A Few Things I've Been Up To

General Session Managers for HS Convention 2009: Louder Than Before

Return appearance of Sensaria for morning Catholic exercises

Date Nights!

We also went to see A Christmas Carol this last weekend. It was excellent and so fun to be out on another date. :)

Pineapple Classic

Happy Veteran's Day!!

I love any day that honors our military. Along with a lot of common courtesies, respect, and etiquette that seem to have been lost in our culture is the loss of respect and pride in our men and women who fight for us and give up their lives. And I'm not just talking about the fallen, but about the daily lives that are given up to clean equipment, go on long marches, run obstacle courses, clean barracks, press uniforms to perfection, and all of the seemingly mundane tasks that go along with the job that make disciplined, hard working, obedient men and women. All of this while often away from families and friends and all the comforts of home.

They have left behind all they know to follow and to serve.

I keep thinking that sounds an awful lot like a great disciple. I pray today in thanksgiving for our veterans and those still serving. And for those who need it, I pray for conversions of their hearts, to never fear Jesus because of the jobs they have done, and that they will all hear Christ's call to continue to have hearts that allow them to leave behind everything, follow, and serve.

A special thank you to my Dad, Andrew, Anthony, Uncle Jim, Micheal, Christy, and Aunt Debbie.
And a special thank you in remembrance of my Grandpa, Uncle Rick, and Uncle Ray.
And another thank you to Jared and all of those I know who are still serving. And one more big thanks to the military wives (Kim and Mary!) and husbands and families who sacrifice so much alongside their loved ones and hold them up in their duty to keep on going.

All Saints, Halloween, and Christmas too!

Happy All Saints Day! It's beautiful out today, but even more beautiful to think about all of the men and women in Heaven who are praying for us to share in their feast one day.

I spent the yesterday afternoon out in Graham at my cousin's place. There was lots of food, new goats, a 4-wheeler, and even a potato gun to shoot pumpkins! I enjoyed taking it easy yesterday and having time with my family. Here are some pictures of my parents at the party and Stacey's wee ones later that night.

"What's with Christmas in the All Saints and Halloween post," you may being asking. Well I'm pleased to announce that as of Friday, I am half way done with my Christmas shopping. :) About a month ago, I set a budget and started taking a set amount out of each week's pay to go towards Christmas, which I'm continuing to do. Two weeks ago, I started making my Christmas shopping list. I'm hoping to finish up all of my shopping within the next two weeks and then I'll be set. :) Maybe now you want to know why. Well, I figured if I set a budget and planned ahead it would make life a lot less stressful, but even better yet, I can really enjoy and focus on Advent and Christmas this year. It's so easy to get caught up in the wrong parts of the holiday season and this is just my way of setting myself up to have less distraction. It can certainly be done all together, but I think I just need a little bit of extra help. :)

Thanks Gals!

Many thanks to all the gals who came to my Sensaria party. I had a great time and I hope you enjoyed relaxing as much as I did! :)

Random Quick Takes - Vol. 2

Some things I've been up to....

1. I finished up my 3 weeks of house sitting and have been home for a a couple of weeks now. It's so nice to be home, but I do miss the 10 minute drive to work. This last weekend, I started going through all of my things and throwing stuff out. I also rearranged my living room/dining room/work out room. I LOVE IT! Come visit me and see. :) Big THANK YOU to Marc who helped so much. THANK YOU.

One of the kitties I watched. Sal, lovingly called Brown Kitty, Crazy Sal, or Cat.

The other kitty, Murcey, Grey Kitty, or Cat.

2. Seahawks Game! Marc and I went to the Seahawks game a couple of weekends ago. We won! :) It was a really fun game up until the end when it became ridiculously boring because we were so far ahead. Good times anyways and it was Marc's first time at a game!

We forgot to take a picture at the game. Just pretend there is a sweet field and fired up fans behind us.

3. The Genocide Awareness Project was at UW again this fall. I spent the second day on campus and had a lot of great conversations. I had pleasant conversations, was cussed us by a guy who was so close to me I could feel his breath on my face (he was also shaking, I may have been a little scared), and also had a few awesome interactions with people who seemed to be having a change of heart. People really struggle with seeing pictures of abortion, but it's a good struggle because it exposes a truth that is hidden so well. So well, in fact, that it can be talked about like it's no big deal. I believe that women should know what an abortion really is before they have one. Pictures speak to that horrific truth.

4. Girl time! I'm having a spa party tomorrow night. Feel free to join in! :) We will be soaking food, having facials, and doing lots of relaxation, laughing, and also eating some yummy food.

Here is a preview of what might be happening:

And what you might get to eat:

5. I can finally say that I have been ice skating! I was nervous for my first time. I don't do too well with out my feet under me. I mean, I get scared! Heights are no good. My last time biking was not too hot (it had been a really loooong time). I don't know. I just like having my balance and being on the ground, but I do enjoy getting past the initial fear and having fun too.

There I go! It was really hard to get started. Seriously, I was asking, "How do you move forward?" I could not figure it out!

Britta!

Marc!

Oooh, getting all tricky.

Spinning.

Going under Marc's legs!!

I had so much fun! I was trying to put a little dance into it too. And man, there was a great early 90's mix playing. BLAST from the PAST. And as a note: both the Seahawks game and Ice Skating were purchases from the Gloria's Angels auction. Who wants to go with me to the next one!? :)

6. Marc and I carved pumpkins last night.

Yucky!

My pro-life pumpkin! And only the second pumpkin I have ever carved by myself. :)

Marc was having a little trouble deciding what to do with his pumpkin. I was totally done with mine before he started carving. Poor Marc.

This is what he came up with. I didn't get to see the final product until today. I was tired and bed was calling my name way louder than his pumpkin.

7. Art party! Tuesday is the day I am hoping to do art projects because I have Eleanor, Madeline, and Georgia for most of the day. Today I also had Jaden. :)

Here is what we did:

All the kids made Ghosts Wind Catchers.

I made a test Bottle Top Spider, but a glue gun was definitely needed. I only had tacky glue and it took me a loooong time to make my spider, so the group skipped that one.

And finally, I helped the girls make some Cardboard Tube Frankensteins!

And a cute picture of Jaden trying to warm up with Marc. I always love when the boys join us.

G says gu , O says aw , D says du. Gu -aw -du . GOD.

Update from my last blog...

I now have confirmation from both of Eleanor and Georgia's parents that they did not put "GOD" in the Word Whammer. It also does not recogize "GOD." Too bad for you, Word Whammer. Maybe the kids will keep planting seeds and you will get it one day. Just you wait.

God is everywhere...

...even on the Word Whammer.


I found this on the fridge at the end of last week while nannying. Eleanor said she didn't know what it says, which makes me think it some how ended up like that "on accident." Either way, it made me happy and I of course had to take a picture!

I'm curious to know if the Word Whammer recognizes "GOD." I should check it out tomorrow. If it does, way to go Leap Frog on the evangelizing!

As a side note, so far my favorite word that the word whammer has told the girls to spell is "PUB." I thought long and hard for a different definition of pub. I mean, if it said "BAR," I would think of a metal bar or a bar of soap, which is totally legit for a children's toy. But really Word Whammer, "PUB"!?

Perhaps the Leap Frog people are Irish. God. Pub. Irish. That would all make sense.