Apple Picking

I took the boys to Lawrence Farms and Orchard to do a little apple picking this weekend.  It was beautiful day and we had a good time.  (Although we missed E, he was away for the weekend.)

We also bought some of these beautiful fall mums.

Birthday Binge

I celebrated my birthday on Friday by going out to dinner with E and the boys.  I hemmed and hawwed forever about where we should eat.  It was a forty minute drive on windy roads.  I ended up ordering a sandwich with hummus, avacado, sprouts, mushrooms, lettuce, and Havarti cheese.  I also shared a fabulous slice of cheesecake, covered in strawberries and whipped cream with E.  It was all delicious. 

 

And the reason this meal was such a big deal is because I just started 7 last week. If you have not heard of this book by Jen Hatmaker, you need to look into it. Once you read about it, you need to go out and get it for your very own life-changing experience.  Here's the book trailer to explain:

So for my Month 1 fast I am only eating: apples, rice, cheddar cheese, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggs.  My "council" also agreed that coffee and tea will be allowed, but without sugar, cream, etc.  So no fancy coffee drinks. Awww man! 

I am on day 11 right now and I'm not going to lie, it's been hard!  But it has also been eye-opening and heart- and mind-changing.  Now when I feel a pang of hunger (and this happens a lot!), I think about all of the  people, especially children in the world that don't have enough to eat and I pray for them.  I think about how much food we waste in our house and all the children it could be feeding. My mind is turning away from a constant me, me, me and thinking of others first.  I am slowly but surely working my way out of that want to have every luxery.  I am growing and it feels so good!

Stay tuned for next month, which will be clothing.  And yes in the book Jen only wears 7 items of clothing for a month.  I predict there will be a lot discussion with my council friends.

Art Project

I've been wanting to do this since we decided to adopt from Ethiopia.  I wanted something we could have around us that would keep our child we haven't met yet in our thoughts and prayers.  I'm not an artist at all, but I think this turned our pretty good.  (And what a cute model, I have!)

Hiking

On Labor Day we hiked.  In the first picture you can see a tall trestle bridge.  We pass it every Sunday on the way to church and when E heard there were trails under it, we had to hike them.  The boys are turning into seasoned  hikers.  This was a fairly steep, long hike and they did great.

Taking a short rest at a scenic spot.          

If you look closely you can see the huge stick bug that O found.