Friday Flashback

In honor of Maddie's best friend. Happy Birthday, Christianna!

Friday Flashback

Spring 2000

thirty-nine

Today we celebrate the life of a wonderful husband and father. How blessed we are by his faithfulness, commitment, integrity, and love! This is a man that makes lunches for his kids in the morning, takes them on special "dates" to Panera on Sunday mornings, goes to all their sporting events, recitals and performances, leads our family in devotions every night, prays for and over his kids and wife, brings his wife flowers for no reason at all, honors his parents, builds into the lives of other men, works hard to provide for his family, and loves God with all his heart. I am married to a godly man who loves me completely. Today, I celebrate and praise God for the gift he gave us in the life of this man.

The kids decorated the table this morning and we enjoyed eggs, bacon and cinammon rolls - Yum!

We Are the Champions!

M finished his flag football season on Saturday. The Colts were undefeated and the official Middle Weight Superbowl Champions! Woohoooo! He finished the season with 1 rushing TD, 2 receiving TDs, 1 2-point conversion, and 2 interceptions! One of those TDs I actually caught on video...until I accidentally erased it. I am sick about it, but, believe me, it was AMAZING! Way to go, Buddy! We are so proud of you!

Holding the prized Superbowl trophy

With a couple teammates after the big win!

Happy Adoption Day!

Jason, Megan, and Levi,
We celebrate this special day from afar... We love you!

Friday was a history day at our house. We had Native American Day and Mideival Day. The kids' school goes all out for these days, which are the culmination of weeks of study. The kids love these days, and get to taste lots of food, play lots of games, and experience some of what it would have been like to live during these times in history. All of my kids love history, so these days are greatly anticipated!

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

I just watched this on my cousin's blog and had to post it on mine, as well. Hope it challenges you like it has me!

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

I just returned from a girls' weekend in the mountains. What can I say? It was wonderful! To tell you the truth, I wasn't overly excited to go. There is so much going on, so many things I missed by going away, how can I give up an entire weekend when I have so much to do? But, I had already committed, and we had worked so hard to find a weekend that worked for all of us, I couldn't back out. So, on Friday afternoon, after frantically trying to get everything in order so I could leave, I picked up my friends, and we were off.

Now, these are no ordinary friends. These are soul friends. These are cry together, laugh together, call each other on the carpet kind of friends. And we did all of those things! We first became friends when I was pregnant with N, and no one else in the group had kids. We were in a couple's bible study group that lasted 5 years. Through those years, we journeyed together through pregnancies, infertility, miscarriages, deaths, new homes, new babies, new jobs.... You name it, we experienced it. You don't go through those things without coming out on the other side stronger, and committed. Though our group ended many years ago, we continue to get together, some of us only once or twice a year. But when we do, we pick up right where we left off.

This weekend filled my soul. Not just because we were in the most beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains, aspen and pine trees, and the gorgeous Colorado sky, but because these women spoke truth into my life. They loved me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and allowed me to do the same for them. Ladies, take the time to invest in friendship. It may seem inconvenient or time-consuming, but it is never in vain. Janna, Lori, and Linda, thank you for your friendship! Thank you for intentionally choosing to fight for our friendship, even when life is too busy. And thanks for being iron to me.

it's finally time!

I love voting on election day. It makes me feel part of the whole process, part of history. Today, I voted after dropping the kids off at school. We walked right up to the table, got our ballot, filled it out, and cast our vote. Painless. Easy. No lines. I know that's not the case everywhere, but even if I had to wait 3 hours, I'd do it. We can't forget what a privilege it is to vote, and what it cost so many to give us that right!

Oh what fun! We had a last minute invitation yesterday to join friends in their neighborhood for trick-or-treating. They happen to live on an old farm in the middle of the city, with a great old neighborhood surrounding them. We went on a hay ride through the neighborhood, then ran all over the place trick-or-treating! It was perfect! The crunch of the leaves, the smell of hay, and, to top it all off, we have had amazing weather! We usually have to put heavy coats over our costumes, but this past week has been in the mid-70's, and last night was in the low 60's while we were out. After all the outdoor festivities, we headed home where friends joined us for hot cider and pumpkin bread. I'm telling you, it was perfect!

My little pumpkins, not-so-little anymore....

Indiana Jones

Joe (not the Plumber) - Attack Dog Trainer

Hobo

Mary Poppins

This is the tractor that was supposed to pull the hay wagon, but it broke down just before we arrived... Bummer. The truck worked nearly as well, though!

Best buddies!

the whole crew

On our way!

"What'd ya get??"

And, of course, checkin' out the loot!