Apple Picking

There is a family owned apple orchard just east of town that opened last weekend. I thought it would be fun to take Klayton apple picking and wanted to go last year; but never made it. So, I was thrilled that we were able to go on the second weekend of the orchard being open!
We decided on picking a "peck" of apples-10 lbs and were excited to be directed to the trees with Cortlands and Liberty. Actually, all we cared about was that we needed RED apples!

Klayton has never been apple picking before and as we started picking our peck he quickly filled his bag to about half way. We decided to head over to another area and as we neared the unpicked trees he dumped his bag of apples...I guess its confusing as to if they should be kept or not because there were SO many apples on the ground as it was! We had to explain to him that apples in the bag are meant to be kept.

Klayton also enjoyed tasting the fresh apples. And I am not exaggerating by using the word taste-he would take a bite of an apple and quickly toss it to the ground. Further "apple discussion" was made about how we couldn't on purpose put the yummy apples to waste! I should mention that I was loving every moment of our time together!

Our final lesson was taught by daddy on how to properly shine an apple before eating the WHOLE apple!

We are excited to make apple dumplings, apple cinnamon muffins and eat our peck of apples!

Carnival Fun

While visiting my sister and family there was a FREE carnival being hosted by a church and who doesn't like FREE? Especially, considering that Klayton had never been to a carnival before so we weren't sure what he would think.

We decided that he wasn't particularly fond of waiting in the lines.

But, the rides were pretty fun!

We also decided that the carnival was pretty boring for Justus...as you can see he slept through it all.

Oh, look! Another line!

And this time a ride that kept daddy chasing Klayton...

and Uncle Kenny chasing after daddy and Klayton!

Here's the big finish!

Woohoo Klayton!

Loved the photo finish and making memories!

My Heart Aches

Saturday night I was laying in bed checking out Facebook while I waited for another life in Candy Crush. I was scrolling across recent status updates and posts when I saw one in particular that caught my eye. I discovered my friend Benny Totter had passed away from a heart attack at 31 leaving 2 kids behind. Benny and I had went to college together and our freshman year allowed us to live on the same dorm floor. We shared many great conversations on the stairwell to the 2nd floor, we laughed together and celebrated my first birthday away from home "swooning" over Mickey Mantle.

Benny and I lost touch and thankfully through Facebook we were able to reconnect. We had been talking about reconnecting in "real life" if I could get through Chicago. I wish we could have had that day. I find myself visiting her Facebook page and scrolling through her photos because even though we were no longer "close" her death has deeply affected me. Benny was 31...I am 31...she was planning for her future with her kids and I have my plans for the future with Klayton. One of her last status updates made mention of the year 2021 when she would be 40 watching her daughter graduate from high school-a day that will never be hers. My heart aches. Benny's death has reminded me how fleeting life is, no one is "too" young to die.

I can't help but think of all those moments her daughter Hannah will want to share with her mom...how Benny will not be there to watch her little boy grow into a man. I can't help but to think the smile that made Benny's eyes crinkle will never be seen again on this earth. My heart aches.
I am sure Benny is not wishing she could be back here living life, she gets to be in Heaven sitting at the feet of the One who is the giver and taker of life...the One who saved her from the fire so she can live for eternity with Him. And though it didn't seem "fair" He wanted to die for us so that we could be given eternal life in Heaven. Who is the One I speak of? My Lord, Jesus Christ. If tomorrow were never to come for you do you know where you would spend eternity? If not, I would love the opportunity to chat with you about it.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.