October Happenings

 At the beginning of October, we spent the weekend in Kansas City with the Flamings. This is our fourth Fall Break to get together, and it's become a tradition we all look forward to. We arrived late on Thursday night since we couldn't leave town until after co-op. We still managed to play a game Thursday night before bed though.

Throughout the weekend, we played lots of board games, Jackbox and Mafia. The best way to spend a weekend. Barry had a serious conversation with the kids about their Christmas lists, ha!

As we were driving into town, Nathan spotted a 3D printer store, so the boys ran over there one morning to check it out. 

We also left one evening to grab some ice cream and check out a used book store. Otherwise we ordered in food and hung out at the house. The cousins always have so much fun together. 

The big kids stayed up later than us one night finishing a Harry Potter game. We've trained them well.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with family. We can't wait to reunite again over Spring Break. 

The next week after our Kansas City trip, our homeschool group hosted a middle school capture the flag event. It's always a highlight of the year. 

Elisabeth has been loving participating in middle school events this year. 

Nathan came to help referee and got to play a round also. Even in high school he likes tagging along to all our family events. 

I bought a new curling iron, and Katherine tried it out one morning. So cute!

The second weekend in October I attended the Share the Arrows women's conference hosted by Allie Beth Stuckey in Dallas with a few girlfriends. We attended the first annual conference last September, and it was so powerful and solid that we couldn't wait for this year. 

I had the sweetest weekend with these friends. I left the weekend being so grateful for friends who encourage and challenge me to improve in my life as a wife, mother, and Christ follower. These women are a gift!

I think the conference was better this year. Last year the conference was right before the Presidential election, and the timing this year was shortly after the Charlie Kirk assassination. I always want to attend this conference because it's not the typical fluffy Christian women's conference. The speakers are hard hitting, powerful, and unafraid to boldly proclaim the truth, and being surrounded by over 6,000 Christian women worshipping and learning together was an experience I'll never forget. 

I videoed Allie Beth's introduction to show Elisabeth, because Elisabeth reminds me of Allie Beth in many ways- strong willed, loves to talk, not afraid to stand up for what's right and never back down. I can't wait until the girls are old enough to attend the conference with me. 

There were a couple of the same speakers as last year- Alisa Childers and Abbie Halberstadt, and a few new ones, notably Katy Faust, who was my favorite of the day. 

The worship is also a highlight of the day. This is my Father's World is Allie's favorite hymn, and we sang it twice. It was a glimpse of heaven worshipping with so many likeminded women. 

It was such a wonderful weekend. I already can't wait for next year. 

I helped in Katherine's anatomy class at co-op. They were doing all sorts of neat experiments that day. I'm not cut out to be an elementary science teacher, so I'm especially grateful for the moms who do such a great job teaching her. 

When Matt and I found out that Nate Bargatze was returning to Tulsa, we immediately bought tickets. We attended with the Newcombs and the Millers and enjoyed dinner together before the show. We laughed so much. He's so relatable!

Barry turned 67 at the end of October. We took him out to lunch, and the kids baked and decorated a birthday cake for him. 

Nathan 3d printed the cake decorations. They turned out great, and we all laughed that he turned 67 the year that that number has become such a silly social phenomenon. 

While Nathan was at physics one day, the girls and I visited a coffee shop to do some school/work during his class. Katherine asked for a picture next to this adorable Fall backdrop. 

I texted our neighborhood crew one afternoon to ask about getting together for a homeschool recess. Amazingly everyone could join us except the Millers. The kids played at the pond for a couple of hours while the moms walked around the pond and chatted. It was a loverly afternoon. 

I can't imagine homeschooling without all these sweet friends. 

Our middle school and high school homeschool groups each hosted Fall parties at the end of October. They decorated pumpkins and played games. The kids always look forward to hanging out with their friends. 

Samuel won second place in the pumpkin decorating contest. 

If Nathan is at a high school event, it's safe to say the Daniel and Colt will be with him. 

Katherine carved a pumpkin with Matt while the kids were at the middle school party since elementary didn't have a fall party. 

The next weekend the high school group hosted a barn dancing event where the kids learned some line dances. Surprisingly, Nathan had a great time and enjoyed learning the dances. So fun!

October was a great month for the Baughers! We crammed in a lot of fun!