A Thanksgiving Revelation

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalms 100:4

I love that song that is based on that Psalms. "I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heard. I will enter his courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad." We would sing this song at church a lot. One of my favorites. Yesterday was such a good and needed reminder of all that I have to be grateful for. It is so easy to get caught up in all that I am failing at and all of the things I need to improve on. Things to make me a better parent, employee, wife, person, etc. I think it is good to do self-reflection and work on improving ones self, but there is a fine line between that being too hard on ourselves. We need to celebrate our successes. 

It was affirmed to me yesterday, that I am where I should be. I am with who I am meant to be with. I am a parent to two amazing kids. At times, I feel that I am doing horribly, but I can see in the eyes of my kids, that most of the time I am doing a pretty decent job.

I hope everyone had a lovely day spent with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to you and yours! 

                                                               ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~ 

                                                                      The B Family

Witches, Pirates, and Candy!

Both of our kids love Halloween. Meli probably puts it right up there with Christmas. That makes complete sense for a kid who wears some kind of costume at least a few days a week. Yesterday, I came home from work and she was still wearing the kitty ears that she had on when I left early that morning.

Colin usually knows right away what he would like to dress up as. Meli changes quite often and starts planning once she sees the signs for the local Halloween store. COMING SOON. Well, she actually starts planning earlier than that. She has already started her ideas for next year.

This year, we were going to be two pirates (Will and Colin) and two kitty pirates (Meli and I). Meli was torn between wanting to do a family thing and really wanting to be a kitty.

I convinced her to be a witch. Each year, I take the kids south after the school day ends to enjoy trick-or-treating where we used to live. They close the downtown area of all traffic and all of the businesses get into it. They have bounce houses, games, and lots of candy. They even have a haunted house (well...haunted martial arts dojo).

We usually meet up with MiMa for trick or treating. She loves Halloween just as much as Meli!

We make it back home in time for passing out candy and going around our neighborhood. Poor Charlie was scared of the costumes. I thought it would be easier for little Char-Char if I set up in our driveway. Avoiding the doorbell ringing constantly. I actually scared a few kids sitting there in my witch costume! Will had the fantastic idea to play Halloween music. We were one of the more lively houses!

Our friends came over to trick-or-treat with us. Odin (who is almost 2) was the wolf and his mom was Little Red Riding Hood. So cute.

Pictures from their school Boo Bash.

She even got to put some (washable color) in her hair. 

Then they had a neighborhood party.

Halloween Day!

Will managed to avoid any pictures...again!







                                                      ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                               The B Family

Walnuts of all things

I love how random items can cause you to recall memories that have been long forgotten. When we took the kids apple picking recently, I found a big bin of walnuts and it made me giddy. I grew up with a big walnut tree in our backyard and love them! The walnut tree was the coolest thing ever. My brothers and I loved this tree. It was such an wonderful source of entertainment. We would climb it, swing on the tire swing my grandpa made, have walnut fights (which hurt like hell) and lay under its shade.

I remember having a big sheet laid on the floor with tons of walnuts on it for us to crack. Usually around the holidays. Perfect memory.

My grandparents house was awesome. We also had a plum and apple tree. I need to get more trees for our yard. We have several but not any that produce actual food. I would love an almond tree!

                                                        ~ Love, Hugs &  Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

Emojis...I think

Colin and Mae both love costume play. They have a huge chest of costumes and accessories that can provide wonderful entertainment all day. Or at least until they get the idea for a video game in their head.

We try to make it to the Halloween store after the holiday to see what costumes we can get at a discounted rate...because OMG costumes have become ridiculously expensive. I think I want to go back to making our own next year.

Still, we found these. I think they are emoji things. I realize I am getting old when I do not get the references. I do think they are adorable though.

Our puppy, Charlie, was not so sure about them.

The one with Meli wearing the Devil face cracks me up. That fits her grumpy face so perfectly!



                                                        ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                 The B Family

Cat Week at the B House

More like cat month. Our story time has been interrupted more recently.

