Celebration!

HAPPY NATIONAL COFFEE DAY!

From our cup to yours!

 

( I so wish this picture turned out better.)

 

Can't be beat!

This past weekend our town held a Chili Cook-off complete with craft vendors, farmer's market, 13 different chilis to sample, and a pumpkin decorating contest.  Years ago, at this same event, we had entered a pumpkin and won second place in the family division.  But then, sadly, the chili cook-off lost a lot of it's volunteers and the once highly anticipated event was no more. 

 

Until this year!

 

When I heard this festive event was back on, I knew it was time for the Dominique's to pick some pumpkins, bust out the paints, put our heads together, and conquer the pumpkin decorating contest.

 

And that we did:

 

 

Jacob created the batman pumpkin, the girly pink one is Bree's, and we worked together as a family on the other two.  All our hard worked paid off as we collected a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies.  However, we do not know which pumpkin won what as we were not there for judging and everything was just grouped together when it was time to pick them up.  But that's okay. 

 

We're all winners in this house! 

How do you know?

How do you know its Fall in the Dominique household?

When we work really hard at picking 9 milk crates of apples:

to have pressed into 17 gallons of thee most delicious apple cider:

 

 

Then you know its Fall.

 

You can read about our past cider making experience here. 

Party with a Purpose - A baby shower

This past summer I stumbled upon a blog post

Shower for an Unknown Baby.

 

I clicked on the link expecting it to be about abortions or something along those lines and was only planning on skimming the article. 

 

However, I was delightfully mistaken.

 

It was nothing negative.  Instead, it was inspiring and motivating!

 

You can make a difference and help others from the comfort of your own home via a party with friends?

 

How cool is that!?!  Sign me up!

 

With the help of a like-minded friend, we took a cue from these ministry ladies and hosted our first Party with a Purpose by throwing a baby shower for the CPC.

 

There was food:

 

 

 

There were drinks:

 

 

We prayed and fellowshipped: 

 

We listened to a guest speaker from the CPC tell us about their ministry work, what donations are always needed, and how we can physically be involved in changing people's lives through the CPC.

 

Then we spent the rest of the evening grouping diapers into bundles and attaching hand written Bible verses to offer encouragement and praise to the mother who receives them. 

 

 

 

It was a great evening of friends, food, drinks, and learning about a wonderful service right here in my own community.  If you weren't able to attend or if you're reading this from across the country, I hope this event inspires you to host your own Party with a Purpose.  Pick a charity, a cause, an organization that is near and dear to your heart and invite your friends over with purpose to talk about it.  Its a simple way to raise awareness and you'll have fun while doing it.   

Another First Day

First day of 4/5 year old preschool

September 1, 2015

 

 

 

2015-2016 School Year

 

Jacob - 5 years old

loves play-doh, ninja turtles, and riding his bike

 

Most desired item: someone to share his room with. (HA!)

 

Favorite color: orange or green

 

 

Thoughts on school: Walked right in, found his buddies, and said "See ya, Mom!"

 

But he willingly came back and took a picture with me. 

 

 

I think its going to be a great school year.