Apple Pickin'

This morning in Come Follow Me we talked about being peacemakers. It was such a fitting discussion given the current world events. My determination to instill in my children a devotion to God, a love for their family & fellowmen, respect for others and a desire to stand up for what is right has never been stronger. 

I took my heavy heart to the apple orchard and we spent the day picking with the sunshine on our faces. I was filled with such joy watching the littles work together to pick the trees! We picked the Sunnybooks, zaychuk, and dolgo apple trees and ended up with boxes and boxes of apples to process. This year is always exciting and extra busy with all of the harvesting and tidying of the gardens. 

Cooper noticed us all putting the apples in our picking aprons and figured he would just put his down his shirt instead, except then they'd just fall out the bottom! Grampa quickly tucked in his shirt and he was able to hold a good half dozen apples in there before the weight of them made it come untucked and they all tumbled out. 

Lily was such a big helper and had fun filling her apron pocket up with apples!

I loved watching Lily and Cooper work together. She is quite a good teacher/instructor and that boy knew exactly what he needed to do.

The Sunnybrook's are so gorgeous!

The zaychuks usually get sun scald, but they didn't hardly at all this year. They will be turned into bags and bags of yummy apple sauce for eating and baking over the Winter.

This was only the second tree we picked and the children stopped more and more frequently for "snack breaks".

Cooper learned how to monkey up the ladder and enjoyed picking from the top (while I held his shirt for safety of course). 

When Joe finished his homeschool for the day, he wandered up to help! There were so so many crabapples on the Dolgo tree that it felt impossible.

Loved witnessing this team work though! 

On the way back to the house I went through the greenhouse quickly and got another half crate of ripe tomatoes to make into something soon. I did up a quick batch of buns for our homemade burgers and whipped up a greek salad using veggies from the greenhouse. While the dough was rising, Lily and I chopped tomatoes and peppers and started out first batch of salsa for the year!

When the big kids got off the bus, Cooper immediately started playing a game of chase with Hyrum. He giggled with delight when he was caught and tossed into the air by his big brother. Then when Camilla pulled up in the car, Lily excitedly ran outside on the deck yelling her name. As I focused on moments like these throughout my day, my heart was made lighter. There is still good in the world if we look for it.

Two of the boys went out dirtbiking with friends, two of the other boys had stayed in town last minute at a friends house, Mike had to go to Red Deer for a church meeting, and Camilla had volleyball practise. Dinner ended up just being me and the three littles. As Camilla left for practise, Cooper was wandering outside. She opened the car door and let him climb in and then plopped him on her lap while she backed out of the driveway. When her car was pointed down the lane, she hopped out and ran Cooper over to the stairs and then rolled down her window and waved at him as she slowly drove off. I loved watching the extra care she took for his safety and well being. 

"None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others - whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us." 

~ Russell M. Nelson