James is TWO!

I can't believe my baby boy is two years old today! He has grown from our 8lb preemie who loved the cuddles of his brothers to a determined little boy who wants to do everything they do! It's such a joy to watch him blossom into his own personality.

It was especially sweet to watch his excitement over his birthday. This year he understood that this was a special day all about him! As soon as he woke up, his brothers showered him with attention and birthday blessings. He excitedly chattered all morning "It my burtday!" He was very excited as we put up birthday decorations and kept singing Happy Birthday to himself.

James' favorite thing to do is play outside, so we spent a big part of the day doing just that! We were blessed with perfect Fall weather, and a bounty of colorful leaves on the ground to enjoy!

What could be more fun than a tractor cake for a boy who loves to watch tractors?

He quickly figured out that opening presents is not only fun, but rather rewarding as well! Such fun to pull brightly colored paper from the bags! It was also really neat to see his brothers excited to give him their presents. Joshua picked a special bear from his bear collection and Jacob a dog from his dog collection. Joseph gave him "nannies" with monkeys (because Joseph loves monkeys!).

Happy birthday little James!

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The Big Boys' Room

We had a bit of a challenge when planning out the decor for our big boys' bedrooms. So much of what's available for boys is character themed. Since that's not something that's a part of our lives, we didn't really want it in our home. When we first moved to Missouri, we found this bedding set. We really liked the colors, and since we have a Bear who lives in the room, it seemed rather fitting!

Jacob's bed.

Joshua's bed.

I started this cross-stitch project during our first year of marriage, and it took nearly three years, off and on, to finish it! It's the most detailed one I've ever done. It doesn't look nearly so complicated, but there was so much subtle detail work in it. It was quite satisfying once it was finished. When we decided on a bear/camping/lodge type them for the big boys' room, it just seemed to belong on their wall.

A nice little reading corner! Joshua picked out these rock posters from Mardel for his fourth birthday. You have to love a little boy who loves the rock cycle! He's been asking for a rock tumbler...I may just have to start looking for one!

I'm also quite thankful that this old house actually has closets in the upstairs bedrooms. Actually, even better than just having closets, it actually has big walk-in closets! It almost makes up for not having a closet in our bedroom. ;)

Blessings,

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Fall Crafting

Making glitter pumpkins has become almost a yearly tradition in our family, ever since I came across the idea six years ago. It's a really simple craft, but one that we always enjoy making. It adds sparkle and fun to our Fall decor! I have learned though, that this is one project best done outside!

I wasn't sure if James would actually make one himself, but he got right in there and picked up a brush and started painting the glue onto his pumpkin! I was quite impressed. He actually really enjoys crafts! He really didn't make that big of a mess either...

Little Bear always takes his projects very seriously. He likes to make sure to do a thorough job! I love watching him carefully paying attention to detail...it's such a contrast from his often rough and tumble ways.

Sometimes you just have to get a little glue on your hands and a little glitter in your hair, but it sure makes life enjoyable!

Mama made one, too!

Our finished pumpkins, ready for the dining table centerpiece!

We also decorated our pumpkins for the outdoor display. The three large pumpkins say "Count Your Blessings", and each child has a small pie pumpkin with their name on it.

Love in Christ,

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Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch

Nothing says "Fall" like a day at the pumpkin patch. The weather was perfect for a day of fun at Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch.

We had a lunch of brats, kettle corn and apple slush before heading into the petting barn where we saw all sort of cute farm friends.

The boys had a blast riding the big tractor trikes around the race track! Then we meandered our way through a hay bale maze before taking a hayride out to the pumpkin patch!

The boys each picked out their own pumpkin. They were excited to take them home to use them in creating a Fall display!

We played on the playground and then finished off our fun with a train ride and a pumpkin doughnut!

Fall Blessings,

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September Happenings

I finally finished a project that's been on my "to-do" list for nearly nine years. Yes, nearly nine years! When we bought our dining room furniture, I loved the furniture itself, but didn't like the white upholstery on the chairs. White plus dining room chairs equals disastrous as far as I'm concerned! (not to mention a house full of boys only multiplies that!) A few months ago I was so blessed to be invited to an estate sale with two of my favorite ladies. The sale was all sorts of fabrics and notions from a man who'd been a tailor for many, many years. I found a roll of upholstery fabric for $10. As soon as I saw it I just knew it was perfect for the dining room chairs! I was even further excited when I saw the original price...$29 a yard! I figured out that I had well over ten yards on the roll! What a deal! I had never actually recovered chairs my self, but I remember watching my mother do it when I was a little girl. I just knew it was something I'd want to try! I'm so glad I finally can cross this one off of my list. I love the finished result!

We were so blessed to attend the birthday party of a friend's little boy. We'd been at his first birthday celebration as well, so it was extra special to be there for his second! I'm so blessed by all of the friends that God has placed in our lives!

Our friends sent these tool belts home for the older boys. So fun!

This beautiful girl wandered into our hearts this month. She showed up mysteriously on our road and we were never able to locate her previous owners. We decided to let her stay and she has made herself right at home. She adores the boys, and his such a little "mama" dog. She loves to watch over them as they play outside. We had wondered where she came from, or how she ended up here, but the longer she's been here, the more I've come to believe that maybe God sent her to be a part of our family!

My little boys are getting big! Where does the time go?

Blue tongues! We had some fun with blue slushy drinks. The boys thought their "polar bear" tongues were quite cool!

We've been hard at work on painting and decorating projects around the house. Now that we have been in the house almost a year, it's about time to start making it truly a home!

This month little Jamie has been busy with becoming big Jamie! He's been eagerly watching how his brothers do things and jumping in to do it, too. He seems to be growing by leaps and bounds right now.

Love in Christ,

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The Last Days of Summer, The First Days of Fall

We've been cherishing these last warm days as Summer draws to a close and Fall's door opens. Since moving to Happy Hearts Farm, we've really discovered the simple joy of just being in God's creations. The smell of the earth around us, the sounds of the birds and breezes, the beauty of this land He created. It's hard not to be joyful!

Joseph has learned to ride his big boy bike and he's quite proud of himself! He can keep up with the other two, now! The boys new favorite thing is to race their bikes down the gravel driveway (and give Mama a small heart attack!)

I think we could just about live outside when the weather's nice. We are trying to savor every minute of it before it gets too cold and snowy!

A picture of brotherhood...Joseph scraped his ankle on his bike pedal. Jacob immediately offered to run get him a band-aid, and Joshua got into the chair with him to hug on him. It was precious to watch his brothers show him such kindness. A little while later, Joseph was trying to ride his bike back up the hill, but was struggling to make it. Jacob got behind him and helped to push him up the hill. It just made Joseph's day! Yes, my heart felt very full!

In His Abundant Joy,

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