The kids both pick a chapter book that they wanted us to read aloud. This way we can read books that fit both of their ages. Meli will kind of listen to Colin's story while she plays and Colin will usually read his current book when I read Meli's.

Meli loves kittens and puppies. She was so excited at the library to find several chapter book series that were about both. So we started with Magic Kitten: A Summer Spell (Meli) and the Warriors Series: Into the Wild #1 (Colin).

Meli's pick is about a lion that is magical that has to disguise itself as a kitten in order to hide from his evil uncle who wants his throne. It is cute so far. I like the writing more than some of the early chapters.

I actually really like Colin's choice. We are both excited that this series has been around for a while, so there are a lot out there. I remember this one from when I would work in the children's section at Barnes & Noble. They even have a dog series and wild animal ones. This one was a little slow to start, but mostly because you have to learn all of the cat clans and long names. We did find a Warrior companion book at the library that was pretty cool. You do have to be careful reading that too much before the series, because you learn spoilers.

Reading to the kids is one of my favorite things to do. I am so glad that they both seem to get excited about books and the adventures that can be had.

UPDATE: We are now reading the third book in the Upside Down Magic series. It is not necessarily about kittens but the main character can turn into a kitten with dragon parts. That sounds weird, but it is a really cute series. The kids love it!



                                                          ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                    The B Family

Toothless Mae Mae

Meli lost her second tooth, but her first top front one. Right in time for pictures. She actually was sick on picture day and her other front tooth is loose...so maybe she will have both front teeth out for picture retake day!

I think it is the cutest look!

Mae was very sad, since she lost her tooth while eating spaghetti. I am fairly certain it was swallowed. She wrote a nice note for the Tooth Fairy.

                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                               The B Family

Straight from the Tree

Sunny Days

After 4 years of wanting to take the kids apple picking, we finally made it happen! We tried out a new farm that had a mechanical bull, fresh apple cider (and hard cider), corn maze, pumpkin patch, and apple orchards. I love our normal farm, but this one was fantastic as well!

Apple Picking

For the past several years, I have been trying to transition our life to as homemade as possible. I love the process and joy that comes from doing it all. I (personally) think we tend to lose something important with all of the conveniences that come with modern society. I totally understand the niceness of convenience. We get so busy, that is it great for something to make life a little easier. If I did not enjoy doing these things, then I am sure my opinion would differ.  I choose not to do most of the more recent online options. I do not shop Amazon (maybe once in the last two years & never books).  For no particular reason. It just is not something I want to do... Like the online grocery shopping. Yes, that would make it so much easier. I do not have a lot of time to go to the store to buy groceries - but not doing it myself would bother me. There is nothing wrong with using the service and  I realize that some people's situations make that a heaven sent. They should totally take advantage of the service. Finding time is difficult but I chose to make that time because (for some reason) it is important for me to do so. Even if it is at 5 am in the morning or 12 at night. We got to do what works for us.

Part of my need to do things my self come from my childhood. The memories that stand out for me are ones where I was doing something from scratch. Learning how to do something from the beginning. Whether it was making homemade pies with my dad or canning with my mom. Even though now, I am far from a hunter and loathe the idea of killing animals for food. I remember the whole process of when my dad would bring home a deer. It is definitely vivid memories. That could be why I was a vegetarian for several years and would go back to it in a heartbeat. I still appreciate the process.

Dad giving a ride back to the farm

Anyways, it is something that I have been trying to get back to (not the hunting). Our goal has been to get a way from all things process - as much as possible at least. I do have the constraint of working full-time, which makes it somewhat difficult.  I have been making a big effort in finding the time. Thankfully I do not really have a set schedule (for the most part) and it is pretty flexible. Plus, I am able to work at home some of the time. Not as much as my remote working husband. He helps me out with a lot of the things I would do for those 2-3 years when I was a stay-at-home mom. Love him.

