It's that time of year again...

It's time to carve the pumpkins! We have been enjoying doing this as a family since the kids were toddlers. Usually, the kids set the pumpkins on the step and shiver while we take their pictures. (It is usually about 30 degrees out this time of year.) However, this year it has been a very mild 50-60 degrees! We are looking forward to trick or treating in this temperature. Anyway, here are this year's creations. Enjoy!

Matt's Birthday

Today, my dear husband turned 39!

Matt is such a wonderful husband. As a teenage girl, I wrote a list of characteristics that I desired in a husband and God had the person that met each of those criteria already chosen for me. Matt is loving, tender, kind, and compassionate. He is understanding and always willing to listen. He is a wonderful provider and protector. A great dad to Garrett and Olivia. After 16 years of marriage, we still enjoy and relish in time spent alone together.

Matt, thank you for being such a wonderful husband and friend. I love you and I always will! Happy Birthday!

Howl-R-U?

Here is another cute picture of Nanook. He howls when we play with him and he is so cute.

Baby Shower Cake

Some good friends of our adopted a precious baby boy a few months ago. God has blessed them as they have so desired to have a child. Anyway, they had moved to Payette, Idaho, earlier this year. They came over here this weekend and we had a baby shower for Jacque and Benjamin. It was fun. There were about 50 women there to celebrate the birth and life of this baby.

Garrett's Fencing Competition

On October 13th, there was an Epee fencing competition here in Pocatello. It was a good competition. Garrett fenced well and placed 3rd in the Y12 group. The best part was that he had a good attitude when he lost a bout. That is all that matters to me is that he maintains a good character in the midst of defeat. :)

Olivia's Crazy Hat

It was "Crazy Hat" night at AWANAS. Olivia had the idea and we put it together. When it was all said and done, she won the craziest hat award for the girl's club. We have been having fun doing AWANAS this year. She and I are enjoying putting signs to her verses to help her remember them.

The "OOOHHHHH" Factor

Just had to share this precious little face with you. Man, do we love this little mutt. He is so much fun and such a cuddle bug. Isn't he just adorable? Let me hear you...a little louder please....."OHHHHHH, He's SOOOO cute!" Thank you, thank you, I agree! :)

Garrett's 12th Birthday

Garrett had two birthdays this year. One with two of his friends over to spend the night and the other with just the four of us on his birthday. I made two cakes. Any excuse to bake and decorate a cake, right?

This year's birthday was a little bit harder on me than I thought that it would be. I was doing fine until I went to write an entry in the journal that I have been keeping for him since he was born. I started crying as I read some of the sweet things Garrett has said and done over the years. It is funny b/c I am happy and sad all at once. Happy b/c Garrett is such a joy. He is compassionate, loving, tender, funny, and most of all, has given his heart to God. He is such a blessing to us. Sadness? Yes, I let myself jump ahead a few years to when he leaves the "nest" and wondered, "What will I do when he leaves?" I am just thankful that he is in God's hand. God loves him more than I do and will take care of him throughout the years.

What a blessing he has been to our lives. Happy 12th birthday, Garrett!

Uncle Ron's Cabin

After the wedding at Tamarack, we stayed at my uncle's cabin in McCall. It was VERY comfortable and nice to be able to come "home," and not have to drive back to Boise in the dark and the rain. The kids enjoyed sleeping in the loft above the garage. Matt enjoyed the gas fireplace. I loved taking a walk around the "neighborhood" on a cool Sunday morning. What a beautiful setting. Thank you, Uncle Ron and Aunt Cheryl, for letting us stay at your home away from home!

A Friend's Wedding

On September 22nd, we attended the wedding of our friend, Lance, and his lovely new bride, Brenda. The wedding was held in a lovely white chapel at the Tamarack resort in Donnelly, Idaho. The windows behind the minister looked out on beautiful mountains covered with trees. It was raining, so there was a light mist coming down the side of the mountain. It was beautiful. After the wedding, we went to the reception and danced the night away! The kids had a great time dancing with their friends. We wish Lance and Brenda the best in this new marriage together.

Nikki's 7th Birthday party

We had the opportunity to take a quick weekend away in late September. This was the first time in a long time that we have been able to attend a niece's birthday party. Nikki, on the far left, turned 7 on Sept. 21st. She is just a bundle of joy and we were tickled to be there to celebrate her precious life with her and her family.

Tell Him So

Tell Him So

If you hear a kind word spoken
Of some worthy soul you know,
It may fill his heart with sunshine
If you only tell him so.

If a deed, however humble,
Helps you on your way to go,
Seek the one whose hand has helped you,
Seek him out and tell him so!

If your heart is touched and tender
Toward a sinner, lost and low,
It might help him to do better
If you only told him so!

Oh, my sisters, oh, my brothers,
As o'er life's rough path you go,
If God's love has saved and kept you,
Do not fail to tell men so!

Unknown

The Greatness of God

I have been reading in the book of Job. This isn't the first time. I have to admit that every time I read Job, I look forward to chapter 38 and 39. I love that God speaks so mightily of Himself. And I love to see God through His eyes. My favorite verse is Job 38:12 "Have you commanded the morning since your day began, and caused the dawn to know its place." Just listen to this..."Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the store houses of the hail..." Last Saturday morning, I woke up to snow! On the 29th of September! It snowed from the time I awoke until about 1 p.m. And I just thought of this verse. God opened the storehouses of snow and let it gently sift down from the sky and touch the ground like powdered sugar. Wow! Storehouses of snow! You must read these two chapters of Job and just thank God for His greatness. Stop and stand in awe of the One and Only God ..."Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?" The answer...God. Thank you God for loving us. Thank you for your sovereign wisdom that knows what we do not need to know for You are in control of all things. We love You and give you praise and honor that belong only to You. Amen!