Carter Mountain Apple Orchard

Last week we made it over to Carter's Mountain on a beautiful day after school. It was a first for us to go apple picking and so much fun. We couldn't have gone on a better day...beautiful weather in the high 60's and no crowds whatsoever. They have all things apple there...yummy yummy apple donuts, apple cider, apple slushies, apple pie...it is apple heaven! You can go pick your own apples or just buy apples that they have freshly picked themselves.

When we got up to where the apples were, Gavin immediately picked up an apple on the ground, found it to his liking and ate almost the entire apple while we were in the orchard.

The view of the barn from where we were picking apples.

Nothing better then an fresh picked apple straight from the tree.

Not only did we come away with our three bags of apples, but we decided to buy of each of the 12 varieties of apples grown at Carter's Mountain and have our own little apple tasting contest to see what one was our favorite.

The choices were:

winesap

granny smith

gala

jonagold

albermarle pippin

jonathan

macintosh

rome

golden delicious

red delicious

york

stayman

**Important to note...no honeycrisp apples were included in this tasting contest, and everyone knows they are the ultimate winner!**

The girls expressions as they tasted Granny Smith

McKenna's Best: York, Macintosh, Gala, Granny Smith, Winesap

McKenna's Worst: Golden Delicious, Albermarle Pippin, Winesap

Interesting that winesap was included in both

Abby's Best: York, Golden Delicious, Gala, Albermarle Pippin

Abby's Worst: Stayman, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Winesap

Zachary's Best: Stayman, Albermarle Pippin, Winesap

Bret's Best: Jonathan, Albermarle Pippin, York, Winesap

Bret's Worst: Red Delicous, Golden Delicious (which we actually thought tasted like a pear)

Em's Best: York, Jonathan, Albermarle Pippin, Winesap

Em's Worst: Gala, Macintosh, Red Delicious

So after we narrowed down to four as a family to find our favorite. And the winner was...

First Place: York Second Place: Jonathan

Gavin left our party early to have a tasting contest of his own...

We found him upstairs very happily eating the Halloween candy.

Finding His Words

I remember a year ago reading the sweetest post on a friends blog about helping her son "find his voice" through speech therapy. It was tender and full of love for a darling little boy and I was touched by the imagery of "finding his voice."

While we do not have a need for Gavin to "find his voice"....he shares that plenty, his way favorite coming in the form of growls...we do have a need for Gavin to "find his words".

He is currently able to day "da da", "uh-oh", and "ruff ruff" for dog. He says ball and bye-bye but uses the "da" sound with different tones. We've tried teaching him sign language and are starting to see some dots connect for him as he just learned two knew ones yesterday. This inability to speak has not taken away his ability to communicate. He jibbers and jabbers all day long and especially loves growling at anyone that comes in our door in a very playful way.

But I've seen his frustration start to build in the last few weeks and I know there is so much in his little mind just waiting to jump out.

Today was his 18 month well check and along with finding out that Gavin is off the charts for height and 85% for weight at 28 pounds 7 ounces (no big surprise that he's a big boy) we also found that he will be able to qualify for in-home speech therapy.

I'm excited to start this journey of helping him find his words. I'm hopeful and optimistic things will come quickly. But more than anything I'm incredibly grateful to be his mother, grateful that he is healthy and strong, grateful for his love, tenderness and playfulness.

His voice is there...and the words will come.

"Two days without hearing the gospel!!!"

While on the topic of parenting....this is what I'm really good at...

If something doesn't work, well then by all means keep doing the same thing! Here's what happened this week that is the perfect example. Thanks to Zachary for helping me see the error of my ways.

Sunday Evening:
Zachary got mad at McKenna for not including him and he punched her in the face. This was a first and we couldn't believe he showed his anger in such a way, it's just not like him. After a long time out, a big long talk, a prayer, and apologizing to McKenna he was sent to bed early that night.

And I thought...I'm so glad he understood that we don't hit regardless of how upset we feel.

Monday Late Afternoon/ Early Evening:
While waiting in the car for me while I dropped something off at someones house Zachary got mad at Gavin for ripping his paper and what did he do?...that's right...punched him in the nose. I need to insert here that when I use term "punch", it was close fist but not hard...at least with Gavin, I did not see McKenna's.

Since our first round of disciple obviously worked so well, what do we do?...the same thing! Up to his room for the rest of the day. We hadn't had dinner yet so he even ate his dinner in his room. He was dealing well with all of this until after dinner when we all went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather...that's when he lost it.

After getting everyone else down for the night, and Zachary wailing and wailing, I went in once again to talk it through. In the saddest 5 year-old voice you can imagine, this is what I heard through his tears.

"Mom, do you know why I'm so saad? Because I didn't get to w(r)ead the scriptures last night and I didn't get to w(r)ead the scriptures this night. That's two days without hearing the gospel!!!"

