Fall means pumpkins

Growing up in the mid-west, I always loved fall. The cool crisp, evenings, and the colorful, falling leaves. For reasons other than these two, I still love autumn. We do have cool, crisp evenings (occasionally), and I actually see a tree losing its' leaves every once in awhile. Pumpkins, however, are in abundance. There are pumpkin patches everywhere!


Yesterday, the kids picked out their own pumpkin and we brought them home to carve. If you look carefully at the picture below, you will see each one behind their respective pumpkin. They named them "Jack," "O" and "Lantern." We even roasted the pumpkin seeds. I have to admit that has never been one of my favorite treats, but Gary said "it is something you have to do every once in awhile, just because it is fall!"

A California Visit

May I never cease to be amazed at how God works things out. I especially notice when He works things out in ways that I want. Dad was asked to speak at an AACS conference, hosted at none other than Ventura, CA. Thank you God for using them in ministry and allowing it to be in our own backyard :) Below are some pictures mom sent me from the weekend. It was good for Gramma and Poppa to be able to watch Andrew in action on the football field. It was a short, full, enjoyable weekend for each one of us.

A new look

Wesley had an appointment today to get things checked out with his broken ankle. It has been three weeks since the break. He and Gary made a morning of it and went out to IHOP and then proceeded to the doctor's office. Wesley did get his cast removed. It was an interesting process, as he explained it to me :) The x-ray showed good improvement, so he is now able to wear a boot. He is still reliant upon his crutches, but he is able to remove the boot for sleeping and bathing.

I have heard people's horror stories about casts and the itching and the stinking. So, it is nice to have a protective wear that can be removed when he is sitting. We were also happy to see that his leg did not have any bruises. When the cast was put on, his leg was badly bruised, but he has healed rather nicely.

Thanks for the cards, comments, and prayers. He is doing great!