Miracles

Chuck has been encouraging us as a couple to believe God to do great miracles.  The other day he asked me, "What would be a miracle (from God) you would like to see happen?"  He knows I always give the same two answers, so he asked "Besides those two".  I think my faith is pretty small.  I usually only desire simple things, and am pretty content with our life outside of a couple deep desires.  Chuck has a long Bucket List, but I don't even have one.  If I died today, I'd be 100% happy to go straight into the arms of Jesus.  I don't need to skydive, or visit a certain country, or scuba dive, or write a book, or be in two places at once, or get a tattoo (HA!  Anybody catch that?). 

In the depth of my heart, though, I believe I long for more in terms of God.  There are several women in my life who I look to and think, "How do they know God in that way?"  I want to know God in the way they do.  In the basement of my soul, I long for a deeper intimacy with my God.  What I'm realizing, and hearing from God is:  discipline.  It takes discipline to spend time with him.  Discipline not to skip him.  Discipline not to race through reading a passage.  Discipline to sit and listen to what he wants to share with me.  

Yesterday was the first of many miracles I believe God is going to shower on us this year.  And for the rest of our lives.  

We were visiting the church I grew up in, and where my parents still attend.  (LOVE it there!)  After the service I saw a woman who has meant a lot to me over my growing up years.  Since I've been out of my parent's house for 7 years, I haven't seen her much.  I even wondered if she remembered me.  But, out of the corner of my eye I saw Jenny walking towards me and she said she'd like to talk with me.  Jenny had a huge smile on her face, and it was wonderful to see her.

After a brief moment of small talk, she got straight to the point.  Jenny wanted me to know she has been praying for me, and she wanted to share some things with me.  She actually asked God for a chance to talk with me, and I showed up at her church yesterday!  Crazy enough, it was her last Sunday before she moved to FL!  God ordained, or what?!

One time my Mom told Jenny that when I was young I said to my Mom, "I believe I'm going to live a hard life."  Creepy.  I don't remember saying that to my Mom, but I do remember believing that for at least the last 10 years or so.  And parts of my life have been really hard.  So Jenny wanted me to know that I was believing a lie from the enemy.  That God, in fact, wanted to pour out his blessings, and favor, and goodness on me.  

Then she prayed over me in a way I don't think I've ever been prayed over.  Chuck joined us in the middle of the prayer, and he experienced it, too- WE WERE BLESSED! 

Today during my time with God (practicing that discipline thing already), I clearly heard him tell me that (in the quietness of my heart, not out loud) he sent me a direct message using Jenny.  I am to say no to the lie I've been believing and living, and to say yes to God's blessings and favor on my life.  I told you it was a miracle!  And it was a miracle I didn't even know to ask God for. 

Not only that, but Chuck has been feeling led to pray and fast over some things in his life, and Jenny encouraged him in that endeavor as well.  We both experienced God using Jenny and walked away feeling like we were zapped or something. 

Like I said, I know this is the first of many miracles to come.  I believe God's promises to me as Truth.  

Isaiah 43: 1-5, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, Abigail- you are mine."

Psalm 31:19 "How GREAT is your GOODNESS which you have stored up for those who fear you". 

God's storage bin full of goodness has been opened up and I've been receiving.  

One last moment to share.  I said to Chuck this morning, "I wish I had a devotional to read" as I was opening up the drawer where my Bible is kept.  When I glanced up, there was a devotional book that Candy (a dear friend) had given me for Christmas sitting on the shelf.  I had totally forgotten.  Hello God!  And thank you Father!  He used several passages from the devotional book to speak to me today.  "How great is our God!"

OH, and just so you know- God wants you to believe this same message for your life as well.  This message isn't just for me- and that's why I'm writing to YOU today! 

Christmas Season (re) Cap

As always, the Christmas season is flying by at an incredible speed.  I'm already depressed thinking about coming back here and facing the month of January.  Ick.  BUT, it's only December 17, and I am going to thoroughly enjoy the rest of my favorite Christmas season. 

Chuck's Advent for me has been INCREDIBLE!  I absolutely love, love, LOVE getting a little (or big!) gift each day.  His thoughtfulness has blown me away.  I'm amazed at the things he's picked out.  It really is the thought behind a gift that touches my heart so deeply.  Each morning I wake up and think, "I wonder what I'm getting today?"  It's been such a blast.  I feel adored.  I am adored.  I love my man.

