Trick or Treat?

Our gang!

Peter Pan

Pretty princesses!

Arrrrrr!

The "after-show."  Caleb acting like a dog.

More of the after-show.

Our neighborhood is the perfect size for little ones to go trick or treating.  One little square block.  They can hardly handle the whole thing.  Why didn't we bring the wagon?  They sprinted from house to house for the first 5 houses...then they tuckered out.  But, we survived!  And, it was fun!  And by the looks of the pictures they got their second wind.  Oh, they tire me out.  

Jack-0-Lanterns

Everyone needs an Aunt Kate.  We are lucky enough to have her.  Caleb calls her "Ates", and oh how it makes us laugh.  He's so matter of fact about it.  And of course, now it's a nick name that will probably stick for awhile.  Ates loves halloween, just like her Grandma Jackie.  She arrives with a plastic bin fully equipped with all the pumpkin carving essentials: knives of every kind, scoopers, papers, and pokers.

In progress...

That's me these days.  I feel like everything is a work in progress.  And, it's a great feeling!  I've switched gears in the last month.  From working full time to being at home with the boys.  I am now wondering, how did I ever work at all.  My cohorts are not kidding, this is full time stuff, at home.  To and from pre-school, soccer, doctor's appointments, laundry, throwing up on iPads, cutting coupons, and exploring what's next for me and God's plans for my future.  But, for now...I'm content.  I've still been busy meeting with students and am looking forward to our after-school drop-in center starts in a couple weeks - which fills my void of feeling like I've left kids hanging.  Without a doubt, the decision to leave full time ministry at YFC was what God called me to do.  I'm so thankful for the generosity and encouragement I continue to receive...you know who you are.  And, it spurs me on to continue to do the work God called me to- love the lost.

Breathe deeply and do not worry about tomorrow.

Oh, and because I need a project (o.k., husband deserves all credit here) - we are overhauling the basement exercise/craft/whatever room downstairs - yes, you would think this is the last place we should invest any time or money...but, that's how we roll.  I think I have project A.D.D.  Remember the kitchen cabinet re-do?  It's 90% done...why can't we finish the last piece of bead board or paint the edges of the bar?  I don't know.

Anyway, I can't stop laughing about my excursion to the sheet metal place today.  I had to include my Mother in this trip.

Picture this:  We pull up.  I have to stand and wait for guy to stop welding (while he smokes).  Ask for my 4 x 8 ft pieces of metal (yes, that's plural).  Tell him how I'm going to transport them.  Move 2 year old to front seat of Suburban.  Pay the man.  I get underneath the sheet metal in back seat.  And, off we go.

Can't wait to show you why I need custom cut sheet metal!  Coming soon...it's a work in progress.

Why are you crying?

I guess because you are 4.  They don't all cry.  Mine does.  He makes it through practice, but at game time, it's about over.  I find it reassuring when other kids are on the sidelines crying also.  But, they sure are cute with those over sized shirts on and itty bitty shin guards! 

Lookin good, for the moment.

God bless those coaches.

Be brave.

Our note from the pre-school teacher says to "be brave."  Yup, she's talking to the parents.  It was running through my head over and over as I left him today.  I was doing quick little mind games as I walked away, while still gripping my camera strap.  The little self pep talks helped.  I did turn around once after I left him on the playground, and I thought "be brave."  And.........drumroll, we were!  It was a great first day.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Caleb!

2 Years ago...ugh.

1 Year Old

Shirt says it all!

Birthday post, 10 days overdue.  We celebrated poolside, at Nana's!  She is always so gracious to allow us to just, invade.  We packed up the par-tay and brought it to her house.  What a great time we had! 

Peach Picking

I'm moving to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches. 

This is what I am currently enjoying.  I'm not a full time working Mom these days.  I'll get to that in another post.  So, for now, I leave you peach picking pictures.  Literally sweet.

We are warriors.

Last weekend, we spent the weekend DASHING!  Yes, we survived a 5K that included 12 obstacles (crawling over cars, climbing 18 foot walls, jumping over fire, you know, etc.) - the Warrior Dash.  Almost 25,000 people participated in this crazy event, 500 people being released every 30 minutes.  Our team (myself, Scott, and Matt) raced to finish together and have a good time...and, we did!  Tori was our dashing photographer.  We are already putting together a team (already 4 couples officially signed up from our Life Group) for 2012.  

My dashing husband.

It says "flip over", if you can't read upside down.

Scott refused to wear his gray YFC shirt.

Serious.

Picture frame!

"Are they on straight?"  Yes, Matt, they're fine!

  I look calmer than I feel.

It wasn't quite hot enough out. 

I think we're all on top!

At some point, I looked up and saw a very large man in front of me...please, keep crawling.

Can't wait to be done.

We survived!

Apparently they were donating these?  Um, to who?

Mmmmm...until the unidentified turkey parts appeared.

Turkey Leg eating a turkey leg.