Yes, we are back in school and enjoying it. What an interesting school year so far. Anna and Caleb are learning about bugs in Science class and the teacher suggested that they collect some bugs. Well, they didn't waist a minute. During their break, they were outside tracking down bugs. We have had crickets, grasshoppers, flies, a bee, and a frog. 

Yesterday while I was outside hanging up clothes on the line, I found a praying mantis and called to the kids. They were outside in a blink of an eye trying to get it into a jar.

Now we are left with only the frog and the praying mantis left as the frog ate the flies and the praying mantis ate everything else, except for the bee, we let him go. As you can see in the photo above, He is eating the last grasshopper. It is so interesting watching him eat, starting at the head and leaving the stomach. But at the same time, it can get pretty nasty watching him eat the intestines. YUCK!

Caleb and Anna were out first thing this morning catching flies for the frog for breakfast! And shortly after they put the flies in with the frog, the frog was fat! ha ha  That would mean nothing more than breakfast was good. :)

I'm sure on their break in school, they will be back outside trying to catch more insects!

The Day I Married My Best Friend

September 23rd is a Special Day in this Hess home. 

 I was looking through our wedding album and many precious memories flooded my mind. I thought I would share a few photos with you, and maybe it just might bring some precious memories to your mind as well.

Michael Dwane Joiner

Wasn't he the cutest Ring Barer! And to think, in a couple short months,  he will be getting married himself and adding a sweet young lady to our family :)

Catherine Joiner McCoy

She was the most precious little Flower Girl! Has it been that many years? I can't believe this little girl is now married and is expecting their first little one :) I am so excited! I am going to be a Great Aunt!

It's Time! Let's go Dad!

You may kiss the bride!

Tony and I cutting our wedding cake. It was Chocolate!

It's time to go on our Honeymoon.

 When we turned on the air conditioning, confetti flew everywhere!

Can you guess who these people are? Ok, I'll tell :)
Troy  Tonja  Kevin  Marisa  Dawn  Tony  Tamie  Mark
Catherine  Michael

I love you mom! Thank you for all you did to make this day extra special :)

These are those special folks who had a special part in our wedding, the Music!

Here is the happy couple!

A MARRIAGE PRAYER

Lord, be in this marriage
In a special way,
May we feel Your presence
Each and every day.

Grant us both good humor
To surpass our coming years;
May there always be much laughter
May there always be less tears.

Give us strength and courage
To follow in Your will,
To trust You in the valley
As we do upon the hill.

Give us both the eyes of love
So we'll always see
The goodness in each other,
Secure us, Lord, in Thee.

Give us words of kindness, Lord,
Help us both to live
So our lips are ever quick
In saying, "I forgive."

Give us hearts that beat as one,
Bind us ever near;
May our love grow deeper, Lord,
With each passing year.

Lord, be in this marriage,
Keep our love brand new;
May we love each other, Lord,
The same way that You do.

by Connie Cook

"What therefore God hath joined together, Let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:6)

The Happy Couple, 17 wonderful years later :)

Thank you Lord, for giving me a wonderful, godly husband. Someone who makes me laugh.

 I love you Tony, with all my pea pick'n heart. I look forward to spending many more fun filled years with you. ;)

Canning this week included

A special request from my hubby - Salsa!

Now if we happen to find tortilla chips here, which is rare, very rare, we will be ready! 

In the meantime, crackers are tasty with it :)

Dill Pickles!

And since my husband found a GREAT price on tomatoes, I canned them too!

I am so thankful for my kids, They chipped right in, to help clean, cut, cook, and load the jars. What a blessing they were! We got in much talking during this time as well which was a precious time.

As we were taking our finished products down to our basement, memories of my grandparent's basement came to my mind. What happy memories! When I was younger, my grandparents lived in Iowa and if you know Iowa homes, you know they can have the greatest basements around. When we used to visit Grandma and Grandpa in the summers, the kids slept down in the basement, and when the cousins all came as well, we had lots of kids in the basement! I remember Grandma had those bunk beds, the shower with the cold concrete floors (burrrr), playing games, long talks at night after lights out :), and the deep freezer that my grandma had in the basement because we could always count on those Monster Cookies to be in there! What a treat!