Cooler Weather and Outdoor Fun

One of my favorite aspects of fall is the draw to be outdoors enjoying the crisp temperatures and multitude of colors. Many days the kids are suggesting at the breakfast table where we can go walking or bike riding later in the day. The beauty of God's creation can be both a distraction and a motivation. It is hard to keep little eyes on books when there are hundreds of leaves falling in the backyard or a little chipmunk or squirrel scurrying around the patio or fence. Yet it is wonderful to send the kids out to burn off some of their restless energy without having to slather on sunscreen or bundle up coats.

Another fall favorite is breaking out the crock pot for some yummy soups, stews and chowders. I have always loved soup, but definitely not when it is hot outside. I always look forward to the first pot of the season!

I love these mugs. They are humongous, but they are so fun. I bought them when I worked at a gift shop in Natchez, MS, so they bring back some special memories.

Breathing in the aroma of corn chowder, one of my comfort foods!

                  

                      Sadly, our soccer season is over but here are some highlights of the last games.

Will and Conner Lutz reviewing their awesome plays.

Maggie getting ready for her game.

Just including this because of the ponytail! More pre-game warm-ups.

Getting the dregs of Nana's Diet Coke.

Maggie's a pretty tough goalie, but her team Blue Thunder ended up losing the game. This year was definitely one of those character-building seasons. Blue Thunder had a losing record going into the last game. The final game was played in the rain (unfortunately, I didn't make it because Will had a stomach virus), and through perseverance, Blue Thunder won the game. Maggie came home wet and cold but thrilled over the victory!

A special treat -- my parents came up for the soccer games and we had a late lunch at one of our favorite Memphis eateries -- Los Tortugas Deli Mexicana. 

Finally, to end with a laugh, one of the kids' new pastimes is to take crazy pictures on our computer. Some of them have us rolling! (But please note, some of these images may be disturbing to small children.)

These last few Meredith did this morning while I was in the shower. She's 4, and she already knows how to work the computer on her own!

Meredith's Birthday Means Yummy Cake and Cookies!

I cannot believe that our baby is 4! (Not to mention that Maggie is 9 and Will is 7!!) I feel like I am caught in life's whirlwind, and it is so fun, and I love, love, LOVE being a mother with every detail that comes with the title, but, alas, it is a whirlwind which will be over before I realize it. Our days of diapers, high chairs, bibs and crib sheets are gone as far as we know, and now we have book bags, soccer cleats, ballet shoes and bike helmets to take up the space. I definitely get more sleep than in the earlier days, and I don't really have the excuse of having to get myself and 3 children ready when I am late, yet even with homeschooling, we stay pretty busy, and I am ready for sleep at 9:00! God is so good though. Even with all the change, He is the faithful Rock who is and will forever be the same loving, gracious, sovereign God who has blessed us with these three kiddos. How thankful I am to Him -- how dependent I am on Him when I begin to grow sentimental or frustrated or overwhelmed.
Isaiah 26:3-4:  "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal."

Forgot to mention that our van got scratched and dented at the soccer field last Saturday. Thankfully, the driver left a very kind note, and his insurance agent has already called.

Maggie's Birthday and Goodbyes

I love October birthdays! Since both our girls have been born in this month, and we have been blessed in celebrating numerous birthdays for them, it has become my favorite time of year. Poor Will has a birthday in late July which is usually miserably hot -- except for last year when we planned a swim party and the weather turned cool and rainy!
This year Maggie wanted to have a few close friends over for a spend-the-night party with a "hotel" theme. Our house was semi-transformed into The Porter Inn. We had a sign on the front door, a concierge desk for the guests to sign in and receive their room keys, and each "guest room" door was labeled. Prior to dinner, the girls had spa time, which consisted of playing in the big bathtub filled with bubbles, then painting their toenails all different colors. For our dinner, the girls were given menus and seated with place cards at our dressed-up table. Maggie had requested fruit kabobs, lasagna, French bread, sparkling pink lemonade, and chocolate cheesecake with cherries. After dinner, it was time for presents, popcorn, and movies. Only two of the girls ended up spending the night, but they all had a blast while they were here. The next morning we had a bagel breakfast, then our friend and former neighbor Cheryl came over and took the girls for rides in her convertible Mustang! Oh, and I forgot to mention that Will and Ryan were in San Francisco over the weekend of the party.

On Maggie's actual birthday, we first had to do school since we had taken our fall break the weekend before. The day was gorgeous, so the kids had lots of breaks and would play together in the backyard. After school, I surprised them by taking them to Muddy's Bakery for cupcakes. Maggie is very picky about icing. She doesn't really care for traditional butter cream or vanilla icing, but she loves cream cheese icing on red velvet cake. Muddy's makes red velvet cupcakes daily. From Muddy's, it was time for piano lessons, then church.

While I was at church waiting for the piano lessons to finish, my daddy called with the news that my uncle "Unc" -- Jim Hutton -- had died. The news was such a shock to all of us! It still is in so many ways. It is hard to imagine someone I've known my whole life and whom I see every time I go to my parents' home in Tchula not being there. "E" and "Unc" have always been a pair; I grew up next door to them and spent so many hours at their house over the years. Unc was a man who loved the Lord, and he showed it in the way he lived. I know we will see him again one day, but in the meantime, his absence is going to be so hard on everyone, especially my aunt E and their sons and grandchildren.
As I left Tchula this past Monday, the goodbyes were a lot weightier than usual. My grandmother Jan Jan, my daddy, my mama, my aunt E, my brother and his family -- so many people in my family whom I love, but whom I am not guaranteed to see again. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, but so many days I live my life as if this is my permanent home. Funerals and goodbyes are an ever present reminder that this world is passing away, and with God's grace, I have to treasure the days that He gives me while fixing my eyes on Jesus and the world to come.