Patience

A few days ago I was in the kitchen and Sadie said to me, "Mom, why do you keep making that noise?"

me:"What noise, Sadie?"

Sadie said, "This noise" and gave a very heavy sigh

me: get that horrible sinking feeling that I am being a terrible mother and I didn't even realize my frustration with things was so evident...then responded, "Sadie. I am sorry. I didn't realize I was making that noise. I guess I just need to be more patient with things."

Sadie: "But didn't you pray to Jesus for patience this morning? I don't think he gave it to you."

Me: swallowing my pride yet again after feeling convicted by my 4-year old daughter, as only kids can do...."Well Sadie. Sometimes we need to keep going to back to Jesus to help us with these things. Should Mommy pray to Jesus again right now and ask for patience?"

Sadie: "yes"

So we did. I stopped everything and we just prayed in the kitchen that Jesus would give Mommy more patience. Having children is a very humbling experience and I am sure if Matt or anyone else had pointed out to me that I was making 'that noise', I would have responded defensively or given an excuse for my behavior. But when it's your little ones noticing, there is nothing you can do but realize that the Lord uses them in powerful ways to teach us lessons we need to be taught!

Look who's going to school!

Blake got this backpack as a gift from my good friend when he was born. The other day he pulled it out, put it on, and began telling us that he was going to get on the school bus and go to school.

Saying 'goodbye' to Daddy

We all played right along and said, "Bye Blake. Have a great day. Love you"

He got this big grin when I said, "Oh Blake! How was school today?"

3rd Annual Lundquist/Sorensen Apple Orchard/Pumpkin Patch Outing

Last weekend we made our annual trip with the Lundquists down to Hastings to pick some apples and pumpkins. The weather was great, the company fantastic, and the food was wonderful as well.

Ready to go!!

Sadie loved getting to pet all the animals...

Wyatt was content to watch Sadie pet all the animals

Kael and Wyatt

Fun times with the wagons....

Blake and Beckham

Sadie and Elli...every time these girls are together, they giggle uncontrollably! It's so precious!

...all fun and games until someone gets hurt!

..eating a few mini donuts on the way...

Wyatt and Kael were pretty excited about this find.

Portrait of fun times...

Blake first attempted this.....

..which quickly turned in to this...

...and then this.

The funniest thing about that gate is that it was next to a metal fence that looked like an electric fence. But Blake was playing on it and at one point even had his head stuck in between the wires, so Matt goes, "There's no way they would have it turned on with kids all over the place." Sure enough, Matt and Drew walked over to it and it was turned on. Thankfully the voltage was low, but I think Blake actually enjoyed the shock!

Wyatt was pretty excited to wear his cowboy boots that day.

Blake found some worms on this pumpkin....

..and then the girls came to watch them crawl!

Our finds....

Matt is pretty picky about the stems and always wants to find the best ones, so this is what we came up with this year. Can't wait to carve them all!

What a great day we had. We enjoyed a crazy, chaotic lunch at Panera and then went to a park for a few hours. The kids played, the parents enjoyed some warm coffee and conversation, and the little ones were exhausted. It was a great day and we can't wait for the 4th annual!!!