Harvest 2018

Roy was able to help his Dad with fall harvest again this year.  I shared a few pictures previously, but here are the rest of them.  We are so grateful for his flexible job at Pioneer and the opportunity he has to get out in the field for several weeks and help.  As in the past, Roy did pretty much all of the combining and Ed hauls/moves the grain.  Jason came out and helped in the later afternoon/evenings and on Saturdays and drove the grain cart.  I failed to take a picture of the farming crew, so I need to make sure and do that next year.  

They started harvest on September 24th.  The first week they got two days in and the following week they only got one day in because of ALL THE RAIN we had in early October.  They wrapped things up on Monday evening, October 29th.  We are thankful for a safe harvest.  

Combining corn...

Driving into a wet spot caused this mess.  Thankfully Ed was able to pull it out safely with his 4 wheel drive tractor.  

Roy told me his favorite time to be out in the field is when the sun rises and the sun sets.  

Most of the pictures he shared with me for this post were taken at those times of the day.  

I understand why they call it a harvest moon.  

The whole crew at work...

Grandpa Ells made it out for a few hours to ride along with Roy, pretty good for a 95 year old.  

Hudson got a good amount of harvesting in too.  He made friends with Jason's son Mason and they got pretty silly together and had fun talking on the radios.  

Hudson learned how to work the iPad.  

When you are homeschooled and you want to go farm with your Dad and Papa, but Mommy says you need to do some school work, you take it along and do it while you harvest.  

Last week they had a pretty major breakdown, which set them back 2 days to fix.  I promised Hudson a full day of farming last Thursday and it happened to be one of the days there were broken down.  He wanted to go anyways so tagged along with the big guys.  Here he is sitting in the empty hopper.  

He did his school work while sitting in the cab/drivers seat.  

Yesterday the kids and I went out one last time before they wrapped things up.  I hadn't gotten a ride yet so we rode along as they finished out the last field.  We all fit in there, but it was pretty tight.  

Hudson knows way more about all this stuff, how it all works, the names of the parts of the combine and what is all going on, than I ever will know.  I think you can safely add farming to our homeschool curriculum.    

So thankful for my hard working hubby.  And yes, he grows a beard every fall after our family pictures are done.  So thankful for my handsome hubby.    

I took this video as Roy opened up the last small field and Greta went for a little ride by herself.  I often take videos because the kids love to watch them later.   

She missed her Daddy during harvest.  At bedtime she would ask me "Is Daddy going to be home tomorrow?  Can Daddy put me to bed tomorrow night?"  I am so thankful Roy could harvest, but I am so thankful to have him back at home with us again.  

His Little Feet

Our church hosted the His Little Feet International Children's Choir last weekend and we were one of the host families.  Two girls, Maria age 11 and Hriati age 12, along with their chaperone Karen spent 2 nights in our home.  His Little Feet exists to help, love and train orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide.  For millions of children to be rescued and helped, the body of Christ needs to rise up and be precisely what God has called us to be...the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth.  We got to know each other by eating meals together, playing, and exchanging lots of giggles and hugs.  Roy was in the field harvesting so I was running as solo hostess for most of the time.  I was exhausted by Sunday, but overall very thankful for our time together.  God totally blessed it!       

We picked them up Friday night at 5:00pm and came home for dinner of chili and cinnamon rolls (which the girls devoured).  Then we headed downstairs to play in the Swinger Super Market.  

Hudson and Greta were so excited to host the girls and make new friends.  

Saturday morning after breakfast while the boys were away (in the combine) we had a "Girls Time" and painted fingernails and toenails.  

Showing off their manicures and pedicures.  

The girls had several hours of school work to do in the morning.  After lunch we headed over to Pirate Park to play and enjoy some fresh air.    

The girls (and all of the girls and boys in the choir) all wear matching clothes, as an attempt at keeping things fair/same amongst the children.    

As always, its so much fun to explore outside.  

It was a windy afternoon for a hike in the woods.  

They did LOTS of building with Magna Tiles.  

Hudson and Greta wanted to paint with them, so we did.  

 Hriati painted a nature scene with a river, tree and the sunshine.

Maria painted a colorful butterfly.

 Roy cooked up waffles for breakfast on Sunday morning and then we had to bring them to church to prepare for their performance.  Every note sung and played was a true delight.  The heart of their message was to encourage each person to respond to the cries of the orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide by giving, sponsoring, going or adopting.     

