We had a great time at the church's fall festival. J got to jump and jump and jump. She played some of the games this year and came home with her Easter bucket full of candy. Last year she jumped all night and came home with about five pieces of candy. I guess those days are over.

K had a blast. He played every game, some of them multiple times. He caught on fast to all the candy to be given out. He jumped and got a close look at the horses. He didn't ride one, though.

The pictures below are from the church picnic a couple of weeks ago. K got to ride in the pastor's jeep. In girl talk, it is an army green one. In boy talk, it is a restored one. I don't remember the model year. K talked about the ride for a long time and is totally ready to go again. Totally ready to drive...



I am doing a ladies Bible study at church this fall. It always intrigues me how each person will get something completely different out of a set of homework. We each have such different histories and perspectives. It has been insightful and enlightened to hear so many different voices.

We tried something new around our house this week--pumpkin carving. It was a first for the kids and daddy, too. J did not like the feel of the pumpkin insides. K thought it was great. I think they turned out pretty well.

I heard a song today that I've probably heard many times before, but never really listened to the words. It is called 'What it Feels Like", by FFH. The song is about having your perfect life fall apart and relying solely on God for everything, turning to Him and following His leading. What it feels like to find the peace and comfort of a loving Father. I think I noticed it today because the Bible study I'm doing was reflecting upon John 6:66-69, where Jesus asks the disciples if they want to leave Him, too. Peter responds, 'To whom shall we go, Lord? You have the words of life.' I love these verses. They remind me that even when life is falling apart, God is still sovereign and He remains the source of life.

Baby J, 2006

Today I was thinking about the preparations for our first trip to China. I saw a blog with a list of 10 important things to take to China that included Ziplock baggies. I dutifully packed two boxes worth of baggies for our trip, but I never did figure out what I was suppose to do with them. The boxes came back from China, crushed from being packed in a suitcase, but still carrying a full complement of bags. In retrospect, it is kind of funny. My entire parenting experience feels like those Ziplock baggies sometimes. I do "the right thing", not always sure why I do it, often failing miserably in the process. I try to fit the children into the mold of other people's children, dragging them to swim class, ballet, gymnastics, etc, forgetting they are unique individuals with unique needs. I also forget they were created by God, forged in His image, with His plan for them. I forget He blessed us with these wonderful creations, and that He has a plan for us in this process as well. I often feel crushed from the process, but I know God has not abandoned us; He is not silent and He will bring us through.

We have made our first trip to the Pumpkin Patch. J loves the pumpkins. She talks about the pumpkin patch all year long. More than she talks about Christmas. She can tell you event-wise where it falls in the year. She can tell you she got bitten by ants last year and to watch out for the ants. She is sad when they go away. She is already planning her next outing to the pumpkins, as well as what size stroller we will need to carry her new acquisition. I love seeing the world through her eyes for awhile!

K went back to the eye doctor this week. He has new eye drops and we go back again in three weeks.

We play a lot of dress up at our house. Some of our recent acquisitions are supergirl and batman. I have yet to convince either one to be a hobbit, but daddy has them well on their way with superheros.









-- Post From My iPhone