Life has really picked up speed during the last month and a half. Lily started school for the first time at the end of August, we all started back to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) at the beginning of September, our Small Group started up again in September, and Lily started her soccer season again in September, as well. We have to be careful not to become too busy with these good activities that we lose focus on what we believe are the most important things: spending time together as a family(laughing, eating, wrestling, dancing, hiking, and picnicing), spending time with Jesus, and loving on other people. As our kids get older, especially with Lily starting school, we are more aware of the busy lifestyle that can very easily creep into our home. With God's help and guidance, we hope to continue the simple life that we have learned to love.

End of Summer and Start of FALL

Happy Birthday B!! We had fun celebrating B's birthday in August with the cousins. We continue to thank God for allowing us to live this close to family. What a blessing!
Joe has become better acquainted with Dottie. He and I had a special 2 on 1 visit with her a few weeks ago. He enjoys playing cars, ball, and high five with his sweet great grandmother.

Lily learned to swim!! This past summer was the year for Lily to learn the front crawl, the breast stroke and the backstroke. She was finally ready and caught on fast. Way to go Lil!

Silas improved his kicking this year and informed me that he would go under the water more when he's four. Maybe next summer will be his year!

Lily was SO excited to start kindergarten. Here she is on the front porch the first day of school. Lily with her teacher, Miss Wellen. Can't you just feel Lily's excitement? She still loves it.

Silas and Lily showing off their "Kingdom Award" after they memorized Matthew 6:33 and learned more about Kingdom living.

Our superhero children. They are amazing!

Lily's lost her first tooth in September after she let her mom pull it out, then two weeks later she lost the one right next to it after she pulled it out. She was very excited to lose her teeth.

It's YMCA soccer time again. Lily (in the red shorts) is strategically watching her teammate throw in the ball. Her coach in the red shirt(who happens to be related to Lily) has been working with the team on aggressiveness, a very important part of the game, but a very hard thing for 5 year olds to learn.

Silas likes to dress like his siblings sometimes. This particular day he came out with his outfit on and asked if Joe could be twins with him. Here the cute brothers are... camo shorts, 4th of July muscle shirts, maroon hats and flip flops. Nice!

It's fall!!!!!! My favorite time of the year. Lily and Silas also love the fall and loved picking out pumpkins (sadly at the grocery store and not a pumpkin patch) and painting them for our front porch. We love eating anything pumpkin and we dream about raking leaves and jumping in them. And of course I dream about Edward's Orchard and eating apple cider donuts. Where are the apple orchards in Texas????