Fall Family Night!

Last night was fall family night. We hadn't had a family night in awhile, so the boys were excited. We also got to enjoy some fall weather yesterday and that made it even better! The boys and I kicked the festivities off by making some fall cupcakes. We set guidelines ahead of time or projects like that tend to become a free for all.



They took turns pretty well!

Stirring together.

Conner's cupcake creation.

Our first pumpkin carving experience. The boys looked at jack-o-lantern pictures on-line and picked a kitty-cat. Shep helping scoup out all the pumpkin seeds.

Thanks, Daddy!

I asked Shep what we should name the kitty and he said, "Jack". Guess he was thinking jack-o-lantern maybe?

We finished the night with pizza and an old Charlie Brown movie. The boys got to bed little later than usual and you'd think they would have slept in a bit. No such luck. Both boys were up by 6:30 this morning:)

Fall Festival

We attended our first fall festival at Conner's school Thursday. They had lots of fun activities and the boys loved it!

Checking out the petting zoo. Buzz got to hold a baby bunny!


Woody picked the baby chick.

Shep in action. That kid will jump off anything.

Conner is a little more cautious.

Riding on the little train.

At fall festivals in Texas we can have sno cones:p

More sugar! Yay!! Decorating cookies.

Conner playing one of the various games they had set up in the class rooms. Sizing up the various types of squash.

Today we get to enjoy some fall weather...woohoo!! Family fun fall night tonight. Love this time of year and that my husband can come home a little earlier than usual.

Morning at the Pond

The boys and I headed down to the pond behind Central Market this morning. We went a couple weeks ago and they really wanted to go back and try to catch some minnows.


Managed to actually get clothes other than pajamas on Shep, but didn't get the yogurt off his face.

No luck...minnows are fast!

Brother shot.

Exploring around the pond.

Great rocks to climb and jump off.

Shep is fishing with a reed.

See this? Conner is getting very good at writing his name! He's been able to spell it since he was 2, but hadn't quite been able to write it.

The boys have been better lately. I really feel like I can say we have more good days, than bad days. So grateful and enjoying this time.

It's amazing

It's amazing how fast things can deteriorate. Especially, around dinner time. Any one relate? After recounting the events to Zack he said, "You have to blog this."

It all started with Shep "accidentally" spilling his milk all over the floor and Conner saying he was too busy to eat dinner. He decided to sweep the floor. Shep comes into the kitchen I'm trying to pull food out of the oven and to announce his spill. I quickly say, "Conner don't sweep the milk" Any Mom of a little boy will know that that is automatically would they would do. I turn around to see Conner sweeping the milk everywhere with a broom. Ask Conner to go to his room. Clean up all the milk.

While I'm disciplining Conner, I leave Shep at the table eating his salmon and brown rice. Upon coming back out I see Shep standing next to his chair eating rice that had fallen on the chair. The rice was in a puddle. Yes, the puddle was pee. Talk to Shep, clean up the puddle on the chair and the floor.

We've been having a huge ant problem since it hasn't rained in so many months. As I am opening the oven to check the zucchini, I notice I left a plastic ant trap filled with liquid poison sitting on the stove. Without thinking I lift it up to toss it in the trash, but it is practically melted and spills into the oven. I didn't think any got on the veggies, but not taking that chance. Now I need to figure out how to clean ant poison from my stove.

All that happened in a span of about 15 minutes. Just think, in April will add a newborn to this crazy mix:)

Proverbs 3

I've been thinking about Proverbs 3:5-6 lately. One of those verses that we've all read a zillion times, but it has encouraged me in a new way the past few weeks.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Most of you know we are almost done here in Austin. Zack's doctoral recital is this Friday. He's starting his dissertation and will graduate in just a few short months. I don't think it ever crossed my mind all these years we've that he wouldn't find a job, but I've been discouraged lately. There have only been a handful of openings in his field and for some of them there could be hundreds of applicants. Worry has started to creep in. I know God is in control, but the situation is very daunting. I read Prov 3 last week and part of verse five struck me...

"do not lean on your own understanding..."

That is exactly what I was doing. Looking at the small number of positions out there is overwhelming. It looks almost impossible, but I was leaning on my own understanding of the situation, instead of trusting God with my whole heart. Does this mean, God will provide a job for Zack right away if I just trust Him? No, but I can trust that God is leading us and He will provide for us, just as he has the past 4 years. He's not going to leave us.

Please pray for us as we seek God's will for our family and pray especially that we would trust in the LORD with all our hearts!

First Day of School

September is finally here. It's been a long summer folks. This week we got a little break from the heat (think highs in the low to mid-90's!) We've actually gotten to go for some walks in the morning again. This morning as we saw Daddy' off around 7:30, Conner said, "Brrrrr...it's cold out here!" and then Shep said, "It's a snow day!!" We decided to go for a little walk before getting ready for school. Conner was quite determined to wear his new jeans and light jacket, although by this point it was already 70 outside. Glad I have one boy who appreciates clothes that aren't pajamas.


Headed to school. Notice the clothing choice of the boy on the left.

Shep and I had some special time together at Starbucks.

Bliss

It's amazing how much you can get done with only one child! I did two loads of laundry, dishes, cleaned a bathroom, made some brownies for Zack's rehearsal and even MADE MY BED!

The boys were so happy to see each other after four hours apart. They played so sweetly this afternoon. Conner included Shep and Shep didn't wreck any of Conner's projects (sound familiar to any of you moms out there??:) It was a good day. Now, if only Shep would start napping again.

Shep quote: I asked him a question about what color something was and didn't hear his reply, so I asked him again. Shep: "I already told you Mom. It's white." He sounded exasperated. He's probably thinking, "What a dumb question. I mean, I'm 2 yrs and 4 months. Don't you think I know my colors??"

Update

Lots of changes and updates going on around here. First of all, Shep potty-trained, gave up his pacifier and here's the tough one, gave up his nap, all in the same week. I'm a little shell-shocked about the last one. He's only 2 yrs 3 mo. Conner gave up his nap around 2 1/2, so I hoped I would have a few more months. So, now the fun part...getting him to realize Mom is quite serious that he stay in his room for an hour everyday. Here's a picture to give you an idea of how it's going. He set several of his stuffed animals outside his door and is pretending to touch the floor.

Now the big one. Zack has started applying for jobs!! We've almost made it!! I'm so excited to see where we will end up. Pray that more jobs will open up and that he'll get one! I also want to brag on some of the upcoming performances he has. Someone he met at the music festival in Maine is going to perform his new piano piece at UNC next month and in Feb his band piece will be performed at Texas Tech. Then in June the orchestrated version of Triple Venti Latte will be premiered by the Austin Symphony. I'm so proud of how hard he has worked and so excited to see what the future hold.

Cute story: Saturday morning Conner was playing around on our electric piano. He discovered the setting that plays pre-recorded pieces. There is one particular jazzy one he likes. He announced, "Let's have a band!" Mommy, you can play the kazoo. Shep will play the tambourine and Daddy will play the banjo!" I asked him what we were called and he replied, "The Seagulls" So we jammed for awhile. It was pretty cute. Conner was smiling from ear to ear. Here's Shep, being Shep.

Happy Sunday everyone!