Day 3: Pretty much wear this every day!

Day 7:  Peppermint Mocha, thank you very much.

 We got to visit our awesome friends Laura and Scooter in Old Town Alexandria one night.  Laura made us a delicious dinner, and we all strolled around down town.  It was warm, the town was enchanting, and laughing with good friends was so good for our the souls. 

Friends.  Love!

A real life Advent Calendar that we got such a kick out of. 

 I've been busy baking dozens of cookies this season.  Some with teens, some by myself, and some with my friend Jess.

My baby girl has been enjoying her second Christmas.  Last year she was just a widdle baby during Christmas.

Always trying to climb up on the couch with us.  We spend a lot of time laughing at with her.

Our tree.  I love it!

A huge, huge Christmas blessing has been the several hours each week I get to spend with this little QT.  God has used him to bring some serious joy to my heart.  

My buddy.

That's a wrap!  Time to finish watching The Grinch on my new flat screen TV while I'm in bed.  My dream come true.  Thank you Advent Day 8.  =)

Advent Day 1 & 2

Happy German Advent!  And American Advent, of course.  We opened our big package from Germany yesterday and had a great time indulging in the treats, as well as setting up our new Christmas addition- our Advent Wreath.  Obviously it doesn't look like what we would consider a wreath, and I'm sure Chuck's Mom could shed more light on the topic, but here it is:

 Today since it's the first Sunday of December, we lit our first candle:

Chuck is especially excited because he has been wanting one of these.  As a kid growing up in Germany, this Advent Wreath was always a big deal.  And now it will be again!

I also got to open my American Advent Day 2 gift today.  So far, Chuck is 2 for 2.  I adore my new phone cover!  Plus he got me screen protectors, which I really needed.  It's so cute that he picked out a cover for me.  It's only day 2, but this has already meant so much to me.  "Gifts" are my love language, and I am just bouncing around with excitement about my gifts, and about how much my Love loves me. 

Advent has begun!

As soon as I finished the last post, Chuck hollered down, "I'm reeeeeeeeeeady!"  I jumped up and hurried towards the stairs to find this:

 My Advents!  These little stockings are so cute I had to keep myself from crying.  I was completely surprised.  He wanted me to open Day 1 immediately since tomorrow we will open his Mom's package.  The note seen in the picture for Day 1 told a cute little story about how the military uses a tiny object for making food.  Included in the stocking was a mini blade looking thing.  I was then instructed to find my first gift under the tree.  How had I missed it?  I raced down the stairs to see this...

He has always wrapped gifts so beautifully!  Tada!

My VERY OWN electric can opener!  Lest you feel disappointed for me that I got an appliance, I have been dying for my own electric can opener.  There is one out at the Dubbe family house, and every time we go, I think I say, "I wish I had one of these!"  Our old can opener is really annoying, and actual hurts my hand.  I had to try the new one out right away.  We now have a can of black beans opened electrically.  Hallelujah-  I couldn't be happier!

I'm super excited for the next 25 days.  I already feel like the most special girl on the planet. 

Advent

I feel something brewing.  It's December 1st Eve, and I found this hanging up in our hallway earlier tonight.  As I write, Chuck is working like a Mad Scientist in our office, and I am forbidden to enter.  He has hinted that the next 25 days are going to be pretty special.  On top of that, we also have a package from Chuck's Mama all the way from Germany with instructions to be opened tomorrow. 

It's the most wonderful time of year!

Tree Hunt

Last year we found a local farm store that sold 6 foot Frasier Furs for $30.  In the past we had spent $10-$20 on a tiny tree so this new find was fantastic!  We spent our Thursday-Night-Date-Night tree hunting.  This means we drove 10 minutes to Meadows Farms.  At the front of the big lot of trees there were tons of $60 trees, $70 trees and a bunch of plants we were not interested in.  I told Chuck we should just keep walking towards the back of the lot.  After several rows of the expensive trees we found a row of $40 and $50 trees.  We began to think the tree prices had gone up.  But we pressed on.  As we continued to walk, and freeze, we saw a cluster of trees sitting in the dark, all the way at the back of the lot.  To our delight, even though it was very hard to read in the dark, we finally saw a sign for $30 Frasier Furs!  

It was pretty tough to actually pick out a tree in the complete dark, but we used the flashlight App to help with visibility.  Here is proof just how far away we were from the expensive trees at the front of the store.  (See the lights all the way behind Chuck?)

