Pumpkin Festival

This is one of the traditions that Zane and I have started and this is the third year we have gone to the Pumpkin Festival at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Each year it has gotten better. This year was no exception. We went with some great friends and Grammie and Grandpa (thanks for taking pictures). Enjoy some of the pictures that I took.

Pumpkin Bowling-There were fun carnival games this year!

Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch

Hay Maze to get into the Pumpkin Patch

Throwing Hay

Walking in the Gardens with Grandpa

We had such a great time and this year I think that it was only 90 degrees!!! But it was still so much fun. We are so excited to start Preschool here on Wed. We have missed Ms. Shannon. Zane was so excited to show his friends his preschool. He asked Grandpa for his flashlight so he could show the tortoises! I love watching how Zane is more involved in the activities and wanting to teach others.

We also have a new member to our family! Baby P was born Sat. Oct. 24. She needs our prayers. She was born with MAS and is in the NICU. I know her parents (our cousins) would love your prayers.

Some fall pictures that I love

These are some photos of Little Man that have been taken that I absolutely love. Even though some, I do not recommend doing and/or he is not allowed to do, but they do make for cute pictures.

Our Little Cubbie!

One of his favorite hiding spots, but Mommy does not approve

Too bad tomatoes don't look this good

My favorite this fall, so far! My Little Puck

Memorizing Scripture

This is Zane's first year of AWANAS, and I am so excited. I remember it when I was a kid and loved it. I can't believe how much of God's word I learned, too bad I don't remember it like I should. So this is helping me to relearn all of it. However, I am having a hard time getting Zane to repeat the verses to me without doing something different. He is not the type of child to sit and recite a verse to me. He does with his teacher, luckily.

Well here are some short clips of one way I can check them off.

He was alright. He got up and continues on!

Here he is reciting "God created the heavens and Earth" to "God is Love"

This next one is "God is Love"



It soon turns into something else....


"God made poop." At least he is getting that God created everything. On top of that I am able to sign off that he knows his verses and he recites them to his teacher no problem. Who is awesome with Zane.

Remembering Our Angels

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. It is something that was made aware to me via the loss of our Precious Micah. Please, say a prayer, give a hug or just tell someone who you know that has had a miscarriage, abortion, still born, or death of a baby that you are thinking of them.


I love you Micah.
I miss you more than I ever thought possible.
I can not wait to hold you in my arms again.
But until that day, my heart and arms will always ache for you. There is not a moment that I don't think of you. I am able to talk about you more without crying. But there are times when I just do.

Know we all love you and miss you.

BREATH!!

So the garage sale fundraiser is now over! God was definitely at work through it. We raised lots of money to help with Penny's medical expenses and there was so much left that I think I could have had eight more weeks of garage sales and still have stuff. But I am not up for that much insanity, nor do I want to take advantage of my wonderful in-laws who watched Zane for those two days.

Yesterday was also emotional for me. While I was helping raise money for Penny and awareness for the need to be an Organ Donor, my parents were remembering Micah in a wonderful celebration of his short little life at the Walk to Remember. They got a white rose and released a balloon when his name was read. This is the second one I have missed but my heart was there. My parents did not do the walk, as it was 20 degrees there. Unlike here, where it was 90 and I had sunscreen on and still got burned~

This week remember our little angel's as Thursday is National Infant and Pregnancy Loss Day. Pray for the parents as there is someone missing from the family. I have meet so many who have had to say goodbye to their babies too soon or never got to meet them. I will list some of those names here. Please add to the list in the comments.

Micah Allen Perin, Copper Allen Smith, David Paul and Ethan Robert Harris, Audrey Caroline, Pearl, Sophia, Magdalena, Larson O'Brein, Elliot, Felicity Piper, Maddox, Asher and Isaac Bolt, Isabella, Macsen Danforth, Kayleigh Freeman, Victoria Leigh, Adalia Lois Bischof, Baby H, Baby R, Baby S 1 and 2, Baby J, Baby P, Baby R 1 and 2. I know that the list goes on and on. Please add your own baby's name and story. We can then pray.

Also on Oct. 15 at 7 pm (in your time zone) light a candle for one hour for every baby you have in Heaven. This is called Wave Of Light. I will be lighting one for my Micah who I miss so much!

Fresh Reminder

This week has been a fresh reminder of why I love this time of year. Growing up, it would be leaves turning color, maybe a few snow showers and crisp air.

Well, living in Arizona, that is not the case. Instead, I have to add my own colored leaves outside (plastic), no way is there EVER a chance of snow in the Valley of the Sun in October (the Sun Devils-GO ASU! will only host night games until the very end of October and it is not because of the temperatures being too cold--try too hot) and the air is still not crisp.

So then why do I like it?

Pumpkins and Spiced Apple Cider are available in stores again!

Growing up my Mom would always have hot apple cider for us, especially after trick-or-treating. But it was not just the apple cider that you pour from the jug. She would take half orange juice and half apple cider pour it in the crock pot and put it on low with a few cinnamon sticks in it. This would simmer all afternoon and would smell so wonderful.

The other thing is pumpkins! Last year I discovered the love of pumpkin puree! My dear hubby told me that they had some pumpkins at their store, so we went down and picked up two bowling ball sized pumpkins. NOT TO CARVE, But to make pumpkin puree. Which I did and it made 18 CUPS!!!! Then I get to make all sorts of yummy pumpkin foods, along with seeds, for the next year. I have found two family favorites.

The first is for pumpkin bread. I found a favorite recipe here. Yes, it makes THREE loaves, but why not share it with others. It is great for the neighbors and any mom group you may be part of. I have made it in the little bread pans as gifts also. I think the key is to make FRESH puree.

To make fresh puree is super easy. Preheat oven to 400. Cut pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds (save the seeds for my next favorite). Place pumpkins in a baking dish that is large enough to fit it and put enough water in the bottom to cover about 1/2 inch of the bottom edge. Cook until it is soft. Then let it cool til you can handle it and scoop out the flesh. Place in blender or food processor and continue to chop it til it is smooth. I then get sandwich size Ziploc and divide the puree up into 1 cup portions and freeze.

Now the seeds! I again found it on allrecipes.com but have totally modified it. They are called Cinnasweet Pumpkin Seeds. However, like I said, I have modified it. First, if you do not have a stone that you cook these on, TURN YOUR OVEN DOWN TO 275! Next, change the margarine to butter and cut it in half! Finally, I added some curry and some cayenne to my mixture. I love the sweet, salty and the after bit that the curry and cayenne give it. I also do not follow the proper measurements for the spices (sugars yes, but cinnamon NO)! So I also recommend doing the spices to taste.

Yes, we are still pushing the 90's in the afternoon, but we are able to open the house up in the evenings! Yes, we did get to see the AWESOME AND AMAZING Harvest Moon, but it we are still playing in the water. Even if we don't get the rest of the countries beauties and fells of fall, at least we can have the taste of fall.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Today would have been my Grandpa Easy's 87th birthday. I miss you so much Grandpa. I will always love you and never forget you.