Mammoth Cave

 A few weeks ago, we went to Mammoth Cave for a night to meet our sweet friends!  These sweet friends continue to be such a blessing to us!  I enjoy talking almost weekly with this sweet friend who is such a prayer warrior and really speaks truth to my heart!  We are so thankful God brought them int our lives at Southern and so grateful to hear how God is using them greatly for the Kingdom abroad, drawing all nations to Himself through them!  They are some of the most humble people I know and their kiddos are so sweet.  Our kids really enjoyed connecting with the boys and meeting this family that we pray for so often!  

 The cave hikes were amazing and the cabin was perfect!  We had a lovely rainy night to sit and talk and share and pray together- it was sweet fellowship!  And we worked on our Ranger badges and learned lots about caving and spelunking, cave crickets- the kids loved Fat Man's Misery and the fact that they turned the lights out in our walk so they could see how dark a cave truly is!  We hope to go again when they are on furlough the next time!  

A & M Apple Orchard

 Last Friday, we enjoyed going to an Apple Orchard with our homeschool group.  We enjoyed picking apples and watching apple cider being made as well.  We did fun pictures and enjoyed the beautiful fall day!  And we made lots of applesauce from all the apples that we picked!

Michael's Graduation Party!

 September 1st I planned a Graduation Party for Michael at our church.  It was a blessed party and we had some wonderful friends from Louisville drive up for the evening to support us as well which was so special!  I made tons of Pork BBQ and we had a wonderful day of celebrating his graduation!

Turtle Thursday...

 We found this sweet little baby turtle while we were weeding at church today.

 The kids tried a campout in their room the other night.  

 Joel got his first haircut a month or so ago.  He's looking more like a little boy than a mad scientist.

Misc.

 Hiking with Aunt Sarah, handing out donuts for the first day of school and going to a Reds game with some friends!

Art Class and Haircut...

 A few weeks ago, we went to a beautiful Art Estate that had a beautiful landscape and the children painted a landscape.  Jeremiah did a great job.  Lydia and Josiah explored the beautiful flowers and pools around the estate.

Joely got his first haircut a few weeks ago.  His sweet little curls were cut off but they are coming back!

School Begins...

 And so another school year begins...  We are already on Week #5, hard to believe!  Lydia is in Kindergarden this year, Josiah preschool and Jeremiah is in 2nd grade!  The first week of school was hard for me as the mom.  I am finding that change is hard for me, even little changes of routine.  It is hard to leave the outings and pool time and friend visits of summer and hit school routine.  I worry about the isolation for me and the discipline issues and intensity of school and keeping up house, cleaning, laundry, cooking.  I struggle worrying about the year, am I doing enough for my kids- do I have the right curriculum?  Thankfully God reminded me of Psalm 3-  You, O Lord, are a shield about me, you are my glory and the lifter of my head.  The Lord has faithfully lifted my head in thinking about a new school year!

Tuesday Happenings...

 We are stocking up for the lean winter months.  We are doing our freezer corn and today the kids helped me can peaches and pears for when fruit is scarce.  I have some great helpers these days!

 I also went to an International Dinner the other night!  It was so neat to be with other International students!  I'm looking forward to getting to know some of them better!  I agreed to be an International Friendship partner this year and am looking forward to the girl or girls God brings to us that we might be able to get to know them this year!