Last week we packed up our car and drove for a few hours to my parents home.  Darren was away on business making it a perfect opportunity to spend time with family.

It’s surreal driving such a short distance to see family.  For years we lived 14+ hours away and it wasn’t an easy drive to make alone with a young child. Even though I do love a good road trip!

When I would take trips before I would pack some pretty unhealthy foods and drinks.  My metabolism is not what it used to be that’s for sure.  Anyways, I packed some almonds, coffee, and unsweetened tea which didn’t taste as good as I’d hoped. But that’s okay!

I was hoping to run while there but the previous week I ran quite a bit and my knees really were hurting along with a pulled muscle in my leg. I decided to listen to my body and take it easy.  My mom and I did walk once and I tried to be careful with what I was eating.

Garrett had a lot of fun visiting with his uncle Timmy (Or how he says Tiny).  Which my brother is anything but tiny!

He also enjoyed getting to know my mom and dad as well as Charlie, the cat.  Garrett followed him everywhere, poor cat!

One of the things I was really looking forward to this Fall was going to an apple orchard.  I still really would like to pick my own but we’ll see if that works out this year.  We did go to a really nice farm though.

It’s nestled in the country too!

There was a great variety of apples to choose from.  I bought some for eating and some to bake with. 

Isn’t this place just what you’d want in an orchard to pick from and buy fresh produce? They also have peaches which are amazing but obviously were not in season.

One more of the Farm! I really wanted to grab a seat with some warm apple cider and enjoy the afternoon with that fresh scent of apples in the air.

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This last Sunday we finally visited a local church.  I was terrified and sweating big beads of sweat along my back.  With moist hands I shook a few hands and maybe even made a few friends? I’m always nervous going to new places and meeting new people.  I didn’t know exactly where I was going, forgot my wallet at home and needed gas so when I reached the gas station I had to turn around and surprisingly made it right on time to the church.

The pastor’s message was from Hebrews 3 and we stood first while he read the passage and then He brought light to a few things I never considered before.  It was really good. It wasn’t perfect (no church is) but I don’t think that’s what i’m looking for anymore. We’ll go again this week and decide if it’s a place our family can serve, grow, and worship God.  I absolutely dread finding a new church because you want to be picky but also not judgmental.

A women who greeted me invited Garrett and I to lunch with her and a great group of kids that were hers.  When she said her name was Kelly I could only smile. God has a way of bringing a ‘kelly’ my way each place we live that I love so much. I appreciated the time getting to know her and how sweet is that to do for someone new!?

Until next time,

Laura