There will for sure be a lot of play this week since we have the week off from school. Woot! The girls have been working hard these past couple weeks on all their school work, so this is well-deserved time off. They told me their agenda this week involves playing with their friends, decorating for Thanksgiving, creating a castle for their ponies, watching movies, and baking cookies.

While the girls are checking things off their list of fun, I have some things to catch up on. I need to clean our dining room, which has been a catch-all since I painted the rooms upstairs. Also, I have some handmade gifts to work on for Christmas. I have a list of just for fun things I want to do too, so we will see what time allows.

This election was a great learning opportunity to dive into studying the government, the voting process, political parties, and how to critically evaluate the candidates. True and Brave definitely understood the process and were eagerly anticipating the results all evening. There will be one more presidential election before one of our girls gets to vote. True turns 18 the year of a presidential election, so that will no doubt be an exciting time for her, and we will be excited to have 3 Bratchers able to exercise their right to vote.

On Monday night, the girls planned out all their red, white, and blue outfits for Election Day. Their choices were so silly and cute. The girls were very excited about our mock election, and they have plans to keep “playing” election. They’ve already lined up their dolls and softies who are going to put in their vote too. I love looking at our last mock election and comparing it to the pictures of the girls now. True and Brave were such babies and now they’re big girls.

Not sure what else to say about the election except that I’m dumbfounded. It’s definitely not what I expected. No matter who you voted for, it is a privilege to use your voice and vote, and I hope my girls understand that. I’m thankful to live in a country where I have an opportunity to do so.

The girls and I kicked off November with a visit to A la Minute for some salted caramel and pumpkin spiced ice cream. The adventure almost didn’t happen (see why here), but it was much needed. Plus, I thought it would be a good way to start the birthday week. One of the reasons I love November is because I love celebrating my birthday. I don’t have any grand plans (or expectations), but I just like having a day to do whatever I want (within reason of course). We’ve gone on trips in years past, or had the girls stay at my parents while I cleaned in peace, but my favorite way to celebrate these past couple years is to stay in bed and do nothing except read a book or watch movies. Ben and the girls even bring all my meals to me in bed! I’m eagerly anticipating it.

Another reason I love November is because I get really excited about Thanksgiving. I love turkey and all the family time that goes on. And it also means that December is right around the corner. I can’t believe we have only 2 months left in the year. Insane! And what’s even crazier is we will find out who our next president will be next week. Despite how crazy this election is, I can rest knowing that God is still sovereign over all and that is where my hope is.

Welcome November, we are happy to greet you with open arms!

Our school calendar said there was no school today, so we took the day off. The girls finished up chores, practiced piano and guitar, but for most of the day, they chilled, played together, and did some computer games. My day was a little bit more busy since I had Halloween costumes to make.

Brave’s was already done, we thrifted the parts for True’s last week, so I only have to make two. I needed to sew Soul a cloak, which would typically be easy for me, but I was brain farting and couldn’t think of how to make it. Normally, I can sew outfits without a pattern because I see things in shapes, but I had a mental block and couldn’t see the shape I needed to make for the cape and hood. I cut things out wrong and was mind boggled on how to put the cloak together. I was so frustrated and not enjoying the costume making. Ben told me to step away and take a break, so I laid in a bed for a little bit, then went back to it about 30 minutes later. That break made such a difference because suddenly things made a little bit more sense. An hour later, she had her cloak, vest, and belt. Whew!

We started on Glow’s, but it will probably take a week to complete. I’m a little intimidated by her costume choice and the execution of it. I was complaining at how difficult hers was and that maybe we should just buy it, but the two oldest protested, and said, “Mommy, we like things homemade. Plus, it saves money.” Thus, homemade it is! We have a pumpkin party with friends on Friday, so if isn’t done by then, we will bust out one of the costumes from the previous years.

That was our Monday. The girls and I ended it watching an episode of Kuukuu Harajuku together.

Here we are in the second month of the school year and things are going well. Our school days have been fuller than previous years; I’m still navigating how to divide up the time with teaching the 3 different grades. Soul and Glow do some of the same lessons, but I modify a lot for Glow, especially in reading and math. While True and Brave are different grades, they do everything the same. Brave is a fourth grader, but does fifth grade level things. It’s been an adjustment having Glow officially join us this year.

The girls have picked out their Halloween costumes and we are going to start on that this week. We have to go thrifting to put together True’s, and I have 2 pieces to make for Soul’s, and Glow’s is the most daunting. Brave’s is already done (I made it in the spring), so that makes my life a tad bit easier. Hopefully, by the end of the this week we will have 4 completed Halloween costumes. Wish me luck!

This was our most relaxing weekend in awhile. I watched a movie on Saturday afternoon, and also made time to start a new macrame project. Ben wasn’t feeling great on Sunday, so we headed home after our morning church gathering, and just chilled for the rest of Sunday. We watched the debates (oye!) and definitely needed to watch an episode of Fear the Walking Dead after that.

Cheers to a brand new week and hoping to getting lots accomplished!

Tuesday was rough. I got ‘tudes and tantrums all day long. I’ve been asking God to help me abound in thanksgiving, while trying to lovingly lead the girls to repentance (not always great at this). I’m looking forward to a new day, where there are new mercies and more opportunities to point the kids (and myself) to gospel and grace. I may not always be abounding in thanksgiving, but grace certainly abounds all the more.