October so Far

October has quietly snuck in. And I am here for it. I haven't taken a ton of pictures, preferring to live in the moment. Things have felt busy, but busy in a perfectly tolerable ordinary way. 

M's class went to the pumpkin patch this week. And here is my favorite thing ever, a side by side of my kids doing the same thing at the same age. My two first graders on the pumpkin patch field trip. 

I didn't go with. Husband went both years. Because traditions. 

I've seen 2 shows this month already. Both working shows. Tonight Husband and I are going out with some friends to see another show, this one is just for fun though!

M lost another tooth. The perfect first grade smile I think. 

We had pumpkin sugar cookies for dessert during our favorite Family Movie Night of the season. A double feature of Curious George Boo Fest and It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

I saw this again on the internet and it has really helped me reflect and slow down. These moments, even the messy ones with big feelings are important and precious.

These are my girls. My Emmaus group. Franciscan University created this Emmaus Group Discipleship Program and our diocese began an initiative to launch the program. Franciscan created a 43 week study for same-gender discipleship quads. And it's free for use. 

My group said yes and on October 13, 2020 we had our first quad meeting. 

Scheduling 4 ladies can be complicated so we did take some weeks off, for Christmas, a funeral, some vacations and illness. But we poetically finished on October 12, 2021. It seems crazy to say we carved out time for fellowship and study weekly but we kept our Tuesdays sacred. We never met on a different day of the week! And we gained so much from being together. 

The material is so approachable (and free for use) and has truly led us to becoming better disciples. 

We celebrated our last meeting and I got a grown up juice box. It has been so life-giving to have an Emmaus group especially after COVID pushed community aside. I am truly sad to no longer see these girls every week, we have a few things up our sleeves yet but our weekly format has graduated. If this is even a little bit interesting to you, you should really consider forming an Emmaus group for yourself. I promise it will be great. 

So here's to growing in faith and friendship. It has helped me to parent better and to run to Jesus more. And looks like it's paying off. How much do you love this picture of my guy praying a rosary before Mass? 

And that's what October has brought to us on this first half. But no worries, there's plenty more goodness on the way. 

Nailed It!

 Do you love to watch Nailed It on Netflix? Well, we do. 

Last night my small group came over and we had a Nailed It party. Based on the Baker's Choice Challenge from Season 2, Episode 2. 

I was the host, so I didn't participate. But we had SO much fun! 

Please, please, please leave a comment with your vote for the winner, whatever that means to you. Funniest, most accurate, your personal favorite... anything goes. But I need to crown a winner next week so please comment, even if it's just one letter. 

Orchard Weekend

It's been since 2019 since we've been to the orchard. COVID and all that. So we finally made it up to visit Husband's family. And you know what? It was pretty good. 

Saturday morning we got the house all cleaned, because coming home to a clean house is the best. Then we packed the car and headed off to M's soccer game. 

She scored a goal. They won 5-3 and all was well. Then we drove the 3 hours up to visit. We did something a little different than usual and stayed the night in Husband's hometown and showed them around a bit. We often stay more towards the farm (the next town over) so our kids had never done some of the best things. 

We had Husband's favorite pizza. And he was SO happy. We also visited their little ice cream place for a treat. They close for the season next week so we are glad to sneak in under the wire. 

We explored nature, looked at the fish at the fish hatchery, sorted apples, played with cousins. Everyone had a nice time. 

I know this picture is in the collage too. But it's just too pretty. I am not a nature girl really, but gosh. It's just so lovely to look out and see the goodness. 

 We got home last night with enough to time to shower everyone off and start a load of laundry before bedtime. And we were very happy we have cleaned before we left. I am so thankful that the weekend went well and that the kids had so much fun! 

Back to School Block Party

Saturday night was the Back to School Block Party at church/school. It was SO good to gather once again as a community. I think the grown ups missed the event just as much as the kids! 

There were bounce houses, rides, a climbing wall, Kona Ice trucks, a dunk tank, photo booth, face painting and so much more! 

C won this cake at the cake walk. Has any child in the history of ever not loved a cake walk? 

We had so much fun and I am so glad we were able to have this party again! 

Family Camp!

 This past weekend we joined other families from our parish for the first annual Family Camp Weekend. I famously do not camp. (Because I pay a mortgage so why would I like to go pretend to be homeless? I really just don't get it.) But this was at the same camp that C went to this summer. So... cabins, mattresses, provided toilet paper and food. Which made it alright in my book! 

We got there on Friday evening and checked in and got moved into our cabin. Weirdly, Walnut, the same cabin C stayed in. So he was our expert for the weekend. 

The thing that was ironic was that my friend and I were nervous that we'd be sharing cabins with other families, which we thought was weird. And as it turns out... our friend's family and our family did end up sharing a cabin and we were the only ones!! Everyone else got their own! But Walnut was big. And each section had a curtain so their family of 4 was behind a curtain then across the room our family of 4 was behind another curtain. It was less awkward than anticipated and really did turn out okay. 

M really enjoyed that so many of her friends were with us! This was right before the dinner on Friday night. 

M's other tooth was loose but she wouldn't let me just pull it out before we left. She said it "wasn't that loose." (It was. But there was no arguing. She was informed however that the tooth fairy doesn't go to camp.) 

Good thing we had that convo because the very first bite of dinner (a potato chip) that tooth came out! 

We played a big group game and then enjoyed night worship before going to sleep. Saturday involved a lot of activities. We went to the craft barn, did archery, hiked, and canoed. We also had morning worship, Mass and then evening worship which we led! 

Sunday the camp staff took the kids for activities while the adults had a really fascinating conversation about parenting and evangelization and how to help foster faith in our children. It was great! And we checked out after lunch and headed home. 

I am really so glad that we went even though I was hesitant and a little nervous going in. The fellowship was wonderful and it was a fun time. A little sweaty and not a ton of sleep was had, but I am already looking forward to next year! 

Go Team!

So tomorrow is the big Iowa/Iowa State game. It is a big deal when you live in Iowa and people get very worked up about their team. 

Today is a special out of uniform day at the kids school if you're wearing team gear or school colors. However, we don't really give a hoot about either team. And we don't own anything that is really in their colors. What is a Team Neutral family to do? 

Obviously... make your own shirts! 

M and I hit Michael's after school. Husband created a design and then that wonderful man hand cut the vinyl because we don't have a cricut and I wasn't about to drop $100 for two one-off tee shirts. ($3 shirts and a roll of vinyl is okay with me.) 

I did the ironing and you know what? I think they look pretty darn great for a last minute, totally neutral out of uniform option. 

How 'bout that local sports team? I hope they beat the other team! Go team! 

Have a great weekend! 

New Smiles

Miss M lost one of her front teeth last night. It was not without drama. She is prone to the dramatics after all. 

 But that new grin has my heart. 

The Labor Day weekend was low-key and lovely. 2 full pajama days were had and I am so happy for that. This week is the first week with activities back on our plates, so it's quick dinners this week as we adjust. 

September is off and rolling. I expect big things.