Casner Family Blog

There are lots of birthday photos to download, along with photos and stories of some of the latest crafting, but first, there is still a need for bit of settling into our ‘normal’ routine. I think I am a bit still in sleep depravation mode and hoping that will end soon.This weekend Matheau and Hannah helped me dig up the rest of the sweet potatoes. Yesterday we went and picked up a few more hens and a rooster to help keep Anna Sophia warm in the hen house for the cooler nights. (I have a few photos of those as well.) And there is much work to do in the garden this week, along with school, planning for Christmas gifts, treats for preschool to make and more laundry. So for now, a photo of some of my globe amaranth still looking beautiful. 

  

And a link to a yummy creamy tomato soup recipe I found here. 

for all three girls and I still have much to do. But, early, very early this morning, I finished the biggest project, a gift for Hannah (photos later). I still have one dress to complete, otherwise… I’m almost ready for baking.   

 

Alli modeling a gift for Lizzie. More info on the beautiful yarn later. 

 Not a great photo, but it totally shows the surprise and excitement Hannah had opening a birthday gift from my amazing Secret Superchick. Thanks again.

 

A bit from the garden.

 

 

 

I’ve been trying to fit in taking care of the tomatoes that are finally all ripening. Also this weekend, I need to dig out the rest of the sweet potatoes and plant some garlic. 

 This upcoming week is pretty crazy. Next weekend is the birthday party for the girls-and only one of my gifts for them is finished, so I really need to be working on the sewing machine instead of playing on the computer.  Also some friends of ours lost one of their son’s in a tragic accident this weekend. If you think about them, please remember them in your prayers. He was just a freshman in college.

Our first watermelon for the year.

 

We have been waiting and checking, and finally one ready to come off of the vine!  

 

 

 

I set my knitting down, when I went back to it, I was how perfectly it coordinated with the flowers Hannah had brought in. 

Well, actually, we celebrated Monday evening and bits throughout today. Matheau was going to be out of town today (Tuesday) so we thought we would just start early. We did enjoy cake with pink frosting and Hannah and Allison decorated her cake together. We also had spaghetti last night, but we saved the marshmallows and Jones Sodas for today.

  

 Allison only opened one gift so far. The rest will be opened at our family party coming up, but I have to say, everyone loved the gift my Superchick gave her. Thank you Superchick!  

   

Colored pencils, black pencils, colors, paints, sharpener, mega-sized sketch pad…. it is a huge hit.  

   

(Alli and Kit-she loves to hold the cats-she is crazy about them.)  

  

Alli helping me pick corn. 

 

 Allison is the third born, and I think somewhat our “middle child”. She has always been good to play on her own.  She is also the most apprehensive about going places. Once she gets to the place, she is happy and has a great time, but it usually takes a bit of encouragement to get her to get into the van. (ah, that would be a bit like myself…) She is incredible about sharing, if someone wants to use something of hers, most the time she will let them-even if she wasn’t really ready to quit playing with the said item herself. Usually she will hang out with the older two if given the chance… she loves to help out, drawing, singing, and put puzzles together. She is quickly catching on to playing the piano and will sit down to practice by herself!! Sometimes she finds herself in trouble because she can tune you out very easily, I am guessing that is because she has never lived in a quiet household, being born between two very strong-willed personalities has made quiet almost near impossible. She is the hugger of the family and if she gets in trouble, all she wants is a hug to help ease the sad feelings. She always notices if someone has a haircut, earrings, and what girls are wearing and quick to share complements with others. Allison is quite the girl… 

Some birthday wishes for Alli?

• white cake with polly pockets having a party on top
• Jones Soda Pop
• marshmallows
• spaghetti for supper

 Do you see the sweet tooth theme here again?? (Remember Lizzie’sbirthday?) A few photos from the past.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

It has been raining since Monday. If it is this wet here, I can only imagine how wet it would be if we are on the Coasts. You are in my prayers.   Before the rain hit again, the kids did some major apple picking. Today includes some more baking with these yummy apples, squeezing in some work on birthday gifts, laundry and packing for FCA State Conference this weekend.  Have a great weekend! 

 I let Allison try on her new shirt that will be officially hers for her birthday. I contemplated waiting and just surprising her, but I am not always the best with my sewing machine… so we tried it out. It goes perfectly with her orange corduroy skirt.  

   

Some fingerless gloves for a friend’s birthday.  Yarn is from The Plucky Knitter.

    

Another birthday gift. The cotton roving I did not make, Liz did.

What name do you go by most?Last weekend, Alli brought me a picture she had drawn. Above each of the people she had written an initial for who they were, then at the top of the page she wrote our names. She apologized to me for not knowing how to spell my real name. (She had put an “R” above the picture she had drawn of me and Mom at the top of the page.) I listened to myself say that “‘Mom’ is my favorite name and she did great.”   Sometimes, after receiving a million pictures, (We have a lot of artists in the family.) lots of notes and stories, it is easy to say great job on a certain aspect of the picture and either file it in my amazing kids file that I will keep forever, or my short term stack-and not really thinking about what I said. This comment was worth thinking about for a moment, even though it came out without even thinking about it, I meant it. I mean it with all of my heart. I am by no means a perfect Mom, but I am blessed and humbled to have four amazing children that call me Mom. All the pregnancies, diapers, potty training, good days/hard days, teaching to read, learning colors, going to the doctors, millions of stories I have had the opportunity to read…yes, “Mom” is a name I cherish and love…

  

The rain was back today, but Friday was perfect. 

 The younger three and I went to a neighbors and picked some apples. We needed them to make an apple cake for our picnic… 

Once Hannah and Jeremiah made it home, we headed out back to enjoy the cake. climb trees, pick tomatoes and do some stitching for a birthday gift…  

 

Lizzie even stitched a bit.  A tiny butterfly kept landing on her right arm.  

 

Speaking of tomatoes, here is one of the heirloom Black Krims that are finally turning. They look and taste lovely.   We ended the day with going to the first high school football game of the season. Between the apple picking, cooler weather and football, Fall really is on its way.