Goodness in November

The sun sets early, the days are shorter. The stove is lit, and we work hard stacking the firewood. I watch many squirrels out my kitchen window and know they are preparing for winter's winds.

There is more time for games. More time for reading. More time for baking.


Cotter is participating in a no-shave November, and Hannah and I think he looks like he is from a BBC movie. With his happy wit, I see him as Mr. Bingley.








We celebrated Sophie's 5th birthday this week! She visited Build-a-Bear, received just-for-her gifts, and we fixed up a child's cabinet to be a little kitchen, and we put together a little bit of felted food.


Friends Matty and Danny came to play.





Her favorite pizza.











A treat of a mermaid. Daddy snapped some pictures while she was lost in play.











I did a little art for a princess cake. With strawberry frosting. Sophie liked it. :)











We love this precious girl. Thank you Lord for the gift of Sophie.











~Cassandra

A Mother's Prayer

Oh Lord,

Help me to sow seeds of love within the hearts of my kids.
Forgive me for the seeds of the wind that float about like bitterness, unforgiveness, complaining.
Help me to teach them the confidence of knowing and trusting in You,
and the weakness and instability of being insecure in Your love.
As I sow and water the seeds, I realize and rest in the knowledge you will cause to grow the things that are of You.
Save us from the futility of our own human reasonings, and inspire our lives with Your heart, Your vision, Your kingdom.
And may it grow and flourish here. First with me.
All because of you, precious Jesus.
Holy Spirit work in us today.
Amen.

~Cassandra

Surprised

The back kitchen door opens and some quiet quacking and interested eyes look to see if I have any leftover peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.


Ranger stands meekly by, wondering as well.


The lady for sure will take it if it's thrown. She has enough attitude and will use her sharp beak to chase off the competition.


Winter's warning has come and the snow has already flown. It has warmed up since these pictures but we've gotten the wood stove going much to all of our coziness and it makes the home sweeter home in this large, spacious house.
I've been needing to focus on simpler meals these days, while I spend the days with littler ones. The littlest for sure being my Ironman. He quite does see life as something he can manage, and keeps me on my toes 24/7. I was so excited to get a call from my parents who picked us up a Chinese feast! What a treat!












And I've been praying for fresh ideas to enjoy these years in a house I can't quite keep clean or do all the things I'd like to. Being thankful is a constant heart reminder and simplifying in a beautiful way is another. Sometimes, simplifying what is coming in helps too. Both in the physical and in the heart. Just a thought. :)








My big kids and small ones, celebrated dressing up and candy and community this week. It was a lot of fun. Surprises of joy do come, when I stop demanding and assuming, and listen, look, and love in the light of my heavenly Father's countenance of love and wisdom.














This is His world. And He is the light that lives within us, because of Jesus.

Just Because,

Sometimes they run and scream and cry, and the tension mounts

I stop to enjoy the things they are

The things they do


Working on drawing Bible stories as we go


Big sister picks up fork to help the smallest eat


Open poem book we read and work on while we sit and run.

Math especially for the kindergartener was Chutes n Ladders


Bella and I were on 96, ahead of the gang. I went to roll the dice and the anticipation in the room was on full alert!


We won :)



Hannah in her senior year, was home sick for the day. She put on her scarf, poured a cuppa tea, and studied for her SAT anyway. I thought she looked adorable and snuck in a non Facebook pose to show the world what I see everyday. I still see her as the spunky young heart that flashed its happiness and trust daily in our home with her rough play with brothers, mischievous but innocent laughter, devoted loyalty to her family, love of animals, beanie babies, climbing trees, drawing deer, constant smiles. Happy Hannah has not suited her more.



~Cassandra

Fall's Fireworks

"Mom, how do they know how to fly in a shape?!" Abby asked as we watched the birds fly over our heads during our afternoon playtime. "And how do they know where to fly?"

What is there left to say to these unanswered questions?

"Isn't God amazing?"

Dad came home from work and we quickly piled into the big vehicle and went to our favorite spot to watch the sights in the sky this time of year. This really is our favorite place on this ground that Jeremy and I share a love for. We love to take all the kids during the different seasons and just soak it in. The sun was setting and we can easily estimate hundreds and hundreds of geese and ducks there and flying over our heads making a cacophony of sound. It's so beautiful. The trout were jumping, the waters' glassy surface reflected the colors of the setting sun.


Grady watching the birds come in and land.











Sophie discovering milkweed.


























"Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly
Summer's sun was on their wings
Winter in their cry" ~Rachel Field

~Cassandra