2 pumpkins and a kitten

I've been trying to get a good pic of Roger, and I tell you - it is tough!! He's so dark and he has woken up - and I mean WOKEN UP!!!! He's all over the place. We've had him 2 weeks today and things are going great! He's sweet (when he's not biting me or attacking my feet) and he's almost done with his antibiotics for the infected flea bites... I know - poor little guy!!  

And today he realized that we have a 2nd story to our house... He's been pretty content just hanging in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Now he's gonna be really hard to find!! 

So, here's a picture of him that's semi-decent. This one's for you Ang... :)

The other cutie in our house is next... Yesterday we carved 2 of our pumkpins and Bennett was only interested in the gross part - the guts...

We finally decided to carve one pumpkin into a cat... the other is just a typical pumpkin face... While Brad and I carved, Bennett took huge scoops of pumpkin guts and seeds to the garden to 'plant' them. Next year, please make plans to visit the Steenwyk pumpkin patch - in fact, Bennett said that he was going to make a sign that said 'This pumpkin patch is for the Steenwyk's friends and the Steenwyks only. No one else allowed.'  I think that if you are reading this blog, you are entitled to a pumpkin... :)

Ok, time to close this post. Roger is biting my fingers, so I guess that's a sign. At least he's cute!! :)

trunks, treats, shopping & more weekend fun...

What a busy weekend!! And so much fun!  The excitement started on Friday, after mom was the Mystery Reader for Bennett's class.  We met Brad and went to the museum to see DaVinci's sketches.  It seemed like a good idea - and Bennett was excited to see the real pictures by DaVinci (we read about him over the summer) - but it wasn't the most thrilling thing for a 5 year old.  I knew when he threatened me with 'crying really loud' that we were ready to go :)  Really, though, he did make it through, and maybe he will remember a little bit of that touch with greatness...  

On Saturday morning (bright and early) Angie, mom, and I went to Atlanta to shop at the outlets. We had so much fun - and bought quite a bit :) We decided to leave when the back of the van was full.  I meant to take a picture, but I was too excited showing it to Brad and Bennett right when I got home...

I left Brad with a list of tasks... flumist at the flu clinic for Bennett, Halloween Party, Halloween Movie Night. He did make it to all 3, but the camera didn't make it - at least I am needed for something :)

So, Sunday rolled around and Bennett's choir sang (quite well, I might add :) at the early service. After a nice lunch with the family, Bennett and I made foil stars and a poster for our trunk at 'Trunk or Treat' at church.  After going to my last sewing class (I'll show you the pants as soon as I get the cuffs tacked and the hook & eye set), we met back at church and set up our trunk. 

Our theme was outer space...

Bubba came, complete with space-man-meets-motorcyle-uniform. Bennett we thrilled!

Our trunk was next to our friends' and Bennett was so excited to see his little mermaid...
There were several light saber duels...

And tons of time with friends...

Whew! So much fun in just 48 hours... Today was full too. My Bible Study finished our Priscilla Shirer 'Can We Talk' study, I finished a little surprise for my secret pal for Wrapper's Delight, and Bennett got his tip in Tae Kwon Do for his one-touch sparring.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring :)

Amazing Grace

Happy Tuesday! What a great day today!! Honestly, it started out just as a normal day... I volunteered at the school at the book fair - total fun!! Watching those kids spend those tightly held dollars on a few books was the best! Some of them knew just what they wanted - others happily heeded my advice :) I got to shop with Bennett, and I only bought 2 extras (I said he could get 3, he talked me in to 5... but it's books - how bad can that be, right?)

When I left the bookfair I went to workout with Tonya and our personal trainer, Brenda. I didn't feel like it, but as usual I am glad that I went. I'm not a middle-of-the-day workouter. I've gotta get in there and do it first thing in the morning - I'm not a 2-shower person... but, it was a great workout (circuits) followed by a fun (and healthy, of course) lunch at Pita Hut with Tonya, Brenda, and Cyndi.  

Cyndi and I then went to pick up pumpkins for a mission project. Our church's pumpkin patch is AWESOME! And, they were so wonderful to give us a great deal on the 25 that we needed for some children in our area. We got those delivered and I sat in the carpool line for a while and got my Bible Study done. We're finishing Priscilla Shirer's 'Can We Talk' this week and it is a good week for it. I've been thinking a lot about the influences in my life that hold me back from a full relationship with God. This week's study is about those things that creep in and keep us from the fullness of His love. It's gonna be a tough but needed week of study for me. I'm praying for Him to talk to me - He might have to scream, but I'm trying to listen.

After school, Brad, Bennett and I went to the Pumpkin Patch. I can't imagine an October slipping by without a hay-ride and picking pumpkins. Since Bennett is in school, the mid-morning trip with friends is out, and the weekends are just too crowded. So, this afternoon we headed out to Harpersville and had a great time!  Here are a few pictures. :)

We had a the BEST pizza at our favorite pizza place - Area 41 in Mt. Laurel. We sat outside - this weather is so great! 

