Samuel's Library Card

Since the library lets the parents decide when it's appropriate for children to get their own library card, we decided that 1st grade would be a good age. So, at the beginning of our school year, we let Samuel get his. Look at how precious this big boy is:

Last Trip Before "New Baby"

We took one last road trip before the birth to Williamsburg to see Papa Bear and Oma. The kids were able to go on their first ferry ride to a pumpkin patch. Very exciting!

They thought this picture would be funny. And sure enough... it is!

This one, too!

Eating pumpkin ice cream! Fall is just not completely without it.

I just love this picture of Papa Bear and Joe.

They are even getting Annabelle in on the silly faces for pictures, oh joy!

Ferry ride home.

Oma and Annabelle reading away.

New Baby at 34 weeks.

It was a great trip. We had to head home a little early to prepare for the possibility of the hurricane hitting our area. We are so thankful we had minimal signs of it in our area.

Crafts for Tiny Creatures

I made some pajama pants for the baby while we were at the lake this summer that I kept forgetting to take a picture of. I cannot wait to see our little bundle in these.

The Eckert Fire Pit

You would think with all we have in our backyard we lived on at least an acre of land. Shockingly, we have been able to cram one more thing on our tiny city plot. A fire pit. As crowded as our back yard is, I'm so glad we did. It's been a lot of fun this fall, already.

Daddy made a bench for the kids from some scraps of wood he found in the woods. I just love this picture of all of them.

Play Hard, Work Hard

My sweet kiddos cannot sit still to learn well if they have not had the chance to "get all their sillies out" as they call it. So, schooling at the park works really well for us. We play hard first, and then they are all calmed down and relaxed to learn.

Samuel has mastered the art of swinging and is in love. It seemed to take awhile, but now he's got it down. Look at that proud smile.

Belle is still hamming it up for the camera every chance she gets.

And, Joe, well here he is in all his glory! Silly faces win out 98% of the time. I'm okay with that. He's still adorable no matter what scary shape he tries to contort his face in.

One serious shot for a silly shot. I just adore this picture of them. Such best friends!

We've been doing a weather unit, and are studying clouds. These beautiful cirrus clouds were in the sky and noted that it means rain is on it's way. Sure enough, it rained the next day. I had no idea! I just love learning along side of my kiddos.

Sitting there by the water, watching the birds fly south, noting all the colors on the trees and overall just marveling at the glory of creation, I was reminded of Psalm 19. Particularly the first verse, but the rest is just too good to not include.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Belle's Fall Outfit

Here is our girl sporting her new fall shirt I finished for her just in time to wear this season. I just love how it came out.

Friend from Afar

The Nelsons are dear friends that have started an organization for orphans and vulnerable children called Special Hope Network in Zambia, Africa. Eric has not been back to the United States since they left 2 and a half years ago. While he was in town we were able to visit with him. It was such a blessing to spend some time with him and to hear what God is doing in Zambia through them. Amazing stories of God's love and faithfulness.

He brought us such neat gifts from Zambia:

We are so blessed to know this family and to even be a small part of what they are doing for children who desperately need to know and experience God's love.

This makes two sets of gifts we've received from Africa recently.  How exciting!

Lynchburg

We had a lovely day in Lynchburg visiting with some great friends. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to be able to spend an extended time together. Good friends are such blessings!

Puppet Shows

A new family favorite in our home is puppet shows. I've been working with the boys in school on their story telling, and this has become an excellent avenue for them to improve their skills. Daddy often acts out Bible stories for them with their stuffed animals, but now that we've incorporated the puppets and the turned over table, it bumps up the excitement by several notches. Look at those precious faces! Daddy has a way to their hearts like no other.

Princess Annabelle

Gigi and GranRan came for a couple days for some backup so I could start attacking my ever increasing list of things I want to get done before the delivery. One day they took the kids to the toy store and Annabelle came home with her first princess wand! I hear the boys were trying to convince her to get all these random boy toys, but she was sure this is what she wanted. A true girlie girl.

 

While they were all out, I was upstairs organizing all of the girls' clothes. She's had this skirt for a long time that I never ended up putting her in and realized it would be a great dress up skirt. So, just as I was walking down the stairs to put the new skirt in their dress up drawer for her, she came in with this wand. In just seconds she was transformed into a princess. I didn't get a picture with her crown, but you can be assured, she was wearing that too.