Two thoughts:
1) How completely adorable. I couldn't help but smile and giggle a little to myself. I love how he loves spiritual things.
2) Bad, bad parenting. Children should never be taken away from scripture study and family prayer as discipline.

Good Idea Payoff

I love when as a parent you see a good idea pay off and completely change a problem or concern. It's one of those rare, but rewarding, good parenting moments when you can pat yourself on the back and say, "well done with that one!" Our chore sticks is one of these things for me. We have been using this system for about a year now and let me tell you...it has been wonderful. No more complaining about daily jobs, no more nagging from me to get everything done. Normally ideas need to be changed or tweaked over time as kids get too familiar with them, but so far we have not needed to change a thing with these. They come home from school and after having snacks get out their sticks on their own and start working on them without me even asking. It is a beautiful thing.

What, you might ask, is included...

• Unloading the dishwasher every morning...they all have different sections that completes the job
• Clean room...they now do this before they even come down for breakfast
• Backpack/Shoes/Lunchbox put away
• Homework
• Reading
• Mom's choice...love this one. It provides flexibility, spontaneity, and most importantly providing help in the way I most need it...sometimes what I really need is a big hug! :)
• Setting or clearing the dinner table

But my personal favorite is Act of Service

I have to say this one got added in because I was concerned about my children not looking outside themselves enough. I really desired service to be ingrained in them where it was something that came naturally and I struggled with how to achieve this. When we first started I would help them come up with ways in which they could provide service. It could be in our home or at school but they had to check it off with me to make sure it was legit. It has taken time, patience and coaching but I'm finally starting to see the fruits. On their own and with a twinkle in their eye I am now starting to hear each morning, "I know what's going to be my act of service today." Wow, big time payoff! Thinking of others, thinking of ways to help and love those around you, thinking of ways to make someone happy...that's what I wanted their little hearts, minds and hands to do and I'm happy to be seeing seeing steps in the right direction. Now maybe I should add a few more of these Acts of Service sticks so they have to do more then just one...that might not be a bad idea!

Humpback Rock

Saturday afternoon we took the kids for a hike up Humpback Rock. It was a little chilly with temperatures in the low 40's, but we bundled up and kept our bodies moving!

This is one thing our family really missed while living in Texas. We love to hike, and there is not much of that to be found in the Texas landscape. Not only are we happy to be surrounded by mountains, but we are so excited to be experiencing a real fall; with cooler temperatures and beautiful changing colors.

This is how Gavin managed the 2 mile round trip hike...not a bad ride.

We didn't go on the clearest of days, but the view from the top was still amazing to behold. You can just imagine this on a clear day and when colors come into their peak in about 2 weeks.

King of the Mountain!

Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Sometimes lessons don't come any other way. Sometimes it's our failures we learn and change from most. Sometimes we disappoint the Lord and ourselves, having to prove ourselves worthy to act on promptings when they come.

I have a very dear friend who through the years have shared a very deep connection. The Lord knew what He was doing when she sat in front of me the first day of seventh grade. Even though it has been years sense I have lived in Utah we have still remained as close as ever. It is one of those friendships where we just have a sixth sense...calls coming seemingly at random on one end and in answer to prayer on the other. There have been countless of times where through the sweet whisperings of the spirit she has reached out to me, or I for her, in the moments of need.


Knowing this connection exists between us, you would think I would have learned by now never to postpone a prompting...especially with her. Several weeks ago I stood in my kitchen doing dishes and I had a distinct though...I should call her. I quickly told myself no, her birthday was in two days and I would call her then. On I went with my day not thinking twice.


The next night I got a message from her sounding very upset and needing to talk. It wasn't until the following morning (her actual birthday) that we actually connected. Two days prior (the day I stood doing dishes) she learned that her child had been diagnosed with Epilepsy. Now she may not have been able to talk to me had I called that day, but I could have left a message and she would have known I was thinking of her. More importantly she would have known that the Lord was thinking of her, that He was aware of their situation and that He cared enough to reach out to her through a simple phone message from me. Thankfully the Lord reached out through the hands of others to watch and care for this sweet family.


But for me it was a lesson learned the hard way. I wish I could be recording the sweet rewards that come when heading those little promptings, of knowing when you're on the Lord's errand. General Conference and Elder Scott right out of the gate Saturday morning really hit home with the importance of recognizing and following the spirit in our lives. I know I let Heavenly Father down by not being faithful with the prompting I was given. My spirit was not sensitive enough to respond and follow through. But it was a lesson learned, a chance to improve and be better. If the Lord is in need of letting others know of His love and concern for them, I want Him to know that He can depend on me.


So dear kindred spirit...the Lord is aware. He knows, He loves, He watches, He heals, He comforts and He provides.

Abby's Baptism

Saturday, October 10th Abby was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. It was a very special day, one that I hope she'll remember her entire life.

It was very emotional to see her and Bret standing there together in the water dressed in white. Her purity and goodness seemed to radiate.

