October

(Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this incredibly cute design!)

October Overview:

*Volleyball season ends!

  - The season started with high expectations, but ended with disappointments! However, the girls played hard all season, and Abigail and Audrey appeared to contribute 100% at every game, even when sick.  It seems like little encouragement to tell them that in view of eternity, all that is truly important is to honor God in how we play, and  respond (in both successes and failures!)  As moms, we always want our children to succeed in everything they attempt to do, and be rewarded for a job well done.  However, our ways are not God's ways, and He often has a better (though maybe more painful) path designed!  Although the girls are disappointed, the season is over, and I am ready to look ahead to the next focal points of the year: Thanksgiving and Christmas!

*Surprise visit from Amber and Anna!

- Our college girls decided they would take advantage of a ride home, and took a couple days of class "cuts" in order to surprise us with a visit!  Although they both arrived sick, and spent most of their time in bed (instead of visiting with mama), they were able to attend the junior high tournaments in Bucyrus.  Unfortunately, our junior high team is very young (2nd through 7th grades) and there was not enough maturity or experience to overcome the obstacles before them!  However, that provided a blessing for us in that our entire Saturday was not spent out of town watching ball games, and we were able to get much accomplished at home before darkness fell!

Enjoying dinner out after junior high tournaments!

*Completion of the Bunny Barn!

- This has been a  huge project for Burlin and Audrey!  They have spent many hours of an evening and on weekends putting together a well built home for the bunnies!  We were able to use some of the left-over siding from the old barn we purchased.  Burlin also retrieved some old windows he found at the curb headed for the dump, and was able to utilize those in the design.  Our neighbor even donated one bundle of old shingles to our cause.  Even though we still had to purchase some boards and supplies, just being able to "recycle" helped tremendously!  The best feature is we can easily convert this small barn for another use in the future!  

*Birthday celebrations for Audrey and Rebecca!

-Birthday celebrations are always difficult during this time because they hit around tournaments! Audrey's plans to visit the Creation Museum will have to be postponed until later due to the business of this time.

Some picture highlights!

Amber making Audrey's dessert: Dirt Dessert

Anna helping to decorate the table

Amber placed the candles in the shape of an "A"