happy birthday Adia!!
3 years old
we had a princess cake and a princess birthday for Adia--she got lots of princess toys, she was so happy !!

We also got to play in the tons of leaves at grandma and granpa's house while up in NY.
they loved it soooo much!!

But the main reason for our trip up north to NY was in rememberance of ryan's grandpa
Phil Internicola.
He recently passed away and we went to remember him and be with family as we grieved this loss to our family. He was a coach/teacher to many. may He rest in Peace!

update on life

so far, so good!-- gettin' a bit lonely since the neighbors have all moved...and watching new people move into their houses is all the more weird. but God is good and i'm doing well.

i am loving homeschooling my daughter Ember--why?--because she is coming ALIVE!!--for real, this is what she has needed, intentional one-on-one time with mom. who knew? i am amazed and my heart is coming alive as i serve her and the other children in this new way....causing them to learn and think, putting a couple of things together in a day. wow!

We are reading the Rag Coat right now--and we are starting to sew and do patchwork pillows and quilts. very appropriate for this coming weekend as we head to NY for rye's grandpa's funeral. i've requested some of his shirts for ember and i to make into a memory quilt. i'm excited for that...Ember's already realized that she doesn't have anything black to wear at the funeral! --oh no! God will provide, somehow...if anything you can wear brown or a dark color, right?

my heart is soaring because i see fruit already from schooling!! Ember was playing in the rain today...jumping in the puddles and she runs to the door and tells me how the puddles are filling up higher and higher--just like the Yangtze river!! (last week we just finished reading all about Ping and learned about China!). She remembered the other books that Robert McCloskey wrote,(Blueberries For Sal!) as we read a new one of his today..(Make Way For Ducklings)...basically she's a genius!! yep--i'm a proud parent/teacher!!
who knew this could be so easy and fruitful?
i am truly blessed.

Adia as a happy princess!

here's the latest dress up clothes!! we went yesterday to target to look at clearance halloween costumes.....we got some good ones...and they were thrilled~! this was actually the first time my girls got to pick out costumes, all the ones we have, have been gratefully given to us. around here, dress up day is every day!!

Ivory is dressed like mermaid Ariel!

Ember is the glamorous winter princess!

5 things i love friday!

1. the greutman family. they are moving away this weekend. i love them, they will be missed terribly.

2. i love it when all the kids get together, pic at the top was just that.

3. Bella Rose Greutman--such a cutie-pa-tootie! what will she look like all grown up?

4. the Library--cannot wait to go and get some me time!

5. a good worship CD--darrell evans is playing now....a good heart engaging cd is good for the soul. so good!

So, the girls had their first sleep over! so much fun having their friend micah over to spend the night in their new bunk beds. such a treat. too bad it will be the last one with micah...she's moving next week... with everyone else on the street! goodness. it'll be different around here for sure....can't wait to see what the Lord does!!

this week is my first week "schooling" ember! it's been super fun and i'm loving it! i'm using the curriculum--Five in a Row. it's super easy and so much fun, and i'm even learning too! you read one book 5 days in a row and get a different subject each day...it's great and super easy! so much fun to see ember interacting and learning sooooo much!!
here's my favorite fall color! i love watching the leaves change---goes right along with the theme lately...change... no lack, that's for sure!

here are some shots from our latest vermont trip with my family. we had a good, cold time! literally,...we snuggled, alot, up to hot beverages and the warm fire places in the house. --inbetween hikes in the woods looking for golf balls or caterpillars. such a sweet time we always seem to have at Lake Bomoseen!!







here is brighten in the car after i put his orange hoodie on....driving north made us colder!! the girls joked that he looked like a pumpkin tiger!

5 things i love friday!

1. cappucinos--yep...still love them! :)

2. dreams--even when i don't understand them, they bring new hope and new perspective; makes me think and talk to Dad about them! good stuff.

3. i am thankful today for the loved ones around me, thankful to be near them and enjoy them today. they help make life worth living!

4. i love cooler weather--the season of fall is one of my favorites!

5. i love having a future--i love that one day i will be completely free from all fear! hallelujah! (i hope that is soon!)