And, the best part of the day: on the way home Bennett asked to listen to Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace. (Pause here and click over there ------->> on Amazing Grace....) Bennett has been singing Amazing Grace for the last week - just out of the blue. It is the most precious thing I have ever heard... tonight he sang along with Chris - loud - and when it got the part 'My chains are GOOONNNNNEE I've been set FREEEEEEEE. My God, My Savior has ransomed MEEEEE.' he sang so loud and proud.  He sang with all his heart and my heart was instantly filled to overflowing (and of course, I my eyes filled too :) I had to stop singing and just listen - listen to the purest love of God that I have ever heard - the love of a child. So innocent. So pure. So amazing.  Leave it to a 5 year old to remind me.

God's love in unending. He grace is amazing. I'm so thankful that His grace extends to me every day. I'm praying for a deeper relationship with him everyday. And I pray that same prayer for Bennett. What a blessing children can be! :)

Meet Roger...

Look who we found yesterday in the empty lot by Hobby Lobby...

This is Roger. As we were walking into Hobby Lobby to buy some poster board, we heard the tiniest little 'meow'. We looked up and here was this little kitten, squeezing through a fence.  Brad (who has been secretly plotting to get a cat - now that I think of it, this seems like it might have been a plot to make me let him have a cat..... hmmm...) But anyway, Brad sat outside with this adorable kitten while Bennett and I ran in to get the poster board and a box.  Then, in a moment of weakness I somehow agreed to giving this kitten a home. Brad took it to the vet but had to leave him there for observation until the vet was in today.  We picked him up today after school. He is totally healthy and sweet.

Last night we thought he was a she so we spent all night and day thinking of beautiful girl names. We had almost settled on Sara. Then, when we went to pick her up from the vet, we found out that she was a he... and Bennett knew then that his name had to be Roger. Actually, when we left church last night and were discussing names, he told me that if the cat was a boy, he was thinking Roger was a good name. And I think it is!!

When we got home, Bennett made a welcome mat for Roger...

and the mat goes in front of his kitty condo, complete with a 'welcome to your home' sign on the wall...

Roger, who is terrified of Sadie and has yet to emerge while she is around, seems to really appreciate his home :)

I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but he is tiny (1.3 pounds) and has long black hair and green eyes. Totally adorable. And he seems really laid back and cuddly (if we can ever get him out of the box :)

And, just in case you are wondering - the cat was free... but has cost right at $300 so far (vet and necessary gear (well, what Bennett and I considered to be necessary :) Here's a little peek of what we got...

yes, that's a litter box, cozy bed with star mobile, kennel complete with soft sleeping pad (and 2 feeding dishes), Bennett's homemade creations - and you can't see the toys we got him or the comb or the food (both dry and canned). I have a feeling that he's gonna need some more 'stuff' soon enough :) Probably a nice shiny collar and those soft claws things.

If you're in the area, come and meet Roger - I think you'll love him just like we already do! What a blessing...

PS He hasn't used that litter box yet - just the floor in the pantry. I'm gonna look back at this post in a few days, when I'm wondering who tricked me into getting this cat, and try to remember the fun times :) 

We're home!!

We are back from Michigan (actually we got back on Monday afternoon, but I'm just getting around to looking at the pictures!!). 

The weather was warm - warmer than here at home!! We went to Lake Michigan twice - Bennett even swam!!

Here we are during the sunset on the beach...
We went to on a Dune Buggy ride on Saturday and it was so much fun!!! Here's Bennett in his new sweatshirt (it was chilly that morning, but warmed up so quick!)  He's standing in front of a 'DANGER! Chinese Red Bats DO NOT FEED sign'  We warily crept up and looked in the box - it was 2 red bats - baseball bats. We all thought that was funny - especially Bennett :)

One of the stops on the ride was so we could run down the dunes. Watching Bennett and Brad was so fun! Bennett got smart quick and talked Brad in to carrying him back up :)

It was a short, but good trip. We got to see most of Brad's family (cousins, aunts, uncles, cousin's kids and his grandma).  They are all so nice and welcoming to us - if I had to live anywhere other than here, I'd choose Michigan!! That's saying a lot (since I've only been in another city for less than a year!!)

This week has gone well - busy, but that's ok. I've worked in the library at school, gotten a haircut, done about 10 loads of laundry, and a few things at church and here and there... tonight was are going to Tae Kwon Do, to church, and tomorrow I get to catch up with some friends over coffee and then for lunch!! Fun!! 

Super-productive day!!

I have to admit that since Bennett has started school, I have found myself in a rut of non-productivity (is that a word??).  I mean, I get some things done - the things that I have to, but not too much extra.  I'm not sure why I've been feeling that way - I certainly have long lists of things to do, but sometimes I just don't get around to it.  Maybe I'm just stuck or feeling lost a bit... 

