You Know You Are Tired When.....

When you fall asleep sitting up! The cool weather and shorter days are making all of us a little sleepy in the afternoons. I fell asleep while knitting on Mason's new sweater this afternoon, and Madelyn fell asleep sitting up at my feet. I love this time of year :)

We disassembled the garden this weekend and pulled up everything except the pumpkin vines and one melon plant that has taken up a huge section of the garden but has only produced one melon. I refuse to give up. We are going to eat that melon!

We are going to Tennessee in October to meet with a missionary couple from Africa! They are home for the birth of a grandchild, but they graciously agreed to meet with us to answer some of our zillions of questions. We are praying that this meeting confirms some of the things God has been speaking to us about future mission work in Africa.

Homeschooling is zipping along, and Mason still loves his new school and hearing aids. Everyday is blessedly busy and joyful. I am more than thankful.

New Season For Mason!

Our precious Mason finally got his new hearing aids yesterday, and that boy is soooooo excited! He is excited about hearing and the fact that they are blue :) He also had his first Upwards soccer game of the season this morning. He told me that I could come and yell for him, but I needed to sit down for this game. Last year, I would run around the field so that he could see me sign to him while he played. It is much more relaxing to yell from my chair - lol!

Enjoy the pictures. He is such a cutie!

Thinking of Africa

As we feel our family stepping closer and closer to moving to Africa for full-time missions, we are starting to prepare for the big change. The girls and I have been reading a fun series of books about a little boy named Akimbo who helps his father care for African animals. Molly and Madelyn are making lap books about Africa and today made elephant and lion masks. Later this week we are going to cook some Teff, Injeri and Wat - otherwise known as grain, pancakes and stew :) We will leave the chicken plucking and goat skinning for another week - lol!

The most important thing that we can do is allow God to work in us now so that He can work through us in Mozambique or wherever He places us. Part of that process is allowing Him to reveal every yucky part of me so that I can have a heart that is pure and wants to do His will and not my own. What a painful process! A lot of grumpy things in my heart have bubbled to the surface this week, but I am thankful that God wants them exposed and dealt with. He is good to never leave us the same if we are willing to allow every hidden thing to be exposed and brought into the light. He is good everyday and everywhere.

Wherever you are, have a blessed week and allow God to love you deeply.

More Birthday Pictures

Because you just can't see too many pictures of a precious 5 year old........

Happt Birthday Sweet Madelyn!

Our self-proclaimed "baby princess" is 5 today! She is a precious, funny, dress-up loving, beautiful bundle of joy. I often look at her in wonder and know that God loves me dearly to give me such a precious girl. Such a tiny little malnourished baby has grown into a healthy, rambunctious, fun-loving sweetie. She blesses our home and makes my heart happy everyday.

Madelyn Grace, I love you more than my arms can reach!

My First Knitted Sweater - Finished!!!

Well, it won't win any awards at the fair, but my first knitted sweater for Madelyn is finished. Several mistakes (all hidden by the fuzzy yarn) and a lot of knitting lessons learned. Now to start on Molly Anne's. Hers will be the same pattern but done in blue fuzzy yarn. Thank goodness for Hobby Lobby's clearance yarn. I can easily make a cute sweater for less than $5 - woo-hoo!!!!!

Now, on to hats, mittens and socks.......maybe :)

New Day - New Do

Today was a day of firsts for us. Mason started public school, we began a new semester of homeschooling and the girls have cute new hair-dos. Mason's teacher seems soooo sweet, and he had a good day. He was all smiles as he left the house with his dad this morning, but the smiles changed to a very worried look by the time he arrived at school. His sweet dad stayed and walked him to his room, and Randy didn't leave until Mason was settled.

Our day seemed a little long without that boy, but the girls and I stayed busy with new curriculum, new library books, and working on preschool crafts for church. I don't what I would do without the girls to make all my samples for church! :)

I had a hard week last week as I anticipated sending Mason off to school. I think he and I are both relieved to have this first day behind us. Tomorrow is a new day, and we are all excited about the school year to come. Keep praying for my sweet Mason!!!