Finding Some Joy in October

 Another month filled mostly with hard and figuring out how to stabilize and support Beach.  However, the smiles in between...

A home learning day, due to weather, means a lot more free time.  Shiloh was quick to get to work in creating much art for her fundraising.  She wanted to show that she could raise the money for a school trip, which was close to $1000.

She brainstormed many ideas,

and set a goal for herself to raise $100 in the next couple of weeks to pay the deposit.

She did a couple hours of yard work to put towards her funds.

While she did make her first goal, after much prayer and consideration (and the fact that Beach had not improved in his health), we decided to pass on this opportunity.

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One of the joys of homeschool is a more flexible schedule for Zoe.  She has been really enjoying taking a youth areal yoga class one morning a week.

She is brave and never scared to try new moves.

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I love seeing the creative things the kids come up with; this one was a hug in a box by Ezra.

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Mary's Market at the cafe.

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One Monday, when the kids were all out of school, we took a walk along the river on a trail that we had never been too.  I feel like I have been able to do very little with them the past few weeks.  So it was so nice just to get out in nature with them.

Although, Shiloh is still not a fan of pictures and I usually get a variety of responses.

But I pleaded for smiles all around.

It was a beyond gorgeous day!

We walked the few miles to make it to the little island.

More pleading for decent pictures....

Finally got one.

And we enjoyed hopping and resting on some river rocks!

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Zoe often comes to work with me, and I convinced her to model our new hat.

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Lydia's birthday celebration with cake....

and presents.

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Baseball nights are even more enjoyable with beautiful weather and amazing sunsets.

While I didn't use a filter, my phone seemed to make it even more magical.

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The girls were very sweet in setting up a "date" outside for Beach and me.  Since he has been ill and can eat very little, they knew we were limited in life, but wanted to be able to do something special for us.  I do love their heart!

I, also, took the kids to a ridiculous amount of fall festivals to end the month with joy for them.  Continuing to hold all to the bright moments in times of hardships!