Chuck thought we should get the tallest tree possible, I actually prefer chubby trees- even if they're shorter.

Told ya it was dark!

We finally settled for the perfect blend of tall, but chubby.  Oh, and before it was all said and done I did actually trip over the wooden beam separating the Frasiers because it was pitch black!

I have to post this picture below because we were trying to take our token Stand-by-the-Jeep-while-the-tree-gets-strapped-to-the-top-photo when the guy helping us threw the rope over the car and hit me in the head.  Chuck and I were cracking up and he caught it on film.  (See the white rope to the right?)

Here's the official photo. 

We also stopped at Michael's to pick up some lights and garland.  I have been dying to decorate our cute little font porch and thankfully Michael's had awesome deals last night.  ($2.99 garland!)

Decorating

Our tree is just sitting in the corner for now, we can't have all the Christmas fun in one night!  Trimming the tree to come...

Thankful...How creative.

Though my heart is plummeting face first into the holly, jolly Christmas season I am still reminding myself of all that I have to be thankful for.  On Thanksgiving night, Chuck and I opened up the jar we made during the FFA's and read our little snippets of thankfulness we had written about for the past month.  We had much to thank God for. 

I am so.very.thankful. for my husband.  I know that sounds totally cliche to be thankful for my husband, but I just feel like I have been extra-specially-blessed by my man.  He's my best friend, and I love to spend any waking minute with him that I can.  Even going to the grocery store is suddenly fun when my man is by my side.  He gets me, and that gives me a crazy amount of appreciation for him.  He really gets me.  We women are not easy creatures to understand, and to have Chuck's total support of who I am is wonderful.

He gets that I love to get my hair done by Sharon alone.  He gets that I love to read- sometimes even 3 or 4 books at time.  He gets that I like to start Christmas shopping in October.  He gets that I always need to drink soy milk lattes.  He gets my heart for people, and the times I cry just because I feel for someone.  He gets my adoration of iced tea.  He gets that I love to sleep in.  He gets that I long to be a Mother, and knows exactly what to say when another month goes by.  ("I"m sorry Babe.") He gets that I love to write, but am OK with the fact I will probably never have a writing career.  He gets that I love to talk to my Mom.  He. Gets. Me.  And I am crazy in love with him.

To give you a flavor of Chuck, check out this picture.  Several weeks ago, my family got together for the weekend.  He insisted on pushing me around in this dumb old wheel barrel, and I thought it was a ridiculous idea.  My SIL was snapping pictures of us, and I had to laugh.  I couldn't help it.  Chuck is all about having a fun time, and coming up with crazy, new ideas. Even if that means pushing around his 30-year-old-wife in a rusty wheel barrel filled with dirty leaves. 

Speaking of having a fun time, Chuck also tends to push the line when it comes to having fun.  Though I may rant and rave about some of his silly ideas, deep down inside, I love that about him.  He constantly makes me laugh.  Chuck truly believed it would be a great idea to have my family climb a tree- yes, that's right- climb a tree for a photo shoot.  Maybe Chuck's not the crazy one, because my family actually listened to him.  It was so ridiculous, but he insisted it would work.  He had set up a tripod for our camera, and was emphatic about the fact that he could set the timer, run over, climb up the tree, turn around and smile for the camera- all in 12 seconds.  I'll let you decide how well that worked....

At least he has a cute booty.  Notice how the boys are looking quite confused.  And my SIL is still smiling for the camera!  Only Chuck could get Grandpa to scale a tree.

One final thought about Chuck is his sense of adventure.  Even little adventures.  He raked up a massive amount of leaves for my nephews to jump in, but he couldn't just "leave" it at that.  He had to make the pile bigger, and put it right in front of the swing so the boys could fly off into the leaves.  Of course they had a blast.  But I think Chuck was the one who had the biggest blast!

Oh wait, where are the nephews?!

    My heart is full for him.  What can I say?  I'm truly thankful. 

#PrayForTricia

My dear, sweet childhood friend, Tricia has been struggling with Cystic Fibrosis for the last 30 years (her entire life).  God has done miracles in her life, including giving her and her husband Nathan a biological baby right before having a double lung transplant.  It's been almost 4 years, and Tricia needs new lungs again.  Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning Tricia's doctors will be deciding if she will be approved for a second transplant she desperately needs.  PLEASE PRAY! You can read about her story here:

http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/

Stiff Necks?

It's late here for my two babies.  Their necks must be killing them! 

