On Saturday, I asked Trey, my husband, if he would mind if I hosted a Mini Fall Festival in our backyard the upcoming week. . .and, he said he didn’t mind! So by Tuesday, we were in full planning mode and by Friday we were in our backyard having a blast with loads of our friends and their sweet children!

I am so very proud of our babes for all of their help with making our backyard magical for our friends! RyAnne prepared caramel apple dip and pumpkin spice cream cheese iced cookies. Rocco and RyAnne made sure we had plenty of firewood and Olivia and Rocco cleaned up the backyard. RyAnne helped me design and set up the photo booth. She did get pretty stressed when she realized how long her treats were taking to finish. Although everything was done well before everyone arrived, she was in a tizzy. Deep breaths, a little pep talk and after she finished making her last dish, finished loading the dish washer and cleaning up the countertops, she turned and asked me, “Momma, how would you like the house straightened up before everyone arrives?” Oh my sweet baby girl!!! The teamwork I got to see our babes put forth the day of our festival - they served their family and friends really well!

All week long the kids have been telling Trey and I how excited they were for our fall festival. And I have been too! Since I was a little girl I have dreamed of filling our home/backyard with dear friends and enjoying all things fall!

My friend, Jessica, came over and helped me set up tables and decor while our kids played in the yard. And, my friend Carmen, brought over all the yard games. God painted the trees with shades of yellow and orange and gave us the most glorious fall weather! It was such perfection and yet so simple too.

So, the thing I was the most excited about, was the donuts on a rope! I was seriously so excited for our littles to get to play this! They all loved it and it was so adorable to see their littles faces when they realized just how funny it was! Some of them were literally running circles around their donut while trying to take a bite. This got them giggling!!

Putting on a Mini Fall Festival may seem like a duanting task. But, don’t let the name of the event fool you! This was a beautiful group effort! I served hot dogs, apple cider and made a s’mores tray. We built a fire and asked all our friends to bring a side dish. We borrowed yard games and asked friends to help us. We got our children involved. Several of our friends stayed after the event was over and helped us clean up the yard and bring in dishes. We didn’t do any of this on our own. That is what made this so special!

In Genesis 2:18, it reads, “The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone...” God created us to live in community. And, Jesus showed us how! He shows us in Luke how when we widen the invitation, the house will be full!! My backyard was FULL and so is my heart!!

Y’all friendship hasn’t always come easy for me. I’ve always looked at the ladies that have known each other since middle school and are now grown with children, still doing life together and thought, “I want that SO bad!” I’ve always thought I wouldn’t get to experience that because I moved too much when I was young, never staying in one place long enough to have those types of friendships and that it was too late for me to get to establish that in my life now that I’m in my late 30’s. That is a LIE.

It was a lie I told myself and it may be a lie that you have told yourself too. It’s not too late! But, also, let me just warn you. . .it’s work. Friendship is work. Beautiful work - but still, it’s a team effort that not one person can do on their own. You will have to make sacrifices and you will have to go out of your way even at the most inconvenient times. This is what Jesus did over and over with His never ending, never giving up love He has for us.

The Lord has truly answered my prayers! He had a greater plan for me than I did. He is showing me what it means to live in community. To allow others to show up for me in my times of need and to do the same for them in their times of need.

Before we went to bed, I asked Olivia what her favorite part of the Mini Fall Festival was, with a huge smile on her face she replied, “Having all my friends over and the campfire!” It’s like my sweet girl has read all the books I’ve been reading!! Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head by Jenny Allen or Just Open the Door by Jen Schmidt, or the video study Table Talks with Bianca Olthoff!

So, is this a new tradition? Should I go ahead and put The Robbins Mini Fall Festival on the books for next year??? I’m down if you are Mr. Robbins! ;)

P.S. Check out that last photo of my sweet Rocco Koi trying to chomp his donut!!! He cracks me up!!!