Revelation

Every once in a while I think we are able to take an objective look at ourselves and certain things are revealed. This Halloween, I saw what Chuck had been trying to tell me for years. I like to take the most difficult way to a certain result. Halloween parties at the kid's school were on the Thursday before Halloween. Thursday morning I was feeling pretty good about not having to do anything with either party (I know, selfish, huh?). Then around 10:30 the phone rang. Yep. The Halloween Party Room Mother. It turns out I was on the list to help with the Halloween party in Caleb's class. Since I had been out of town the week before, they thought they would wait and not bother me (until now?). :) ??? Anyway... So the party started around 2:00 and they asked me to bring cups and napkins oh, and cookies. This is when I was hit with a quandary. I could run by the grocery store and grab a bag of cookies along with my cups and napkins...OR...I could see what kind of idea I could come up with real quick and throw together before the party. So which did I choose? The easy way. ;) Caleb's teacher has been reading Charlotte's Web, so right away I knew what had to be done. Spider cookies! Somewhere I had remembered seeing a spider made out of an oreo. So off we went to the stores to find the needed supplies (which can be a bit of a challenge with our two options for shopping). Less than an hour later we were on our way to twenty five little spiders. The only problem??? I was unable to locate black licorice ropes, so I had to opt for the twists. They worked just fine, but I had to cut each leg. 25 x 8 Remember my crunched time frame (with three kids and lunch thrown in there)? Well, 200 black licorice pieces and a scissor blister later, they were complete. I had them done just in time for my wonderful husband to help me draw the webs on white paper plates and off I went to deliver them. They ended up turning out pretty cute and I had a whole lot of fun completing the challenge. As I thought about my creation condition, I realized that yes, it is a weakness. We would be much calmer around here if I would just take the easy way and buy cookies from the store. But I keep coming back to the fact that it was fun! It was fun for me to get that last minute call and say sure, I can bring cookies. It was fun to come up with something interesting to create. It was fun to see the reaction when I brought the spiders and webs to the party. And I contribute it to being able to use some of what I used to have to use all the time when I was teaching. Some good, old-fashioned creativity. Weakness or not, I think I will always work that way. Thankfully Chuck's come to grips with it too AND he still loves me. :) I'm just glad I drew the line with the cookies and didn't try to make fried spider webs to sit the cookies on like I wanted to. Maybe I'm improving just a bit?
Anna and Jake had to try their hand at it too. YUM YUM!

Apple Orchard

In the midst of sadness of Grandma's death, we were able to have some good times with family. Since we stayed in Illinois about a week, we took advantage of a mild day and went to a near by apple orchard. Mom, Jessica and I took our kids (except Caleb, he got to go to school with Dad as he taught his Bible classes). We loaded in the golf cart and took off exploring the orchard.
Aly wanted to rush home and make caramel apples for dessert. I didn't get a good picture but all the kids sure were cute trying to eat those big ole caramel covered apples. Mom was finding sticky spots the week after we left. YUM! Fall is such a fun time of year!

Catchin' Up

Wow. I finally feel like I am beginning to catch up around here. It has been a long and interesting month or so. I think the death of my dear, sweet Grandma has taken a bit more out of me than I was expecting. I am so thankful that she was with us for as long as she was and that I had the relationship that I did with her. I am grateful that my children got to know their Nana and that they were able to bring her so many smiles. But even though we rejoice in her finally being in the arms of Jesus, the pain that it has brought all of us was quite substantial. Even now I find myself tearing up at strange times. What a reminder it has been of the importance of a personal and evident walk with Jesus. What I will miss so very much is the way she was always teaching me and gently exhorting me in the Lord. I consider her one of my greatest mentors. Oh how I will miss her.
Now as we are continuing on with our lives and missing her daily, I have come to realize a couple of things. 1. Grief is a strange thing and it takes a while. If you are reading this and know Mom, please hold her up with us in prayer. She is hurting terribly. 2. I need to step up my prayer life because our family has lost an amazing prayer warrior.
Thanks for hanging with me as I attempt to get our lives back to "normal."

It is Not Death to Die

Lola Mae Barker
May 23, 1922 ~ October 14 2009

From Nana

It Is Not Death to Die
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

You will be sorely missed, my dear Grandmother.

Fun at the Fair

We were able to take in a bit of the Kansas State Fair on Monday. Again this year, we went the cheap route. We went on free admission day and dollar rides day! We got a taste of the fun for very little $$. The kids and I are on our own this time of year for outings like this so my energy with four little bodies to keep track of only allowed us to see a fraction of the festivities, but it was enough for us. We began with rides, of course.
Jake and Anna had a blast on their motorcycle ride!
Caleb chose a ride that went high up and back down while spinning around...not sure what I was thinking letting a child so prone to vomiting ride that ride. By the end I was looking for the fastest route to a trash can, but he made it fine.
Aly was sure which ride she wanted from the minute we walked in. I happened to get a video of her ride and it's pretty funny. She is the one in the middle. She is also the one squeaking/screaming. :)

From august 09

Pretty cute.



The next stop was the petting zoo. Fun but very stinky. :/

We looked around at some animal exhibits and looked around the birthing center. We made our way back to the rides for a few more before we headed home.Anna rode the "horseys!"
Jake had a great surprise. We ran in to his special friend, Anna Rose! They enjoyed the "Dumbo" ride together.
Such good friends!
The grand finale was Caleb and Aly's water ride. They waited the whole time for that one. Caleb said if he had 100 tickets, he would've used them just for that ride.

Why Do They Have To Grow Up?

I know why they have to grow up, but oh do I enjoy being a mom of little ones! Yes, I usually drop into bed at the end of the day exhausted. I can't just easily pick up and decide to go somewhere spur of the moment. I am frequently seen in public with trails of snot on my shoulder or smears of something sticky on my pants. But when else am I the best in their eyes? When else am I the prettiest Mommy ever when I don't have a stitch of make-up on? Or the BESTEST cook even when I make hot dogs and macaroni and cheese? When else can my single kiss heal all the hurts of the world?

As Jake was playing today, I overheard him say to the imaginary bad guys he was sword fighting with: "Hey! I'm going to tell my mommy!" I just love being the hero of a sword fight. So this morning I determined to stand back as much as I can with four littles and soak it all in while they still think of me that way.

Time For Some New Pictures

I thought since it has been about two months since my last post, I should probably update with some summer pictures of the kids. Things have been pretty busy getting back into the swing of school and football and my newest venture...babysitting. These were taken a couple of weeks ago. Jodi was taking pictures of the kids for their Kansas Grandma and I was following them around sneaking a shot or two when I could. They aren't the greatest but they are the most recent.



Boy, am I grateful for those smiles. Thank you, Lord for the rich blessings You have given me in these children!