The weather has been cool in the mornings and evenings but mid-day it is still around 80 degrees. We went and had lunch with Adam at the park one day and the kids swam afterwards. The water was freezing but they had a blast.

The boys went fishing with my Mom one evening and Zeb had his first piano lesson with my mother-in-law. They will cherish these memories!

My sister and nephew came in to town recently and spent a few afternoons making memories with them. We went to the beach one day (we had a school of dolphins swim within ten feet of where we were swimming) and kayaking another afternoon. We laughed a lot.

The kids love to carve pumpkins in October and the pigs and the goats love getting to eat the flesh and seeds.

The girls’ birthdays are only ten days apart and this year, both sets of grandparents were out of town on Kathryn’s birthday. So we had a family party celebrating them together once everyone was available.

On Madelynn’s actual birthday we took a kayaking trip down Yellow River. We have been in a season of drought and the river was very low. What should have been a 3 hour trip took 5 hours. We spent a lot of time dragging the kayaks over sand bars or around fallen trees. We all switched places and kayaks multiple times. But the weather was beautiful and we made memories!

We have now entered the teenage years and so far, I love it. Yes, there are challenges as with any season of parenting. And there are definitely changes. But I love my first-born and I am so thankful for our relationship. We had so much fun celebrating her. In mid-September we took her to a friends’ place on the Choctawhatchee Bay. It was just the three of us for 24 hours and then she and I were able to stay a second night and have some girl time. It was a lovely time.

On her actual birthday, we had a party. She wanted a book party (shocking, I know). Everyone was supposed to come dressed up as their favorite book character and bring food from their favorite book. We made bookmarks from old books, played games, ate good food and fellowshipped. There was also a book exchange; everyone went home with a book! It was a wonderful way to celebrate her.

A few days after her birthday we had a girls day. It was Aliza’s gift to Kathryn. Lunch out and a visit to a local bookstore where she could pick out two books. It was so special.

In early October, my Mom took her out for a girls day to celebrate Kathryn. I don’t have any pictures but they had a great time. I’m excited for this new season with Kathryn. I know it will stretch me as a Mom but I really am so thankful for her. We spend a lot of time together and she can read me like a book. She loves to make me laugh especially when I am stressed. It’s such a blessing watching her grow into a young lady.