😉

****************

Speaking of the Broncos, this sweet girl has football in her blood and I am LOVING it! Wrex isn’t the biggest fan but he’ll watch with me…just not as spiritedly. Sawyer is my official football watching partner!

Last week, she posed the following question:

“Mom, I always wear dresses to church. Do you think it would be ok if I wore my Broncos shirt this time??” Of course you can!

She was fired up! We ate lunch at Wendys and she kept ~~yelling~~ announcing, “Go Broncos!” There were quite a few people that got a kick out of that (thankfully). One gentleman asked her if she was gonna watch Peyton Manning get his 500th touchdown and she goes, “You mean Paytie?” Apparently, they’re on a pet-name basis.

A friend of ours blessed us with some hand-me-downs for her and there was a little softball shirt inside with the number 18 on the back. She went to put it on the other morning and came squealing downstairs, “I’m like Paytie!” Gosh, I adore her…

****************

On Sunday, she got to take part in her first Lord’s supper and yes, I had to take a picture.

It was a sweet moment, Bronco gear and all.

****************

The bestie had her 20 week ultrasound and they’re having a….

BOY! We’re so excited for them! Sawyer has lots to teach baby Eva about being a big sister to a little brother….

****************

On the pregnancy note, my nausea has subsided significantly, praise the Lord. I’m in the “I don’t really feel pregnant just bloated” stage…t’s better than the former, for sure…

****************

Colorado is one of the states that often skips fall (and spring for that matter) and goes straight into cold and snow, but this year we’re actually having a fall! My flowers are still blooming and growing and we keep saying we’re gonna mow the grass “one last time” and that has yet to happen. The trees all around are actually getting to go through the whole color change process…

It’s a wonderful change! It’s nice to able to go outside in long sleeves or a sweatshirt without there being snow on the ground. We’re going to soak in all of this autumnal beauty for as long as we can!

****************

Happy Friday!

Worth 1,000 Words: Pumpkin Patch 2014

This past Saturday the weather cooperated beautifully so off to the pumpkin patch we went! This one is the closest one to our house and it is well worth the money! Here are a few pics from our day!

This girl could pick pumpkins all day... — This girl could pick pumpkins all day…

In charge of the gourds... — In charge of the gourds…

Racing ducks...pink ones, of course — Racing ducks…pink ones, of course

Her favorite part of the day, according to her. :) — Her favorite part of the day, according to her. 🙂

Wryder on the spiderweb... — Wryder on the spiderweb…

This boy had a diaper full of corn at the end of the day!

Having fun on the jumping pillow... — Having fun on the jumping pillow…

Wryder didn't know what to think at first so he just laid there... — Wryder didn’t know what to think at first so he just laid there…

Getting sleepy on the horse swing... — Getting sleepy on the horse swing…

Little Pumpkins

Daddy brought home a pumpkin a week or so ago and a little cutie we know was awfully excited! Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice, mild day and if the wind decides not to blow 100 miles an hour like it is today, we’re gonna take them to the pumpkin patch! EEP! One of all of our favorite things!

We snapped a few pictures with the pumpkin because, well when you’re four that’s awesome…and because we wanted to make a little baby announcement to send out to the fam.

Here’s a few cute shots I took of the kids…

My goodness they’re cute! I love their unbridled, innocent passion for a pumpkin!

When daddy got home, he snapped my pic and this was the little card I made to send to the fam…

We’re all a little excited around here…and not just about the pumpkin.

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for?

The question that will be asked around countless dinner tables a week from tomorrow. The question that shouldn’t take much thought to answer…

The Lord’s grace…my family…my friends…my home…my amenities…my freedoms…

I’ve written about some of the things I’m thankful for here and here. And here and here and here. Gratitude is a beautiful thing! I know it delights the heart of the Lord to hear His children thanking Him for the good gifts He has given; gifts we don’t deserve but gifts He gives regardless.

Ann Voskamp posed this thought:

What if the question around holiday tables wasn’t: What are you so grateful for?

__

But rather: How are you changing the world because you are so grateful?

Good question, yes?

Shouldn’t we be acting out our faith and moving mountains for other people because we can’t contain our gratitude? Shouldn’t we be tripping over ourselves looking for moments to bless and aid and assist because we’ve been so blessed and aided and assisted? Shouldn’t we be giving so sacrificially of our time, resources and talents that we’ve nowhere to turn and no one to point to except the Lord?

Yes, let’s give upwardly! Let’s give the Lord due praise – EVERY.SINGLE.THING we have comes from Him! He is most worthy of our gratitude…but less us also give outwardly, in His name…

I have a friend who posted on Facebook about her morning experience. She was in the waiting room of her doctor’s office waiting to be seen when an elderly lady came in; one who was obviously sick and needed medical care. The elderly lady didn’t have money to pay her copay so they had her reschedule her appointment to a day when she would have the funds. My lovely friend, jumped up and paid the co-pay.

That is Christ in action. That is a life changing the world because of gratitude. That is a life living out the ‘giving’ piece of ThanksGIVING…because how can we have Thanksgiving without the giving??

I pray that as you’re enjoying your family time and your turkey dinner…as you’re counting your blessings and recounting the goodness of the Lord…that the borders of your heart are expanding and that the world around you starts changing because of your gratitude. And not changing just for this season…for good. We are blessed to be a blessing so let’s live it…

Pinterest Picks

Oh, Pinterest. I don’t spend as much time with you as I did in the beginning…and that’s more than fine with me…but you’ll always have a special place in my creative heart. You make organizing for the holidays a lot simpler, as I love having all of my PINspiration in one, easy-to-find place. I’ve jumped on a few times here lately and these are some of my favorites as of late! ***Beware – randomness ahead***

These little fellas look so divine…