Happy Birthday and Halloween

With my birthday on a Monday this year, the celebrations were spread out. Saturday night I was blessed to celebrate with the local family. They made me a delicious meal of sesame ribs, cheesy potatoes, salad, fruit and bread. I made my cake - the traditional chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake.

Sunday night after the congregational meeting at church, we went out for my birthday dinner. I chose Applebee's because the girls could eat for free, and we had a gift card. It seems that food just tastes better when it's free. When we got home from dinner, I knew it was probably the right time for me to open my gifts. Halloween night is always too crazy. Knowing Brandon hadn't wrapped the gifts yet, I suggested he let the girls hide them in the living room for me. This turned out to be SO much fun! The girls would hide three gifts, I would find them, and they would do it again. We may have just begun a new tradition. Here we are with my gifts. I felt so spoiled! I had specifically told Brandon not to spend much because I had just bought a new food processor, and that was my gift. Anyway, I got a new serving tray, knife sharpening kit, paper, sponges, sticky notes, itunes card and a new Under Armour jacket. Who-hoo!

Monday was a very normal day. We did get donuts to take to Brandon at work. And I enjoyed calls, texts and messages throughout the day. For dinner I warmed up my favorite soup from the freezer. We ate quickly and mostly without Brandon since he got home late. And his back with in pain, and he was on major meds, so he was kind of "tired."

Monday night was a beautiful night to trick or treat. We had cute girls, thanks to a friend who shared  costumes. (We didn't pick them out until Sunday night....)

My bunny

 Maisie would tell you she was a cowboy-girl.

And a pumpkin

We met up with some dear friends, and small group so all the kids could see each other in costumes. Analise is here with her good friend, Strawberry Shortcake.

Maisie and her super friend.

And Sadie with her blue friend. These two really are sweet friends. Notice his arm around her.

And the whole crew

We went from there to meet up with family to walk around with; thanks for letting us join you again!

One more cute shot of this bunny.

Selected

A couple of weeks ago, I got an exciting phone call from Analise's principal. She informed me that Analise's essay on "Speak with Good Purpose" was chosen, and that she and her Uncle (whom she nominated) would be honored in the school assembly. Woo-hoo! I was so excited for her!

 She had a lot of fun writing her essay, and I tried to find that balance to let her write it while I helped. She was so excited to tell her Uncle that he had been chosen!

We were able to attend the assembly on that Friday afternoon. I took the girls and met Brandon, both grandparents and her Uncle there. 

 Here is Analise sitting with her class. Think she's excited? :)

 Among the 2nd grade class, about 60 essays were written, and five were chosen to share at the assembly. They saved Analise's letter for last. When the counselor called Analise and her Uncle to the front, you could hear all 400 kids make a "gasp" sound when they saw an officer in uniform. It was so sweet, and even sweeter to see the two of them together. Her uncle got down on one knee and pulled Analise in his other knee while the essay was read. I truly felt in my spirit that God would honor her uncle in this way. When we prayed about whom to write about, and Analise, Brandon and I all  immediately agreed, I knew the Holy Spirit was working.  What a sweet, sweet moment.

Analise's essay: the edited version, though the "sloppy copy" sure was cute!

"I would like to nominate my Uncle who is also a Police Officer. He speaks with good purpose by being kind to people when he pulls them over. He also shows respect to the high school students he works with.

He is always happy to see my sisters and me. And he likes to make us laugh. That's why I would like to nominate my uncle. "

( I edited it some for privacy reasons)

Like I told Analise before, she is so blessed to know so many people in her life that speak with good purpose!

Annual Fall Photos

If you know me or have read this blog for a while, you know that I have a tradition each fall. And I am so thankful for a husband who supports this picture taking tradition AND takes all the photos. I must admit - it's getting easier each year. Yeah!  Here is a sampling of the almost 200 pictures we took.

They were all looking at a squirrel way up high in the tree.

See Sadie's scowl?

And now Sadie's silly face...

It's been four years already since I thought I lost this one....

One of my faves...

She posed like this all by herself!

We had to included God's amazing beauty, too!