Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual trip to the Bracken United Methodist pumpkin patch today, and it was the perfect day to be outside! Bracken is a small community on the north side of San Antonio, but you feel like you're out in the country. I always love this time of year and a trip out to Bracken has become a "must" to help it truly feel like fall.

Of course it wasn't the same without Carlton, but the girls had fun looking at all the pumpkins, taking a hay ride, and enjoying some bribery candy for all their sweet smiles for the camera.

Unfortunately the trip ended with Julia throwing a temper tantrum because we didn't get one of the 3-4 wagons they had to haul pumpkins. Nevermind the fact that we didn't need it and would have had to wait a long time to use one. Luckily, a man sitting close-by with his baby boy saw what was going on and offered to help. At first I was embarrassed to accept help from a complete stranger when it was obvious I couldn't control my own child ... or carry the heavy pumpkin I'd just bought. But it didn't take me long to realize that that man's willingness to "help another parent in need" (as he said) was God's little gift to me. This man did just what Carlton would have done if he'd been there - he helped carry my load. He even tried to make Julia laugh by chasing her shadow, and I think the scowl on her face finally melted.

All in all the trip was a success; memorable to say the least!