Early Pumpkin Harvest

Anna's pumpkin vine could no longer handle the heat, so the pumpkins had to come off the vine this weekend. Thanks to Poppa for tending it in his garden over the hot summer months for her!

Anna loved the little baby one the best. See how proud she is! (John Caden of course was less than thrilled to have to sit and pose for a picture...I guess Tim thought wisely and put the largest one in his lap in hopes that the weight of the pumpkin might help hold him down for a second).
Not sure what happened with the one with all the "bumpedy bumps" as
Anna called them.

Nevertheless, it served as a great illustration of how God makes us all special and was perfect timing as we've been reading Lucado's children series of the Wemmicks. (Wemmicksville is a land created by Eli, the "God" figure of the story. He creates each Wemmick in Wemmicksville uniquely, each with its own look and personality, thus helping readers understand their value-not from the world's perspective, but from God's).

From You Are Special:

"Eli stooped down and picked him up
and set him on the bench. 'Hmm,' the maker spoke thoughtfully
as he looked at the gray dots.
'Looks like you've been given some bad marks.'

'I didn't mean to, Eli. I really tried hard.'

'Oh you don't have to defend yourself to me, child.
I don't care what the other Wemmicks think.'

'You don't?'

'No and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots?
They're Wemmicks just like you.
What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello.
All that matters is what I think.
And I think you are pretty special.'

Punchinello laughed.

'Me, special? Why?

I can't walk fast. I can't jump.

My paint is peeling.

Why do I matter to you?'

Eli looked at Punchinello,

put his hands on those small wooden

shoulders, and spoke very slowly.

'Because you're mine.

That's why you matter to me.'

Punchinello had never

had anyone look at him like this--

much less his Maker.

He didn't know what to say...

'Remember,'

Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door,

'you are special because I made you.

And I don't make mistakes.'