Halloween 2015 - Cops and Robbers

 

This was the first year that we had a child who cared what he was for Halloween and that certain little boy wanted nothing more than to be a Policeman.  For the past few months he has been quite obsessed with all things "police", in fact almost every morning when we list what we are thankful for, the first thing on his list is "police motorcycles". ;)  Anyways, I'm not quite ready yet for all of us to go our own ways for Halloween, so "Cops and Robbers" it was! Levi and Maggie thought it was hilarious that Mama and Papa were dressed up as robbers and there were plenty of funny antics throughout the night. We even taught Magnolia to yell "Stop, thief!". After visiting the grandparents and aunts and uncles, we met some friends in Salem for dinner and our very first "real" trick or treating. Such fun! 

these days

these days, I'm,

- wanting badly to blog again, to record our days and count our blessings; wondering if I'll have the time or motivation to continue to do so

- grieving the loss of my dear Dad and breathing "to live is Christ, to die is gain".

- rejoicing at the recent wedding of my littlest sister, thankful for a new brother and heartbroken that Dad didn't make it.

- cutting out as much extraneous "stuff" as I possibly can and trying to focus on what counts

- in the groove of a new school year with wonderful students who are making beautiful art

- enjoying my ninth year of marriage with the one I still can't get enough of and excitedly planning and saving up for a celebration of our 10th.

- doing yet a little more schooling with Levi and enjoying (almost) every minute ;), finding endless inspiration from Charlotte Mason

- listening to Magnolia laugh and say new words and mimic everything she hears and sees from her beloved older brother

- spending as much time outside as possible and soaking up October; the blushing trees, golden light, crisp air.

- thankful for this season of slowing, simplifying, cloistering in.

Apple Pickin'

 

(Most years it's late October and the apples are almost gone before I end up finally going apple picking. This year, somehow we went 5 times at 4 different orchards! Needless to say, it was quite the apple-y autumn for the James family. Apple crisp, anyone?)