Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's fall y'all. What's something you love about this season and also something you don't? 
I am always excited when fall arrives!  I love seeing the leaves change colors and the pumpkins.  I can't think of anything I don't like.  

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite? Is there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their glory? Will you? 

I like yellow and orange together for fall.  

I have noticed the leaves in the trees in our yard are just starting to change colors.  I would love to go to the east coast and see them....that's not a day trip from Texas though!  I hope to do that someday.  I do take notice when they change here though and appreciate that beauty when I see it.

3. What's one thing you've let 'fall' by the wayside during this season of staying home and staying away? 
I'd say it has been hard about being intentional about catching up with friends that I haven't seen as much during this time at home.  I guess I took for granted the times I would see them each week during our routine and how we'd chat and catch up.  That is something that hasn't been happening for me.  

4. If you're wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, v-neck, or zip up hoodie? 
It is usually a crew neck.  I've got several comfy favorite ones!

I have seen some really cute cardigans but want to try one on first (not buy online) to see how I like the fit. 

5. What's your secret to dealing with change? 
I don't really like change, I don't know many people that do.  As I've gotten older I guess I've learned it is part of life and is going to happen and I can't change that.  It's another reminder I am not in control, God is.  

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

The West Texas Fair is over.  We didn't even go to it this year like we normally do.  Earlier this week I picked up our entries in the creative arts division and our prize winnings.  You get a little cash for 1st-3rd places.  Titus won a little paintbrush and bottle of paint for his entry in the painted rock category which he was excited about!  

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

I remembered to do my Thankful Thursday post on Thursday this week!  haha!

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband helping me change my perspective for my day.  I really appreciated his words and how much it helped me.

~ my big boy having a great weekend hunting with his Dad after Thanksgiving. He got a big ol turkey and two raccoons.

~ a fun time this afternoon at the park with my little guy.

~ beautiful fall day with a morning at the zoo.  It was the day for "zoo class" as Titus calls it.  The weather was so nice.  We saw a lion eating a big bone which was interesting to watch. 

~ overall feelings of contentment and peacefulness.

~ the colorful leaves and eyes to see them! Our neighborhood has a bunch of beautiful trees this time of year.

Have a day of blessings! 
    Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday!  We are enjoying the fall weather we have had lately and the fun weekend we had of fall activities.

Today I am thankful for...
~ my husband's paperwork being approved regarding his accident he had while driving. (He got rear ended.)  He is STILL in pain and some days it's worse than others.  He is going to be able to get treatment now because paperwork was approved.

~ hearing my big boy tell about the things they learned in youth class.  It is great to hear his excitement and how he is relating it to his personal life. Such a blessing and answer to prayer!

~ fun doing lessons with my little guy. We both have fun.  We have been doing the letter P this week.  We made a P with pennies and did a letter match on a pizza print out I'd found online. I bought pumpkin candies to make a P with also but we haven't done that  yet.  He cut out a pink pig...he loves to cut and is getting so good at it.  (It seems there are so many words that start with P.....I told him our whole weekend was filled with P things as highlighted below.)  :)

~ learning more about the youth ministry at our new church.  We had lunch with the youth minister and he shared about their camps and opportunities.  We left feeling like we are at the right place for our family.

~ the fun weekend we had together.  Saturday morning we went to the going to the local parade.  Titus liked the band!  Then we went to the pumpkin patch and took pictures. 

~ going to the fall church picnic at the park.  The boys had fun playing, and it was a nice evening.


Have a day of blessings!   
Bethany

Book: Pumpkin Patch Blessings

We've had a week of cooler temperatures here in Texas, and it makes me look forward to the days of fall.  This cute little book will help you and your little one prepare for fall.

Pumpkin Patch Blessings by Kim Washburn and illustrated by Jacqueline East is a sweet board book for youngsters to learn about the blessings we can find around us during the fall season.  Blessings like colorful, crunchy leaves, roasted corn, hay rides, scarecrows, and pumpkins growing in the field.

I enjoyed this book and think it would be appropriate for toddlers and preschool aged children.  I like that this book shows many of the things we see in the fall season and helps the child be thankful for these things.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's fall. Y'all. My favorite season of the year! What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel it's officially fall? And unrelated to that, do you ever say-'y'all'?   When I see the pumpkins and mums at the stores and nurseries, it begins to feel like fall.  Also, Friday night football games make me know fall is coming. Yes, I use y'all often as a Texas girl.  It always bothers me when it is misspelled too when I see it in print!

2. When did you last have a falling out with someone? Has it been resolved? 
It wouldn't be a "falling out," just a disagreement....but Caleb was disappointed I wouldn't let him order a SYATP tshirt on Monday night for the event on Wednesday morning. He got over it, I felt bad he was disappointed, but I couldn't change the fact the shirt wouldn't get here in time!  I told him we'd have to plan more in advance next year to order one.

