Halloween

Yes, I know that we are a tad late in posting these - but life has been a bit busy here...
For Halloween Chandler went as a 'Chinese lady'. She wanted to tape her eyes back but we told her that may offend some who saw her so we did her up in makeup instead.
Harrison went as a dementor from Harry Potter. ...unless you read the books you wont understand what that is. Needless to say, this year was a: create your own costume out of what we already have.

Oh fickle people

While reading through a friend's facebook page I cam across this piece. I must say I agree with it. How is it that we, as a nation, have become so shallow and crass? I know that the answer is with no God leading a people they can go even lower so it shouldn't be a surprise.
As light, we are called to pray for our leaders, respect them, and honor them. In light of the recent election we need to rise above the behavior of those who 'didn't win' in the past and be an example of godliness and decorum to a lost world. We should behave so that no one can bring a charge against us. Yes, we can disagree, but no we may not behave like 2nd graders who don't get their way, stomping off and pouting because the other kid got the ball. We shouldn't be poor loosers.

What I do find interesting is who wrote the article...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122584386627599251.html

Thankful

At 7:30 every weekday morning I hear a child crying as he is placed in the car to go to day care. At first I thought that it was just the typical child not used to being taken out so early in the morning, and the typical detachment issues that would quickly go away as the year progressed. This has been happening every morning now for over 1 year and I have been saddened that he must leave the comfort of his home and his mother so that the boat, new BMW, and new Mercedes can remain parked in their driveway.

At the same time it reminds me how thankful I am to be able to remain at home with our children and how thankful I am that Tom works hard to keep it that way. Without his dedication to our family and our children's lives I may have done the same as the mother across the street. The situation also reminds me to be faithful in the duties that God has given me, to remain content with the objects and blessings that He has bestowed upon our family not wishing for more, and in the light of eternity the souls of my children and the ministry our home can have is far greater than the new items that will eventually burn.

A Chandlerism

On the way home from Awana last night the children were discussing their bible verses and the coming Fairmont Fair. Chandler's goal is to rack up as many of the pages from the green section of her book to get several tickets. She then asked: "Mom, may I skip Psalm 23's The German Shepherd so I can work on the green section?"

Tom asked if she was learning it from the Gutenberg bible....
needless to say she is going to finish Psalm 23 before moving on - or better yet do both!

Where is the Lysol?

Thank you to Shelley for this lovely picture. You can just imagine the mother cringing in the background.

Tut tut, It looks like rain.....not really

For those astute guests who walk through our front door you may have noticed our small collection of umbrellas. Granted they get used maybe once a year in our neck of the woods, but I still like them. They really have become a bit of a collection. I just came across another that I really like - but know that it isn't needed, nor is it a wise use of money...STILL I reallllly like it. You can just imagine those lovely lawn and garden tea parties of the bygone era
Signature Bella

Glimpsing the Elusive

While camping this weekend we caught sight of the Creature Comfort. It is often fearful of the typical camper and only comes out when hungry or needing to gather items to add to its collection.

Fun at the Fair

We had a glorious time at the fair yesterday. Driving down in the morning with the Campos family, we arrived ready for a day of fun. The kids were clamoring for the 'School Zone' where the theme was 'Backyard Adventure'. Larger than life bugs, live animals, and student's artwork were just a few of the things seen in that building.

The children enjoyed the barn yard animals. The baby cows were quite a hit - and a rabbit weighing 26 pounds. They all enjoyed feeding the sheep and goats. The $2 a cup of feed was way toooo high priced for both us moms. The children, being creative and resourceful, gathered all the hay pieces off the floor they could find and had a grand time 'feeding' the animals.

Each of them were able to go on one ride in the Midway. Chandler chose the swing ride (similar to the Stinger at CA Adventure) & Harrison chose a hang gliding ride that rode you in circles...not my cup of tea.

We ended the day with Lunch/Dinner at Baja Fresh before making our way home.

Just to precious

The other night we were busy doing some stuff and forgot that Chandler needed to be put to bed. Her bedding hadn't finished drying so she set herself up on the couch. This is how we found her.

Back in FULL swing

School is back in session. The PSP? (I don't know what our home school group is calling themselves yet) resumed on Friday. Sadly, Chandler was not able to join us fri am since she has been suffering from the flu - fever spikes but otherwise ok (She didn't stay home alone - Tom also had it so he stayed with her).

Harrison was excited about the new classes he is taking. The students 'hit the ground running' in the literature class. He is really enjoying the first book they are reading thru. 'A Single Shard'. He told me yesterday his favorite character is ''the gimpy man with one leg who says crazy things''. He has me intrigued. I can't believe that I have a 6th grader! It really does seem like he just began kindergarten and we were working on the alphabet!!! I was looking through teaching supplies and thinking that all the cute stuff is no longer necessary - and I almost got depressed. No more trying to make funny sound to help enforce a skill, no more scavenger hunts to learn nouns, pictures of turkeys made out of handprints, ...you get the picture. I can't even fathom the idea of him being a JR. HIGHER next year. How did we get to this so fast? I am so thankful that he has chosen to follow Christ and is striving to do what is right. I am excited to watch him grow this year, to pick friends (with guidance), and enter into the realm of 'growing up'. His humor is so abstract - like that of his Dad. But now he is starting to branch out and try his own style on for size. He is def not fitting the suit yet - but it will come with time. =>

The other classes ran smoothly. It was so nice to be back with the ladies. I didn't realize how much I miss my Friday chats till I walked back thru the door. I have been so truly blessed getting to know so many of them. The iron gets sharpened when I am with them. I cherish the ones who I got to know over this summer. They are all so amazing and talented. Each one bringing something new and different to the body life and specifically that of my family. We love them! It is wonderful how the body of Christ works together and you feel like family though you may have only known them a short time. These women love the Lord and love their families. They desire to do what is right no matter the difficulty or hardship. They are such an example to me and I am grateful to them and honored to get to call them friends.