Melius Pheasant Hunt 2015

 We had a lighter crowd for opening weekend this year, but we still had a whole lot of fun! After we got these hunters on the road, the rest of us girls had fun playing and shopping at the Faulkton Craft Fair!

Landen passed his Hunt Safe course this past summer, so this was the first year he carried a gun.  He has not hit a pheasant . . . yet.

Yesterday was the annual Melius Birthday Bash at our house. Card games and the inflatable outside kept everyone having a great time.

After dark, it was running around the farm with flashlights for the younger crowd--there's nothing better to end a fun day of hunting and celebrating!

Corn Harvest

It occurred to me last night that harvest each year is much like when we brought each of our babies home as newborns (also all in the fall/winter). Meals are at strange times and our family schedule is completely different. The only difference, I suppose, is that we all get to sleep all night through. 

It is a special time of year, and not just because this is when we get paid for our spring and summer's work.

It's a time when we work together as a family, and it is a reminder of what is important in life.

I've gone to four funerals this past week.

When it comes down to the difficult times in life, our greatest blessings on this earth are our friends and family. And, even harder than going through hard times myself, is seeing those I love have to travel through theirs.

But, I've seen so much grace, so much hope, so much faith and love that I know God is in control of all, even if I can't figure it out.

(Really, I can't even do college level algebra, so what makes me think I could figure out God's plan??)

Harvest blessings.

And naps always help, too . . . .

Middle School Band Festival

Last night, Landen played tuba in his first Middle School Band Festival held at our school. Musicians from all over the area came to participate in the band or chorus. Guest conductors come to work with the kids all day as well.

The concert ended with both playing and singing "God Bless America."

Nathan the Nurturer

Nathan sure is good at growing things!

He grew this perfectly shaped pumpkin in his garden.

He's also growing a pretty grown up looking rabbit! Snuggles and Nathan are great friends. :)

A week in review . . . .

This past week, we had a BIG birthday--Dad is 38!

Rachel has a new subject to draw. Her drawings have all been pretty similar to this--two people (this one is Mom and Rachel) looking at each other.  I love their expressions and detail--she is even including knees now. :)

This was the scene on our way to Landen's football games on Monday night. I have been seeing the sun's rays at all times of the day this past week. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation, but with so much uncertainty, pain, and illness affecting several friends and family in these past days, I like to think of them as a hug from heaven.

I was also turned loose in the combine for the first time this past week! After riding and learning for a day, I was given the wheel. My third day was the most difficult, with the sickle (what cuts the soybeans) getting plugged a couple of times, but my father in law was there to kindly get me back to the field. Soybean harvest is now complete. I will see if I am hired back on next year. :)

Here Rachel is waving to her G-Ma. She was as trooper, too, riding in the tractor with grandma and combine with Dad and never complaining at all! She did require some movie time yesterday morning because harvest is just hard work!