Need a boost to reach the high ones

We like to make our own dressing, bread, biscuits, jam and we have started making our own applesauce. I grew up with so much canning. I loved going into our basement and seeing the rows of home canned peaches, pears, tomatoes, salsa, pasta sauce, green beans, etc. I am slowly getting back to doing all of those.

Daddy helps out

My mom went apple picking with us - and went a little crazy with the apples! She ended up with 3 buckets. Not counting the two the kids had. The kids were very excited to go. I was afraid that the pumpkins would distract them, but they were all about the apples.

Looking for the perfect one

It was a perfect day to go. I am glad we were able to make it work, because we have had straight rain since. I am thankful for the rain, since we definitely need it.

Simple tasks

When we got home we made our first round of applesauce. When we moved my mom stored all of my canning supplies for me, so I did not have those available. I am planning on making the rest soon and freezing instead.

Nature

Bonus: I also found some walnuts! This made me so happy! I grew up with a big walnut tree in our backyard and loved picking them. We also had a plum and apple tree. I really need to get some fruit trees.

Even the fallen ones are useful

Hand-picked

A good day

                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                 The B Family

BatDog Love

Meli picked out a Halloween costume for Charlie. Batdog to the rescue! She wants us all to be a superhero for Halloween. Will was beyond thrilled...then she says, "well I really want to be a kitty". Colin thought we should all be pirates (we do have more than enough "piratey" things for all of us to be one). Meli then added that mama and her could be kitty pirates. This will be interesting I am sure.

Charlie met his first female dog today...and blew it. Poor guy.

We have all been sick off and on the past two weeks, so poor Charlie has so much puppy energy and no one to play with. He has been acting out a bit. It is maddening but also kind of hilarious how toddler-like dogs can be.

Will told me the other day that maybe Char Char needed a friend! My mouth basically hit the floor! He said that maybe he is a dog person and just never knew it. He was even thinking of a lab or something. Oh. My. Goodness.

The kids wanted to have a chance to name one if we got another. Last time we vetoed Chewey and Blue Claw. Will said maybe Scott. No one really liked my Homer, Walter, Harvey, Otto, Francis, Atticus, Walden, or Alfred. Well Atticus and Alfred were put as maybe's. I love names that were popular in the 1880's - cannot help it...and some favorite authors/literature characters.

We will see if the B family adopts another family member. I do love seeing Will treat Charlie like one of his babies. So cute.




                                                   ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                              The B Family

B Family NFL Challenge

This year Will wanted to try a family challenge for football season. We called it the B NFL Challenge

Each of us had our favorite team and then we got to pick one more. Whomever has the best record at the end of the regular season will get a trophy. Then we will have a prize for the team owner that gets the furthest in the playoffs.

The kids really got into it.

Meli chose the Blue Kitties (Panthers) and Cheetahs (Jaguars). Anything kitties for her. She has consistently liked those two teams though.

Colin chose Jets (his favorite) and Falcons.

Will's teams are Washington Redskins and Chargers. I chose Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. Totally accidental that I chose two bird teams. I do like birds though.

                                                        ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                   The B Family

A Birthday for Bun Bun

Meli decided the other day that it was her Bunny's birthday on Friday and that she was going to be a year old. I am not sure where this all came from, since one she got her for Easter a couple of years ago. But OK. We went with it. It has been a long week with both kids feeling sick and Meli's eye therapy.

So, we celebrated the first year of Bunny's life. I think her full Bunny Bun Snowflake B. Something along those lines.

Meli picked out the kind of cake that bunny would like and we all helped to make it. We found some birthday decor in the garage. Along with matching balloons, utensils, plates, and cups. Yay for a recent baby shower. I realized I never wrote about that. I totally need to do that. I am an aunt again! 5th nephew. First on my side...more on that later.

We had a good time. The kids thought it was awesome. Bun Bun was very grateful and Will even sang a lovely version of the birthday song. It was awesome with most of us recovering from sore throats.

I love when kids have random ideas that make you take time and enjoy life.

                                                ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                         The B Family