Some of the songs they sang were familiar while others were original songs written for them by their director.  There are 21 children in the choir who come from Haiti, Kenya, Rwanda and India.   

I was very impressed with their production.  It was well done, completely choregraphed, brightly colored costumes were worn by all, high energy, excellent videography, moving, encouraging and meaningful.  I loved everything about it and cried through most of it.  Things like this really resonate with me, children, music, the nations, God's heart for all people to know Him.    

I am so thankful for the time together and the blessing it was getting to know Maria and Hriati.  

Swingers like selfies...

We kept taking "one more picture" and getting "one more hug" before saying good-bye.  

Hudson is 7 1/2 and Maria is 11, but look at the size difference.    

The kids were sad to say good-bye and they loved spending time with the girls.  Hudson asked if we would see them again and I did my best to explain that we probably wouldn't, but because we are part of the body of Christ we will see them again, someday in heaven.  So thankful for this promise.    

Our Week...

On Monday we got outside with our Nature Journals and used our 5 senses to take in the sights, sounds, smells, feelings and tastes of fall.  

Hudson and Greta rode their bikes around the park and soaked in the sunshine.  

On Tuesday Roy and Hudson got out in the field and the kids and I enjoyed dinner with Nana Sue.    

 On Thursday morning I took the kids to Dunkin Donuts in celebration of Greta's D week (just a few weeks late).  

Greta got a sprinkles donut and Hudson a spider donut, seems appropriate.  

D is for Dunkin Donuts.  

I did single parenting most of the week and I'm exhausted.  Thankfully, harvest is a short season.  

We all miss Daddy when he is gone, but are thankful he has the opportunity to help.  And I just can't resist taking pictures of my kids sleeping when they look so adorable.   

Friday morning school looked like this (for a few seconds at least).  Hudson is wrapping up a poetry unit in writing and we have had a lot of fun and creativity with it.   

 Saturday we celebrated cousins Milly and Mindyn's birthdays.  

Nana and her favorite (almost) 5 year old granddaughter.  

Kicking Off Fall

We are enjoying the arrival of fall and are thankful for the beauty and routine it brings.  Cooler temps, pumpkins and apples, fall scented candles and colorful leaves falling.  There are just so many fabulous things about fall.  Here is a bit more of what we have been up to these first few weeks of fall...

We had lunch with Daddy at his work.  Roy recently celebrated his 10th year working for Dupont Pioneer.  We are so thankful for the work he does to provide for our family.  

Hudson lost another tooth, this was #7.  

Piano lessons have officially started up again.  Practicing in pjs seems to go better. 

On Saturday we made a trip to the Downtown Farmer's Market.  It was on our Summer Bucket List and we didn't get it crossed off so we added it to our Fall Bucket List.  We found a balloon artist and he made each of the kids something, Greta a princess crown and Hudson a monarch butterfly.  

Thankful for time with my favorite crew, a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.    

Another thing on our Fall Bucket List was to make tailgate food and watch football (Daddy's suggestion).  Go Chiefs!  

Hudson earned his first badge on his Sparks vest.  He has been memorizing 3-4 verses a week and is highly motivated.    

Tuesday mornings Greta and I go to BSF while Daddy and Hudson work at home.   

We have enjoyed several nature walks to collect leaves for our nature study.  

We got out for some fresh air while there was a break from the rain.  Did I mention that it rained for nearly two weeks?    

Roy and Ed were in the field 1 day last week and the kids made it out for a few hours in the afternoon to ride in the combine. 

Roy is thankful to have the flexibility and the time off of work to help in the field.  

Hudson pushing buttons for Papa Ed.  

 On Wednesdays Greta and I usually do a few errands when Hudson is at HSAP.  We were at the Carters store check out and she put these on and said, "Mommy, what are these silly things for?"  I went on to explain to her how they are called ear muffs and I wore them often as a kid.  

We got our family pictures taken on a cold, but beautiful, fall afternoon.  

Hudson and Greta enjoyed a Daddy morning at Home Depot Kids Workshop followed by a tour of the fire truck for Fire Prevention month.  

Greta girl LOVES books and it warms my heart so.  

Morning chores happen after breakfast.  Greta isn't always very willing but she can be helpful.  Sorting the silverware is her speciality.    

Another $1 thrift store puzzle purchase on a rainy afternoon.