Enjoying the Psalms

I began reading through Psalms again this week.

I'm only at chapter 13 and already I'm feeling so encouraged.

But, can I make a confession?

I almost didn't. 

I felt like the Psalms were cheating. 

They're short and they're generally pretty easy to ingest. 

I have a Bachelor's Degree from a Christian University, after all.

I memorized hundred's of verses.

I took 5 semesters of Greek.

GREEK!

And somewhere along the line I came to the conclusion that reading the Psalms was cheating. Like I should be studying out Revelation and all of its mysteries. 

It's great too. 

But let's consider for a minute the fact that both inspired books are a part of the same God breathed Bible.

It's kind of like how I used to view running. 

Why bother with a teeny tiny 5K when you could run a 10K or half marathon?  

Well let me tell you, I've come around. 

A 5K would no doubt have me doubled over and gasping for air right now!

As I consider, I think it all boils down to pride in my life. 

I hold myself to some extra biblical standard that has no business being there.

What about you? 

Are you taking time to put aside your own misconceptions to read God's Word and be blessed by it?

Garage Sale Fun & A New DIY Project!

Just for fun, I made a list and took the boys with me to a few garage sales Friday morning. It was a great wrap up to the week and just a fun out of the ordinary outing for us. Ryder thrives on new adventures.

The first few were so so.

I found a pair of soft leather John Deere cowboy boots for Lynden to wear this winter. <3

And if the day had ended there, we would have been satisfied.

$1 spent. Tons of fun conversation in the car with Ryder.

But then we happened across an awesome estate sale.

Barns full of old junk, tables laden with a things we didn't even know still existed.

Haha, what a blast! 

Of course, by this time Ryder was getting just a little bit tired and we were in desperate need of a potty, so we snagged a few winners and headed out.

Ryder was so excited about his 'new' metal Tonka cement mixer and roller.

I picked up a few antique Christmas tree ornaments and a vintage beautifully made romper - if we ever have a girl - and no, I'm not pregnant. ;)

All in all, our morning was a great success.

We will definitely be venturing out to hunt for more treasure again soon!

My latest project at home is repurposing an old wooden door that I picked up for free from a girl in town. I have a mirror frame that I tried to paint while Braden was on deployment - big fail! Since the poor mirror has been sitting in a box in our garage, I thought the window frame from the door would be just the perfect new frame for the mirror.

Braden told me I was on my own on this one - I don't blame him!

After a few hours today, I had removed all of the rusty hardware, figured out how to take the window until from the door without breaking anything, got the panes out (I need to think of another project for those!), and sanded everything down.

Pardon the pliers. Ryder was 'helping' me work on this one.

Now comes the fun part. I get to scour Pinterest for ideas on how to refinish it. I'm thinking a nice simple paint job, but could use some colour inspiration too. Once I've got that done, I'll just have to take the mirror to get cut down to fit the frame and then find a place for it. Eek, I can't wait!

Vacation Photos and More Vacation Photos

I'm sitting on the bathmat watching my boys have their first bath together. 

This is the life!

As promised, here are the last of our vacation pictures that I wanted to share...

The boys sure did love their time with Pop & Mimi.

Not to mention the lake...

Ryder braved the tube...

and roasted a few "marsh-melons."

 Lynden got to meet Memaw...

and Papa.

From peek-a-boo to playing with family, Ryder had a blast.

Until next time!

The Reno Air Races

We enjoyed an awesome local attraction on Saturday thanks to the generosity of Braden's boss. 

The Reno Air Races were a great family event. It is so fun to watch the love of airplanes and flying being passed down from father to son. 

Love those two!

Lynden wasn't quite so excited about the noise the F-15 demonstration made.

 The guys toured airplanes.

Ryder fell in love with a pedal airplane in the private hangar where we were graciously hosted for lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

The car blanket Grandma made for me just comes in handy at the best times. Ryder skipped his nap but had a comfy spot on the pavement to watch the planes race overhead.

These Japanese Zeroes had a whole new significance to me after reading Unbroken earlier this year. What a history we heard as we watched the team fly through their routine.

Here's one up close. 

I can't imagine the fear these planes brought to Louis Zamperini and countless other Americans and Allies during the war.

The final event of the day was the Unlimited Class Race.

I chose that second red and white plane to cheer for - and it won!

And I thought landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier was dangerous! Check out these three planes taking a tight corner at the race - then check out how close they are the the ground. 

Wow!

I think this may become a yearly Apperson tradition while we're stationed here in Nevada.

Enjoying the Slow Days

It's not often that a week day ends up feeling like a day of rest. 

I'm just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel after being knock-down sick, so today was just what the doctor ordered!

For starters, who doesn't want to wake up to this sweet face? 

He doesn't always wake up this cheery, but I've found out that if I hear Lynden crying after a nap and send Ryder in to check on him, he'll always be smiling at big brother's antics and squeaky high voice within a few minutes. This morning was no exception.

I call that brotherly love. <3

I quick trip out to the farm stand and Safeway for flour tortillas resulted in a few extra items and forgotten tortillas. Ooops!  

These $2.99 gladiolas were worth every penny though. 

I do love fresh local flowers!

That failed grocery shop was followed by play time outside with my big boy. He is so clever and always coming up with creative ways to get things done. There's engineering in his blood!

I managed to get another Etsy order finished while we were outside.

I have just one more order to complete tomorrow and then I'll be home free this weekend. 

A good thing, because it's booked!

I prepared for and taught lessons for two of my piano students this afternoon while Lynden napped and Ryder played. And, since I have no desire to pack the boys up again and head out, I'm experimenting with homemade flour tortillas for dinner tonight.  If they fail, I'm sure I can at least pull off a taco salad. ;)

This picture wasn't taken today, but it's from Sunday which was also a restful day, so it fits - haha! 

I just had to brag on my baby who rode sitting all by himself for the first time in the bike trailer this weekend. Love these sweet boys!

Labor Day in Alabama

What is it about vacation endings that prompts sickness?

Since I canceled most of my other scheduled activities to rest up, I had a little bit of time to pull up some pictures from our trip to share with you.

Ryder and Lynden were both champs during our travel days. 

Ryder was just tickled to get to fly in a real airplane!

Ryder was spoiled and Lynden could only keep up so long before dozing off. 

A lot of skiing happened.

We got to spend some time with Granny and the rest of the Apperson clan. 

Ryder loved her dog.

We even managed to get away on a date with just the baby while Pop & Mimi took good care of Ryder. Breakfast out, shopping, the wood store (for Braden ;), popsicles, and awesome coffee. 

These are fun days!

Ryder was coached on the finer points of fishing by Braden

and Braden's uncle.

I know at least a few of you were praying for a safe and uneventful trip home. 

It was just that!

I don't think either of the boys shed a tear on the flights home.

Lynden even got to taste the dregs of my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. 

Yum! 

I'll have more pictures from my camera in the coming days. 

Our big trip to Alabama was great - and it's great to be home!

We're Ba-ack!

Whew! 

Our family vacation is over and we're back home and back at it again. 

I'll have all of those fun pictures uploaded and ready to share later this week.

But here's how the boys and I spent our first Saturday home while Braden was working at the church.

Raspberry picking at a local farm!

Here are my two sweet helpers.

Of course, we can't visit Lattin Farms without a quick trip over to see and feed the goats. 

He inherited the tongue out from me. ;)

And now we have 6 jars of fresh raspberry peach freezer jam to enjoy in the days to come.