Camo Day

Daddy was invited to Naomi's school for "Can't Hide My Love For Dad" Day. Everyone wore camouflage (Thanks, Lane and Neeley for providing outfits for these two!) and dads brought lunch for their daughters. Naomi and Daddy enjoyed their McDonalds and the games. Naomi gave her dad a special placemat that said her dad is most handsome when he "goes to church!"

Our Little Pumpkins

We visited the Farm Patch this afternoon because we heard they have a fun pumpkin patch. But when we got there we discovered they have not only pumpkins, but a hay maze and farm animals as well! So it was a fun afternoon, and a vast improvement on last year's pumpkin patch experience, which was, shall we say... grouchy? That probably sums it up! This year we bought little pie pumpkins to carve.


Feeding the goats


Ducks and chickens


Winding through the maze

Two little punkins

After dinner we scooped them out, carved them up, and then promptly dispatched one of them to a pot. Kevin boiled it and turned it into pie, which is currently baking in the oven!

Scooping the goop

The finished product... Which was delicious!

Our Heroes

Our Fall Carnival was Sunday night, and the theme was "Heroes". Naomi and Johnathan
carefully considered their costume options and came up with mommy and firefighter (I promise I had nothing to do with Naomi's choice!). We had fun eating, playing games, and watching the contests.


Hot dogs, pickles, and popcorn - What a healthy dinner!


Naomi and Ellie enjoy the music


Johnathan and Caleb salute our community's real heroes!

Naomi as "a mommy"

Time to run off some sugar!

Preaching to the Choir

Naomi and Johnathan love the choir at church. The act like they are spotting celebrities when the choir files in on Sunday mornings - "Mommy, look! It's the choir! The choir is coming!" This afternoon they were holding a little choir practice of their own while I took some blog pictures. Listen in...

Did you see the "heavenly" glow Johnathan took on as he sings? I know I think he's a little angel (most of the time!), but it was actually just the sun coming from behind a cloud through the stained glass window!

You can almost hear the harp music, can't you!

What I learned from my pastor... 10-25

Kevin was in Colossians 3:1-15 this morning, preaching about putting off sin and putting on the qualities that reflect Christ in our lives. I always think of my friend, mentor, and partner in ministry, Linda, when I read this passage, because she and I memorized it together a few years ago. Kevin pointed out that making yourself accountable to a brother or sister in Christ is so important in the continual process of putting off old sinful habits and putting on the character of Christ. So it was also meaningful for him that our friend Kendell, Kevin's accountability partner from Casper, was visiting us this weekend!

Kevin shared a fun illustration of this passage with a pumpkin this morning which can be a fun family activity for this time of year. He said we are like pumpkins, and on the inside, we're full of sin - goopy, and, if you ask Naomi, pretty stinky.

When Christ saves us, He begins the process of cleaning out the inside. But it is a process that takes time and work. It requires cutting into the heart with the "sword" of the Word. With the new, clean inside, He puts in His light. He uses his word and His plan to carve character into us. And when He carves out the character, His light shines through us.

This pumpkin is extra joyful!

Singing in the Rain

Sometimes, one of those hard days comes along - gray skies, grumpy hearts, too much to do and no motivation to do it. What to do? Today, we tried just going out in the rain. A little fresh air and some weed pulling helped.

And after the rain comes...

Mud! But that's okay. I'll mop the floors tomorrow.

Roses and Blue Bells

On Thursday we went to Independence and Brenham, where we checked out the Antique Rose Emporium, The Blue Bell factory, and Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Texas declared independence from Mexico.


Milking the Blue Bell cow


Yum! Ice Cream!



With Grandma and Grandpa at the Blue Bell factory

Posing by the "yellow roses of Texas"

We've had a fun with with Grandma and Grandpa Boaz! Naomi and Johnathan have loved showing them around our new home!