But  I'm wide awake, as usual.  Since Chuck objects to "19 Kids and Counting", I'm getting caught up on all my episodes while he dreams. (Don't hate. I've been known to cry during this show.)  I've also been working on some Christmas projects for the past couple of hours.  The Christmas season is upon us, and it just makes me giddy.  There are big wreaths and lights up around all the plazas nearby.  One of our radio stations starts playing ALL Christmas music ALL the time tomorrow! 

I told Chail last weekend that I love giving presents more than getting presents.  It's true- I know once I get in bed tonight I will be lying awake thinking about all the Christmas projects I'm so excited about.  Chuck and I finished about 90 % of our shopping tonight- great feeling.  

I'm going to end with a random fact.  Michelle Duggar is only sixteen years older than me.  Sixteen years older, and she has 19 children.  Her oldest child is only six years older than me.  For crying out loud.

Day 31 and Done

 We had a Halloween Extravaganza for our small group of teens last night!  Chuck found a whole bunch of decorations and props in the youth room and we had a blast decorating our house for the occasion.  You can't quite see in this picture, but we had hanging bat lights on the banister, and spider webs- complete with spiders, all over our big, annoying front bush. 

Our group is called The North Group- really creative, I know.  We don't get a say in the name.  Gotta tell ya, we are loving the chalk board wall. 

Here's the place all spooked out.  The dining room even had a flashing red light.

Here are some of our crazy teenie boppers.  It was pretty exciting to have FIVE kids come that hadn't come before!  We loved having them.  Check out our cute co-leader, Candy in her home-made 50's gear.  (To the left of the pizza, and in the corner of the couch.)  Candy is also my dearly wonderful mentor and friend.  

We had such a laugh over the fact that we're OLD.  I had put the names, "Herman Munster" and "Morticia" into a game. The teens kept saying, "Herman Moon-ster"  and "mortician".  No, not "Moon-ster" and certainly not "mortician".  They had no clue what or who The Adams Family or The Munsters were.  Sad day.

Here are my two favorite dates for the evening.  Chuck made everybody wear a wig and carry a prop if they came without a costume.  Man did that wig ITCH! 

Day 31 was also our first opportunity to hand out candy to our little neighbors.  It was so much fun!  My favorite character of the evening was this "sweet" little girl in a cute little outfit. I was all about her until she whipped out a sword and announced she was going to chop me to pieces.  Ummm, OK?!  Later that night Chuck and I had a great laugh over it.  

On an exciting note, I met the girl who does hair in our neighborhood, and now I have her number.  It was super embarrassing though because I introduced myself while wearing the above hideous wig.  The wig bangs kept getting in my eyes and it was so hard to see.  I felt like such a fool as I wrote down her number- me in the itchy wig, her with the perfect hair-dresser hair.  She was probably scared to death of what my real hair looked like- not much better.   

Well, folks.  That's a wrap.  FFA's are officially over.  I have to say, I am TRHILLED. TO. DEATH. that's is finally November.  The FFA's really did help October to whiz by.  Now the Holidays are upon us and I am glowing with excitement.  There couldn't be a more perfect ending to our time together than this video.  I think it speaks for itself.  OH how I LOVE my man!  I do appreciate you all for tuning in for the last 31 days.  Thank you and good night.  

Day 31- Part 1

Happy Halloween!  This greeted me as I was getting ready this morning:

Thought it was the sweetest thing- definitely made my morning!

Since we're doing our FFA #31 tonight, I probably won't be able to blog about it until tomorrow or so.  Just wanted to let you know so you don't wait up for my FINAL post of Fun Fall Activities.  I know how many of you can't stand the anticipation.  You may be disappointed.  ;)

As a follow-up to FFA day #21, here is the final project.  

This is our Thankfulness Jar.  Chuck and I have both been writing different things we're thankful for, and putting them in the jar.  On Thanksgiving Day, we'll go through the jar and read them together.  I hope to be greatly encouraged by how God has blessed us both during the month.  I'm sure we won't be disappointed. 

And now a little taste of what's to come.  This is the BEST fall treat.  Like ever.  (Taylor Swift.) My Mom has been "making" it for years and it carries not only the best mix of sweet and salty, but also nostalgia.  Chuck loves it, too.  He requested it for tonight. 

Stay tuned, y'all!

Day 30

Where did October go? Today is FFA #30!  Somewhere around day 13 I felt like I had so much time left, and now it's only 1 more day of FFA's.  Whew.  What a month.  