Things have been looking up for me in the past few weeks - I've taken some pictures for some friends, I've started a sewing class, I've been scrapbooking, and today, well, today I made up for a lot of lost time :)  After working out, I came home and cleaned the garage. I know! The garage. It was bad. Ugh. It's been on the list for a while.  Now it is not perfect - there are still things out of place (but if I have to be honest, a lot of it is Brad's.... just kidding honey!!!) But the dog hair and the little bugs that were all over the place are all vacuumed away. The trash and recyclables that were laying around are out of the house. The give-aways are in a box and the garage sale stuff is together. The swimming stuff is on the shelf. And Brad's collection of things-that-I-don't-want-in-my-car-but-don't-have-time-to-do-anything-with is in 2 piles - clothes and papers.

After I did that, I vacuumed the house, made an appointment for Bennett to get the flu shot, for me to go to the dermatologist, and to have the window and gutter cleaners come out. I returned emails (which has never been an issue for me...), I cleaned up the living room and kitchen, did 3 loads of laundry and had lunch with Meg (another thing that I haven't had a hard time doing since the start of school :) Oh, and my halloween stuff is out.  Love it!!

I think that I'd forgotten what super-productive days can do for me - they make me feel great! These are all things that have been on my 'to do' list for a long time - and now they are officially checked off. Yea!!  

Tonight I went to book club, which is always so much fun. I'm so lucky to have a great group of ladies that I can get together with and share opinions and stories.  

Really, I'm just lucky. Period. Lucky that my husband doesn't complain (not even ONCE) that I haven't been getting too much done. Lucky that my son could care less if the house is clean or if there is room on the coffee table to set a glass as long as I can wield a light saber (even as evil-cleaning-woman, as I was today :) I'm lucky that my mom can come (WANTS to come) and keep Bennett so I can go and do fun things - and they have a great time together. I'm lucky to have a sister that is my best friend. I'm lucky that God has given me friends who support my walk with Him and keep me on track (and help me have fun!).  And the crazy thing is that there's nothing I could ever do to deserve any of it - God blesses me. What a great day :)

weekend update

It's been a good weekend... I coached soccer for the first time on Friday night (Brad is the usual coach, but he was stuck at work), I had an impromptu crop here at the house that was SO much fun, Brad got home and got some rest, we went to a birthday party last night for one of Bennett's friends, and today we went to church.  The best part though? Look at this...

That's right... we are SCRAPBOOKING TOGETHER!!! Now, he doesn't use my techniques, or have my 'eye'... shoot, most of the time he doesn't even use pictures :)  But, still, we had so much fun.  Here's one of the things he made:
So sweet.  

Here's what I made this weekend: This one is about the first day of school and Bennett's first breakfast in bed. He drew a picture of it (he has just discovered drawing since school started).  There's some Creative Cafe here, some Heidi Swapp, Jenni Bowlin, and Pink Paislee I think.

This one is about Jack, who we made at out first Build-a-bear experience (the day before school started on our special day out). This is Scenic Route and Sassafrass Lass.

This layout details a little bit of Bennett's OBSESSION with playing pretend. I need to do a whole post on this habit of his... The product here is My Mind's Eye and a Thicker.
This layout is about Bennett's first day as the 'Special Person'. All of the kids drew a picture of him and his teacher made it into a book. We had a great time looking at it over and over. The products used are Pink Paislee, Making Memories, and Thickers.
Finally, here is my hubby's layout. :) I used Hambly and some foam stickers from the dollar section at Target - did you get these stickers when they had them??? They are the best!!
Such a creative weekend! I can't remember the last time I've gotten so much done... now all I want to do is make some more!! :)  

Fun Run fun

Today was the Fun Run for the Boosterthon at Bennett's school - Brad and I both went to cheer on The Mighty Roadrunners (Bennett's class' team name - the name was his idea (and although he told me that some of his friends laughed at him, his teacher thought it was a good name :)  Throughout the last week, Bennett has racked up most of the prizes that were available - all except for the top prize (and IPOD) - and he has been having a blast.  He even got to be the captain for his team. Here he is leading his class down the hall...

Here he is with his teacher on the way out to the track... They had huge speakers and 2 tracks (one for each grade that was running at the time), tents, big blow up tunnels - it was so cool.
On your mark, get set...
Go!!!
The surfing lap...
He was totally decked out with is sweatband and wrist watch :)

Of course, the headband got hot, so it had to go :)

Victory lap with daddy :)  Yea!!!!!

Bennett completed 25 laps before the time ran out.  He was so proud (and hot and pooped, as he told me when I picked him up from school this afternoon). Brad and I were proud too :)  On the way home, Brad and I decided that we probably should have told Bennett that the goal was to run as many laps as he could - he took his time around that track, pausing to chat, to get some water, just to catch up with is friends. Nothing different than what happens on the soccer field every weekend, but he's only 5, right?? :) 

He had a great time and did a great job. I feel so blessed to be a part of this great school - the teachers were so excited, the kids were loving it, and the spirit there was contagious. What a good morning :)