 

The boys had to get into their costumes as well. Joseph was the king since he has a robe and Samuel was a knight to protect the princess. It was all just too cute. Life with both little boys and girls... It just doesn't get any better.

 



 

It was such a blessing having some help for a couple of days. My body is encouraging me to slow down in preparation for this birth, but my mind is continuing to whirl with more things to do and life just keeps going at it's normal fast pace. I feel much better now after having gotten all that done.  

Sam's First Horseback Riding Lesson

For Samuel's 6th birthday, Aunt Julie got him his first horseback riding lesson. She is an avid rider and had her first lesson at age 6. He had an absolute blast! His teacher was very impressed with his natural ability. So, if we can convince Aunt Julie to just fund this sport, I think we're on to something!

 

Look at that smile. What a cutie.

 

Julie got the kids all their own horse brushes and they all got to take turns brushing the horse. The teacher was just wonderful with them all. We had a late afternoon lesson so she let them all help her feed the horses and get the barn all read for the evening. They loved every second of it.

What a great experience it was. They are so blessed to have such a sweet aunt!

Tre and the Boys

There are very few people, okay, maybe no one, who are more special to the boys than Tre. I don't blame them, Tre is an amazing kid. He is the son of an older couple in our church who have 6 children. 5 girls and 1 boy. The boys are the brothers he never had. We spend a lot of time with their family. The boys and Tre have become very close. I just adore homeschooled kids. They can appreciate and befriend someone despite their age difference. They don't buy into the idea that it's "not cool" to befriend someone younger than you.

This past summer Tre was traveling overseas with his family. He came home for about 48 hours and then flew out to start college in California, which to the boys is a different country. (I tend to agree, but for different reasons.) The 2 day window he was home, they threw him a going away party. But, we were on vacation and could not attend. So, the boys never had a chance to say good bye to him.

With his dad's help, Tre surprised his family and came home for a good friend's wedding. He made it quite clear that I was not to tell the boys of his visit, because he wanted to surprise them himself. I thought that was just too cute. Here are pictures of their reunion. It was just priceless. And of course, all serious photos are followed by a funny photo these days. Tre knows this all to well. 

I often wonder if Tre knows just how special he is to these boys. But, considering right now and other times before he's had a picture of the three of them as his facebook picture, maybe he does understand, because the feeling is mutual. 

December cannot come soon enough for this household! We have a countdown link to the baby's due date, but it's also a countdown to when Tre comes home.

And in case I haven't made it clear enough how much these boys think of Tre...Samuel thought that since Tre was going to be home right around the time the baby was going to be born, he thought it would be a fantastic idea if Tre cut the umbilical cord! Although, I love Tre as well, I had to softly let him know that will not be the case.

Snuggle Bug

I just had to snap this picture when I saw Andy and Annabelle reading together and she had her hand behind his back. She adores her daddy!

 

The Marshalls Visit



This time of year is just perfect for getting together with friends. The weather is gorgeous and we're all trying to fit in some outdoor time before life starts slowing down and winter comes. Our dear friends were visiting from the beach so they wanted the full fall experience. We took them apple picking one day and then did some of Skyline Drive the next. 

 

 

The boys are willing to take a serious picture, only if it is followed with a silly picture. And of course they want to view each photo after it's taken and laugh their heads off. At least I'm use to it... Daddy and Aunt Julie have done this to me for YEARS!

 

And below is a typical example of what it looks like getting ready for a family picture. Annabelle and I are all ready and waiting for the boys to start acting like humans again while Daddy attempts to break up the wrestling match.

 



 

But, a minute or so of patience always ends up paying off. Looks at those precious faces!

 



Annabelle insisted her baby wanted to go on a walk, but since it was cold, she needed her blanket. Could she possibly get any cuter?! I don't think so!

 

Annabelle brought her baby and lovie while the boys brought their walking sticks.

 





Grandpa and Grandma Visit

We always love it when Grandma and Grandpa stop by for a visit! Even though they live in New York, we're going to be able to see them 3 times this year. I think that's pretty good. They are so dear to us.

 

Joseph actually took this picture of them while they were here.