3. A song you love with the word 'fall' in it's title? 
I don't  love the song and don't know all the words, but one that came to mind was "I can't help falling in love with you." I look forward to reading other answers for other ideas.

4. What's something you've recently let 'fall by the wayside?'
 I haven't been making a weekly meal menu plan as I've done in the past when school starts.

5. When did you last attend an event, read a book, watch a movie, try a new recipe, or visit a shop-town-tourist attraction that fell short of your expectations? In what way? A children's book I read for review was disappointing.  The cover and description made me think it would be a good book, but it was just disappointing.

6. Describe a time you said or thought, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
I always think this about Caleb when he does something like I would do.  For example, at the beginning of this school year he was carrying his spirals and composition books and folders in his zip up trapper.  Plus his pencil bag and notebook paper!  I suggested one day that he could take out half the stack of notebook paper and leave it at home so it wouldn't be so full and have trouble zipping it.  He did not want to do that, and I completely understood why he felt that way because I would have felt the same way as a kid.  He didn't want to run out or not have any in there. One day he did agree to take out part of the stack and leave it at home, and we still haven't had to refill the supply yet.

7. Was today better than yesterday? Why or why not? Well both days have been good and I can't say one was better than the other.  Yesterday I did errands which tired me out, but I also got to have lunch with my husband and had a good report at my 6 month dental check up so that was good.  Today I am doing stuff at home and that is good to get these things accomplished. I have chicken fajitas in the crock pot, trying a new recipe.  They smell good, I hope they taste good! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.I mentioned SYATP (See You At The Pole) above. I had told Caleb it was coming up and he asked what it was.  I told him I used to go when I was in high school, and the group gathers around the flag pole to pray for the school and teachers and nation.  Well Monday after school one of his teachers told me she was so proud of him for being such a leader and told me he'd asked to make an announcement about See You at the Pole and invite kids to come.  I had no idea he was doing this.  He never mentioned this to me.  I showed him the website that night that had a list of suggested prayer topics.  On Tuesday he asked a teacher to sponsor them and asked some friends to do one of the prayers.  A small group gathered at the flag pole this morning.  We were proud of him for taking the initiative to do this on his own.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Thankful Thursday

Thank you for stopping by my blog today for Thankful Thursday. 

This week I am thankful for...
~  my sweet husband.  Today I appreciate his knowledge.  When I hear him talking to someone about his work "stuff," I have no clue!  He knows so much about so many different areas. 

~ the wonderful report on our boy during our parent/teacher conference this week.  Monday was a day off for my boy, and the school had conferences scheduled that day.  His teacher had such nice things to say about him and his behavior and attitude.  We are also proud of his reading.  The first six weeks he has read over 300,000 words.  The goal is to be a "Million Word Reader."   This is through the Accelerated Reader program. 

~  seeing former teachers and classmates at my 15 year high school reunion.  I think these relationships are important.  Coming from a small school, we grew up together and spent so much of our life together.  I know everyone doesn't have that sort of relationship with their classmates and teachers, and I'm thankful I do. 

~ the signs of fall....cooler temperatures, acorns, pumpkins, leaves changing colors.  I enjoy this time of year!  And I'm thankful God gave us seasons.

~ nice time with ladies from our church Monday night at our Bible study.  We meet once a month, and this is always an enjoyable time. 

Also, if you did not see my review in the post below, I encourage you to check it out.  If you are looking for a great study to do by yourself or with a group of women, I recommend the book and DVD experience called She's Got Issues. 

This month for Thankful Thursday we are meeting at Women Taking a Stand.  Join us!

Have a day of blessings!

Columbus Day holiday

Today we've been at home, and it's been so very nice! It's wonderful to have both my boys home from work and school. I've been doing laundry and picking up while they've worked on the camper and in the garage. I can tell Caleb has enjoyed a "do nothing day" and having time to lay on the floor and play with his toys. While I was folding a load of clothes I enjoyed listening to him play and talk, a sound I've missed lately with him in school. After that I caught him putting up the towels for me, which made me smile. He's had fun helping Daddy clean out the camper too. The day has passed quickly.

What did you do on Columbus Day?

Have a day of blessings!

As long as it is called Today: Random

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Here is a link to last week's post.

Since today is the fifth Tuesday of the month we'll have a special question (not related to the themes of the other four Tuesdays).


This week's question: Share something special you do in the fall or a special fall memory.



My answer: I love seeing the fall decorations on porches and businesses. One tradition I like is to pick a pumpkin each year. It sits on the porch and then we have fun carving it together.

Have a day of blessings!