Abby and Bishop Brady, and her Primary President Sister England

Both sets of Grandparents made the long journey from California and Utah to be here on her special day...we are SO grateful for their love and support. It was wonderful to have them both here. Grandma Daines spoke on Baptism. She gave Abby a pearl necklace and talked about how the oyster makes a pearl. She said that even though she was getting baptized, life wasn't going to be perfect. There were going to be little pieces of sand that would come into her life and irritate her, get under her skin, and make her sad and unhappy. But if she turned to the Lord those little pieces of sand would turn into pearls. McKenna and Zachary sang John the Baptist and Grandpa Crane spoke on the Holy Ghost. He did such a wonderful job and shared with Abby some personal examples of when he listened to the Holy Ghost. The entire meeting just very tender and special.

A few thoughts and impressions from that morning:

• As I was helping Abby into her dress that morning to go to the church, I pulled out her little white blessing dress. Right then and there the tears started flowing. I couldn't believe my little girl was getting baptized. I started playing the "I remember when..." with her as I did her hair. She is such a special girl and I am so grateful I get to be her mother.
• Abby is unique and special in many different ways. One of which being her spiritual maturity. She grasps concepts, principles and doctrines in such a profound way and is then able to apply them to her life in a very personal way. In part because of this Bret and I both felt the need to step it up a little with her. Her little spirit is not so little but is strong and eager for spiritual things. I feel we have taught her well, but at the same time I feel an added responsibility, kind of like what was good enough for yesterday will not be good enough for tomorrow.
• After she was baptized and I went in the bathroom to help her dry off and get changed, McKenna was not far behind me. She came running in and with a smile from ear to ear and a little quiver in her voice she said, "Abby, Abby, how was it?" Once again I was so grateful for the special bond that is unique to them, for Abby setting the example and McKenna who will shortly follow.
• As I was helping her change from her wet baptism clothing into her beautiful white dress there in the bathroom of the church, I couldn't help but think of a day in the future where we will once again be in a sacred building and I will be helping her put on a beautiful white dress. As I caught that glimpse in my minds eye, I looked down at her beautiful little face and eyes that sparkled and I was so overcome with gratitude for the blessing she is in our home and family. I am so blessed to be her mother.

McKenna is 7!

Sweet McKenna was so happy to share her special day with Abby and her baptism. Only McKenna would look at it as wonderful and not feel cheated. I was worried and concerned about her getting lost in the day, more so then I should have been. She truly was happy to share her day with her beloved sister. Besides...who has ever been so lucky to spend their birthday with both sets of Grandparents?

Friday Bret met her for lunch and I took in Lady Bug cupcakes to school and read a book to her class.

After all the events of the day...(the baptism, Monticello and Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard) we finally made it back home to open presents and roast some marshmallows in the back yard.

She was so happy with her alarm clock, watch and ultra soft robe.

7 Things I love About McKenna

1. McKenna is a spark of life and joy. She has the amazing ability to be happy 99% of the time...including early mornings. Her happiness and joy is contagious and can't help but spill over to all around her.
2. McKenna is one of the most empathetic and caring souls I have ever known. She is quick to notice the feelings of others and would give anything and everything to make someone happy.
3. McKenna has a natural athletic ability. Her coordination, athleticism, and speed will help her do well in any sport she puts her mind to.
4. McKenna is goofy, and I mean this in a good way. She keeps us laughing with her hilarious antics.
5. She has a very special and tender relationship with Gavin. From early on these two connected in a special way. She is watchful, loving, and full of concern. This affection is returned as McKenna holds a special place in Gavin's heart.
6. McKenna is our animal lover. This love originated with dogs, but recently has taken her to become our own family animal activist. She does not want us to kill anything in our house (including ants, spiders and flies) but rather carefully take them outside and set them free. This is rubbing off a little as the last two spiders we've found Bret has set them free outside rather then down the toilet.
7. McKenna is full of goodness. There are a million examples I could give of this, but I'll just share this one. Her kindergarten experience was not the best for her. She had a teacher who yelled a lot and having the tender heart that she does this was very difficult. Her first grade year is going wonderfully and has a teacher who is kind, patient and never raises his voice. One day at the beginning of school she was expressing how much she likes her teacher because he doesn't yell, I said, "That must be nice especially sense Ms. Wood yelled a lot." Her reply was wonderfully sweet. She said, "Yea, but I don't want to say anything mean about her."

We Love You McKenna! Happy Birthday

U2 360 Concert

Thursday October 1 Bret and I were able to go the U2 concert here in Charlottesville. Thanks to Craigs List the day before, we got great, very cheap seats. It was AMAZING! Even though I only knew half of the songs, the entire show was incredible. No other concert will ever compare. We had an absolute blast.

The stage takes 2 days to set up and two days to take down and is 170 feet tall. There are three different stages that travel the country to keep up with the group.

This was the gigantic 360 degree screen that expanded and lowered all the way down till it was just above the stage.