FFA's wouldn't be complete without some Halloween candy.  Today we ventured out to Target and Chuck picked out the candy we'll hand out tomorrow night to all the little Trick or Treaters.  It'll be the first time in three years (our whole married life) that kids will actually come to our door.  We're pretty excited.  

Day 29

Dunkin Monday! Today everything and their Grandmother is cancelled because of Sandy and the Frankenstorm.  For our house that means Chuck is working from home and Jovie doesn't get any exercise.  We've been playing ball with her- goodness knows she needs a way to get all that energy out.  I love when Chuck works from home.  It makes everything I'm doing around the house so much more fun and enjoyable.  

Today instead of Dunkin Monday, Chuck asked if I wanted to join him and our friend Austin in surprising our other friend Katie, Austin's wife, at Starbucks where she was working.  Umm...yes.  Actually, I was thinking that a Starbucks trip wasn't going to make the cut for this round of FFA's.  Rest assured, we were able to partake in not only a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and a  Caramel Mocha, but also a pumpkin scone.  Sigh. 

Katie and Austin came back to our house real quick, which made Jovie's day.  She has a major crush on Austin.  ;)

Grande, Tall, and Short- I'm the fatty with the Grande.  At least we all shared the pumpkin scone.

My sweet baby girl

Day 28

My sweet friend and faux "cousin", Rachel (Mikes girlfriend)

Today was the DC Marine Corps Marathon!  Chuck and I went to support our friend and neighbor who was running, and we also had friends in town who were running as well.  The city was jam packed with people, and I mean jam packed.  Thankfully we got to see each of our friends a couple times, and even got to see them near the finish line.  If you have never been to a marathon, it's a really special thing to witness.  I choke up several times every time I see a race.  There are always amazing people doing amazing things.

I've seen a teenaged daughter jump from the sidelines to run next to her Mom for a few miles to encourage her Mom to keep going.  I've seen a Dad push his daughter in a wheel chair the whole race.  I've seen two Marines running while carrying a guy who got injured just so he could finish the race.  I've seen people bleeding, and continue running.  I've seen men without legs pedal a bike with their arms and hands.  It is truly an amazing experience.

The fans on the sidelines cheering and yelling for the runners is super inspirational.  I love cheering for our friends!  Chuck has run the MC Marathon in the past, and today he was motivated to want to run it again.  I loved how he described the race.

"It's like you're running and you feel miserable and awful and you think 'I hate running.  Why am I doing this?' And then when you finally cross that finish line, you forget about how awful it was.  You feel so pumped full  of adrenaline and there's nothing like it."

It encouraged me a lot about my life.  A lot of times life is miserable and awful, and I think "I hate life.  Why am I doing this?"  But today God used Chuck to remind me that when I FINALLY cross that finish line- be it Heaven, or whatever trial it is I'm enduring at the time- I will forget all about the pain.  Hallelujah. 

Here's to our friends who endured all those 26.2 miles today! 

 

 Congrats and amazing job Mike!

I have no idea who that obnoxious woman is cheering in the background...

Congrats and amazing job Marco! 
My sweet husband finished the race with his friend- LOVE him!

Day 27

Again, no pictures taken for the FFA #27.  We went to a neighborhood Halloween party.  There were mostly couples with little kids in attendance, so we brought Jovie.  ;) It was a really cool time to meet more people in our neighborhood, and it seemed like we were all around the same age.  I was especially excited to learn of a girl who does hair out of her home!  Hallelujah, maybe I can finally find someone to do my hair in VA!  (I only get my hair done in PA when I go home to visit my parents.  My girl at home has been doing my hair for years, but it would be nice to have someone here in my own town so my hair doesn't get so gross in between appointments.)  Anyway, a good time was had by all. 

Day 26

No pictures to show for this day.  But I did surprise Chuck by volunteering to help him with the yard work.  Our yard is quite small so it probably only took us 30 minutes to mow, rake, sweep, and clean up.  It was nice to work together on our "own" yard. 

Day 25

Chuck and I mutually thought of going to a large mall in our area where we enjoyed walking around and window shopping.  We were even able to spot several Christmas decorations.  This was the perfect ending to our already sweet date:

Day 24

Chuck's most beloved drink at Starbucks in the fall is the Salted Caramel Mocha.  There really is no other drink like it out there. It's just hot deliciousness in a cup.  Sweet + Salty = bliss.  Well, I found a salted caramel creamer by accident one day at Walmart and could not resist surprising my man.  The creamer did not disappoint.  It's not Starbucks, but it'll do just fine!

