Dress Rehearsal

I wanted to prolong the cuteness of Halloween costumes and since they are always too eager to go trick or treating, I choose to take pictures yesterday. It was a beautiful fall day and we weren't in a hurry. Just completely enjoyed ourselves (at the risk of ruining our costumes). Taking photos was therapeutic for me!

Shark and Fidgety Fish go to the lake

Ryan's (tjmaxx special) costume was the inspiration for Avery's homemade fish costume. 

I had hoped the other 2 would join the theme, but alas they are too old :(

 

Her costume pattern idea came from here but I had to make it girlie :) I thought about a mermaid costume but she is much more a fidgety fish. At this point, she sees herself as one of the boys ;) The scales are made out of felt, the shiny ones have silver duck tape on them. I glued the whole thing and reinforced some parts with safety pins and duck tape. The fin and eyes are hand sewn (with hopes of removal) onto the hood of a sweatshirt. The front and back are connected by straps and the whole thing slips over her head. This was a good trial run b/c her eyes need some reinforcement ;)

Orphan Sunday

For the past several weeks, I have been planning "Orphan Sunday" for my church. With the encouragement, prayers and brainstorming of 2 friends and EJ (who had no choice), a mattress drive was launched last Sunday. I was the spokesperson for our orphan care ministry. With shaking hands, I stood up at both services and shared a personal testimony about my passion for orphan care as well as announced our plans to help a place in town that provides a network of services for local kids in foster care.

Early on in the planning, I tried to think of something that perhaps separates the orphan from other people in need. For example, poverty, hunger, sickness and homelessness (to name a few) can be associated with a much larger population of people. So, I narrowed my focus to bed time. 

It might seem silly, but sleep is very important to me and I make it a big priority for my kids. When I don't sleep well, my people hear about it. I certainly can't speak for all orphans or kids in foster care, but the majority have very different sleeping conditions and bedtime routines. I made a short movie that was played at church, to help show some differences.

I didn't just want to make folks sad or feel sorry for kid's without families. I wanted us to help with a tangible need (our church is good with this). I called a place in town, that serves kids in foster care to see if they needed any particular items. In my tiny brain, I was hoping for blankets or books, something bedtime oriented. God had bigger plans, she told me they could used some new mattresses!

If there is one thing I have learned on my orphan care journey it’s to pray big prayers.

Orphan care is not easy but it's so worth it. It's hard on the heart, the mind, and the body. The more I learn about orphans, the more I end up begging God to show me that he is with them just as His word promises. Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” He has faithfully shown me his hand at work, each time I have asked to see him.

Imagine praying for a family? Now that's a big prayer!

God goes to great lengths to bring us home to himself. He does not leave us alone and he doesn’t leave the orphan alone either. He invites us to participate in their care and by doing so we are richly blessed.

There are currently over 5000 kids in foster care in Virginia alone!!! United Methodist Family Services, serves 35 kids in their residential program and about 80 kids living in foster homes. They currently have a need for new twin mattresses, waterproof mattress covers and twin sheets. My hope is that our church family can join in orphan care together and that perhaps more hearts will be softened to those without families.


Please join me in praying! I am excited to see how the Lord works.

Bubble Boys

That's what they call themselves. 

Today, Owen and his friend Ryan revealed their science fair project to their school. 

Each class was invited to see and learn from the 5th graders.

I enjoy seeing Owen at school doing his thing, he barely acknowledges my existence, but for some reason it doesn't bother me. He enjoyed working on this project and was proud to show it to his peers.

He CHOOSE to do the science fair project with a friend. Every bit of my personality wanted him to do it on his own. SO good that our children stretch us. In turn, I spent more time with a mom (in her kitchen) that I wouldn't normally see and since they have been friends for awhile, that's a good thing.

They were on a mission to see if the additives seen below, would help the life span of a bubble (soap and water).

Surprisingly, cornstarch, their hypothesis proved to make the longest lasting bubble.

Update

EJ is hoping to go into work tomorrow. He has a MRI scheduled for Friday afternoon. We won't know anything until early next week. He is such an easy patient and never complains. Today was much better than yesterday!

Counting My Blessings

We had way too much excitement this morning. Added a few gray hairs to this momma. 

EJ injured is (already bad) back playing pick-up basketball at church last night. He has meds on hand when it flares up, so I wasn't too worried. 

This morning he could barely move. He called in sick, hoping to make an appt to get some help. After the big ones left for school, I started looking for the back Drs phone number he yelled to me from the kitchen that he was going to pass out (also not totally unusual). I found him kneeling at the kitchen sink bc he thought he was going to be sick. Sure enough a few seconds went by and he was out cold. SO scary to watch! Thankfully I could lower him to the floor without hitting his head because his knees were supporting some of the weight. Keep in mind 2 little ones were watching the whole thing. He was not responsive and looked really bad. When slapping his face with cold water didn't work, I called 911. 

