Colours of Fall

If only.

Sofia's fourth birthday is next month.  I am well aware of this not only because I am her mother but also because of the daily reminders she gives me.  Tonight she began to tell me all the different gifts she wants for her birthday.  Of course she wasn't being too selfish, she did ask me for some toys that Selah would enjoy.

Not wanting her to think or believe that all her requests would be met I let her know that certain gifts (like the ones she named) cost money.  Mommy and daddy would not be able to, nor see the need to buy her anything and everything she wanted.  My smart little girl told me it would be okay.  I could go to the bank and get money for her gifts.  "Oh?"  I said.  "But who puts the money in the bank?"

Without answering the question, Sofia ran off.  A minute later she returned.  Her answer to my question of where she went and what she did.

"I got some money out of the coin jar and put it in your purse.  You have money now, mommy."

Pics from the outing.

Selah enjoying the pumpkin patch.

The fam pic with pumpkins.

Some of the apples that we picked.

A group of us took a tour of the orchards.  

Sofia (on the right) loved playing with her friends Charlotte (peeking around the window) 

and Anna (in front).

Picking the apples.

You couldn't help but bite into one.  They were so delicious.  A frost earlier in the morning helped give them a crisp bite.

Tree to Table

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you about our family outing to Royal Oak Farm.  This past weekend we went back for an outing with our church family.  It was a wonderful day.  And as promised, we picked apples and brought them home to make a pie.

Our peck of apples.  We picked Empire and Liberty apples.

The peeled apples.

We used Gigi's  recipe for the filling (Great Gramma Greenwalt) but the crust is store bought this time around.

The finished product.  

It really did taste quite yummy if I don't say so myself.  I spiced it up with a bit more cinnamon.  And having apples picked right off the tree really do make a difference.  

Friday Fun

These pictures were from last week's Friday family outing.  It was a gorgeous day.  Sunshine with a high temperature of 75 degrees.  Little did we know that it would be one of our last lovely warm days. This week has been cold with temps not getting out of the 50s and dropping to the 40s at night.

This playground is at one of our favourite forest preserves, Independence Grove.  The "bark" on the ground is actually old rubber tires.  Makes for a very soft ground.  This gives mommy a little peace of mind because as you can see, Sofia loves to climb and has no fear of any height.  Selah is becoming more of a climber herself but this day she didn't mind simply swinging, sliding, and running through the grass.

What's up with the nines?

Yesterday I celebrated my 39th birthday.  Nothing spectacular.  Not necessarily a birthday we get too excited about.  But for me, I can't help but wonder what this year has in store for me.  Here's why.

9 months old --- I learned how to physically walk.

9 years old --- My spiritual walk began.  I accepted Jesus Christ.  I understood the difference between bad and good.  I understood the difference between heaven and hell.  I understood God provided a way for me to live eternally in heaven by sending his son to die on the cross and then be raised to life!  In doing so, I too, can have life everlasting.

19 years old --- The Lord revealed to me that my spiritual walk was a bit sluggish and not one of joy.  I wasn't fully living out my beliefs and understanding of scripture.  I chose Jesus Christ to be my Lord.   To help strengthen this decision I transferred colleges and changed my major.

29 years old ---  As a single person my walk took me to a different country away from family and friends.  I deepened my understanding that God loves the WORLD.  He desires for ALL nations to know him.  My "family" grew as I lived and experienced life with believers from different cultures and backgrounds. 

39 years old -  I am now the wife of an amazing husband and mother of two beautiful girls.  

Lord, continue to teach me your way that I may WALK in your ways.  And as I do so, may all glory be given to you. 

Labour Day Part II

Just wanted to share a couple more pics from our Labour Day on the lake.  It was a lot of fun being it was Kevin's first time ever water skiing and my first time in 20 years!  Thankfully we had a lot of encouragement.  Sofia was in the boat shouting to us, "Don't give up!".  

Kevin did quite well.  Here he is on his first attempt.

Listening to his daughter, he didn't give up and was skiing by the fifth time.

