Saturday, October 28, 2017

Lazy Saturday

I love weekends when I have absolutely nothing important I have to do. This was one of those days and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were slow getting started this morning and then Meredith called and asked if we wanted to meet her and the kids for lunch at Einstein's. So, we started moving and got ready and met them. It was nice to get together for a short time and the kids always love eating out. 

The rest of the day we did nothing. The kids played outside all afternoon with the girls next door and then came home and played in our backyard. I did do a little cleaning in my room with Claire and Sarah keeping me company for awhile. It didn't actually seem like work today and I enjoyed getting things straight and eliminating some junk I didn't need. 

The evening didn't go much different and then on to bed for all the kids. It was a very pleasant day. 











Friday, October 27, 2017

CF Day

Today was Bethany's appointment with her pulmonologist for her CF. It was a great visit! Her weight was good, she's growing taller and her pulmonary function tests were really good -- better than her last visit. This has been a good year for Bethany. We are blessed. 

Also, nothing to do with Bethany's visit, but we started reading The Pink Maple House by Christine Govan in the evenings. I love, love this book and it was my favorite as a child. It is also such a favorite here. I can't tell you how many times I have read this to my kids -- those still here and those grown and gone. 
























































Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Sewing Class

Bethany and Tess had their sewing class again today. This time they made bags to carry back and forth to class with all their sewing stuff. They were so proud of them. 


Monday, October 23, 2017

Pumpkin Carving

Sunday was the day we had scheduled for our annual pumpkin carving. It was also Joshua's 4th birthday. So, we had a party for Joshua first and then we did our pumpkin carving. 










































































I was so behind getting things done this year that I wasn't sure I could pull it together. Thank goodness my son, Michael, got me 20 pumpkins and some apple cider so that saved me a ton of time. I still had to get the plates, napkins, snacks, carving tools, etc. But, at least I didn't have to load 20 pumpkins into my car. 

We made it home in time for Joshua's party and actually had pretty much everything done, but I made a vow to not be so behind again -- my kids laughed at that. I am really going to try to be more on top of things and not so rushed at the last minute -- so exhausting. 

Good thing is that everyone had fun. Bethany carved three pumpkins and I think Tess did two. I felt like I had done my job this weekend -- harvest festival on Saturday and pumpkin carving on Sunday. Now I can relax for a little while. 
































































































































Saturday, October 21, 2017

Harvest Festival

Today we went to a harvest festival. It was kind of a last minute decision. We used to go every single fall back when my first group of kids were young. I remembered always having fun and the kids loved it. So, when my son asked me to go I thought it might be nice to go again, and the kids would probably have a great time. 

I would like to say that is was so much fun and that I thoroughly enjoyed the day with my kids, but that wouldn't be the truth. I'm not even sure now why I remembered it so fondly. But, I think that a lot of the problem is that so many of my kids need to be watched constantly or they will wander off and so I spent most of my time making sure they were within sight. Being in a large area that was fairly crowded and trying to make sure everyone was where they should be while most of the kids were wanting to run here and there is not really very relaxing. But, I did enjoy meeting a few of my older kids there and three of my grandkids. So, that was nice. 

It actually started off rather badly the minute we got out of the car because the people behind us had a dog and it was a really BIG dog. Bella, does not like dogs and that dog was bigger than she was and she immediately started to cry and run. It did not get much better even as they left with the dog. That's because Bella realized that there were lots more dogs there and she was almost hysterial -- she isn't usually that upset but today was obviously not her day. I finally had to ask her if she wanted to go home -- thinking it would help her get a grip. But, she just said YES! She was ready to leave. 

She finally calmed down enough to have some fun, but I decided that I would think twice before taking her next year -- if we go. 

This was within a few minutes of arriving -- she already had decided that she did not want to be at any harvest festival. She was constantly on the lookout for dogs of any size. 

















































We were watching for my son and she spotted another dog nearby.

























We mostly just walked around and ate and talked. The kids went through the maze, climbed trees, ate and even got to ride a few rides. They said they had lots of fun so I guess it was worth the trip. 






















































Michael and Kasia brought Luke. I think he had fries for the first time so I'm sure he had a good day. 


























Joey and Shannon also brought Joshua and Madelyn. I think all the kids had fun. It was a little too sunny for me -- I like cloudy days myself. Joey said it was a little too sunny for him, too. He was trying to get out and get a little exercise by walking around some. 



































































































We came home and Bethany saw a squirrel and almost walked right up to him before he ran off.




Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Stable

Joey's MRI showed his tumor is stable - no change. This is great news and I want to thank everyone for their prayers. Next MRI is in December. 

Claire, Bethany, Tess, Piper and Bella decided to rake leaves and play in them in the early evening. They raked and raked and then jumped in them and threw them all over each other. It was a nice ending to the day and I enjoyed watching and taking a few pictures - - especially since I had just gotten some really good news about Joey. Made my evening.