Yep, today EJ took his first ride in an ambulance. 

He woke up very confused and started breathing a little better, while I was on the phone. The ambulance came quickly and my mom who was right around the corner at the boys' school came to get the little ones. They spent the morning with Aunt Lissa and Tripp while we sat in the ER.

Needless to say, when I brought the kids back home, Ryan did not leave EJ's side. He insisted on napping with him and we could not refuse :) Avery took a different approach (hence her currant attachment issues) and was mad at daddy. Thankfully she did eventually crawl in his lap after naps.

I am so glad to have another day with my man. Something I all to often take for granted!
He is doing better, thanks to pain meds and has an appt with a orthopedic tomorrow morning. Pray for him!

Friendly Neighbors

The house behind ours, recently upgraded their lending library. It began this summer, has a wooden mailbox, attached to her tree and thanks to another handy neighbor, it now looks like this. Now it has room for kid's books and for little ones to visit. Its really fun just walking to get a new book. There isn't much to choose from yet, but hopefully it will become more popular. We bring one of our books and trade for a different one. No checking out, just an honor system. Pretty fun!

 

Another set of neighbors had us over for a pumpkin carving party. Brave people!

  

Ours are the bottom 3 on the right, but one got cut off. I'll have to take another picture. They were more interested in enjoying the party so they aren't as creative as in years past. Overall, the pumpkins look fabulous.

We had a very busy weekend. Something each night! I was thankful for some quiet time this morning with everyone in school.

Two Artists, One Painted Pumpkin

The Littles exhaust me, but I love them to pieces.

 

Paintbrushes were discarded and fingers used, that's when the photo taking ceased ;)

Mim's Visit

We kept Mim busy while she was here. Two soccer games, flag football, pumpkin patch, dinner out and some babysitting which allowed transporting the older ones to activities without taking EVERYONE else.     

She brought us a fun tray (top left) for our oven or grill and ingredients to make smores in waffle cones. I love the pic with the boys crowded around her. We also enjoyed hearing all about her recent North European travels. Thanks for coming, Mim!

My Preschool Pumpkin

I enjoyed a beautiful morning on a farm today with Ryan's class. Mim joined us (Avery was in school) so I got to be in some pictures :) Notice anything different about me?

 

Lots of gorgeous horses

Ryan was so excited to pick a pumpkin that he couldn't really enjoy the horses.

 I loved being able to focus my time on him. Especially in his element. He LOVES anything farm.

Welcoming Committee

Mim was the only one getting off the train with her own cheering squad :) 

And thanks to a 30 minute delay, 3 of them, were pretty energetic!

Squirrels Needed

If only I could cook with ALL these acorns. Sure would help the ever-growing grocery budget.

Day for the Girls

EJ took the 3 boys on an overnight, cub scout camping trip.

We managed lots of "girly" activities. It wasn't intentional on my part, but looking back it sure seems girly. We went shopping for items to make Avery's Halloween costume. Just happened to find ADORABLE black boots in her size at target (she loves shoes). Then milkshakes. And b/c we had time... pretend driving, which she loves ;)

 

After (a record long nap- thank you!) we played dolls.

 After dinner and bath we baked choc. chip cookies and watched HGTV ;)

I didn't start the day terribly excited b/c she and I spend plenty of time together as it is. But I was pleasantly surprised at the great day we shared. The boys had a great time and it didn't rain nearly as much as we feared. Phew! Pics to come.

Sweet Ending

By bedtime tonight, I had heard a weeks worth of words from Ryan, in ONE day. The boy does not stop talking! I thought I was going to lose my mind (he was totally unaware- although I may have suggested he save some words for tomorrow). And then, what does he go and do? Set "Blue" on my nightstand. "So he'd be the first thing I saw in the morning." A pretty high compliment coming from my pet-loving 4 yr old. Revived this momma's heart.

Time to Enjoy

These school-free mornings won't last forever. Thankfully our schedule is such that I can give Ryan and Avery lots of time to "play" on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I planned it this way ;) This often means I don't see or talk to anyone outside of my immediate family b/c they like to stay home and play. Today was too gorgeous for that. With the bribe of seeing animals and a playground, I got them out of the house.

We have never been to this farm/museum, before and while it didn't have a lot of animals it had just enough for my farmer-to-be.

 The stones were enough to make her happy :) The shoes always come off :(

 Just what I always wanted. Thanks, Avery.

 Then off to the playground. Spider man to save the day.

I am thankful for slow-paced mornings. They help me remember how much I love my job.

Apple Picking

We took Avery apple picking for the first time. It was much too crowded for my enjoyment. I was mostly for afraid of losing one, but I am also becoming more and more introverted as I get older. 

She enjoyed it.

Mason was the most serious picker.

The ride home nearly ruined it for EJ and I, the kids were awful. No one napped like we hoped and they bickered and fought the whole way :( Thankfully Avery took a nap when we got home!