The Hiding Place

I haven't ever recommended a book on my blog. Mostly because it's too much pressure for me... What if someone took my recommendation and ended up not liking the book? Will they ever listen to me again? Will they be mad at me for wasting their time on a book that was just so-so? Will I lose all credibility?

Well, I have decided to make an exception. Last week the book club I belong to finished reading The Hiding Place. I'm sure many of you have already read this book, but if by some chance you haven't, I BEG you to read it. It changed my life. I had a hard time putting it down - always a sign of a good book. But more than that, this book made me want to be a better friend, a stronger woman, and most importantly a better disciple of Jesus Christ. If you make time to read this book, you won't regret it. I put my big, fat satisfaction guarantee on it. The guarantee that you'll look at your life and fall to your knees to thank the Lord for just how incredibly blessed you are. (And if you don't feel the same way after reading it, you don't ever have to listen to me again - and I'll make you cookies to make up for it.) So come on - what do you have to loose. I even have an extra copy if anyone wants to borrow it.

I could so live on a farm...

Last week we went to a farm. I'm sure our short visit was identical to the daily life of those living on the farm. We spent our time going on tractor rides, picking pumpkins, rolling around in the hay barn, and eating homemade donuts and cider. Ya, I think we could live on a farm...

Do you like Morgan's pumpkin. She had a green pumpkin to start with, but it wasn't dark enough, so she took a gigantic black sharpie and colored the entire thing black. I think she just likes the high she gets from the marker fumes.

tasty apples and a victory for team burn

Yesterday we went apple picking. The little apple trees were so cute and just the perfect size for the kids to reach up and pick one off.

Myles and I had a few chats about not throwing the apples. Anything that is remotely round and in his hand seems to end up flying through the air. It's just his thing.

I think I ate 4 apples while we were picking (it's encouraged, don't worry I wasn't stealing). There is something about an apple fresh off the tree - mmm... yummy.

And they are extra yummy when you have fun friends to share them with. We went with our Sondrup friends - and they brought their new baby who is even more tasty than the apples. I wish I had a picture of the little guy - just imagine a little chubby 3 month old with checks you want to squeeze right off his face. You'll have to settle with pictures of the older kids. They are pretty cute too.

I had to post this picture because Myles face makes me laugh. His thing lately is to raise his eyebrows. It doesn't matter how many times he does it a day, it makes me laugh every time.

Changing subjects....

Today was Morgans last soccer game until spring comes. She had quite a few cheerleaders show up. Grandma and Grandpa Dehner came as well as Aunt Beth and cousin Kelsey. I think the familiar faces in the crowd made her nervous and she chose not to participate. Oh well...

Grandma to the rescue. She took a few kids over to the side and started a little game of their own. Morgan was excited about this game and ran around and kicked the ball. Cousin Kelsey was in on the action too.

When the game was over, Morgan decided to be part of the team again so she could get the snack, high 5 the other team, and her favorite part......

RUN THROUGH THE TUNNEL!

Mike is the cutest coach ever. Even after running 17 miles this morning (yes he's crazy and yes he's training for a marathon) and being completely exhausted and soar, he managed to put a smile on his face and coach his team to victory. Way to go team BURN - we'll see you in the spring.

Don't take it too hard... a lot of kids react that way... right??

On Saturdays Morgan plays soccer... Well, her team plays soccer and she does everything in her power to stay as far away from the ball as possible.

Mike and Taylor, being the great dads that they are, volunteered to coach. Here they are getting all the kids into position.

Here is Morgan's usually position in front of the goal. All she needs to do is kick the ball away from the goal if it comes close. I took this picture because I was so proud she was facing the right way. Morgan usually turns around and looks the other way so she can't see the ball coming - because if she can't see the ball coming, she won't have to make contact with it. Well today we talked all morning about this being her big day - and that today she would actually kick the ball (which hasn't happen once over the last 3 games).

Well it turns out we were right. It was her big day. The ball came towards her and she pulled her foot back and gave it a little whack with her cute little cleat. Afterwards, the crowd was so proud of her for actually kicking the ball, they all started cheering and yelling her name.

Morgan is not a girl who like attention, especially when it involves groups and strangers, so naturally her reaction was to start crying, no make that bawling, so hard that she had to be carried off the field.

For someone who doesn't like to be the center of attention, I'm surprised she hasn't figured out that crying at the top of her lungs gets everyone to stare at her... Oh well, at least she kicked the ball. YAY MORGAN!

After fighting me about wearing a puffy dress to the game - we have decided that dance is where she wants to be. At least she tried. I must say, I'm very excited to see her in tights and a tutu. That's more her thing. I love that she is such a girly girl.

What does 50 gallons of water look like?

I found the best website and it would be a sin if I didn't share. It's a great resource for preparing yourself and your home for an emergency. They have great emergency supplies and tons of food storage items. The company is called Emergency Essentials. My very favorite find is the 25 gallon water storage kit. The kit comes with 5 boxes and 5 metallic bags. You fill each bag with 5 gallons of water and then store it in the box to make for easy stacking.
Here they are before...

And here they are after. I used two kits so there is 50 gallons of water here. I was surprised what little space was required. The kit wasn't expensive and you can use the bags over and over. I love them - it's a must have!! I think I even read something on the instructions about the box and it's ability to transform into a toilet... Genius.

Enough about water... Here are some pictures of my sweet babes.

Myles face is always all scraped up... Poor guy...