Fall Festivals

I have covered some serious ground the past two days going to fall festivals. Mom and I went to the St. James Court Art Show in Louisville which always falls on the first full weekend in October and has about 750 booths. You have never seen such a large collection of artistry, jewelers, pottery, sculpters, glass, metal, clay, clothing, etc. It's seriously awesome. Here is the website: http://www.stjamescourtartshow.com/

I always take $100 and vow not to spend any more than that. You can throw down loads of cash in a place like this. I passed up a plaque that I wish I had purchased with a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that read "What lies behind you, and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." I love quotes that make you reflect on your life and teach you to enjoy the blessings of the day. I was blessed on Friday being able to hang out with my Mother and being surrounded by many, many talented artists from all over the country.

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Today I decided to take the family to Woodburn for the Rock Garden Antique and Craft show. Mom told me about it, and I saw an ad in the Country Peddler. We set out around 10:00 a.m. and lasted about 30 minutes at the show. I could've stayed a bit longer, but children don't fare well in heat + combined with ultra-delicate crafts. We decided to go to Chaney's Dairy Barn for the birthday bash and fall festivities there. They had RADAR the weather dog, pumpkin painting, face painting, a blow-up Lightning McQueen jumper, cornfield maze and hayride--oh yeah, and $1 a scoop ice cream--that was the real draw.

I'm WORN OUT and fall break just started.

Field Trip

Karson's preschool took a field trip to Jackson's Orchard this morning. The classes were divided up and went to different stations including a cornfield maze, straw castle and hayride to pick out pumpkins. It was a gorgeous day filled with fun!

Karson and her friend Kennedy. I had Kennedy in my preschool class last year. She's precious. I have her brother Jackson this year who is equally precious. Here's a photo of him and Isaac.

Kennedy, Chloe and Karson pretending to be animals trapped in a crate (reminds me of Madagascar).

Karson was on a mission to find her baby brother Miles the perfect pumpkin.

Class photo.

I had to throw in a pirate picture from Captain Chase's party last Sunday. Karson told me that her favorite part was the "beckinyata" aka pinata. Melissa D. told me that they filmed Karson swinging at it. She missed about 8 times before contact was made. I'm glad that playing softball this summer payed off.

First Steps

Miles has been taking steps for a couple of weeks now, but last night he was walking all over the place. This video isn't great because I ran out of battery on the digital camera and then went to get our video camera and it ran out of juice too. We did get this clip that certainly doesn't do our dare devil the justice he deserves.

Miles and I got to spend some Mommy and baby time on Saturday at the International Festival. He was especially attentive at the Champion Taekwondo performance where they were doing their kicks, punches and chops to wood boards. I believe he was soaking in defense moves and enemy submission techniques. Look out Karson and Isaac!

Does anyone know where this doo joo is located in Scranton? There may be one in BG--nothing but the best training for our kiddos.

Cumberland Falls

Our family took an overnight trip to Cumberland Falls State Park. A dear friend of ours, Lisa Davis, is the park manager. The falls are known as the "Niagara of the South". The park also features a moonbow which is a lunar (white) rainbow and only present on nights with a full moon. The moonbow is especially unique because it's the only one in the western hemisphere. You can see the other one during your trip to Zimbabwe. We did not get to see the moonbow because of the rain/clouds. BUT, that will certainly give us a great reason to visit again.

Family picture by the falls.

Karson enjoying herself. It's very difficult getting her to smile for camera.

Karson had the most fun on this trip. She got to experience a euphoria like no other--sleeping inside a camper. She has become quite obsessed RV's lately. We get on the internet and look at the different campers. My grandfather always had Winnebagos, and I loved them. Everytime we went to Nolin Lake, me and all of my cousins slept in it. Matt got to share a bed with Karson in the ol' Jay Feather.

Anyone that has a two year old knows that it's next to impossible getting good photos of them. I was able to snap one of Isaac smiling and the other of him pointing to the falls. I threw the dog Wilson in because he was harassed by Isaac the entire time.

Miles, as usual, was along for the ride. He's a content little fella and always seems to enjoy himself in every circumstance. We're very blessed!

Ode to "the World"

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

Your concrete floors we will miss

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

Your smell of gas we will miss

Your wall of parts that never ends, oh no my Dad went to an auction again

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

WE WILL SURELY MISS YOU!

It's official, my Dad is semi-retiring from the business this weekend. I honestly can't remember a time when our family didn't have this little slice of heaven. We've changed buildings and relocated, but it's always been ours. I've spent many hours working for my Dad stocking parts, making email databases, changing his website and even doing some light assembling (if you purchased a trimmer that fell apart, it could've been because of me). I am proud of my Dad for all his hard work and dedication to this trade. He's one of the smartest people I know and could've done something less stressful, dirty and tiring each day. The older I get though, I find that life sometimes directs us down different paths than the one's we've chosen. I don't know if that's necessarily true for my Dad, but my point is that our Creator knows exactly what we need in our lives. I haven't met a person that deals with my Dad professionally that doesn't think the world of him. God placed him in that business to minister to others. I love you Dad and am excited about the next chapter in your life--babysitting three crazy kids for me.

BLOCK Party

Community Church hosted a BLOCK PARTY yesterday for the community surrounding our area of town. We had the city shut down 12th Avenue between Center and Kentucky Streets for our festivities. We had a blow-up thing-a-majig, horse and carriage rides, locals bands, face painting, cupcake walk, games/prizes, visits from the Police, EMT, and Fire Department, and FREE FOOD all done on a $100 budget (thanks to lots of donations and helpful folks). How cool is that! I know my husband is the minister and all, but I really can't brag enough about the group at Community. All of our elders, deacons and ministers worked all day long along with many, many members making the day a true success for Christ.

One of my favorite songs right now is called "Hanging On" by a band called Everday Sunday. I love listening to music in the morning when I'm walking. This song was played on WAY FM a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I got home I bought it and haven't stopped listening to it since.

Here it is short and sweet:

God I'm in this place again. Im trying so hard not to fall, but everything keeps coming down with the rain. And I try so hard I forget to call.

Everybodys looking around, and everybody wants to be found. And Im just hanging on; I give You all that I am.

I come to You with all that I am, I bring to You all that I have, and all I have is nothing,

and I keep on trying, and all I want is You.

Everybodys looking around and wants to be found,and Im just hanging on. I give You all that I am.

And as I sit here in the midst of You, I come to You; I bring You all that I am.

Everybodys looking around and wants to be found, and Im just hanging on. I give You all that I am.

I truly felt God's presence on Saturday. Thank you Lord for finding and loving each of us where we are and how we are. We're all just hanging on for YOU. Come soon and rescue us!

Smile: You're as Pretty as a Princess

Our friend Katie came over today to play. The girls decided to play dress-up. I'm guessing that's still a universal game among girls. Isaac HAD to get in on the action when we started the make-up application. Although he knows that he's a boy and Karson's a girl, making a mess has no gender and that's exactly how he applied his ultra-thick coverage.

His brother, POTTED MILES, on the other hand, is all about dirt. He would rather eat and wear dirt than his sister's yucky make-up. Uuuhhh, has anyone seen the weight room??? He's our manly man.