Friday, October 30, 2009

Trick or Treat!








Last night we took the cutest little giraffe and lion for their first trick-or-treating experience. These boys were running down the sidewalk shrieking with delight and I just wanted to eat them up. They didn't care about collecting candy, just petting all the neighborhood dogs, and admiring the glowing Halloween decorations. I feel like it was just last year I was the one dressing up as a clown or pumpkin and hitting the streets with my dad and sisters. And now life's come full circle with my own child. It's so surreal sometimes all this parenting stuff. Shayden and Eli, you boys just melt my heart. Thanks for all the laughs.











Monday, October 19, 2009

Freeman's Farm

On Sunday we went to Freeman's Farm with Chris, Rebecca & Shayden. They had a petting zoo, fresh kettle corn, hayrides, and of course, a big beautiful pumpkin patch. Eli was mounting the pumpkins like they were rides at the fair. And although his cheap parents wouldn't allow him to take any home (due to the move), he was much happier with his popcorn purchase anyway.

Flashback:Pumpkin patch in October 2008


Pumpkin patch in October 2009
"I'll take this one!"


Enjoying some hot, home-made kettle corn with daddy


Kinda melting down, but we needed the traditional family shot



Picking out baby gourds with cuz Shayden



Sunday, October 18, 2009

Camping in the cold







This weekend we sent Eli to his grandparents, layered up, loaded the car and headed to Deer Creek State park with our best friends. Despite illness, the first frost of the year, and soggy wet wood, we had a great time. The guys impressed us with their mad fire-making skills (with a little help from 4 bottles of lighter fluid), and we kept them happy with lots of junk food and candy. We've decided to make it a yearly tradition....but next year we're planning it for August. And now off to my bubble bath to finish defrosting...



Monday, October 12, 2009

Food for thought Monday

One of my favorite quotes that has been on my mind a lot lately came from the lips of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."

It's easy for me to get in the mindset of "Oh I'm just a stay-at-home mom" or "What am I doing with my life?" And when I start to think like this, it's so easy to become discontented and discouraged. The words of Dr. King constantly remind me, as Jesus does, that there is infinite value in being a mother. The key is, giving glory to the Lord by giving 100% of my best effort to whatever role God has placed me in right at this moment. None of our efforts go unnoticed by our Heavenly father even if they are overlooked on earth today. Every load of laundry, every diaper change, every mess cleaned up, every tear kissed away, every meal prepared, IT MATTERS!
So whether you are a mom, a student, a secretary, a waitress, an engineer, or well, a street sweeper give glory to God today by giving it your best and thanking Him for entrusting you with such a tremendous role.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Au Revoir Hoblet family, we miss you already

Last night we had to say goodbye to my incredible big sis and her beautiful family. They are off to the French Riviera for the next 3 years where Phil will be working in an exchange program with the French Navy. It is such an amazing opportunity for them and God clearly had His hand in orchestrating this adventure. But it's impossible not to be devastated in the wake of their absence. I will miss you guys tremendously. I will be praying for you daily and counting down the days until we can come and visit. Be safe and give lots of kisses and hugs to my precious niece and nephew.

Zachary 1, Sarah, Lily 3, and Phil


Tell me you wouldn't miss this face!


And this little guy? Just precious!

But look at this view of the French Riviera! Can you blame them?
It's breathtaking.