November Is Here

November started with a cold spell....like overnight it went from being pleasant weather to freezing cold weather.  This is me at a club soccer scrimmage warming up under my blanket during halftime.🥶

I found this paper on the table.  I love MQ American flag.  Looks like an older sibling turned it into a campaign flyer!

When I was in middle school and high school, our family was very close to another family who we met at church.  They had 3 daughters and a son just like us.  Their oldest was a year younger than me and their youngest daughter was best friends with my younger sister and their son was best friends with my brother.  We spent lots of time with them - camping, family dinners, holidays, celebrations, etc.  Their daughter who was my close friend even visited us since moving to middle TN.  It was so good catching up with her.  She married young, had babies young and became a grandma herself while still young.  We've stayed in touch through FB as she lives in Texas.  

The last week of October, she wasn't feeling well and went to the doctor.  They found cancer.  The following week she was hospitalized and passed away quickly.  This came as such a shock to our family.  She was only 47 years old with a husband, 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren (one newly born).  I spent many hours reliving our memories together, mourning her passing and praying for her family.  Life is short.  Jennifer lived a full life of service to our Lord - she was feisty and strong but served others well and hard.  She served as an overseas missionary for years and was passionate about sharing Jesus with everyone.  She will be missed on this earth but I look forward to seeing her one day in glory.  

A photo from youth group (Nikki, me, Stephanie, her sister, and Jennifer)

Jeshua and Jedidiah were asked to share about Congo with the 1st grade class who was studying Congo in their passport lesson.  This year they had so many more DRC artifacts to share with the class.  The teacher, who taught them in 1st grade, sent me these photos and said they did a great job.  So proud of these 2 boys and their love for their heritage.  

 

No Trick-Or-Treat

After family festivities at my folks' house, we dropped Ruth off at a friends for a class Halloween/birthday party and headed home.  She and her friend decided to have martian outfits.  Her friend bought hers for $40 and I made Ruth's for $10.  😎. Sewing has its perks.

The day ended in a beautiful sunset!!🌇

Here's my Fish Sticks - a police officer, Peppa Pig, Clark Kent aka Superman, a deer hunter and Marshall from Paw Patrol.😍

 

October 31

Halloween was anything BUT typical in the world of Coronavirus.

People were leaving candy on their doorsteps and dropping it from their second story PVC tubes.

This year I decided to be a bit of a Scrooge and call off typical trick-or-treating for the Fish Sticks.

It was well worth it to me to spend a chunk of money on all their favorite candies, throw them in a big bag and tell them they get 5 pieces a day until it's all gone.

My folks were having a little Halloween celebration in their retirement neighborhood so they invited us all to lunch and a street parade.  It so happened to be the day before my sister's big 50th birthday so we enjoyed celebrating with her as well.

We love cousin time!!

Happy Birthday, Katie!!

 

Swim, Fishies, Swim

Halloween morning started bright and early for me.

I left to wait in line at the local farmer's co-op for the fish man to arrive and buy pond fish off of his truck.

He hooked us up with brim and bass and I headed home with my bag of fish to fill our pond.

 YEAH!!  The Fish Sticks should be able to fish in the summer now!🎣🐟🐠

Life

Apparently our groundhog doesn't care for bell peppers...thankfully!

I love when my kids keep cleared accounts on their own.  Glad they are listening to the Holy Spirit on their own.  A night of tense homework help ended in some MS sass and disrespect.  I found this sweet little apology note on my computer first thing the next morning.

Each day when I pick up the kids at school, I bring my buddy, Ruger.  He's a good boy and he has declared me his Alpha which is a responsibility and privilege I don't take for granted.

He likes some mama lovin' in the car.🐶💖

And here are some more snapshots of AB when she facetimes MQ.  

This is pure entertainment for MQ!

 

Cousins in the Fall

Our fall break didn't coincide with the Campbell cousins fall break but we were blessed to have them here for a couple of nights regardless.

Cousin sleepovers on a school night?  Sure. Why not?!

We never even get to see Campbell cousins in the fall so we enjoyed every moment we got.

Morning devotions before school

Dinner at our favorite local restaurant - adults only!💜

Just a little snuggle time with Aunt Sara

 While the cousins were here, Sara and I took G and G to town to do a little wedding dress shopping for GM.  Unfortunately, all dressing rooms are still closed.  Shopping isn't very convenient for us, so we were forced to purchase 3 dresses at the department store - not knowing what would fit her.

We made the most of our shopping visit and crossed the parking lot to Shoe Carnival, deciding that we would try the dresses on in their bathroom.  Well they had a sign on the door that their restrooms were closed due to the pandemic.  So my SIL and I did what we would have done in high school, we tried the door and it was unlocked so we went in anyway.  (Hey, we would have crawled under the stall door if necessary!😁)

Our system was she would help GM take off and on the clothes.  I would hold the fancy dresses, take them on and off the hangers and pass to her so they don't touch the floor.  Then we would take a photo of the dress, text it to GD (who was standing outside the door) and get his feedback.

Our plan worked and 10 minutes later I walked across the parking lot with 2 of the 3 dresses to return to the department store.  😎. Creativity is key in a worldwide pandemic!

While the 2 dresses were returned, we decided the least we could do was find some nice shoes to wear at the wedding since Shoe Carnival had been so kind to inadvertently allow us to use their bathroom as a dressing room.  They were having a big sale, and I love a good shoe sale, so there is no shame breaking rules in exchange for some big shoe sales.💪. Thanks, Shoe Carnival!  It was a win-win.💙

Caddyshack Remake

 See this beautiful salad?  Well I should have savored it more.  I thought my fall months would be filled with yummy arugula, kale, collard greens and butter leaf lettuce.

Unfortunately the fat groundhog that enjoys our garden had the same thoughts.

He beat me to the harvest.  Even after I put a net over the plants and enjoyed one more picking, he figured out a way to get under my net.

There's a $20 bounty on his head on the Fish Farm - but I'm fixin' to double that.😡

Anyone know where I can buy dynamite?💣💥