Can you believe it?  I was able to get up the first time!  

Sofia loved being out on the tube.  She kept shouting, "Faster please!"

Here's a view of the lake from the Bloom's lakehouse.

And the most wonderful boat driver and ski instructor.  It takes a lot of patience.  

Thanks, John!

Friday Family Fun!

A gorgeous day allowed for us to head outdoors for our family time on Kevin's day off.  Kevin is coordinating an outing for our church families next month at the above orchard so we thought we would check things out.  It is a wonderful place run by a Christian family.

Daddy and the girls checking out the petting zoo.

Selah LOVED roaming freely around the grounds.  

Sofia enjoyed being on a "farm".

The drive was beautiful.  

Some of the trees are letting us know that Fall is literally around the corner.

Next month we will actually pick the apples and hopefully make a scrumptious pie.  We'll let you know how it turns out.

We dedicate you to our Lord.

As parents who desire for our girls to be followers of Christ, this past Sunday we publicly dedicated them to the Lord at our church.  This dedication service was an expression of our promise to the Lord to do everything within our power to raise our girls in a godly way.  And one day by God's grace we pray they will make a decision on their own to follow God with all of their hearts, minds, and souls.

Our pastor, Steve Farish, reading letters from Pop. O to the girls.  The letters are prayers and spirtual words of encouragement.

Pastor Steve praying over the girls.  (yes, Selah is fast asleep!)

Pastor Steve presenting the girls before the church.  

(Selah chose not to leave daddy's hold .)

 

Can I have some?

"Selah, share with me, please!"

"Okay.  I'll eat a plain one down here."

The Cake.

Isnt' the first birthday all about the cake?  Selah enjoyed her first bite of cake  (and chocolate).  Needless to say, she was a bit wired and stayed up past her usual bedtime of 7:30.

Hmmm...what is this that mommy is bringing to me with fire?

It taste pretty good.

Yep, it all taste good.

So much for only going in the mouth!

p.s.  Yes, that is a HUGE bruise in the middle of her forehead.  She fell right into the edge of a wall.  She was trying to hold too many toys and walk.  The joys of toddling.

A True Hollywood Love Story

Here is a neat testimony of God's mercy:

On Faith: Guest Voices: My Base Instincts and God's Love

Happy Birthday Baby Doll!

Today we celebrate the birth of our second child, Selah.  She is such a joy.  We've enjoyed watching her grow and develop over this first year of life.   The days of being reliant upon us for everything are slowly being replaced with not only her ability to do things herself but her desire to do things by herself.  

Join us in prayer on this special day as we celebrate Selah turning one year old.

Pray...

Selah will continue in good health and grow developmentally.

Selah will continue to want to be in the middle of...God's will.

Selah's determined attitude to obtain a toy will develop into a persistence of seeking after the Lord.

Selah will continue to be curious, and that someday her curiosity will be satisfied by knowing Jesus.

Selah, whom God put on this earth for His enjoyment, will bring glory to God by enjoying Him.

Labour Day Part I

Sofia was all smiles as she got ready for the boat ride and tubing.

Selah enjoyed hanging out under an umbrella most of the day.

Charlie, Sofia, Jack, and Grace Ann chilling on the water's edge.

The sun rising over the lake.

Ingredients to a relaxing and fun Labour Day.

6 Blooms (John, Mistele, Zoey, Jack, Charlie, and Grace Ann)

4 Shecklers (Kevin, Keri, Sofia, and Selah)

God's Creation (Lake Freeman)

Man-made toys (boat, skis, tube)

Mix the people and toys with God's creation and a good time will be had by all.

Pics of the skiing and tubing will be coming.

Church signs.

Yesterday we were driving on a rural highway in the middle of Indiana heading to our friends' lake house.  As we drove through little farm towns, we were amused by the signs outside some of the churches.  Here are what they read:

Need help?  Ask God.  Don't need help?  Thank God.

If you don't want Jesus, the devil will take you.

Sign broken.  Message inside.