Thanksgiving 2015

 I've decided I'm going to do a whole other blog post about all the animals I've seen in my backyard.  Recently I added one to the crew.  A coyote laying down in the field behind my house in the sun.  Once he saw me though he got up and moved away. This is not out in the country.  As you can see, a bank and Dairy Queen are right there!

 Romy still takes naps.  In the last few days she hasn't taken great ones and it really showed tonight.  Let's say it all together now... naps... are... good!

 We meet for Thanksgiving in a church.  These are my four square buddies.  Notice Zeke is winking and doing a thumbs up and has no shoes on.  His shoes were left out in the rain the previous night so he wore flip flops on Thanksgiving.  Oh well...

Romy was Thumbalina for a song.

This little baby... Kalli.  She's precious!

A really great skit this year.  You throw something in and get something big out.

Gwen dressed up for her song- Thumbalina.  She sang so clearly and sweetly.  And no, I didn't get a video... but someone did.

Romy G and me

Ben's Grandma had a ukulele group called "Ukulele fire" and had t shirts printed.  I sang with them and I sang Blue Moon and Life Could Be A Dream because they only know 4 chords.
 

I found Romy reading a book by this large doggie.

The girls were playing royalty.  I told them to look royal for the photo.

I liked this... I just might put this up on my wall somewhere.

We decorated the tree.  I love my white tree!

Growth

This quote struck me this morning:

"Tribulations are what separate true believers from mere pretenders.  That's why it's so important for us to practice endurance now.  Every day provides opportunities to practice faithful endurance.  Each time we deny ourselves, walk the extra mile, make the extra sacrifice, bless someone who curses us, we are growing in endurance and proving our faith is genuine."

I've recently walked into a new phase of leadership.  I'm taking over the role of coordinator for a mom's group at church.  It is a huge learning curve for me and tricky to navigate with changes and wanting to honor the leadership that has spent so much time and care and prayer to watch over this group.  I'm asking God to make me the leader He wants me to be.
I heard a speaker talk about the Biblical story of the boy that brought the 2 fish and 3 loaves of bread to the feeding of the 5,000.  He packed a lunch and then gave it to Jesus and then got out of the way.  That's what I hope to do.  Bring my abilities and strengths and vulnerabilities and flaws and give them all to Jesus and then get out of the way.  I want to be the kind of person that gives Jesus all credit and glory for anything that goes right and learn from anything that goes wrong. 

November

This November has been really nice here in Overland Park with mild weather and beautiful leaves.  Now that we are nearing Thanksgiving, I can feel the pull of the to do lists looming.  I can't believe how many have decorated for Christmas already.  I love Christmas, but I almost prefer Thanksgiving now.  It's simple and doesn't have the same pressures and expectations.

We did a craft using fall leaves that I enjoyed.  We walked to school one day and collected leaves.  We traced the leaves on watercolor paper and then traced it with hot glue.  Then we water colored the painting. 

  

 

Ben and I went on a date the other night and took some photos with a bear. 

 

 

Gwen and I have been bottling vanilla for 5 years now.  She was wanting to hurry so she could get out the door and skate with friends this year.  She's becoming a very good skater.

 

 

Romy loves dressing like a princess and says often "I'm so pretty!"  The confidence of a two year old is inspiring.

 

She sang at the Community Bible Study I go to.  I sat there and cried watching her sing "nothing will be impossible with God." 

Romy in the Leaves

Thorncrown Chapel

So I can't get this chapel out of my mind that I visited in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  It is called Thorncrown Chapel, and it was the dream of a man named Jim Reed.  In 1971 he purchased the land which is now the site of the chapel to build his retirement home.  People would come and admire the location and would stop at his property to look at the Ozark hills.  Instead of fencing people out, he did something else.  He invited them in.  He got a crazy idea that he acted on... to build a glass chapel.

Halfway through construction, funds began to run out.  The building came to a stop.  Jim thought he had made the biggest mistake of his life.  He tried to raise funds, but all his efforts failed.  Then one night he went out to the chapel for what he thought was the last time.  These are Jim's words:  "I am not proud of the fact, but the first time I ever got down on my knees was on the chapel floor.  I prayed more seriously than ever before.  All the trials and tribulations gave me the humility to get on my knees."  A few days later, a generous woman from Illinois provided a loan and so the dream was accomplished. 

I've been thinking of it because... just when we think we made a huge mistake can actually be a crossroad to seeing God in a bigger way... if we humble ourselves.  That's key don't you think?  There is something so sacred about this story for me.  Can you imagine sitting in a glass chapel while snow was coming down?  That might just be heavenly! 

Halloween 2015

Gwen in her space helmet we made using paper mache. 

I went to both Gwen's and Zeke's class parties.  All I can say is... SUGAR.  These parties have too much sugar.  Thanks for listening.

The school Halloween parade. She was the only astronaut in the school. :)

When I can't find Romy, she is here just sitting and taking a break.

Gwen and I had some time in the mall together.  I really try to let her know that she is special to me and I love her no matter what during these times.

My three trick or treaters.  Raggety Ann, Astronaut, and Hulk.

Zeke and Luke working hard on sweeping the back deck.

Zeke's class party.  He's painting a pumpkin.

This face... who can resist it? Not me.

Arkansas Trip

This past weekend we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed getting away with girlfriends with noone to keep up with.

My friend Janna and I ate beans and cornbread like real Arkansans.

We went to a glass chapel. Lovely!

We were goofy and decided to take angel pictures.

 With a tram tour, cemetery history tour, art fair and spa day- it was a really fun trip.