Standing Lunch Date...with my mom

My mom lives in Spokane.  It has been over 20 years since she and I have lived in the same town.  So the picture above not only documents one VERY GOOD sandwich, but the first (of many) Tuesday lunches with my mom.  I tend to be rather busy with my own activities, not counting kids stuff.  But Tuesday's at noon seem to always be open.  So I filled it with a standing lunch date with my mom.  We will explore places I've tried and places I haven't.  Not only was my stomach full after this meal, but my heart as well.

NO MORE HOT TUB!

These are the before and after pics of a project that I decided to pull the trigger on. I discovered that maintaining a hot tub isn't something I'm cut out for. Especially for the little amount we used it. So after asking all the family members, I called someone to come and take it away. Our plan is to turn it into a nice seating area with fire pit maybe next year. In the mean time, we are getting a new privacy fence that will help the yard look nice. I will keep you all updated on the project.

Family Photos 2019

One thing I do miss from Kansas, was our family photographer.  He took our family pics every year. Last year we didn't get around to having them taken due to moving. But this year I asked a mom of Allie's classmates if she would. They came out GREAT! We chose to have them taken at Manito Park, since that is one of the key places we love. We thought by wearing all black the colors from all the flowers and greenery would stand out.  Little did we know it would snow the next day, so the foliage didn't exactly cooperate with us. But we love the pics anyway!

SNOW DAY...In October?!?!

This was the view at 6 am on October 9, 2019.  We had heard there was a chance of snow, but assumed it wouldn't stick...or cause so many issues.  As the sun began to rise, we saw what happens when heavy snow falls onto trees that have not lost their leaves yet!  Lots of branches had fallen and we even lost a tree. Then the notifications came that school was canceled due to power lines down and lots of people without power. Thankfully, we didn't lose our power once. But we did have some cleaning up to do over the next few days.

Another blessing was how quickly the city responded to help. By lunch time they had come down our street and collected not only the fallen branches, but removed our split tree. My mom didn't have any power, so the kids and I took her to lunch and shopping.  This "snow day" was definitely a memorable day!

Ferris Arts and Crafts Fair

Allie and I checked out the annual Ferris High School fundraiser. Even though it is Owen's high school rival, we had to see what it offered. They had SO many cool booths. Allie got some cool art and tea leaves (caramel apple flavored). She and I each got necklaces with interchangeable magnet pendants. I also picked up some information from a booth about hosting a foreign exchange student. This is something Jake and I have talked about before, but we might be at a place where we can take that leap of faith. Stay tuned!

Green Bluff Apple Picking 2019

We traveled to Green Bluff for some apple picking and pumpkin getting. Allie wore her "cape".  It's a part of her Halloween costume, but she's been wearing it often. Everyone picked a couple apples, we didn't want to get too many. Owen found the perfect HUGE pumpkin for our front yard. We even got an assortment of gourds for the dining table.

Fall Studies 2019

It's that time of the year again.  It's hard to believe we have been here a full year.  At this time last year, I was starting a fall book study and I had registered for a monthly mom group.  This fall I am not only doing a book study, I'm co-leading the small group with the woman who was my small group leader last fall.  I am also doing a book study with the Side By Side group I started in January with and as of today I have joined their leaders group for planning future studies.  I am also doing BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and studying the book of Acts.  On top of all that, I still signed up to be a part of the monthly moms group.

I know it sounds like a lot, but I am loving ALL OF IT!  I am learning not only from the studies but from the women in my different groups.  This is going to be an AMAZING year!