Day 23

Thanks to my dear friend Laura, I learned about this amazing movement going on in DC.  David's Tent has been going on since September 27, and will continue right up until the election- that's 40 days.  40 days of 24 hours a day 7 days a week prayer and worship for our country.  The amazing part is, this tent is set up right in front of The White House. 

Chuck thankfully hadn't heard of the event, and was quite surprised.  We sat there in the tent, listening to the band leading worship, observing the other Christians around us, and experiencing the presence of God.  Chuck and I were both encouraged.  Really encouraged.  Sometimes God just surprises us with HIMSELF in ways we couldn't have expected.  

There's The White House off to the right

Day 22

Hello gorgeous!  (The donut, certainly  not me.)  Oh how I love Dunkin Mondays!  I find myself really looking forward to our time together there on Mondays.  This week we made it there before they sold out of the pumpkin donuts.  It was well worth the week's wait.  Although I have to say, the maple donut was actually better. 

Another cool thing about Dunkin Mondays is that it has introduced us to Rite Aid.  Because of it's proximity to our favorite DD's, we've stopped in a couple times now to grab some things we've needed.  I am now the proud owner of a free Rite Aid bonus card.  And it has come in very handy.  Who knew their sales were so good?  I am going to start checking my Rite Aid flyer each week from now on.  (In the past it has gone straight to the trash.)  This week they have BOGO half off on...well, I probably shouldn't post the items that I needed, (*Think very special time of the month.) but it was definitely a sweet thing. 

Tonight is the debate.  I'm shocked to actually be looking forward to tuning in.  Look what my patriotic husband has done to me.  Good man that one. 

Day 21

We started a FF project today.  Thank you Pinterest!  To be continued...

Day 20

Happy Birthday to my favorite Mama of all times!  I only wish we had been able to celebrate with her in person! I love you Mother!

Day 20 has been a pretty big day.  We lived up the FFA's to the full for sure.  I surprised Chuck with a visit to Frying Pan Park Harvest Festival.  It was on the same farm where we had our Hoedown.  Actually, while we were at the Hoedown, I came across the flyer for the Harvest Festival and was thrilled because it was free admission!  Seems everywhere around here you have to pay no less than $15 a person just to enter a fall festival-type deal.  

So our outing consisted of roaming around the last functioning dairy farm in Fairfax county.  Of course there were plenty of barnyard animals to see, and lots of festival-like food to eat, too.  We each enjoyed grilled burgers and sweet potato fries that were out-of-this-world! 

We spent some time at the blacksmith's building, watching a guy weld.  I was particularly excited because my Grandfather was a blacksmith, and my uncle still owns and operates a blacksmith shop in Iowa.  Chuck and I talked more about my family history and he got to learn some new stuff about me.  

Blacksmith shop

 

Later, we watched a demonstration of an apple cider press- a really old apple cider press.  Unfortunately I can't remember how old, but it was pretty cool to watch!  

Can you spot the apples?!

My most favorite part of the festival was the old, original farm house. I absolutely loved the kitchen.  It fascinated me to see how women baked, did laundry, kept food cold, sifted flour, and even how their babies used to sit at the table (without highchairs, gasp!). I have a crazy admiration for those farm ladies of the past!  This house even had a Hoosier Cabinet, which was really exciting to us.  We recently got Chuck's great-aunt's Hoosier Cabinet, which is now in our dining room.  Too cool for school. 

Check out the kettle corn I'm holding- incredible!  Hoosier Cabinet to the left.

 Oh, and here is our token farm-animal picture.  I gotta admit, the cow was kinda gross.  She was leaking, but hey.  That's what most of you put on your breakfast cereal every morning.  Ick!

After the festival, we went to see one of our teens in a soccer game.  She, of course, did an awesome job!  It was fun to get to see her play.  We also polished off most of the kettle corn at this time!

Upon arriving home, we were greeted with a package stuffed in our door.  Hallelujah!  Thank you Aunt Barb!

She sent me a new fall table cloth that I love!  It fits perfectly in our dining room.  Here Chuck is writing on our chalkboard wall in preparation for our sweet friends, Austin and Katie who were coming for dinner.  We loved having them, and it was a great way to top off our festive day 20!