September

September has been really good to us, and I can't believe it'll be over in just a few days. We've been in our new house for a month and a half, and every day, it starts to feel a little more like home. The boys never had any trouble transitioning to it, but I've been a little slower to love it. There are certainly some quirks to living in a home that was built in the 50s. We turned on our furnace today, so the cold weather is definitely approaching. Sunday is a high of 79 though, so we aren't doing too badly yet :)

One afternoon after church, we went to our friends Tim & Ann's house for lunch with a big group of people. The boys went fishing for bluegills, and they each caught one!

This month, we started school again! Nolan is in first grade, and Ephraim is in pre-K. The public school here started on August 2, so we are happy that homeschooling granted us another month of summer.

And August is always along for the ride :)

Another Sunday after church, we made a trip to IKEA. This was my balanced lunch of French fries and a mini princess cake.

We still don't know our neighborhood super well, and one night, we found this quiet little street just about a block from us. There's not much traffic, so we can walk down the middle of the road and admire the houses.

Our container garden this year was successful! It wasn't as great as years that I've had big garden beds, but I'm pleasantly surprised how well you can grow tomatoes and green beans and cucumbers and peppers in pots. We started everything from seeds in April. Two months in, the tomato plants were eaten by something, so I replanted them, and they grew quickly. I'm happy to still be picking handfuls of cherry tomatoes in almost-October.

With Nolan's birthday money, he really wanted to buy a backpack. We went to Target, and of course he chose the Incredibles! Ephraim was dying to have one too, so Nolan bought a second one for him. They wear them around ALL the time, and it's adorable.

Nolan is quite the sponge for facts and names and details. At dinner the other night, he's eating, and says, "Did you know a catfish has taste buds all over its body?" I love being his teacher because I get to be the one to see his face light up every time he learns something new. I get to use my rusty elementary ed degree, and I even learn a lot alongside him.

I am happiest outside, away from the dishes and the laundry, away from TV and wifi. I think God intended us to feel so much closer to him when we're in sight of trees and water and blue sky.

Wally the Swallowtail turned into the most beautiful butterfly! I'll get that post up next week!

I think I've converted my Pennsylvania boy into a Cubs fan. :) Yay for the post-season!

August's cheese face makes me so happy.

 

This weekend, we're looking forward to a visit from Steve's parents and brothers! We're praying the rain holds off for the kids' soccer games on Saturday. It'll be so great to see everyone.

I wrote a few posts the past couple of days, so keep scrolling down to read more.

xo

Rachel